The Kitchen Garden

February/March 2005

Traditionally hens lay from Valentine to Guy Fawkes day, with variations dependent on age, breed and the weather. By now your basket should be full to the brim with homelaid eggs - the perfect natural food: enriched, unprocessed and unrefined, the most versatile ingredient in your larder - complete with its own beautifully designed packaging.

Reward your birds with mixed grains and seeds, especially flax or hemp, pumpkin and de-husked sunflower seeds (available from your feed merchant). These will supplement your hens' diet with omega-3 oils, making both you and your flock shiny and healthy.

Take advantage of the fact that you have access to newlaid eggs and eat them straight from the nestbox. Poached eggs need the freshest eggs, followed by soft-boiled, then scrambled and hardboiled. Use the rest for baking cakes and meringues. Sell or give away any surplus.

If you feel your purebred ladies are not coming up to scratch, augment your flock with a couple of commercial hybrids designed for high egg yields in free range situations. Meadowsweet Poultry Services (0845 165 1532) offer a plethora - Master Gris, Blue Belle, Starlight etc and will also supply organic birds. Remember though, such high yields will take its toll on your garden - these girls eat for England. Potters of Weybread are a local supplier of Meadowsweet, visit www.onestoppoultryshop.com for details

For really innovative hen houses in a range of exciting colours visit www.omlet.co.uk

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First Henkeeping Course