Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[ManueB]

anyone needing a little virtual vacation might enjoy this
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/travel/wales-best-hidden-castles-25705243

We are facing Oxwich castle, across the valley that leads to the bay. Also, just visible on the far side of the bay in the aerial photo of that castle, is the stunningly beautiful Three Cliffs Bay, which is overlooked by another castle, Pennard. And there's another one, Penrice, between us and Oxwich. Those who lived round here were evidently a very unruly bunch in the past

Unruly and/or with land sufficiently rich to sustain them in small holdings ? It does look beautiful, both the landscapes and the historical heritage. I don't believe I will ever travel across the channel again unfortunately.
( this reminds me to mention to you, I got end of year postcards from this young Welsh illustrator)

tax (old, but still full value) Nuit (June 2015) and the June 2021 chicks she raised.
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I'm curious about that gorgeous black hen. Did you have her hatch at six years old or was it a broody surprise ? Do you have french people in your family to have named her Nuit ? The french "u" sound is unpronounceable for English speakers. I know about it having been called something that sounded like manure instead of Manue all my teenage years .

In Australia we get a lot for our taxes. This year I think I'm probably ahead. I've had a mammogram, a bone density scan, two consults with a dermatologist, and maybe 8 appointments with my GP. My brother had his cataract surgery, and we've both consumed various affordable medications. I've also used great roads and been kept safe from people who can't govern themselves. I've used the train a few times. Every single day of my life since age 4, I've benefitted from my taxpayer funded education. I'm sure there are other things too, but I'm not recalling them right now. Research outcomes that benefit everyone, that sort of thing.

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The laundry chickens . Who would have thought there would be chickens amongst climatic refugees ? This may be political so I'm putting it in a spoiler :

Spoiler

I wish human climatic refugees could be treated as you have taken care of the red marauders.

Three out with Covid. Two others with what are hopefully common colds. We are arranging another meeting for after Christmas. I visited two of the remaining healthy ones this evening. Nice to meet them in a more social environment.
Also good to see my eldest and husband who both had Covid recently.
C did the chickens this evening and I looked in on them on my walk from the train.
Both people I talked to never agreed to have chickens at the allotment and apparently have managed as a group to say no more geese once the current geese die.
I've been told that most people just want to grow things and aren't interested in the responsibility of livestock.
Everybody agrees that half of the new coop is owned by the group and not C.
Nobody in the group has a contract and not even a reciept for their payment.
I find that last point a bit concerning on a number of levels.
According to one of the people I visited 13 people have been driven off the allotments by C's behaviour since C's partner died.
One other interesting bit of information is there are mutiple bank accounts associated with the field.

I don't want to sound too naïve but lack of formalized procedures, does not always amount to dishonesty. It likely does in this case, but I think sometimes it's just neglect.
I know I'm a bit thick but I cant help not wishing the worse for C.

Tax from the past last February : when the ex-batts were six with younger Théo.

 

[BDutch]

I finally got Covid too last tuesday. And recovering slowly now.
Christmas celebrations are probably a no go this year.
Luckily MDH takes care of the chickens now.

Time to pay alternative tax. Meet one of the animals I tend to if our neighbours are on a vacation.

 

[BDutch]

@Shadrach
I wonder.
What can the allotment people actually do if there are no contracts and no payment registations?
What will become of the allotment if they go the municipality (they are owner of the grounds aren’t they?) and tell about the mismanagement.
Is it possible to make another legal construction? Are there a few people in the allotment group that wants to take over over the responsibility to organise and improve the allotment for all the allotment people?

But whatever becomes of the land is not a quick solution for the livestock and coop/run of course if there is no commitment to care for the chickens and geese. I feel sorry for all of C’s behaviour and the well-being of the livestock.

 

[Perris]

( this reminds me to mention to you, I got end of year postcards from this young Welsh illustrator)

thank you so much for that link; I love her style

Meet one of the animals I tend to if our neighbours are on a vacation.

so cute... But it won't stay that cute or size for long. Is urban backyard pig keeping allowed where you are?

I must owe a ton of tax, so here's some more of the alternative variety: this was the kestrel I had to rescue from Maria last summer, in the broody crate for its own protection while it gathered its composure to fly off again

 

[Perris]

Unruly and/or with land sufficiently rich to sustain them in small holdings ?

as 80% of the country is "less favoured area" and only good for growing grass (hence all the sheep) I think unruly must have it We don't have beautiful mountains like yours; it's mostly fairly barren and craggy upland, with nice beaches round the edges. But there were lots of small holdings, enough to sustain a family.

 

[Perris]

I finally got Covid too last tuesday. And recovering slowly now.

Sorry to hear this, but very glad you are on the mend. A quiet Christmas is some people's idea of bliss!

 

[BDutch]

..
so cute... But it won't stay that cute or size for long. Is urban backyard pig keeping allowed where you are?

She’s a minipig and about 3 years old now. There are lots of rules on keeping pigs , pets or other livestock within and outside urban territory.
Main rule is that you must give all animals proper care and housing. And they may not disturb the life of neighbours.
Chickens and rabbits are the only backyard animals you can keep and slaughter yourself if done as humanely as possible. The minipig is too sweet for that purpose. She is not for consumption.

 

[BDutch]

Sorry to hear this, but very glad you are on the mend. A quiet Christmas is some people's idea of bliss!

We liked the idea to have a small family gathering and celebration. With both my children + boy/girlfriend we needed to plan the celebration on the second Christmas day. Hopefully, and with a bit of luck I’m not a risk for others anymore by then and they can come after all for a plain visit and a veggie meal. Time will tell.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

59 cloudy 88% humidity feels like 62 rain 39%.

We are supposed to be below freezing for the next three days at night.

I feel like C has caused quite a conundrum.

Have a great day!

 

[BDutch]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

59 cloudy 88% humidity feels like 62 rain 39%.

We are supposed to be below freezing for the next three days at night.

I feel like C has caused quite a conundrum.

Have a great day!

Yes, its getting cold all over the US i heard. Your presidents warning for the upcoming cold and snow was even on our national tv.
Hope you all be fine. And remember that safety cones first. Missing out one Christmas celebration doesn’t change the world.

Here it’s quite warm for the time of the year and we had much rain. My chickens weren’t pleased with it and didn’t want to free range.