Many many moons ago I started a fun blogging project - known as a meme. I had an idea whereby bloggers could post a specific alphabet related subject - be it a photograph, image, text, poem or whatever. We would work our way through the alphabet, week by week. It started about 5 years ago - a long time for anything blog related but here we are, Round 11!
However there has been a significant change in matters - this round I am not managing the project as I have done from day 1. A few rounds back I found I could not run the show alone and enlisted a team to help with the running of such a fun project. Believe me there is a lot to do and for the moment I am passing the reins over to Roger who has been so supportive and helpful throughout his time as team member. I am still a team member, but feel Roger is the man to take us forward.
So..................this round of ABC Wednesday will be based round my chickens, I know so many of you find the everyday happenings of life in the Nesbitt henhouse so uplifting and fun....so watch this space!
A is for........Accommodation!
3 years ago when we first got our hens they started off in a small cosy purpose built house. In these early days - before Ernest joined the family there was just enough room for all 6 of them. Hens are social creatures, remaining faithful to their family group and enjoy cuddling together - for both warmth and safety. Here from the left we have may, Bev, Olwyn, Mabel, Margie and Eva. This sleeping/perching order was the same every night.
When our faithful gander, Jo sadly passed away his rather superior shed became vacant. The hens by this time had progressed to shed number 2, here to be seen on the left but often observed the empty shed on their travels. so eventually they moved in! Shed 2 became chief log store.
Despite having luxury accommodation should the door ever close the girls would happily sleep on the roof! Hens originate from warmer climates and would happily perch in trees - not to be encouraged here in chillier UK! Many a night has seen Jon encouraging the girls out of the branches and into the safety of a warm henhouse.
Inside the henhouse the girls like a quiet place to lay eggs, often sharing the space together.
On average each hen lays 1 egg everyday - sometimes every other day, but sufficient for our needs.
Due to windy weather Jon modified the shed so the girls could come and go as they please without worrying that the door would slam shut.
The hens love to look out of their window from thir own window seat.
We keep a bag of woodshavings inside the henhouse which we clean out every day, allowing the hens fresh bedding each night.
With the arrival of the woodburning Rayburn we use the rear of the henhouse for storage.
Here the hens settle in for the night.
I hope you enjoy my ABC Wednesdays and gain an insight into life with the Nesbitt chickens.
very interesting. I am thinking of getting some chooks, we have the room here and plenty of slugs and snails!
ReplyDeleteKath - great stuff! Ours eat snails but are not partial to slugs. We kept ducks some years ago and they LOVED slugs!
DeleteI always love to read about your hens and their antics!
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
I know Maggie - inspiration for my ABC round.
DeleteI'm honored to take care of your baby!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Thanks Roger - what a guy! Yes, quite a baby too! All thanks to wonderful particpants like yourself!
DeleteOh, such an interesting post! I used to live in the country and am now in a condo. I like to hear about all things country. Wish I could have hens for eggs....
ReplyDeleteI had no idea hens had such personalities! I don't know why, though, but I've always been leery about getting near them. They sound like cats sitting in the trees or on top of the shed or even sitting and looking out the window! I bet their eggs are tasty whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Have an awesome week, Denise!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
I love the picture of the hens looking out the window!
ReplyDeletenice pics! thanks for hosting :)
ReplyDeleteYou have started a fun meme, which is so informative too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNope, those hens aren't spoiled one bit, no sirree!! LOL! They are, of course, adorable!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted chickens for a long time! Orpingtons in particular.
ReplyDeleteChris H
ABC Wednesday
A is for Avogadro’s Number
Maybe I should get some chickens; they don't cost much - a poultry sum. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh this is wonderful Denise... I'm going to love the journey with your chickens. I've done a couple watercolors with hens, and I'm sure you will supply me with plenty of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLove the details and picture you are sharing. I do love ABC Wed. and this round am devoting to my Kitchen and things I love about that room and my cooking. Thanks for starting them meme and all the hard work you have don. I think Roger is a great one to pass the torch too.
Also enjoy you on fb.
i used to have a pet hen when i was a kid, and we had a houseful of them.:p
ReplyDeletemy dad was crazy about fighting cocks.
A is for...
Seems to me Denise that these are jolly lucky hens and they appear to have 5 star accommodation too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post about your chickens. Five years minding this meme is a very long time! Thank you for doing it but, honestly, I understand that you want to hand over most of the work to Roger.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a 'des res'. So amusing to see them in the window looking out.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to be participating for the first time, and I absolutely love your chicken...it's great to learn about them!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for beginning this même...I can tell it's going to become a favourite...:)
In Malay, the chicken is AYAM. Perfect for this week's don't you think so?
ReplyDeleteI have to say a huge thank you for starting the ABC Blog. Its been lots of fun and I have met so many wonderful friends from all over the world.
ReplyDeleteIts all about Life's great adventures.
Oh yes, I almost forgot...love your sweet ladies and look forward to all you are going to post about them.
PWB - yes what a long time it has been eh? Yes - I will enjoy sharing all about the chickens - but don't tell them - the fame will go to their heads! lol!
DeleteYour chickens always look so clean and healthy and I love the fact that they all perched in the same order at night in their first home. Animals are so funny. Congratulations on Round 11.
ReplyDeleteChris - they still have their own places in Henhouse 3. Ernest is always first in and Bev sleeps on the top of the logs! Hilarious!
DeleteHello Denise, your hens look very healthy and happy. And no wonder, with such fine accommodations. It's been quite a long time since I joined in on ABC Wednesday but I am giving it a try this time around and look forward to meeting some new folks out there in the land of blogs.
ReplyDeleteWow! Sara - great news look forward to your weekly posts.
DeleteWhat an interesting post on your hens. I've heard of a hen-house, but not a hen-shed before. Our next-door neighbour has hens - their area is next to our boundary fence and they don't roam free like yours do, although they have quite a lot of space. Mind you, they couldn't have the run of the garden as there are also four dogs next door, and two of them are border terriers who like to catch the hens if they do get out. Do you have a problem with foxes?
ReplyDeleteI haven't joined in with ABC Wednesday for a while, in fact I think the last one I did was for the letter C. Maybe I'll manage to do some posts this time round.
Margaret - people have had foxes visit in the village but in 21 years of living here we have never had such company. Our dogs have free run of the garden, so I am hoping their scent keeps foxes away. Our hens go into the shed around 9pm at the moment, later in the summer (remember that word?) and we ensure they are locked safe for the night.
DeleteABC is such fun - you will be very welcome.
Oh I loved reading about the hens and how you so thoughtfully care for them. I also find it fascinating that they sleep/stay in the same order next to each other each night. I look forward to reading more over the next 25 weeks.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely they are! Great names too. I would love to have some but we don't really have the room - and I think they'd scare the cats (one used to come visit our garden and the cat we had then was scared stiff of it!).
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post ! I like the picture of the hens cuddling together !
ReplyDeleteGattina
ABC Team
Hens seem to have a lot in common with people: pecking order, nesting, and looking out the window! The last made me smile! Happy to meet you:)
ReplyDeleteEmille - indeed! There are quite a few similarities - which we will see over the next few weeks. Nice to meet you too.
DeleteYour post makes me miss my childhood. We used to grow chicken and pigs growing up, well, my family back home still do. Over here in the states, we only see it when we go to farms which is sad because my kids don't enjoy them as much as I did before.
ReplyDeleteAero 360's Arrows
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team.
Lucky hens, - wonderful Accomodation. Thanks so much for all you have done for ABC, Denise.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I really want to express my fervent thanks to you for starting the ABC meme. It was a brilliant idea that continues to thrive and although I've only been taking advantage of it for three months, I think I'm now addicted. It adds a focus to my posts that was not there before, and it is really fun to read the variety of fascinating approaches to your idea.
ReplyDeleteAs for those lovely hens, I can only say that your post makes me really happy. They are so content and so fortunate to have found you. I love that you have named them, understand their personalities and care about their happiness. Looking forward to lots more news about them in the future.
Hens are really fascinating creatures aren't they. We currently have 40 isa browns, all laying and we sell the eggs through Farm Gate Sales, in other words, from the back door.
ReplyDeleteCJ x
I don't really have much experience with chickens, but I don't believe I've ever seen them in a tree--would never have crossed my mind that they'd perch like that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm brand new to ABCW; does each person choose a theme for their round? I don't think I realized that. Guess I better get focused!
Wonderful to have chickens. My daughter here in Australia also has hens, four of them. I am still in Australia and enjoying the company of my family!
ReplyDelete