Hen Keeping

Once a farmer
Always a farmer!

So says Isabel who is Unit 2-6's latest consultant on raising chickens. This autumn, one of Isabel's new nurses commented on the number of farm photographs and "farm stuff" in Isabel's room. Mum quickly filled him in on her farming past. The nurse told her that he was now raising chickens in his backyard - 4, in fact, by the names of Eeny, Meeny, Miny, and Moe. Well, it turns out that they are a heritage breed ~ Buff Orpington ~ the same breed that Isabel & her siblings and cousin raised near Bradwell in the 1930s. This fall, Mum's Cousin Duncan came to visit from Saskatoon. They studied this photo of a recent prize winning Buff Orpington, and agreed that they had not heard of the breed since their school-days.

Isabel's nurse is a new chicken-raiser who comes to her with lots of questions about moulting, nutrients, winter care, and egg laying. Last week, he showed up with a new book from England called Hen Keeping: Inspiration and Practical Advice for Would-Be Smallholders (by Jane Eastoe), a small, attractive, bright red hardcover book. Mum studied the chapters throughout the week ~ heritage breeds, broody hens, keeping young chicks healthy (put stones in their water basin so they don't fall in and drown), how to keep an ash heap healthy for chickens bathing, and how to introduce new chickens to the flock.

We have not yet heard of any backyard cows, but you can be sure Isabel is ready to play Livestock Consultant as soon as she is called upon.