Goodbye lovely girl xx

I lost Betty a couple of weeks ago.

I was incredibly upset, which is why it's taken a while for me to mention it.
I threw myself into sorting out the new coop, pushing away thoughts that she was never going to be in it.  
I struggle with her not being in the garden, as she has been here almost from the beginning.

My husband buried her next to Hattie during a snow storm.  
He said now she was up there, Hattie could continue to get her daily peck.

It made me smile x

Fly high over Rainbow Bridge wonderful girl xxxx






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It's beginning to feel a lot like home.

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New Coop Day!!!

It took an absolute age to paint, but it was worth it.  I am super stoked with it.

The coop was built by Andrew Fuller.  He has a working farm in Gloucestershire, U.K and also builds the most amazing summerhouses/playhouses and now coops, in his 200 year old barn.  He is a really nice chap and his houses are top quality.  He will happily try and meet any requests.  This was his first chicken coop and chimney!

http://www.birdwoodplayhouses.co.uk/default.html

Yesterday, I introduced my ladies to their new home.

At bedtime I had to gather them all from the determined queue they had made outside the rabbit hutch, which has been relocated to the spot vacated by their old coop.
The ladies, well, they prefer their old coop.  Mabel is convinced I've locked her in the chicken version of Alcatraz and Bridie isn't talking to me.

 They just stood around and stared and absolutely nobody wanted to be first on a perch.

...but, just before lights out, Violet was brave.  Hurrah!

I'm sure they'll soon love it and enjoy living there, but today, I have no idea where Mabel laid her egg...!

Night, night ladies, sleep tight x

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The sky is falling!!!

Oh wait....no, it's snow.

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One step forward...

...quite a few back!

The coop has arrived. It is as brilliant as I hoped it was going to be.

I collected it on Saturday, and started painting it straight away, eager for the ladies to move in to their new home.  

Sunday dawned and with it, an unpleasant stomach bug.  It's now Wednesday and painting is still on hold.  This is one nasty virus.

It is very frustrating. 

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New Year, New Coop!

I've finally decided on, and ordered my new coop!

It's being built especially for them by a very talented local craftsman and should be ready in about a week.  I spent an hour today with Andrew (the craftsman), discussing nest boxes, perches and 'added extras'!

I then have to paint it as I want specific colours, so I expect I can add another three weeks onto that...(I am hoping to enlist eldest daughter's help to speed this particular process up ;) )

I will reveal it to you all when it's finished and the ladies have moved in. I am super stoked about it!

Until then I wish you, your families & animals (especially chickens), a very happy new year.

Much love,

Rachel, Mabel, Betty, Pearl, Bridie & Violet xxxxx

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Wishing Everyone A Very Merry Christmas xxxx

With love,

Rachel, Betty, Mabel, Pearl, Bridie & Violet xxxx



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