CHICKELICIOUS is not a page about how delicious chickens are (We already know that - both as lovely food and as amazing characters in our gardens!) No - This is a page where I can waffle and post Q&A's that might be informative if you are a total beginner or already kept chucks for 100 years. The first piece of WAFFLE is that the whole website is going to be restyled from this cheap but useful format into a WHOLE NEW CONCEPT. I'm just looking for the RIGHT PERSON to do it who will be cheep cheep!! (not necessarily - that was a joke!! but it would be looked upon favourably) and willing to let chickens take over their lives for a short while. IF YOU ARE THAT PERSON email me claire@springcottagefarm.co.uk (PS I have a very set idea of what I want, but will always listen to advice).
OK. So What First??
Make Do And Mend. MARKET SQUARE ALTON. A BRAND NEW SHOP due to open mid November in Alton Hants. A Self Sufficiency Supply Shop. Selling all the things you find difficult to get elsewhere! Jam / Wine / Beer / Cider/ making. Bee Keeping, Poultry info, lots of advice, books, Cd's, DVD's , AND a fantastic range of Hand made gifts and Crafts from local people.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, is fantastic. I was never completely sure about this fact until recently. I've always done the - PUT HALF CUP FULL IN 5 LITRE DRINKER ONCE A MONTH FOR 3 DAYS. seems to work and I do recommend that to people. But this year I've used it in the drinking water for day old chicks onwards. A capful in a small mushroom drinker. No Coxy so far (touch wood) no wierd fatalities, just healthy chicks. No Mean Feat. I have a brinsea 190, plus 3 basic 50 egg incubators and a Rcom 20 so the volume is moderately high for just a tiny concern. ANYWAY I'M IMPRESSED and will keep using it in chick water. ANY COMMENTS claire@springcottagefarm.co.uk ADDED JULY. Still no coxy. at all!!!
This time of year is tricky with poultry. Turkey poults die because they just do... Geese have stopped laying - or got properly vicious. Chicks reared under broodies are suceptable to coxidiosis, and chickens get colds in warm wet weather. They also get sick if bothered by the fox or a dog , cat, or badger. Sitting hunched - eyes shut is a sure sign of stress or disease. always call me - or your particular chicken supplier to get advice. A vet will be costly and unless you have a farm vet they will need to get advice themselves. Anyone who has sold you birds should be happy to help you, most of us actually do this because we REALLY like chickens!! Not because it is a commercial concern.
Security - Be careful, sadly there are people out there who want all sorts of things without paying for them (kids toys, tools, cars, livestock trailers). Including your chickens. I don't post my address on the website for a reason. Anyone with the latest trendy chicken breeds will be targeted. Some people will just take/damage anything because they missed part of the evolution process!! Keep an eye on all the poultry and smallholder mags - if they feature a particular breed it will be a target. SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE WHAT THEY WANT. We all know that people with intelligence and integrity will not do that. Enough said.
Ginger Beer Plants. make your own additive free drink for hyperactive kids! Easy to make & easy to drink.
Making the PLANT (Step 1) In a large jar mix the following items: 3/4 pint of warm water 2 tsps sugar 2 tsps ground ginger 1tsp yeast granules
Leave to ferment for 3 days. Store the jar in a warm dry place to help this process along.
Feeding the ginger beer plant (Step 2) From the forth day day your plant must be fed daily by adding the following: 1tsp sugar 1tsp ground ginger
The harvest (Step 3) After feeding your plant for one week, it now becomes time to harvest the crop. You will now need the following items: Bucket or large pan Piece of muslin Bottles 24oz sugar 7 pints of water Juice of 2 lemons
Strain the plant through the muslin into the bucket (set plant aside to divide later). Add the sugar, 2 pints of warm water & the lemon juice stir until sugar has dissolved. Add the remaining 5 pints of water, mix well. Bottle & store somwhere cool leave for a minimum of 3 days before drinking.
Splitting the plant (Step 4) Place half of your plant back in it's jar and add: 3/4 pint of warm water 2 tsps sugar 2 tsps ground ginger Then continue from step 2 (you don't need to wait 3 days before feeding as the culture is already active) the other half can be made up in a new jar & given away or just chucked on the compost heap. When you get bored with it or go on holiday you can freeze your plant and revive it when you want to try again.
