Our hens are on their winter break. Not sunning themselves on a beach somewhere. No. More a break from the old nest box. I know, I could keep them laying eggs, but quite honestly, there are only 2 and they’re old. Definitely pensionable age. Commercially, they would have met their maker years ago. With us, they are pets, that lay the odd egg.
This Spring, we will get more birds for our flock, as my growing family consume more than our two old birds can lay. In the meantime, the farm across the lane fills the gap. Two empty egg cartons, a dog on the lead and a chance to blow the cobwebs away.
We chatted to the farmer, who stopped his tractor to talk to us. Then on to the farmhouse, where we bought a couple of dozen eggs. Hopefully these will last us the weekend, and there will be some for a spot of baking. When you’re used to collecting eggs from your own chicken coop, it’s hard to imagine buying eggs from a big shop. A walk to the farm makes such a perfect alternative.
While wellies were on, we ventured out into the garden to fill up the bird feeders. Judging by the way the little birds flock to our feeders, they’re appreciating the extra food, on these colder days.
Eldest does her best to give them variety too. This is very much her project.
Linking up with Fiona’s, as ever, inspiring #CountryKids linky. It’s been a while. I need to promise myself to get out more. Even in this less than welcoming weather. Even if it’s just for the everyday activities.
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I love that your eldest has the bird feeder as her own project. Lovely photos as always x
She’s doing well. We’re all enjoying spotting the different types of birds that flock to the feeders.
A lovely walk out and how nice to get your eggs from a local farm whilst your hens are having a break from laying. Looks like the birds are being well fed too! #CountryKids
Nice to have a good excuse for a walk.
I would never have thought to put apples in our bird feeder, thanks for the inspirtion. My son is desperate to keep chickens, but I’m a little scared of them. #countrykids
Chickens really are easy. We’ve had dozens and only one was a problem. Stick to the girls. They can be quite sweet.
What a lovely look at your everyday activities. This is the very best of country life. Our birds are also laying less for the winter months and we have barely had enough to go around on the feed run. From next week when we close for January however we will be back on Coombe Mill eggs with enough to feed our family. I love the variety in your bird feeder, I hope you are rewarded with some interesting visitors over the coming months. Thank you for joining me for Country Kids and I hope you will stay with me over the coming weeks, it gets easier each month after January!
Nothing like your own chickens’ eggs. Still warm when you collect them. And you are right. It is the best of country life.
It must be so wonderful to have your own eggs, and to enjoy a walk to a local farm when your own hens are having a rest 🙂 Love the look of that bird feeder, what a great project x #CountryKids
PS. Happy New Year 🙂
Happy New Year to you too!
It is a great feeder. Tickles me when I spot a small bird on each of the levels. Eldest is determined to keep them coming to our garden, ready for the Big Garden Bird watch at the end of the month.
We get our eggs from the chickens at the stables where my daughter rides. In fact one of these chickens is like a special pet for my son – they spend all the time together during my daughter’s riding lessons! Will have to try some apple in our new feeder too.
Sounds lovely that your son has discovered the joy of chickens. They can be so sweet. Nothing like buying fresh eggs from a place you can eye-ball the hen that laid it! 😀
I love it when kids take over responsibility for filling up the bird feeders – Monkey does here too. Happy New Year #CountryKids
It is good, you’re right. I’m sure it’s where a lot of people’s interest in the natural world stems from or begins. Taking responsibility for their bird feeders.
I really wish that I have a space for chicken and more plants! Its always nice to get your food at the back of your house! So earth friendly =) #countrykids
Starting to look at my seed packets and it’s making me wish for trays of earth with little seedlings pushing through. Too soon! You are right. Home grown is the best.
One of the reasons why I want a bigger garden is so that we can also have a few animals like you do! We had a bird-feeder once, but no birds came. Could be because of the dog and cat 😉 Hope the new year brings in more blessings for you and your lovely family #countrykids.
So sad that the birds didn’t come. A friend gave us her feeder, because she had the same problem, except mice had taken over. Wishing you a happy new year too.
Sounds like a lovely walk, and that you get through a lot of eggs. You’ve nudged me to get out and fill our bird feeder, thanks, so I’ll get onto that tomorrow morning. And I’n not thought of apples before, so will try that.
Feed the birds! Yes! They really will thank you.
Looks like a lovely everyday habit, and a great excuse to get out.
Embarrassingly, I buy my eggs from the supermarket. There are chickens over at my in-laws, but I’ve never got them from there, and the OH isn’t a big egg eater, otherwise we’d probably do more to get them from there. Even our lodgers next door have their own chickens. It’s just me – I know I’d forget to shut them up in the evenings or kill them off or something!
And you living on a farm! Ah well.You never know. As N gets older, he may get interested in raising a few chooks. 🙂
I love you have your own eggs, we use a lot of eggs as a family for cooking and baking that I hope one day we can have a space large enough to keep our own hens 🙂 #countrykids
Eggs from the back garden is a must for anyone who likes to cook from scratch. Used to have 70 eggs a week from our flock. Made my own cakes, ice cream, pasta, quiches, etc. Hope you find your extra space some day soon.
Sounds lovely 🙂
Good to get out.
We get our eggs from a local farm too! I cannot imagine buying them in the supermarket either can’t remember when I last did!
Bought a box before Christmas. Disappointed. The yolks were so pale, and the taste was nothing compared to our usual eggs. Can see why my sponge cakes turn out much more yellow than other people’s.
Nothing like really fresh eggs… we had chickens when I was young and I still miss being able to get such delicious eggs and where I live now there is no farm shop nearby; shop bought eggs just aren’t the same, not even free range ones 🙁
Beautiful photos; love the bird feeder with such a lovely selection of yumminess on it… lucky birds 😀
Oh so true. Paler yolks and less tasty. Best eggs I ever tasted, were from hens that scratched around on a shore line, among the washed up seaweed. Just the memory makes me want to upsticks and move.
Lovely to see your girlie looking after the wild birds as well as your pet birds. It is always nicer buying eggs locally then using the big supermarkets. They always taste better x
#countrykids
Couldn’t agree more. Once tasted, it’s never the same.