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On My Oasis – A New Day, A New Break-in
Honestly, I can’t even start to put into words how some utter reprobates make me feel. If you remember, back in March – soon after I’d move here – someone came into the garden, tried to break into the shed and then took Charlotte; my remaining pet hen of seven years. At the time I was gutted, but realised there was no security in place. Since then, motion sensor lights have gone up, I trellised half the length of the garden, pyracantha has been planted and the back gate and chicken coop are covered in padlocks – it looks like Fort Knox.
Well – obviously it wasn’t enough. This Friday night, someone came into the garden again – climbing over next door neighbours fence this time before breaking into the shed and taking a cage of Bengelese finches. Gutted. They’re worth nothing. The thief probably broke in looking for tools and didn’t want to go away empty handed.
BUT, to make matters even worse – THEY CAME BACK.
I was really upset and my husband was feeling anxious too. After I discovered the shed door open and the two locks broken (around 1am when I put the dog out for a wee), I went and got the hutch the rare breed hens sleep in and brought it into the house. I had an ominous feeling. Then, at 4am, I awoke to hear hubby shouting bloody murder as the thieving scum-bag came back into the garden; probably to rummage around in the other shed at the bottom of the garden. He wouldn’t have found anything he wanted – unless 70’s interior cladding and broken fence panels are his thing. The security light went off, the burglar swore a lot, we screamed and he scarpered.
It’s such an awful feeling; your personal space is invaded, animals have been taken and, honestly, in that moment I just wanted to move and not invest anything in this home any longer.
One of the lovely Bengelese finches stolen.
However, it’s been a few days and I’m feeling better. There are MORE locks on the shed, MORE motion sensor lights in the garden – it’ll look like Blackpool promenade soon – and I’ve finished trellising the rest of the garden. I’m also going to put anti-dry paint along the top of everything, and hang cat food tins on the trellising so I can hear rattling; I just haven’t figured out how to make that semi-attractive yet (it’ll involve painting for sure). Plans are afoot for a vicious pyracantha hedge and I’ll be writing up some articles are reseach into both fast climbing fence coverers, and also prickly things to pierce any bastard trying to climb over. Perhaps I’m going overboard with the paranoia, but I didn’t expect to be hit twice in six months, and certainly not for the bugger to come back the same night!
Chicken auction inspiration
As you might imagine, after it happened I was all ‘Right, that’s it. No more chickens. I can’t take the stress of worrying and fretting they’ll get taken.’ I’ve calmed down a little since then, though I have made the decision to start bringing the bantam and show varieties inside of a night. I grabbed a travel crate at the auction this past Sunday and now, every night, I go and collect the little flock for their indoor slumber party.
The flocks new sleeping quarters.
We sold one of our Polish roo’s this Sunday – for a measly £2.50 minus 10% commission for the auctioning charity. It ain’t much, I know. He was a roo and they’re not in much demand. If you get £6/£7 for a cockerel at this auction, you’ve done well – even the beauties don’t sell for much more. Hens, however, do sell well; between £10 and £20 per bird at this particular auction.
It’s worth doing a little homework, particularly as I’m looking to a future of smallholding. As a result, I need to indulge in chicken passions, but also think of the business side. You’ve got to sell what’s in demand – roo’s aren’t, even rare breed and show breeds. I think I’ve got this auction house sussed. I’ll start selling there again next year – in the mean time I’ll research some others places.
One of the Polish roo youngsters off to a new home.
Back at home, all the current Ayam cemani eggs were infertile. Pretty disappointing, especially as I have one lone chick from the last hatch. The breeder’s going to replace them, so I’m hoping for more chicks in the future. At the auction I bought 12 Silkie eggs which have gone into the incubator today. So, in a week’s time I’ll know whether I’ve got more chicks on the way! I also added to the flock; Gertrude is our latest girl and, hopefully, she’ll be a good broody and mother in the future. So, we have our layer hens, a pair of Barbu d’Anvers, a Polish flock and the start of a Silkie and Ayam setup. I think that’s enough breeds!!
Meet Gertrude, the newest member of the flock.
The Ayam’s were unfertile, so twelve Silkie eggs on the go.
Tomato Clearing
I’ve been holding on to my toms, not wanting to clear them away quite yet. However, with Pak Choi and Winter Lettuce seedlings needing to be potted up, I need greenhouse space so I’ve cleared the last ripe fruits away and will have to make something with the few green tomatoes that remain.
The last of this year’s tomatoes finally picked.
I’m also trialling some indoor carrots for the winter, inspired by the infographic from Fix. They’ve begun to germinate already and I’ll need to prick out soon. The only debate I have is whether they’ll be enough winter sun to give them energy to develop into a good size. It’s all an experiment, so I’ll guess I’ll find out and keep you all updated.
Have a great week!
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