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.