Posted in Animals

Our hens arrived three days ago. Today is the day that we should be letting them out, although we haven't got the fenced run up yet. We built this hen house all by ourselves - it was supposed to be a homeschooling project, and it started out that way, but when I got sick for 3 months (morning sickness), I had to get Robin to finish it off - and for someone who is not a natural handyman, he did a great job. Even Brad (our builder/math tutor) was impressed. We just have to put the ridge on the roof, and the perspex window in, and it's all done. Thankfully, Canterbury is not traditionally a rainy area!

Here is a picture of the nesting boxes inside.

The hens arrived in two cardboard boxes from the hatchery. Theodore was very brave and carried them over to the hen house - he didn't even squeel when one of the hens pecked his thumb.

 Maybe I should have made it his job to care for the chickens. But Meredith (6) asked me (before they arrived) if it could be her job and I agreed, and now I have to teach her how not to be chicken about the chickens!

Here are our six hens just arrived in their new house. The one with the white feathery tail on the roost is named Dora. We haven't distinguished the others yet, but their names will be:

Betsy Trotwood - Peggotty - Agnes - Little Em'ly and Mrs. Macawber

I have asked two teachers - one old and one young which classic story those names are out of, and netiher could tell me.

And here is Poppy, enjoying the sunshine while we put the straw into the hen's house.