Veg Trug!

Now, the observant amongst you will have noticed that the title of this blog is 'Off we grow!' and yet, all I have blogged about thus far is my recent forray into poultry keeping.  You would be right in questionning what on earth the adventures of my three little chickens have to do with growing things.

You are quite right of course.  When the idea of the blog first popped into my head, I intended it to detail my own adventures in growing my own produce.  I have in the past had some success with a selection of vegetables grown mainly in pots in my back garden and thought it would be a nice idea to share some of this with you, the reader.

To this end, during my expensive, but very enjoyable trip to the Edible Garden Show, I purchased a Vegtrug.  A what?  You may cry.  These wonderful items come in different sizes, but are essentially a raised trough in which the keen veg grower, that's me, can sow and grow a variety of veg.  I found a picture to show you;

If I remember rightly, this is the size of the veg trug I myself have purchased, but they do come bigger should space and budget permit. You can also add an insect net to protect your precious produce and helpfully there is a tomato trellis available for, well, tomatos and other climbing things. One of the wonderful things about these is that they are too high for the dogs to pee on or dig up.  It will happily sit on my patio and so be away from chickens also, (if I can stop Hen Solo et al from foiling my chicken prevention methods).

Then, whilst I was looking up images to share, I found this one!

A blue one!  I hadn't even thought about the decorating possibilities!  This makes the whole project even more exciting.  

They arrive flat packed and are, according to my friend who has already assembled hers, relatively easy to put together.  The size of vegtrug I have, which is the size pictured holds around 3.5 60 litre bags of compost.  My friend is way ahead of me;

I am planning to grow tomatos, carrots, and lettuce at the mo, but will also do potatos in my pot which I managed to do before.  Given that I came to veg growing as a total novice, I was very surprised what could be achieved with relative ease.  I always thought there was something terribly difficult about growing your own stuff, some secret I had no knowledge of, but it would appear that you can grow vegetables virtually anywhere.  Pots, beds, vegetable patches big and small.  

Of course, now all I have to do is build said veg trug.  

And, there you have it, a whole blog post with virtually no mention of chickens whatsoever. 

The rogue Hen Solo

Having purchased a quantity of wire fencing, I set about securing the top part of our garden so that our three little hens could have a mooch about outside the confines of their run.  I even made a gate for the top of the steps leading up to the grass area.  I am so proud of this gate, even though it is probably a lesson in how not to take on a DIY project, I was even going to photograph it just to show you.  I managed to restrain myself however.

Anyway, we have for some days now watched the girls as they peck and scratch their way about the garden, and taking lovely little dust baths.  They seem happy to meander about and dare I say, even stop from time to time to admire the gate.

It would appear however, that far from gazing upon the gate with admiration, Hen Solo was in fact plotting her way out.  I should mention at this point that all three have had their wings clipped so they are unable to fly.  I was advised that as a novice chicken keeper, this was the way to go.  Clipping is simple, painless and prevents the chickens from becoming lost or roosting somewhere inaccessible.

Imagine my surprise therefore when the other afternoon, after being alerted by louder than normal chicken sounds, I discovered Hen Solo standing on the patio, peering rather curiously through the french doors into the house.  

What the...?

How? How did she manage to get over the fence I wondered.  My gate was still up and intact, and yet there she was looking quite pleased with herself.  After I had got over my surprise, I managed to pick her up and return her to her part of the garden, having a little chat with her about boundaries as I did so.

Then yesterday......

  

She was standing on top of the nest box!  It is only a short hop from there to the top of the dividing fence between their part of the garden and the patio which I am trying, (and failing) to keep chicken free. 

Not only is she becoming quite a cheeky madam, she is also leading the others astray...

How too funny!

Heaven knows what they plot together when they return to their coop at night.  I am rather looking forward to seeing where they pop up tomorrow.  

At least I know it has nothing to do with my little gate. 

Bathing Chicken Style!

Yesterday as I looked out onto the garden, I couldn't see the chickens anywhere.  The wind was blowing cold and strong and I assumed they had hurried indoors to keep warm.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered them taking a long luxurious dust bath in a hidden corner behind the garage!  I zoomed inside and took a photo which I will share for your viewing pleasure.

Goat pictures from the Edible Garden Show

I thought I would have a break from 'chickening' and share some cute and funny pictures of the goats we saw at the Edible Garden Show.  If I had known I was going to throw myself into blogging, I would have taken more, but loyal followers will be rewarded by plenty from next years show. ;-)

So without further ado, I give you goats.

My New Chicken Shopping List

Now I have my lovely three ladies, I decided that although the most helpful and ever patient Jo at Merrydale Poultry, (yes, I am promoting them again) provided me with all the essentials, there are still one or two things I think I need.  In the true style of the childishly excited, I happily compiled the following list;

• Two dustbins with lockable lids for straw and easichick. (Different colour for each or matching?)
• Container and scoop for Layers Pellets
• Scraper for the endless poop
• Latch for hen house (am a little paranoid about Mr Fox wanting to eat my girls)
• Padlock for nest box (see above)
• Plastic toolbox for cleaning kit (indulge me, I am an excited beginner)
• Plastic jug for preparing water and apple cider vinegar, (ACV)
• Plastic measuring spoon, for measuring ACV
• Hooks and chains for feeder and drinker
• Cleaning brush

This list, though incredibly exciting, is by no means exhaustive.  I keep thinking of other things my chickens may need to keep them healthy and happy.  In fact, one absolutely essential thing I have neglected to put on my list is a wormer.  This is something which needs to be done monthly, so I have a little time in which to acquire it.  Still, it should have been on the list.

I am pleased to report that since compiling my Chicken List, I have managed to secure my little cleaning kit and toolbox, a padlock and chains for the feeder and drinkers.  I did start by putting the drinker on the ground, but of course they pooped in it, so it is now hanging above bottom height.  The feeder I suspended from day one as this prevents the inevitable poop and also stops them from knocking it over and reduces the wasting and scattering of food.

Another advantage of hanging them on metal clips is that at night when they take themselves off to bed, I can remove the feeder and drinker easily for cleaning and replenishing the next day.

Now at the risk of being labelled sexist, which I assure you I am not, one of the wonderful things about keeping chickens, or, I suppose, anything else which requires a range of equipment is that you can get some really lovely things to store it all in. If I may direct your attention to the list above, you will notice that one of the things I need is a storage container and scoop for the pellets.  I could of course simply buy a plastic tub with a lid or just keep them in the tub they came in.  

Now ladies, (and possibly gentlemen), I ask you, where is the fun in that? 

On a trip to Glebe Garden Centre the other week, I stumbled across a gorgeous large tin type container which would be perfect for the pellet job!  It even comes with a matching scoop which rather quaintly hangs on its own little hook at the side of the container!  The fact that it says 'Laundry' on it is a minor concern which is easily eliminated by the simple act of turning it around.  Sorted!  I could of course search the interweb for specific chicken acoutrements, but I believe there is a limit to the amount of chicken-ness in one's home which can be considered acceptable.  

Of course the cockerel kitchen roll holder is tastefulness itself and it is pure coincidence that the chickens garlic powder happens to be stored in a small pot featuring an understated picture of a chicken.

Here come the girls!

So, my friend invited me to the Edible Garden Show.  I dutifully spread the word and then my Mum decided to join us. (This is impressive given that she lives 600 miles away, but that is a story for another time.)

Mum having safely arrived, off we toddled.  Having spent my money rather enthusiastically only the day before acquiring some bargain pictures from a local charity shop, I instructed my ma not to let me spend any money, as indeed, I had none left.

And this is why the Good Lord created the Credit Card!

I cannot divulge the exact amount I slapped onto my little piece of plastic as I am one of those who believe that if I don't think about it, it didn't really happen.  And hey, it's only money right?

But, the biggest and most bestest thing about our day out, is that as a result, not only am I once again growing my own veg, I now have chickens!!

I know!  I am still a little dazed by how quickly this has all happened, but I am so pleased with The Girls, even though they poop at a phenomenal rate and they too appear quite happy in their new home.

The show really was amazing and although it was very busy I didn't get the urge to run away or hurt anyone, as I would normally when faced with a crowded shopping experience.  The amount and variety of information available was staggering and I am truly grateful to everyone I spoke with who happily advised me on my garden flowers, veg growing and chicken keeping ambition.

Unfortunately though, the chicken people I spoke with at the show were unable to take payment for their 'Special Show Starter Pack Offer' because, and this is a secret, I don't own a smartphone.  Confused?  So was I.  Nevermind, they said, we will contact you on Monday and sort it out.  

I am still waiting for their phone call.

In the meantime however, I visited their website, was not impressed and then visited another website and was.  I will now shamelessly promote Merrydale Poultry in Whetstone, Leicestershire as they are so incredibly helpful and to be honest,  even with the 'Special Show Starter Pack Offer' of the smartphone people I have got more stuff for my plastic.  

So, the girls are home, and I am now a bonafide chicken keeper with my very own, (very small) flock.  

I have taken several books out of the library on keeping poultry and am booked onto a chicken keeping course at Warwickshire College.  I will let you know how that goes. 

Chickens are relatively simple to keep it would appear, but as with everything, this requires a degree of effort on the part of the chicken keeper.  Cleanliness is king and of course being committed enough to ensure your birds are safely tucked up each night and getting up to let them out early in the morning.

The world of chickens and chicken behaviour is proving to be quite fascinating and I am in very real danger of becoming a chicken bore.  My current excitement is nothing however to what will errupt once we have our first egg.  

Brace yourself, you have been warned.