The new arrivals

Today, after a search lasting some weeks, including at least one wasted trip, off we went to Horsmonden to collect our new chickens. Tucked away behind an apple orchard, we found a poultry breeder with an interesting and varied selection of birds, including ducks, turkeys and even a couple of Peacocks. When we arrived, there was no sign of the owner, until I located one of her friendly Collies that showed me where she was at the bottom of a field. Once the dogs had finished proving who could announce my arrival with the greatest enthusiasm, we returned to the stables near the house, where a selection of birds in two crates awaited us as arranged.

From the selection, we chose two Cuckoo Marans and four Orpingtons; a Buff, a Silver-laced, a Partridge and a Blue. All were popped into cardboard boxes with plenty of holes and some straw and placed together in the boot for the short drive home. A little gentle clucking was occasionally heard, but mostly they stayed quiet and seemed happy enough.

As their house had not yet arrived, I had temporarily converted my potting shed for them. This seemed to meet with their approval. They've been given a reasonably sized area for now of about 400 sq ft, fenced in with chicken wire panels, but the intention is to allow them free run of much of the garden.