Spa day!
After a lovely relaxing bath, Dilly loves getting a blowout.
#PamperedPoultry
#chickens #blueskychickens #backyardchickens

The #pamperedpoultry are so very happy to be allowed out again after avian flu #flockdown and even happier that their programme of lunchtime treats continue - today a much coveted half melon!

#smallholdingdream

Three weeks in and the new rehomed ex-commercial chickens are much braver, developing personalities, know the sound of the popcorn tub and enjoying novel food. Exhibit A: melon! #smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry

Meanwhile we had to get all the horses & #pamperedpoultry in and safely locked up as the hunt was due to go through the field beyond mine. This involved finding horses in the fog! Just look at Lily’s baby bump!!! (Also did some work with her teaching her about saddles). So that was our Boxing Day.

… and they have had their first exploratory venture into the track outside the stables. What a difference to last weekend when they were apprehensive about leaving the stable! #smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry

Two brown chickens wjth scraggy feathers in their chicken coop with a small bantam cockerel behind them.

It’s been a few days since I posted an update about the ex-commercial hens we adopted two weeks ago. It’s going great! We had one night where all 3 girls went to bed in the Eglu, but one usually has to be moved from the dust bath… & their confidence outside is ⬆️⬆️ #smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry

Latest from the #smallholdingdream: the rescued/rehome ex-commercial chickens started venturing out today. Here’s what happened when the ducks realised that Brian the cockerel was with a new partner! (his late wife Lizzie was blue!) - the were fascinated! #pamperedpoultry

Meanwhile, Tilly Trout the new duck has definitely made a friend in Eggstra, our 2yo runner. They were together whilst out in the poultry paddock and in the duck spa this afternoon. I had no idea (before getting the #pamperedpoultry) that birds have their preferred friends and personalities.

Ever seen a cockerel calling his wives over for a tasty treat?

These three brown Warren chickens were commercial layers until two days ago. Brian the cockerel is desperate to teach them about the good things in life… like popcorn! #pamperedpoultry #smallholdingdream
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A group of ducks all asleep with their heads tucked under their wings

Let sleeping ducks lie…

First time we have seenTilly Trout (2md from right) properly asleep and ignoring sounds on the stable yard.

#smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry

Today’s update from the #pamperedpoultry at the #smallholdingdream - Day 4 in the family for for Tilly Trout the 6-month old Runner duck, and Day 2 for the three rescued chickens (one is called Fiesty, other names TBC). First up, the chickens - look at how magnificent little bantam Brian is!

Three bedraggled looking brown chickens in a cardboard box

An afternoon with the new #rescuechickens - a 🧵

First of all, chicken maths applied 🤦🏼‍♀️ I had reserved two, but there were two spare on the lorry so I came home with 3 and the chap I was standing next to had 7 rather than 6… #smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry

… and having a quick spin in the paddock at the #smallholdingdream this PM. You can see how much more petite and refined Tilly Trout is cf my “backyard” runner ducks (Tilly is from a friend who is a top exhibition duck breeder) and also her even-more ridiculous legs and gait 😂 #pamperedpoultry

…. She looks like someone has taken a photo of Ditto the (too-dark) Silver Appleyard and put it through a very bad filter to make her tall and skinny 😂 We have put her with Ditto in the duck spa tonight and she will meet the others in the morning. #Ducksky #PamperedPoultry #smalholdingdream

We are getting a new duck this week and I am very excited! A six month old female Trout-coloured runner duck. I am now googling to see what she will look like! #pamperedpoultry #smallholdingdream

Enjoy the ducks (and friend Lizzie) heading back to their bedroom for the night at a wet and soggy #smallholdingdream #pamperedpoultry