EGGS.....WE HAVE EGGS.........FINALLY

Finally, the girls have pulled through, after the loss of a couple of friends to our pet dog Kooly, lice infestation from the visiting minor birds, numerous threats of being made dinner if they didn't start laying, a few pep talks and more importantly a change in diet and bedding we are getting eggs daily. What a wonderful surprise it was to come home from hospital with Myles and lift the door open and see two beautiful eggs. We now have a new mid morning ritual - collecting the eggs and don't forget to always thank the girls.

FOUR NOT TWO

When Daniel and I agreed to get chickens he specifically said that he only wanted two. However, since Happy Feet's very happy arrival she now has three new friends, Mrs Peck, Penny and Mrs Tilly. When we arrived at the hatchery, I realised very quickly that Happy Feet, had been spoilt over the past few days, being carried around, hand fed and living in the laundry. There were so many little chooks, it was impossible to choose one and it was a bit of a lucky dip as to what you got. They were literally fished out of there enclosure by the ankles carried upside down and placed in a box. I wish now that Myles hadn't seen them carrying them by the ankles as he has since tried to retrieve a very reluctant Mrs Peck from her new house by the ankles. After explaining to him he could have broken her leg and to be more careful he very promptly told me I could have broken his and Fynn's legs when I carried them both upside down by the legs from the bed that morning.

Daniel and apprentice Myles did a great job getting the chickens new house finished and the girls seem to be enjoying their new home. The chicken tractor however has now become a chicken coop that will more than likely not be moved from its present location for a while. Apart from some door hinges it was made from recycled building materials and has turned out to be a lot larger and heavier than we had initially planned, therefore to heavy to put wheels on. All it needs now is a coat of paint and some eggs.

BUSY BEES

After a slow start to the long weekend we finally got moving on the construction of the chicken tractor and (after deliberating for an annoyingly long time about location, type and size) I installed a small pond in a shady corner of the yard for the frogs/tadpoles. I ended up making a very basic pond from an old dog bed and tried to make it as frog friendly as possible for its inhabitants and added some water plants and rocks. I also fenced it off so the kids can't get in and scare the frogs to death and from the dog whom we know from past experience enjoys drinking the water and its inhabitants.

I cant explain the sheer joy and excitement from Myles when he put the frogs from their small bowl into their new 'luxury' home. I swear one of the frogs was doing laps round the pond and quietly I was imaging it shouting "I'm free, I'm free". We sat for ages just watching them and Myles tried so hard to resist scooping them up for what would seem like a long time for a four year old until he couldn't resist temptation any longer and just had to hold them and have them leap from his hands. Its been such a great experience to watch them develop from tiny tadpoles to frogs. I remember as a kid having tadpoles and being fascinated with them and sitting and watching them eat the mosquito larvae and being so upset when they disappeared into the yard and when dad found one dead in the pool. However, we could always hear them in the yard for years to come. I think its these kinds of experiences as kids that make us value and appreciate nature, its intricacies, fragility and beauty.

My husband who at first was very reluctant to get chickens has agreed to getting them as long as we only get two. This weekend his enthusiasm grew once it came to the construction and designing of their new home which has gone from a small chicken tractor that could be picked up and moved to a chicken mansion on wheels. I'm loving his new found passion for designing chicken houses. Will keep posting updates of its progress.