The Kitchen Garden

September/October 2006

The extraordinarily varied weather has meant that your hens could have been moulting virtually any month of this year. The ducks started an early moult in July and the garden looked like a battlefield, but most of my hens are shedding their soft apricot feathers now.

The severity of feather loss depends on the age, breed and laying abilities of the hen. The better the layer, the heavier the moult, but all birds moult their feathers annually, even garden birds. Some loose them dramatically in a flurry, others more gradually. Re-growth starts with a tube through which the feather will grow. This tube then flakes away, leaving the henhouse full of dust, and your hen may go from oven-ready to porcupine, before finally strutting forth in her new finery. Never clip wings during the moult because each new feather has a blood supply to the shaft.

Make sure your birds have access to plenty of protein and a tonic at this time of the year and egg production will probably drop. This is a vulnerable period for your flock so don’t be surprised if elderly ladies choose a balmy autumn day to bow out.

PS. The Henkeepers' Association is now a free information network, sponsored by the Kitchen Garden. Check it out and subscribe free online at www.henkeepersassociation.co.uk - HELP US KEEP THE HOBBY ALIVE

WHAT'S ON

COURSES

Counting your Chickens - All this years Henkeeping Courses are fully booked, but Francine will hold individual Beginners' Days for 2 or more people. Choose a date to suit yourself (not Friday or Saturday) and learn all you need to know to start, especially tailored to your needs. Including lunch £75.00 per person.

Knowing your Onions - October 18th at 10am to 3.30pm with Francine Raymond & Penelope Hands. Growing and cooking unusual vegetables. Design your kitchen garden, choose yourseed and plants and you will harvest, cook and eat your own produce. On-site advice for beginners and know-alls alike. Sample a selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables for lunch. £75.00 including a delicious home-cooked lunch and wine.

Cheque payment in full required on booking please. Refunds (minus £20.00 admin charge) offered for cancellatons within a month of the course date, but we suggest if you can't make it you try to find a friend to take your place. If we have to cancel, you will of course receive a full refund.

Call 01359 268322 to book places on the above courses.

JOIN THE HENKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION - FREE ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION

A website-based information/advice service. To support those who keep poultry; to lobby for the vaccination of small garden flocks; to protect our hens and families from avian flu. Subscribe free online at www.henkeepersassociation.co.uk or join on the day and HELP US KEEP THE HOBBY ALIVE.