As you know, our chickens are here to garden for us. The plan is to move them from bed to bed, allowing them to eat everything in sight and then fertilise the soil, ready for planting.
Yesterday, they had their first rotation – into a bed of buckwheat grown just for them. I thought you might like to see some photos of our happy ladies…
Good news, we had another egg! A little pullet egg, with a deep golden yolk and a good firm shell. The hen who laid it was so proud of herself, she came out of the nesting box clucking and carrying on, until one of the more dominant chickens got sick of it and came over and pecked her on the head – as Christina said, that will teach her to show off!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
lucky ladies…that looks like a feast for them. I think your chooks have now officially taken over the crown of being the most spoiled chooks in Sydney…”specially grown bed of buckwheat”?!! Our chooks would be very jealous to hear that!
SG, I don’t feed them lamb chops… :)
My favourite hens are these classic reddy/brown looking ones! They look like they’re in heaven.
I just want to know what wonderful and good things those chicken did in their past lives to come back into your care?
Funny how people say “lucky duck”, I disagree it is “lucky chicken” {:0)
What lovely photos. We have chickens too and a veg garden where I’ve planted my first green manure crop of lupins and mustard (that apparently plays havoc with the nematode’s sinuses). But instead of digging it in I think I’ll let the chooks rotorvate for me – although I think the mustard might give them the chook-quick-step! I so much enjoy your blog Celia, thank you for taking the time to share.
Buckwheat: one of the staple substitutes for those of us on a gluten-free diet. I like Jane’s pancakes.
What happy looking chickens.
I’m surprised by what buckwheat looks like – I imagined it would look more like a traditional grain plant!
Sarah, Jan, thank you for the kind words! I had to take the photo as soon as they went onto the buckwheat, because they went to work on it like little lawnmowers! They do seem happy – one more egg today!
Mickey-Moo, you’re always sweet, thank you. I’m wondering what we did to deserve such lovely birds…
Peter, I’d love to be able to make proper soba noodles from buckwheat, but the time I tried I just made hard clay. It’s a delicious grain though.
Suelle, it’s a great plant – chickens and humans can eat every part of it. Pete likes the leaves and thinks we should put them into salads. Too late though – we didn’t quite count on the chickens decimating the whole bed in a day and a half! :)
What a beautiful bed of greens you’ve grown for your chooks, Celia! Such lucky ladies. You’ll be treated to gorgeous golden yolks with all that greenery. Are you using a Linda Woodrow style chook dome? I have one of those and it works great! (Just need to be more organised like you and grow some catch/feed crops!). Great pics. :o)
Ahh…Linda, Linda, Linda…I can’t tell you how many of Pete’s sentences start with…”Linda says…” :)
We’re big fans of the book, and the chooks are very happy in their dome. We’ve grown buckwheat in this bed, chick peas, oats and woolly pod vetch in the others.
Have been enjoying your chicken pages, Christine, thanks! :)
I had no idea you planted for the chickens! Is this a continuous process then? they must feel very loved.
This year our garden is still full of regular bird visitors, even get goldfinches on my seed feeders. I think the neighbours aren’t putting stuff out so we get everybody dropping in…
Jo, as the garden is new, the beds are planted with chook feed and legumes first, which the chickens then eat, rotorvate (thanks Jan, great word!) and fertilise. Once the garden is in full swing, the chickens get to clean up all the leftovers once the crops are harvested.
Your bird photos are always so gorgeous – I’m looking forward to seeing what visits your garden this summer.. :)
I am InTolerant to buckwheat, and spelt, and wheat. Lucky me…. but I’m glad the chooks are enjoying it!
haha tall poppies in the hen community! It happens everywhere it seems! ;)
I’m almost persuaded by the complete beauty of your birds – no- my husband would have me certified crazy if I even suggest it.
He scorned my request for a goat- and got rid of the fruit trees because they were messy.
He grew up on a farm and thinks the entire idea is presented just to thwart him.
I will just enjoy your pictures and stories and videos.
Chef, I’m sorry to hear there’s so many things you can’t eat! Buckwheat is gluten-free, it’s a shame you can’t eat it…
Lorraine, it was just too funny for words. She looked very chastised when pecked, then walked to the other side of the enclosure, and started all over again, albeit a little softer..hehe
Heidi, I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts! :)
Fantastic Celia, so good to see happy hens. When CT are doing our “dreaming of our mythical small holding”, we’ve always said we would have chicken tractors, so it’s really interesting to see you are actually giving it a go.
What lucky chooks! What a pity chooks can’t all have such lovely lives.
You’ll be making omelets in no time!
Choclette, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do – wish us luck! It’s nice for the chooks though – they get something new and interesting to eat every few weeks!
Debra, thank you! And Cindy, I hope so! :)