Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: New shoot on July 28, 2012, 21:12

Title: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 28, 2012, 21:12
Foghorn's diary

Dear diary  ....... will you be quiet girls!  I'm trying to concentrate here, just settle down and roost will you  ::)

Had a great day.  Mum was home so after she came back from the allotment, we got out for a bit this afternoon.  Mum was weeding, so we all rushed over to help.  I dug a plant up for her and she must have been pleased, because she promised us a treat.  Yes she did girls, I heard her say 'Paxo for you lot'.  No I don't know what it is either, but sounds more exciting than pellets.

Alphie, the whippersnapper, was straight up the wire of his run hurling abuse at me.  His 2 girls are broody, so flaunted my gang of lovlies in front of him and hurled a bit of abuse back.

Mum remembered some grapes she had taken for her lunch yesterday and not eaten.  They were very ripe and a bit squashed - my favourite  :)  I'm a mummy's boy but don't usually let the girls know that, however, did go and take grapes out of mum's hand - well it was grapes!  Alphie was going mad, but he had to wait because I'm mum's favourite.

Back to the coop and all snuggled up for the night.  Life's good diary, life's good  :D

Alphie's diary
Dear diary ....... Naomi and Eva are still broody  ::) but mum was home, so got spoiled a bit.  She had to let Foghorn and his lot out or he sulks, but then when they went back in, we got out for a run.

Mum sat on the bench having a coffee so went and sat on the arm the other end and crowed a few times to cheer her up.  She had grapes and had saved the best ones for me and the girls as I am her favourite.  She gave them to me so I could hand them over and get some respect from those snooty supermodel girls of mine.  My girls are so much better looking than Foghorn's ragtaggle bunch, plus he's got the three old matrons to contend with and boy are they grumpy old girls  :lol:

All had a lovely dustbath under one of mum's shrubs and then back home.  Life's good diary, life's good  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: arugula on July 29, 2012, 08:45
 :lol: :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on July 29, 2012, 10:08
brilliant - do keep this up  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on July 29, 2012, 10:14
Certainly made me giggle this morning - really funny.  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Dawnuss on July 30, 2012, 19:27
 :lol: :lol: loved reading this
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on July 30, 2012, 21:31
So funny,looking forward to episode 2.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on July 31, 2012, 10:19
 :lol:  Thanks for making me smile.   :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Jo57 on July 31, 2012, 10:28
Love it! Can we have pics too ?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on July 31, 2012, 16:33
The next JK Rowling....
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 31, 2012, 20:06
Foghorn's diary

Dear diary ............. Alphie's busy running round the garden.  What a state - dad says he runs like Alan Carr and he's not wrong  :lol:

Well as you can see, I am a perfect male specimen of a bantam Serama and my girls are mad for me  ;)   Is it vain to put your picture in your diary - not when you are as handsome as me surely  ;)

Anyway, just taking a break while the girls preen themselves ready for bed.  Dad came out with corn earlier.  Its great when he gets home first - I get the girls making loads of noise and we get corn to shut us up without mum knowing, then if we are lucky, we can use the same trick on her.  Didn't work tonight as she came home and caught us eating  ::)

Good grief! what are they fighting about now  ::)  Oi Beyonce - what are you doing to Mrs Doubtfire.  She's 9 years old you disrespectful little madam.  'Scuse me diary - duty calls  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Carolf on July 31, 2012, 20:56
This put a big smile on my face - I can't wait to read the next installments of Foghorn and Alphie's diary  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Chicken star on July 31, 2012, 21:30
 :lol: Very Good.

I have just purchased a chicken very similar to yours on the right and was wondering if you could tell me the breeding?
I've been told mine is a Partridge Wyandotte bantam.
Thanks
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Madame Cholet on July 31, 2012, 22:05
great fun than you.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Jo57 on August 01, 2012, 07:40
Great picture, what a handsome chap!  We are all tuning in for installments now. Have to start a fan club. Do you think you'll do tee shirts?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: symonep on August 01, 2012, 08:22
 :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 02, 2012, 17:35
Alphie's diary

Dear diary .........  drama today!  Had a bit of a handbags moment earlier when Foggie's lot were out.  I was straight over saying 'Wot's up mate - can't you keep your women in line'  :lol:

He wasn't happy but just stalked off.  One of the girls came over later so tried to whisper to her without him seeing ' Hiya love, you can always roost in my coop if its all a bit much in the big gang '  ;)  She was trying to make it seem like she was ignoring me, but she was listening alright  :lol:

My girls are far too well bred to be scrapping in the garden like that.  Right proper ladies they are and anyway they know who's the boss.  What's that girls? - what do you mean 'In your dreams'  :unsure:  I do dream of you, you know that  :wub:  I am not a softie - stop it, you're making me blush  :blush:  You're both off now aren't you.  No peace for me, so may as well give in gracefully and come and keep you company in the coop.  By the way, exactly how long is this nesting business going to last ......  ::)

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on August 03, 2012, 21:10
I think a blog is born.  Perhaps he can escape and go on an adventure.....
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on August 04, 2012, 14:07
Foggies lot must be related to my 2 Partridge Wyandotte bantam sisters as they have the same family traits!   ::)  Great picture, keep up the good work.   :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 26, 2012, 13:18
Foghorn's diary

Lovely sunny day and we were all dustbathing in the run, when you know who had to come over causing trouble.  Marched over, looked him straight in the eye and told him how it is  :mad:

If that wire wasn't there I'd teach him a lesson he wouldn't forget in a hurry  ;)  There's those who pose and those who knows in this world and I knows  :lol:  The girls were quite impressed with my macho display ....... yes you were girls, stop laughing you ratbags. Oh I see, if I can wangle some treats out of mum, you'll be impressed and not before.  Flippin' women  ::) 


Mum shouted at us to stop fighting, so looked innocent as she walked over to see what we were up to.

Think I got away with it ......  ;)  Now while she's here, lets wind her round my wingtip.  Oh mum, its awful hot today.  What about a nice apple for us to peck  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: arugula on August 26, 2012, 13:35
:D Butter wouldn't melt..... ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on August 26, 2012, 14:24
 :lol: :lol:  The words just match the pictures.  ::) ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on September 04, 2012, 12:08
Priceless  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on February 24, 2013, 17:38
Alphie's diary

Well been a while diary, but lots to tell.

I had a bit of a funny turn a few weeks back.  Mum found me collapsed in the run and I spent a couple of days indoors being pampered.  Was OK but was glad to get back to the girls  :)  Upside is that I only have to put my head down and look a bit sad and mum's rushing out to see if I'm OK.  Its driving Foghorn mad  :lol:

Never did work out what happened, but not much wrong now as you can see  :D
 
Mum was in the garden all afternoon, so we had a good long rummage round.  Usually the last thing she does before she goes in is fetch the nice seeds to tempt up back into our run, so soon as I saw her go into the house I got the welcome party ready  :)

Crop full of seeds later and we're tucked up in the coop ready for bed  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: arugula on February 24, 2013, 18:06
He looks in great order. :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on February 24, 2013, 20:07
Glad Alphie is back in tip top condition.   :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: mumofstig on February 24, 2013, 20:13
He really does have an attitude, just the way he stands says I'm the Boss  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on February 24, 2013, 20:21
Glad you recovered well Alphie I bet that was a shock for your Mum :ohmy:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on February 24, 2013, 20:49
He really does have an attitude, just the way he stands says I'm the Boss  ::)

When I get my phone out to take a picture, I swear he poses  :lol:

Glad you recovered well Alphie I bet that was a shock for your Mum :ohmy:

He seems fine thanks Snowdrops, but yes it did give me fright  :)  He'd answer himself. but way past his bedtime now  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: taytors on March 02, 2013, 07:55
Made I chuckle  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 24, 2013, 17:28
Foghorn's diary

Afternoon diary.  Just checking in as Beyonce my blue orp girlie was a bit off colour today and mum took her indoors for some TLC.  She kicked off apparently, as mum came back out for Yoda, my serama girl, to keep her company.  Grew up together those two, so best of friends.

Ah yes, Yoda has texted me.  She says Beyonce is feeling a bit better and has drunk lots of water and eaten quite a bit now.  Mum has checked her over and can't find much wrong.

Yoda loves being in the house, so she's happy.  She says she's had loads as mum was trying to get Beyonce eating.  They've had pellets, corn, meal worms, grapes and some of the special budgie seeds mum uses as treats or to get us eating if we are ill.  I've texted her back to tell her to take a breath.  Look at the size of the crop on her  ::)

Yoda reckons they are staying in tonight and is boasting she has a luxury bedroom with room service every time she chucks or squawks.   Hope Beyonce feels better soon,  She's my favourite to snuggle up to as she's so warm and fluffy.

I reckon Yoda put her up to it just to get in after the snow yesterday.  We all hated that and spent most of the day in the coop, only venturing out when we saw mum in the kitchen so we could yell for food   ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on March 24, 2013, 18:43
Hi Foghorn, hope your girls soon come back to the coup.P.S what phone have you got? Are you pay as you go or contract?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on March 25, 2013, 13:03
Good afternoon Foghorn, how is Beyonce today?  It is a wonder Yoda didn't topple over with her crop that full. 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 25, 2013, 21:17
Foghorn here  :)

Beyonce came back this morning.  Yoda said mum offered them a bowl of food this morning and she barely got a look in  :lol:  Beyonce hasn't stopped eating all day and when dad came home and offered some corn, she nearly took his hand off  ::)  I asked her what was up yesterday, but she just looked down her beak in distain and carried on eating  :lol:

I've got a phone on contract from ChikkaChat Snowdrops  ;)  Got a deal for me and the girls and mum doesn't even know she's paying for it all.  That will teach her to use shredded credit card statements for nest box bedding.  Great hobby putting them back together during those long winter evenings in the coop  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on March 26, 2013, 11:51
That's norty Foghorn.  Now I know why I have had to cancel my Credit card due to an unauthorised transaction.  I don't know what my girls would do with a handbag though!!   :unsure:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 02, 2013, 17:11
Alphie's diary

Afternoon diary.  Been confined to the run a fair bit recently with the snow and ice, but lovely sunny day today so mum let us out this morning and only just gone back now  :)

The girls were intent on a dust bath, so we found a nice spot.  Mum wasn't too pleased when she found it later mind  :lol:

I told her, when you have these high maintenance females, you have to let them have their spa treatments or there is hell to pay  ::)  Anyway, don't think she was that bothered 'cos she said 'Oh my lillies of the valleys'.  Nice of her to pay my girls a compliment like that  :D 

Mum was fishing leaves out of the pond, so while she played mud monsters, we found a border she hadn't tidied up yet.  We raked out the dead leaves and were busy taste testing the plants to see whether they were up to scratch, when Naomi and Eva (supermodels my girls don't ya know  ;)) whispered 'Watch out!', but we were caught red beaked  :blush:

Quick as a flash, we adopted an innocent pose 'Just looking at this brick mum.  Isn't it an interesting brick - think it may be the best brick we've found in the whole wall so far........'

Think we about got away with it  ;)  Were given half an apple to tempt us back to the run, so I reckon mum just about still loves us  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on April 02, 2013, 19:23
 :D  Glad the weather has improved for you and your girls Alphie.  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: helens-hens on April 03, 2013, 16:43
Gosh your girls are well trained Alphie  :ohmy:! Any chance you could be tempted to come and teach my 3 girls a bit of discipline  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on April 03, 2013, 23:21
I would so love to adopt Alphie - he is gorgeous  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 16, 2013, 19:58
Foghorn's diary

Sigh - the coop seems a bit empty these days diary.  Lost the old Yokohama over the winter and Mrs Doubtfire went the other day.  Not that she ever had any time for me, but she was a decent old bird in her way. 

Was out in the garden today and said to mum about some new girls.  She reckons yes, maybe a couple more this year and was looking on her computermebob to see what was around.  Then she got chatting with a friend about it and they said 'Is your boy OK with new girls?'  Mum said I was fine, but then her friend emailed back to say she thought de-spuring me might me a good idea first  :ohmy:  She had seen a picture of me recently and thought they were too long.

Well this developed into an email chat, then mum picked me up and took a picture of my spurs.  OK I admit they look fearsome, but a lad has an image to maintain you know.

Mum's friend nearly flipped and sent her a link on a 'How to do' video.  I was getting pretty worried by now I can tell you so I jumped up on the bench arm to watch as well.  Flippin' heck  :ohmy:  :ohmy:  :ohmy:  Mum seemed a bit unsure as well.  She told her friend I had never hurt any of the girls or her.  The only one I have had a go at is Alphie, but that's why he lives in his own coop now.

I said 'Muuuuuummmmm I'm scared.  Alphie is a pipsqueak, he doesn't count.  I'd never do anything to you or the girls, you know that right '  :unsure:  Mum just said 'Don't worry Foggy, no-one is doing that to you', then she went and got me a couple of grapes to calm my nerves.  If her friend could see me eating grapes out of mum's hand, she'd know I'm a nice lad with manners  :)

Anyway, diary, panic over on that front and looks like I'm getting two new lovelies to call my own.  Gonna keep a close eye on the spare coop I can tell you  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on April 16, 2013, 20:05
That was a close shave Foghorn, I hope you will be on your best behaviour or your lovely spurs will be in line for the chop.   :ohmy:

Did your Mum mention what your new ladies class/breed will be?  I hope they will be up to your usual high standards.   :blush:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 16, 2013, 21:01
Mum says not much around at the moment, but I can wait  ;)  Last time I got Yoda and Beyonce, Serama and bantie orp, so who knows this time  ::)  Mum's a sucker for a pretty bird, so I reckon I will be OK  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on April 16, 2013, 21:14
Foghorn - I reckon that it is you that is a sucker for a pretty bird.  ;)  Hope you do not mind Foggy but I was just admiring your handsome tail feathers - your mum obviously keeps you well fed.  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on April 16, 2013, 22:04
That was close Foggy,you better not forget your self in excitement when your new girls come or that friend of Mum's will be coming to have a snip at you :ohmy:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 20, 2013, 08:18
Alphie's Diary

Morning diary.  Mum's weekend off so expecting to spend lots of time out of the run today  :D  Just crowing and preening at the moment and getting ready for the day, after a nice breakfast of pellets with my girls.

Mind you, will have to be on my best behaviour.  Found out that the lily of the valley is one of mum's plants, not her pet name for the girls, and its the spikey stuff coming up in my favourite dust bath place.

Mum caught me again the other day and rolled her eyes a bit.  I said to her that the spikey bits were great for getting that bit of my back I just can't reach scratched.  Bliss  :D  Good job I'm her favourite and can get away with anything  :lol:

Thing is, however bad I am, I have mastered a cute look mum just can't resist.  Meal worms girls?  Just let me work my magic  ;) 

Foggy's being a bit odd at the mo.  Keeps saying he knows something I don't and I'll be pig sick when I find out.  Yeah right !  Like I care about that poser and his rag tag bunch  ::)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on April 20, 2013, 10:48
Alphie -you certainly look very handsome today. Just keep off those lily of the valley or you might not get any more meal worms.  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on April 24, 2013, 20:26
I LOVE IT!!
 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

How cute are your birds New shoot!! They are so endearing.
I've forgotten what a fully feathered hen looks like - just about all of ours are oven ready around the backside! :lol:

Keep up the great diary! :happy:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 27, 2013, 06:06
Foghorn's Diary

Morning diary.  Thinking about getting some new girls has made me a bit nostalgic.  Was looking through the photo album with the girls and found a picture from when me and Alphie first arrived at mum's in the summer of 2010.

We soon graduated to a bigger house and even then, you could see I was going to be the more handsome of us. 

What's the sniggering all about girls  >:(  I was better looking and still am.  Class shines through from the start you know.  Anyway, I have just found some embarrassing pictures of some of you when you were younger, so watch it!  Yes, I mean you, Miss 'I'm just too bootilicious' Beyonce.  Cop a load of this heh heh heh  :lol:

Oi, stop it B!  No, I've posted it in my diary now.  Will you pack it in ..... that hurt!  Get over yourself woman.  'Bout time you came down a peg or two  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on April 27, 2013, 08:51
 :lol: :lol:  Miss B looks so cute in her little pot.   :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on April 27, 2013, 16:55
Bet you are glad that Mum had the time to take those lovely photos for you to reminisce over.   :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 14, 2013, 16:06
Alphie's Diary

Dear diary.  Bit perplexed at the moment.  Mum is acting a bit oddly.  She's been fussing round a spare coop we have in the garden and checking it over.  I've already checked it out with the girls and we all decided it wasn't very interesting, so why the sudden interest from mum  :unsure:

I asked her, but all she said was 'Nothing to worry yourself about Alphie'. 

Foghorn was nearly beside himself, jumping up and down in his run like the idiot he is and shouting to mum.  She went over and they whispered for a bit.  Ever since, Foggy has been strutting round like he owns the place and winking at me.  In the end I shouted over 'What's your problem mate!', but he just fell about laughing and said I would find out soon enough.  What's that supposed to mean  ???

My girls just rolled their eyes and said they couldn't care less what he was up to and why was I lowering myself down to his level.  High standards my two.  They know they are classy and rise above the soap opera goings on of the big run.  Put on a show of not giving a hoot for their benefit of course, but mark my tail feathers, something's up  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 14, 2013, 16:15
Mmmmm - nearly as curious as Alphie - what could be going on. Not new hens surely - no not possible.  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 14, 2013, 16:38
Sssshhhhh ...... quiet there .............. New shoot tiptoes in and looks round warily.  Don't any of you dare let on to Alphie, but going to see some new hens on Saturday morning.

They are blue laced and silver laced dotties so hopefully can find a couple of stunners for Foggy  :D  He's mad with excitement naturally, but I've told him to button it or that spur trimming video might just be coming back out  :ohmy:  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 14, 2013, 17:34
:lol:
Loving this thread so much!
Methinks Alphie is going to be a bit jealous of Foggy! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Jo57 on May 14, 2013, 18:15
Yep, the sparks are going to fly!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 14, 2013, 18:31
Cannot wait to hear what Alphie thinks about the new girls - and to see some pics also.  :) Promise I will keep quiet until Saturday.  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on May 14, 2013, 22:13
Foghorn is one lucky young man.  I saw some blue laced wyandottes bantams recently, they will have him going weak at the knees.   :blush:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 16, 2013, 06:35
Have had confirmation that they are about 12 weeks old, so Foggy will have to just look longingly for a few weeks while they grow up  :)

Don't know who is more excited to be honest - him or me  :D

Pics follow I promise  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: arugula on May 16, 2013, 07:23
Don't know who is more excited to be honest - him or me  :D

I've a feeling I could hazard a guess.... ::) ;)

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 18, 2013, 09:36
Alphie's diary

I knew it ............ I knew it ............. there was no hiding it today!  Mum's been putting food and water into that spare coop and bedding in the house.  She must think I'm stupid  ::) 

Marched over with Naomi and demanded answers

Mum was still trying to look innocent, but then I pointed out Exhibit B M'lud.  That's the box you go to fetch new chickens in!

Mum sighed, went and got a few grapes and we sat on the bench for a chat.  She explained that Foggy had lost a couple of his older girls and needed some new ones.  So I piped up and said' But if I like the look of them mum ? ......'  BIG mistake  :ohmy: 

Naomi went on a complete hissy fit (and she's not called Naomi for nothing let me tell you  ::)).  She was wild and made me promise not to even look at them sideways.  Course Eva joined in and I got a real telling off.

Mum said 'See Alphie.  It would cause all sorts of upsets if you had a new girlie and anyway I did get you two supermodels to make up for it'. 

The girls were lapping this up and preening themselves.  Think I will have to be sneaky to get a look at the newbies, but a lad of my enterprising nature will find a way  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 18, 2013, 11:02
 :lol: :lol:  Be careful Alphie - if your girls catch you out you might just be on a total ban (if you get my drift).  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 18, 2013, 12:07
Foghorn's diary

I'm so excited .....  and I just can't hide it ........ lalalalalala whatever the rest is :D :D :D

Mum has done me proud.  The new baby girls are hiding in the coop at the moment, but mum took a picture for me to see

Soooooo cute.  They are adorable and look like they are going to grow up into beauties  :D  And Alphie reckons he has supermodels for girls.  Last years models more like.  Wait till he sees these two  ;)

His pair were giving him a real good ear bashing earlier.  Don't know what that was about but he's the walking, crowing epitomy of hen-pecked that one  :lol: 

I shall be the perfect gent with these two and before you know it, they'll be putty in my claws  ;)  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 18, 2013, 12:37
Well Foghorn they are really 2 cute babes aren't they, you must be very kind to them you know or when they get bigger they won't want to know you & you know what that means don't you :ohmy: They'll be giving Alphie the eye.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: splash101 on May 18, 2013, 12:59
Beautiful   :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on May 18, 2013, 18:56
You are a lucky lad Foghorn, what beautiful colours your new girls have.  They are going to be real stunners when they grow up.  Good luck with acting like a gent!   :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 18, 2013, 22:06
They are 2 of the prettiest chickens I've ever seen :D
Foggy will be so pleased. :happy:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 19, 2013, 08:28
Foghorn's diary

They'll be giving Alphie the eye ............  as Aunty would say 'Nevva'   :ohmy:

Good luck with being the perfect gent ........... splutter.  I'll have you lot know I know my manners and was brought up proper thank you  :closedeyes:

Mum put the babies in the run this morning as she said they needed to get used to outside, not just sit in the coop all day.  They were a bit nervous at first, but then they found the pellets and everything was fine  :D

I tried calling over softy 'Hi girls, what are your names', but they are too shy to tell me.  Bless  :)   They need to do a bit of growing up before they tackle the rest of the girls.  Everyone is very curious to see, but I have already laid down the ground rules.  We had a team brief this morning and I told them straight.  'These are our 2 new girls and I will not tolerate any funny business thank you girls.  Was head high, shoulders back, so they know I mean it  ;)

Are you lot listening to me ?  I said ........... whaddya mean, you heard the first five times.  Yoda you even awake there ? Sigh  ::)  Good job Alphie's run is down the other end of the garden at the momemt.  He would be loving this  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 19, 2013, 10:01
Well Foghorn - I hope you appreciate the lovely new chicks that Mum got for you and thanked her properly.  So good that your Mum taught you good manners - they are the mark of a gentleman.  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on May 20, 2013, 09:41
very pretty girls Foggy, you are such a lucky boy  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on May 20, 2013, 10:22
Don't forget its your Mums Birthday tomorrow boys.  I hope you have thought of a nice surprise for her.   ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 26, 2013, 19:18
Alphie's diary

Naomi is stuck to me like glue at the moment, making sure I'm not eyeing up the new chicks  ::)  Eva has gone broody and I reckon she's staying out of it on purpose.  Even when I was giving the new girls a taste of my dulcet tones, Naomi was straight there saying 'and just are you showing off to!'

I tried buttering her up when mum brought a few dandelion leaves over - gave her the lot, but no dice.  She reckons she knows me better than to be fooled by that.  Honestly  ::)  Mum says I should be flattered that she's so keen to keep me to herself, but there's plenty of me to go round  ;)

Managed to sneak a little look today when dad let us out for a run.  They were preening their feathers and what feathers  8)  If Foggy thinks he's getting a free run to these two without me trying a shot or two, he's kidding himself  :lol:

Mum reckons they are eating her out of house and home in growers pellets and are growing fast.  Nothing wrong with a girl with a healthy appetite  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 02, 2013, 17:40
Foghorn's diary

Been introducing myself to the two new cuties today.  They are still a bit shy, but are growing up fast.

I was on my best behaviour, but didn't get a lot out of them, so I thought 'Right, let's show you two what a fine figure of a Serama I am'.  Shoulders back, wings down, tail up - how can they resist  ;)

My lot were totally indifferent as usual  ::)  Way too busy digging for worms and filling their faces, but I reckon I made an impression alright with the new girls. They definately like me best and have no interest in the little white pipsqueak  :)

Can't wait for them to get bigger, so they can come and live with the big gang.  I'm going to make sure they get treated like ladies and if any of my lot step out of line, there will be trouble.  These two are way too pretty to have any feathers ruffled  ;)  :D

Alphie's diary

Out in the garden today and look who came running over to see me.  Mind you Naomi wasn't too far behind  ::)  Got a peck for this one, but it was worth it diary, it was worth it  ;)

They know a real man when they see one, not like that pumped up show off Foggy.  He reckons these two are his, but I haven't given up yet  ;)  Naomi wandered off so went to see mum.

'Hiya mum - its your favourite boy here to see you :)  You know these two girls, well they definately like me best sooooooo .................'

Mum rolled her eyes again.  'Alphie, we've been through this.  Naomi will kill you if she hears you talking this way and anyway there isn't enough room in your coop and run for four girls'.

Pah  :mad:  Hasn't she heard of an extention, or we could link the two runs together, or ............ hang on ........ I might just catch mum before she goes back inside.  'Mum - I've got an idea!'  Got to run diary  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on June 02, 2013, 19:05
Norty Alphie trying to pinch Foggy's girlies!! :tongue2:

That's not on y'know - what will your lovely ladies think Alphie? :D

Love this thread :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on June 02, 2013, 19:30
That casual glance over your shoulder was a nice touch Foggy, I bet they are really impressed.   ;)

Alphie, do you really want any more ladies telling you what you can and can't do? 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 14, 2013, 17:40
Foghorn's diary

Still waiting to meet the new girls face to face  ::)  They moved house this week as mum discovered their old coop had a panel loose, so they are in the rabbit hutch and run.  Mum's been introducing them to new foods - they have got the right idea about greens now.  Looked at them with great suspicion before.  I'll soon teach them all the best places to dig and where the good stuff is, once they move in  :)

The greens were particularly good today.  I asked mum what they were and she sighed and said 'Bolted Foggy.  That's what they are - bolted'.  I like bolted.  Its very tasty  :D

The little white pipsqueak was yelling over that their bolted was different and was even better.  Mum told him to calm down and said it was mixed oriental bolteds so they would look different.  Oriental  ??? What like a chinese takeaway for chickens Mum?  See what I did there  :lol:  Tasted even better when mum fed me bits by hand.  C'mon mum, more please.  That bit went down a bit quick  :D


Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 15, 2013, 17:39
Alphie's diary

Alphie, do you really want any more ladies telling you what you can and can't do?

Phew diary! What a day!

ANHBUC you are a wise lady and I promise to listen to you in future.  Mum let the two new girls out with Foggy's lot today and guess who had to bring them over to show off to  ::)  Eva is still broody so retired to her nest with scathing looks in their direction, but Naomi just stood and glared.

One of them is just starting to get her real voice and stop cheeping.  Crikey, she sounds like she's been smoking 20 Woodbines a day for years - gruff or what  :ohmy:  They were very over excited at being out and were running round like crazy things.  One of mum's friends had popped round and was laughing her head off at them.  She suggested mum called them bubble brain and air head, but mum said no  :lol:  Anyway after a bit more discussion, they decided on Patsy and Edina.  I asked why and mum said they were two fashionistas off the telly that were a bit ditzy and silly  :lol:

Course the new girls only heard fashionista and you know what teenage girls are like  ::)  They were well pleased and started prancing round flapping their wings to show their feathers off.

Naomi had been quietly simmering the whole time and just exploded. 'Just what I thought!  No class at all and only fit for the big run!'  Beyonce was not impressed and marched straight over saying 'and just what do you mean by that you stuck-up bag of feathers :ohmy: 

Foggy was off on his toes straight away, down the other end of the garden in a flash, leaving me to break it up!  They were beak to beak, trading insults and there was I, trying to look impressive and stamp my authority.   'Ladies stop that!  Ladies ........... LAYYYYDDDDEEEEEESSSSSS ...........'

Mum came and broke it up, but Naomi is not speaking to me.  Says I should have told Beyonce what I thought of her.  Actually Beyonce is a bit of a babe, but can't let Naomi know I think that  :lol:  Yes, all in all, I reckon I have quite enough on my plate with these diva supermodels of mine  ::)  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on June 15, 2013, 18:05
 :lol:  I did try to warn you Alphie.   ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on June 16, 2013, 22:05
I just love this diary :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 25, 2013, 17:11
Foghorn's diary

Heyhey diary - another lovely afternoon in the garden  :D

Mum let Patsy and Edina out for a run with us, so of course I had to show them how things roll round here.  'Right girls - this here is a prime example of a pipsqueak.  Got it? Pipsqueak.  Only to be pitied really, but don't you worry, you've got a real man to look after you'.  They just giggled madly, but that's girls for you  ::)

Naomi was giving me evils, but soon put her in her place.  'See something you like Naomi?'  ;)  She near exploded trying to keep her beak shut at that one  :lol:  Alphie was straight in there. 'She's way beyond your level mate.  Proper lady this one, not some old fishwife like your lot'. 

Yeah right, whatever. He's only trying to butter Naomi up 'cos they had a row the other day.  Too high maintenance for me that one anyway.  My girls know who's boss and they might cheek me a bit, but they wouldn't be throwing strops like miss high and mighty there  ;)

Got bored of listening to Alphie wittering on, so we went for a dig on the lawn.  Looked up and who do I see sitting at the gate of Alphie's run  :ohmy: 'What are you two doing over there.  Get back over here now!'  They reckon they were making absolutely sure they knew what a pipsqueak looked like, so they could avoid any in future.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, not sure I totally believe that but they are so cute, I can't be cross with them for long.

Women  ::)  Fickle diary, plain old fickle  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on June 25, 2013, 19:12
Oh Foghorn - life is so difficult at times. But I am sure that if you sweet talk the girls they will soon fall back in line.   ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on June 25, 2013, 22:28
You have some beautiful hens there New shoot.

And yours haven't got bare bums!
Whats's the secret? Mine could do with a bit of help!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 29, 2013, 07:19
Sorry Devon.  Haven't had time to be on here much in the last few days  :)

My silver laced dottie on the right in the second pic has a bare bum and its been that way for the last couple of years.  She's an old girl and they just didn't grow back after a moult.  She isn't bothered by it unless its really cold.  Then she sits herself on the sawdust in the entrance to the coop and looks out on the garden and run in a most regal manner  :lol:

I do give mine a small amout of budgie tonic seed as treats.  I have a pet shop locally that sell it, but I've seen it elsewhere described as conditioning seed and various other names.  I noticed how shiny their feathers looked a few weeks after starting to offer it.

Mine love it and it takes ages to pick up the tiny seeds, so keeps them occupied for ages  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 30, 2013, 16:05
Alphie's diary

Just a beautiful day to be scratching and nibbling round the garden diary  :D  Me, the girls, the sunshine and then mum brought a special treat.  Usually we only get the squishy or damaged strawberries, but dad wasn't looking and mum arrived with a prize specimen.

Don't get me wrong diary, grapes are good, mealworms are to die for, but strawberries are my absolute very favourite and mum knows it.  All pretence of being the stand offish, macho hard man go straight out the window  ::)

Was bliss and then I sensed some-one behind me.  Oh heck!  Naomi looking most amused while I take little bits of my treat.  I like to make strawberries last you know  ;)

Quickly assumed full dress stand to attention mode and looked like I wasn't interested.  Think I got away with it  :unsure:  Naomi was too busy filling her face to look at me  ::)

Her and Eva have been dust bathing for a while now and all I can hear is them gossiping and sniggering.  Better not be about me.  In fact, I think I'll just go join them so they'll have to watch what they say. 'Cmon girls, move over in there.  Yes there is room and anyway I'm coning in whatever you say'  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 11, 2013, 16:50
Foghorn's diary

The boys are back in town, the boys are back ...........   :D

Been a quiet few weeks diary as mum has kept us in while it was so hot.  Didn't want us fighting through the wire and getting too worked up. I'd of been fine, but the white pipsqueak has funny turns now and then  ::)

She finally relented today and said I could start my diary again. Alphie was shouting he wanted out as well, but I told him I'm way more important and I get first dibs at the garden, so button it  :tongue2:

Anyway, spent ages out today with the two new lovlies.  They are growing up so fast now.  We had spent ages clearing some old dead leaves out from under a bush for mum in this one.  Always like to help in the garden we do  :D 

They are still a bit nervous of my lot, but I keep telling them, I'll look after them  ;)  Mum has got some holiday coming up so that is when they are going to start moving in.  Me and mum have done this a few times and we have a system.  Outdoor time together, then they spend an hour or two in our run for a few days, then we try a sleepover.  Oh yes, we make a great team, me and mum  ;)

Can't wait - Alphie is going to be so jealous  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Alphie's diary

Well the pumped up ginger show off finally went back to his run today, so me and the girls got out for a wander.  Naomi and Eva are moulting like mad, so they made a bee line for their favourite dust bath.  I inspected all the plants and made sure there was nothing nice we hadn't sampled recently.

Patsy and Edina had been out earlier, but they were back in their run.  Real raucous voices on those two.  Not like the refined dulcet tones of my ladies.  Well unless they get really cross with me.  Then they can let rip alright  ::)

Mum disappeared inside for a while.  Left it a bit then thought I ought to check on her and we had a quick nosy round while we were there.  Good job she didn't walk through five minutes earlier, we would have been caught bang to rights, but we were on our way out by this time. 

She wasn't that impressed and asked exactly where I thought I was off to.  What me  :ohmy: - as if butter would melt in my beak.   Can't wait for her to find the present Naomi left her on the floor inside ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on August 11, 2013, 16:57
I was just thinking last night that the boys haven't been around recently!
Missed them and their antics! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 01, 2013, 16:52
Alphie's diary

The end of an era diary - sigh.  Was strutting my stuff for Patsy and Edina today like usual, but they seemed a bit distracted. 

Then Patsy starts rosey away and running up to their bedroom.  Right old to do and she was getting really agitated.  Edina eventually followed her upstairs and they disappeared, right before I was about to really up the anti   ???  Tried enticing them out, but nothing doing.  Tried as hard as I could to see what was going on, but Edina was stood in the bedroom door, Patsy was completely out of sight and neither of them seemed to care whether I was there or not  ::)

Patsy eventually reappeared, squawking away like a good 'un, with Edina in tow looking well smug.  Pats made such a row, mum came to see what was up and found an egg  :ohmy:

She said they are going into the big coop tonight to sleep and see how they get on in the morning.  They've been visiting in there for a couple of hours each day, but then they've come back to their run, so I've always been able to get a sneaky chat in.  Guess that's all over now  ::)

Naomi says good riddance to them and just keep my attention on her and Eva from now on please.  Well they have both just moulted and are looking super tasty hot at the mo, so maybe that's not such a bad idea  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on September 01, 2013, 18:35
Oh poor Alphie - life just ain't fair at times. At least you are taking it like a man.  :D

What a lovely looking  egg.  :)

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on September 01, 2013, 21:30
Congrats!
First eggy from the new girls! :)

Poor Alphie :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Sparkyrog on September 01, 2013, 22:37
I Love this thread too  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 05, 2013, 18:28
Foghorn's diary

Well Patsy and Eddie are in the gang  8)  Been a few beaks out of joint, but mostly all quiet.  I have been the perfect gentleman naturally and made sure they are looked after.

Patsy laid another egg this afternoon.  Mum says its her 4th now.  Eddie is still thinking about it, but usually goes in the coop to keep Pats company.  This afternoon Pats was loud and proud about her egg, much to Beyonce's irritation.  B has been in a broody mood for a couple of weeks and is not best pleased at being turfed out of the nest box  :lol:

Course I had to go see what was going on and lead the egg inspection.  Me and the rest of the girls have been trooping in to view Patsy's efforts every day. 

I could feel Beyonce simmering with resentment behind me, but the rest of us are rather pleased to have a new girl laying in the coop.  She's just got the hump 'cos she says I'm a soppy lump over the newbies, following them round and making cow eyes at them   ??? Don't think so Miss B Cheeky Madam  ::)   Think you'll find they're the ones making eyes.  I just wait for them to come to me  ;) 

Mum always put extra food and water on the shelf when we have new girls, so there is a choice of dining areas.  Eddie often prefers the mezzanine.  Lot more peaceful up there with my lot around  :lol:

I could look at those feathers all day ........... sigh  :blush:  Just don't tell Beyonce I said that  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on September 05, 2013, 22:19
Awww Foggie is such a soppy devil :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: LittleRedHen on September 07, 2013, 12:49
Thank you for this!  I really enjoyed it.  Please make this a regular entry!   ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: ANHBUC on September 16, 2013, 17:01
Glad Patsy is earning her keep now Foggy.   ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on December 29, 2013, 16:04
Foghorn's diary

Hi diary.  Not been up to much the last couple of months apart from snuggling down with the girls earlier and earlier every day.  Not that I mind that, but its hard to fit in all the preening, crowing and patrolling the run a lad has to do when the days are so short  ::)  Mum says we are past the shortest day now, so things will get better  ;)

We were out for a run today and the some of the girls decided that it was too muddy underfoot for them.  I looked round and they were on the bench looking fed up.  I suspect Beyonce was up to something as she was spoiling for a fight today  ::)

Once we were back in the run, Miss B decided to give some attitude to Naomi through the wire.  Course she got it straight back until mum broke it up.  I decided to keep to my usual strategy of 'if there's trouble brewing, stay behind Beyonce'.  She's a bruiser so you are pretty safe there  ;)

The white pipsqueak was nowhere to be seen of course.  He knows better than to get between these two  ;)

Alphie's diary

Nearly New Year diary and I'm looking forward to spring when the grass starts growing again.  Mum keeps moving our run round, but we have eaten most of the lawn and were reduced to pecking in the flowerbeds today.  Well that was until we were caught.  Mum gets a bit cross if we dig up too many of her plants  :lol:

We did a good thorough search of all areas for worms and slugs, but always kept one eye on the back door. Once that opens, it usually means back to the run and mealworms to tempt up back  ;)

Our patience was rewarded and we got our treats in the end  :D  Just filled us up nicely for bed.  One good thing about these early nights is I do get extra cuddling time sleeping between Naomi and Eva  :D  :D  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on December 29, 2013, 16:39
Glad to see the family is thriving despite the horrid wet weather they have had to endure  :)

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: barley on January 23, 2014, 20:53
just discovered these diarys , what a blast !!!!!!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: SL on January 26, 2014, 14:36
Hilarious! I thought it was just me who was nuts  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on February 22, 2014, 17:55
Foghorn's diary

Spring is springing.  I can feel it and am doing some extra loud and raucous crowing every day now just to let everyone know who is king of the hill  :lol:

Mum cleaned us out today, so we had a mad rampage round the garden looking for worms.  She dug the bark chip over as well to try and dry us out a bit.  We have a roof on our run, but the rain has soaked the flooring anyway  ::)

As she had worked so hard, we thought it was only fair to come and inspect mum's work and let her know we approved by digging the coop sawdust up and chucking it round, plus have a good scratch at the bark.  Dunno why she rolled her eyes so much though  ???

I've only got one of my partidge wyandotte girls with me at the moment and that's her with her head in the coop.  We lost one of the trio and the other is a bit off colour at the moment, so mum has got her inside.  Mum says she  is getting better, so fingers crossed.  She's a nice gentle old girl, not like Miss B 'I'm just a handful so deal with it' and scatty Patsy and Edina  :lol:

Course, you know who just had to come over once we were back in and he was out.  Does a great impression of digging away in front of the run, then chuck-chucks my girls over, like he has a titbit for them  ::) 

I'm telling you, he's got nothing.  Just come away will you!  Oi, leave it girl and stick with someone who knows how to look after his ladies.  Flippin' women  ::) Heads turned by the smallest thing   :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on February 22, 2014, 18:08
Ambition beyond his size, that Alphie  :lol: 

I think Foghorn puts up with him with such equanimity really  :nowink:

Glad to see they are enjoying the sunshine so much, even if one is inside right now... soon to return to the fold I hope  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 04, 2014, 08:49
Alphie's diary

Well it feels like summer is on the way diary.  Lovely and sunny here yesterday.  Perfect for dustbathing under the shrubs and sunbathing on the lawn.

My Eva was off colour on Friday.  Mum let us out and she stayed in the house.  Her comb was pale and she wasn't hungry  :(  Mum took her inside and said she would try and get her eating again.  I really missed her Friday night. Usually I make sure I get between my 2 girls and mum only knows I am there 'cos she sees my tail feathers sticking out  :lol:

Eva was feeling a bit more like herself yesterday, so mum moved her out onto the lawn next to us to have a chat and get some sun.  She said 'Over to you Captain Fabulous - do your stuff'.  Who's he  ???  Anyway, I forgot all about that and made sure I made a big fuss of Eva and stood on my piece of log so she could see me better.

We shared a strawberry through the wire and I told her how much I had missed her and she needed to get better.  Eva said mum was just worried she wasn't eating enough so I asked for special seeds and we got them as well  :D  Eva soon copied me and Naomi and pecked them up.

She was so much better that mum put her back in with us and I got my proper nightime cuddle last night  :D  :D  :D  Mum was pleased Eva came straight out this morning and started eating, so fingers crossed we are all OK now.

Sad news from the big gang  :(   Foggy lost the last 2 partidge wyandottes - they all went within a couple of months of each other.  They were sisters and pretty much joined at the wingtip, but they were nice old girls and I used to enjoy a quick flirt with them.  Foggy reckons he's getting more now as he only has the old silver laced wyandotte who is nearly 9, then the younger models - Beyonce, Patsy and Edina.  Mum says we have enough eggs, so maybe he can wait a while.  He's not happy about that at all  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 04, 2014, 09:51
Glad Eva got better.  :)
Haven't seen an update from the boys for ages!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 05, 2014, 21:00
Foghorn's Diary Film Debut !

Well the white pipsqueak may have beaten me to it with his diary this time, but he ain't seen nuffin yet.  Beyonce got a phone upgrade and it does really good videos.  We had a lot of fun putting this together. 

Pass the popcorn B, just gonna watch it again  ;)  I'm just too handsome for words - sigh.  Will you all stop laughing you girls !  Yes, my head does fit back in the coop thank you very much   :mad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNdG8ao7klg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNdG8ao7klg)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 05, 2014, 21:33
Wow Foggy - you certainly know how to strut your stuff.  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on May 06, 2014, 08:17
 "I made a big fuss of Eva and stood on my piece of log so she could see me better"
 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 06, 2014, 09:53
Handsome Foggie  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 07, 2014, 06:24
Lovely footage of you Foghorn, when's the sequel?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 08, 2014, 09:07
Lovely footage of you Foghorn, when's the sequel?

Pssssstttttt New shoot here.  Don't tell Foggy, but I have heard on the grapevine that Alphie is madly jealous of Foggy's film debut and has enlisted the help of his dad to shoot his own YouTube vid  ;) 

Watch this space  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on May 08, 2014, 10:14
Can't wait.  I write origial music if you need some..
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 08, 2014, 11:33
The music his dad has chosen for him is just classic  :lol: 

How I'll cope with the little show off when he realises he has a fan club I have no idea  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on May 08, 2014, 12:35
I could see the small white Alphie in the background looking wildly jealous, yes  :lol:

That was great: I shall be sharing it with the eldest Midget Gem next time I see her  :nowink:

Pleased Eva is back outside too, and looking healthy again.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 08, 2014, 18:28
Alphie's Video Diary!

Yes, oh yes ............  whatever the pumped up ginger meathead can do, I can do better  ;)  Who wants to watch him when you could watch me  :D

Dad says he was very pleased with my close-up at the end.  He says I am a natural at this filming lark  :D  Even Naomi saya I look handsome in this.  Mind you, she's been glued to it trying to decide which is her best side  ::)  :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlTsUvxGUC4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlTsUvxGUC4)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on May 08, 2014, 19:56
I can't really believe that I have spent xx number of minutes here today watching the exploits of two cockrals!  How sad is that really!  Saying that it was lovely though. ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on May 08, 2014, 22:05
I think Alphie showed himself at his best here... quite regal even, in his demeanour  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 08, 2014, 22:11
Brilliant!! Love that wing spread at the beginning  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on May 08, 2014, 22:52
Wonderful!  Keep at it!!!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 18, 2014, 19:41
Foghorn's diary

Wow diary!  What a day  :D

We were running round the garden and had got really involved in digging a hole under a shrub, when Patsy and Eddie came running up saying the coop was gone  ::)  Now those 2 are scatty to say the least, so went to have a look expecting nothing had happened and what do you know  :ohmy: My crib was gone  :ohmy:

Mum saw me and said 'Don't worry Foggy.  Go and have a look at those boxes over there'.  So we did and it was a brand spanking new coop  :D

Didn't take long for mum and dad to get it assembled in the run and then we could have a proper look.

Its a state of the art plastic coop and we are well impressed.  I think it is a good reflection of the kinda modern gentleman about town that I am  ;)  I let the girls read the box, so asked them if it said it was a deluxe model for proper cockerels only, not to be supplied to pipsqueaks. They said they only read a bit that said it housed 5 normal sized chickens or 9 bantams.

Wait a minute ....... me, Big Girl, Beyonce, Patsy, Eddie ............ that's only 5  ???  I need to talk to mum about this!  What's the point of having the poshest coop in town and only half using it  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on May 18, 2014, 19:45
oooh perhaps mums going to find you some new girls Foggy, do you like your new posh palace?  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 18, 2014, 19:45
Posh pad there Foggy, are you having a moving house party?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 31, 2014, 18:13
Alphie's Diary

Well diary, the pumped up ginger show off has been unbearable recently, since he got his new coop.  And to make matters worse my girls are now seriously miffed that our coop is now getting shabby and according to them, its all my fault  ::)

Mum was out in the garden with her net book, so went over to have a word.  She said she had saved up some money for the new coop, then dad had splashed out on it instead, so maybe.............  Anyway she went to make a coffee and I had a quick look round on the 'putermebob to see what I could see  ;)

I found the eglu site and my girls got very excited about the pink coop  :D  Mum came back and said they were a bit expensive, but maybe if we sold my old run and coop, she could perhaps get one.  She's very keen on plastic coops since the other one arrived.  'But not pink, Alphie' she said. 

That's when the argument started  ::)  The girls want pink with a passion, mum wants the green one and I like the purple one  :wacko:  Mum said we had to agree as it was too much money to spend on a coop the girls were going to moan about, so left it to me to talk them round  :ohmy:

I reckon if I can get Naomi on my side, Eva will just fall in line, so I dug a special dust bath for her and got my best sweet talk ready.  It seemed to work and she agreed purple wold look lovely against her beautiful black feathers. I even got a hug  :D

Now just got to convince mum  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on May 31, 2014, 18:31
Better be careful New Shoot - by the looks of things Alphie could start to order lots of stuff of that old 'putermebob without any help from you.  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 31, 2014, 19:11
Hmm purple Alphie so last year daaaarling ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 31, 2014, 19:55
Love the cuddle picture! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on June 05, 2014, 21:22
great pic they make such a sweet couple  :)
Cant wait to see the purple eglu  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 08, 2014, 06:24
Cant wait to see the purple eglu  :)

Well its a very 'Alphie' colour  :lol:  I can see Foggy calling it the Pipsqueak's Purple Palace though  ;)

I am still mulling it over Joy. It is a lot of outlay, but the no-rot placcy option is appealing and the house is small enough that the three of them can cuddle up in the winter and keep warm.  Over winter they tend to squish into a nestbox and then use the perches over summer, so I wonder if the current house is too big  :unsure: If I get the run extention, it gives them a bit more outside room than they currently have as well  :)

Foggy and gang love their Green Frog house, even if he still hasn't managed to get the hang of the perches and is nesting on the floor each night  ::)  Beyonce, Patsy and Eddie have got it, but the old girl still likes sleeping in the doorway  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on June 08, 2014, 10:18
if they dont perch you could use the eglu rabbit house (I used to use one for my broodies to raise their chicks on) and these fetch less money on ebay than the chicken ones, but you would need to see one first to see if it matches your birds needs.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 23, 2014, 07:20
Well a certain little white cockerel is getting his purple palace this week, but he doesn't know it yet, so everyone has got to keep it hush hush  ;)  We are staring with the basic run and adding to it once they get used to their new pad. 

if they dont perch you could use the eglu rabbit house (I used to use one for my broodies to raise their chicks on) and these fetch less money on ebay than the chicken ones, but you would need to see one first to see if it matches your birds needs.

Keeping feelers out for the rabbit house on the second hand sites as a growers unit for new girls.  If not, newbies may have to slum it in the wooden rabbit hutch and run this year  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 23, 2014, 15:45
Foghorn's diary
 
Stop the press diary - this is mega news  :D

Mum was sat on the garden bench looking at her computer earlier.  I asked if she was looking for new girls for me, but she said she was looking at something else and anyway, she has said we could wait.  I sighed a bit and kicked my feet about, but she just ignored me  ::)

Then she jumped up and said 'Wow, we can't miss these' and before I knew it, the rabbit hutch and run was out from the corner by the shed and mum was dashing off with a big box.  I tried to shout to her to find out what was going on, but she just said 'You wait Foggy, you'll be impressed' and she was gone  ???

Anyway, she arrived back with the box all pleased with herself and said she had been to see the nice couple she got Patsy and Eddie from.  When she opened the box, my heart skipped a beat I can tell you.  Aren't these two just the most stunning little ladies ever  :D  :D  :D

Mum says they are barred wyandottes and has set up the hutch so we can see each other.  Somehow and I'm not sure how ........... but I keep finding myself over at that corner of the run daydreaming  :blush: 

The pipsqueak will never top this news  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on June 23, 2014, 21:48
Awwww Foggie - more lovely laydees for you!
Spoilt rotten I feel! ;) :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on June 23, 2014, 21:59
brilliant news Foggy, they are very pretty :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 08, 2014, 17:01
Alphie's diary

Wayhey!  The Lilac Love Nest has arrived and we are installed  8)  We got a bit scared going to bed the first night and couldn't get to grips with the new feeder or the perching bars in the entrance.  Mum took the first section of bars out and gave us our old feeder back to make us feel more at home.  I do think we look particularly good in it though  :D

This is our summer set-up with the partial shade cover on the run.  The nice people at Omlet sent us a full length cover for free as delivery was delayed, so we are sorted year round  8)

The new girls are quite taken with it already and have had a good nosy.

Naomi told them it was for upmarket girls like her and Eva only and they could get back to their rabbit hutch  ::)  They are only in there for a bit, then Foggy reckons they are for him.  Well I'm not so sure  ;)  They couldn't stay away today  :lol:

Can't blame them.  Talk about a deluxe pad.  Looks smart, its warm and comfy and there is more than enough room for a couple of tiddlers  :D  Just got to see if I can get mum round to my way of thinking on that one  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on July 08, 2014, 17:09
Ooooh nice digs Alphie!! ;) :)

Now you can't have a new home and a new harem - that would be greedy!! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on July 11, 2014, 10:25
lovely new home you have there Alphie and I just love the colour  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 26, 2014, 18:47
Foghorn's diary

Well diary, been a bit worried about the old silver laced dottie recently.  Silly old bird jumped off the ledge in our run and landed badly we think  ::)  Anyway, mum came home from work and found her hunched up in the corner looking worse for wear and not wanting to put weight on that leg.  Mum took her into the house and put her in the puppy cage for a few days.  No breaks mum said and she couldn't find any swellings or hot spots, but my old dottie was happily settled and eating well, so she just gave her a few days rest.

Next day mum had off, she put the cage in the garden and left the door open,then let us out as well.  My old dottie was out like a rocket and although she's still limping a bit, she was much better and joined us for a roam around, even though she sat down to rest every so often.  When mum called us back into our run with the treats, she came as well, so mum left her alone.

We were out again today and the old girl was out and about, but then decided it was all too hot and retired to the run. I went to see if she was OK and she said she was just ready for a sit down and a snooze.

She's very fond of afternoon naps, but mum says she is 9 now, so its only to be expected.  For an old girl, she's still got some fight and is front of the queue when anything is on offer.  She's prone to peck anyone who tries nicking a bit of what she thinks is hers.  Even I watch myself round her as she's never been sweet tempered and old age is not helping at all   ::)

Mind you, she may have her work cut out when the new girls join us. The pipsqueak was getting fed a strawberry through the mesh of his ridiculous new purple set-up (seriously I wouldn't be seen dead in it  :ohmy:), when some-one had other ideas   ;)

That's my girl !  Show him how much you rate his authority and steal from under his beak  :lol:  The look on his face was priceless  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on July 26, 2014, 19:26
I'm with Foghorn on this one --- just look at Alphie's face  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on July 26, 2014, 19:35
Alphie does look a bit put out!!
I'm sure he has a little respect for an old lady though :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 13, 2014, 16:20
Alphie's diary

Well we had been out in the garden most of the morning and were looking forward to a sleepy afternoon back in the run.  It looked like being the perfect day, but then you-know-who was let out  ::)

He came straight over and the Lilac Love Nest had to be defended.  I let him know he wasn't welcome by glaring straight at him  ;) 

He then had the cheek to walk up the side of the run drinking raindrops off the mesh  :mad:  That's our favourite thing to do after it has rained, so more chasing off was needed  ::)

He went away after that.  'Bout time too!  Now where were we girls?  Dustbath ...... snooze ........ preening session ....... what do you fancy?  :D

Foghorn's diary

Well the new girls come out in the garden whenever we get let out now  :)  I bet it won't be long before they move in  :D

I was having a good shake out of the feathers and the girls were having a rummage around, when the pipsqueak jumped up on his bit of wood and starting showing off  ::)  How good he thinks he is going to look posing in front of that stooooopid purple coop I have no idea, but he seems to think he looks the biz  :lol:

Beyonce was showing the new girls how to dig in the border and the rest were too busy looking for worms and slugs to pay much notice mind.  He was trying his best, but not even his stuck-up divas looked that impressed  :lol:

I'm not sure mum was too thrilled to have leaves chucked all over the grass, but we enjoyed it.  My old dottie's poorly leg is pratically all mended now and even she was digging away with the best of them. Those new girls catch on fast you know.  Not long before they were getting stuck in like the rest of them.   

They are a bit cheeky mind and were snatching up worms right under Miss B's beak.  I have warned them to watch their step with her, but they reckon they are too fast for her to catch them.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm - reckon I might be stepping in to rescue them a few times before they learn their lesson  :lol:


Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on August 14, 2014, 15:57
I don't know whose side to be on - Foggy or Alphie's.  Perhaps we should have a poll. :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on August 14, 2014, 16:52
I couldn't choose between the 2 handsome boys! :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 22, 2014, 17:36
Foghorn's diary

Well new names and a change of address for the new girls  :D  They have been resident with moi for the last couple of days and are called Mabel and Millie. 

Mum says they are flapper girl names and is it because they are a couple of independent girls who know their own minds  ???  More like they flap round the place at about a million miles an hour  :lol:  They are cheeky and will nick food from under your beak if you let them, but having to be in a run with the others has sobered them up a bit.  The old girl and Miss B aren't really bothered by them, but Patsy and Eddie have their beaks out of joint. 

When mum peeked in last night to see if they were settled, she found them in a nest box and me in the next door box, making sure they felt safe.  I can't tell you how much trouble I'm in with the others for that  ::)

Of course the pipsqueak had to come over to interfere as soon as he got let out his run today.

I soon told him who was boss and made him think again  :lol:

He eventually got put back in his coop and we got out for a run.  If this week could get any better, it just has.  The grapes on the grapevine are ready!  Mum says she has still got the grape jelly she made last year, so we can have most of them.  Miss B was only too happy to make a start.  Take a breath there girl  ::)  :lol:



Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on August 22, 2014, 22:48
I do love your chicken diaries!! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 23, 2014, 07:52
Thank you  :D

Foggy was camped out in the next door nest box again last night, so I think he may be a bit loved-up  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on October 30, 2014, 16:36
Foghorn's diary

Run clean out today, so we had a good rummage around the garden while mum put a load of new wood chips in and built us a new climbling frame of logs and branches.  There were some windfall apples to peck at as well when we got back in  :D  The girls were off into every corner investigating while I stood and supervised.

It was about then that mum noticed a bit of blood on the front of my comb.  While she had been working, I had been having a face to face with the white pipsqueak through the wire and the little swine managed to land one on me  :mad:  She went to fetch the purple spray, but I was having none of it and she had to give up trying to catch me after a while  :lol:

I got a lecture instead, but no way I was going to be walking round with a purple sprayed head.  I mean, a lad has his image to keep up you know  ;)

Alphie's diary

Well the big run were out and about today and you know who came over to show off  ::)  He started having a go, but I managed to get a shot in and he had to retreat beaten and bloodied  :lol:

I thought no more about it until mum came over and said 'What's this blood on Foggie's comb you little horror'.  I did my best innocent look and looked suitably blank  ;)

I'm not sure she believed me but I got away with it I think.  We got a run out ourselves then and those two girls of mine were following me round all in awe of my fighting prowess  8)  I'm expecting extra big cuddles tonight in the coop  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on November 01, 2014, 21:12
 :D :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on November 02, 2014, 09:10
Norty Alphie!! :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on December 24, 2014, 13:02
Foghorn's diary

Deck the halls with corn and mealworms, falalalala la la la la   

It's Christmas and mum gave us a clean out today so we are all spick and span for Santa Claws to visit.  He brings us chickens special treats so the place has got to look good before the girls hang their stockings up.  The great thing about chicken stockings as that you have lots of toes just right for packing in goodies  :D

Mind you, the party started today with greens and some nice seeds to peck. We got stuck right in I can tell you. 

Merry Christmas everyone from me and the gang. Hope you get so many mealworms to eat your eyes bulge and your coop is full of festive fun  :D

Alphie's diary

Well the ginger showoff reckons he got extras for his girls today, but it was me who got mum running for the treats.  May I recommend Alphie's guide to getting everything you want for Christmas  ;)

First, make sure you are in sight and then adopt the standing on one leg, looking cute, pose. 

Krutial   crooshal  very important next phase, is get that foot tremble exactly right, while gazing up at mum looking hopeful.  You might need to find something shiny to stand in front of and practise this bit, until you get it spot on. 

Repeat until you get what you were after.  See what did I tell you.  It never fails  :lol:

Finally, make sure you mind your manners and make the appropriate happy chuck chuck noises, so they know you appreciate the gift  ;)

Follow those simple steps and you will always be the coop-meister, with adoring girls and a fully trained mum or dad to take care of you   8) 

and much as I love to hate Foggy I have to agree with him about one thing.  Have a fabulous Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone from me and my girls  :D



Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on December 24, 2014, 13:12
Merry Christmas Foggy and Alphie and all your lovely chicks  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: madcat on December 24, 2014, 14:23
May your feathers always be fluffy (and photogenic!).   :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on December 24, 2014, 16:41
And may your diary continue happily into the coming year  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on January 25, 2015, 18:32
Foghorn's diary

Huge excitement in the coop today  :D  We get regular run clean outs, but 3 or 4 times a year mum goes to town and digs deep down ready for new litter.  She was muttering something about mulching the fruit bushes with the old stuff, but we were too busy helping to dig to listen.

We got kicked out in the end for being under her feet, which was fine, because we then had free run of the garden  :D  While mum puffed and panted hauling bags of old bark chip out, we found loads of leaves under the shrubs and kicked them all over the lawn so we could have a good sort through.  Mum wasn't too impressed at first, but then got a rake and gathered them up for our run. 

We always have logs and bark chips, but mum likes to give us other things to play with and the girls loved the leaves - just look at them go  :lol:  Mum had a job getting them to stand still for a picture  :lol:

I was busy on coop inspection as that had been cleaned out as well.  We got a telling off for digging in the sawdust straight away, I can tell you.

I did my best 'me mum, no never, I would never do such a thing look', but mum was having none of it. She knows me too well  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Alphie's diary

Well Foggy's lot were out today causing havoc, but we stayed out of it.   The Lilac Love Palace is home to my real ladies, not a bunch of old grumpies and young hooligans like that lot thank you very much.

I stood on my bit of wood and looked down on distain like usual.  I do think I get this look off to a tee you know  :lol:  Naomi and Eva agree I can look very distinguished when I want to.

By the way, did you notice the new clear plastic run cover?  Mum treated us so we could be dry and warm, but get more daylight in these short winter days.  We have 3 now  :D  This one, our big green shade and weather protector one and our small summer shade cover.  It pays to be mum's favourite you know  ;)

We think it is great and it makes the run so lovely and light  :D  :D  :D

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 26, 2015, 12:51
Alphie's diary

Well its been a few days of bad behaviour from mum  :mad:  She trimmed my spur the other day as it was curling up back against my leg.  Say's its for my own good.  I ask you !  OK so it is more comfortable, but what a liberty !

Then I got a bath on top of it, because she said I was a smelly boy sitting in the nest box with Naomi overnight and pooing in there  :ohmy:  I was going to clean it off ......... just hadn't got around to it  :blush:

Naomi is now fuming with her as the sitting in the nest box has turned into being broody, so mum has blocked off access to it.  So I have my hurt pride, Naomi going on like a fish wife and she thinks a few greens are going to swing it - pah  >:(

I gave her my hard stare and told her where to stick them.  But it was greens and I couldn't resist forever.  I still kept the new 'dead hard' stance I've been perfecting lately going though.  Just in case she got any ideas about grabbing me again.  Wings out, chest puffed and no messing thank you  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on March 26, 2015, 13:09
NO messing with you. my boy  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: joyfull on March 26, 2015, 13:30
poor Alphie  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on March 26, 2015, 15:21
Oooh Alphie's got a strop on!! :lol:
Bless him!! :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on March 26, 2015, 15:40
If looks could kill.  :ohmy:   :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on March 26, 2015, 20:50
 :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 18, 2015, 13:43
Foghorn's diary

Spring has sprung and the sun is out  :D 

Me and the girls are enjoying the late evenings and are ready and waiting to meet mum and dad when they get home from work.  We know the noises of their car engines, so set up a ruckus as soon as they pull onto the drive, to make sure we get some corn, or a few seeds as a treat  ;)

The girls all want to look their best for the summer, so we are having lots of dust baths now the run has dried out from the winter.  Of course, I start it off, but they have it off pat now to get in line behind me  :lol:

aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh ............ nothing like a good dusting all over to make a chap feel good as new  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on April 18, 2015, 20:51
Looking good there Foggy ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 23, 2015, 18:11
Alphie's diary

It was a lovely sunny afternoon today and mum let us out for a rummage round the garden, while she went off to the greenhouse.  Dunno what's so fascinating about it, but she spends hours in there  ???

Anyway, as she was ignoring us we got our own back and dug half the gravel off the herb bed.  When she found us and chased us off, we went and dug half the gravel off the paths round the paving slabs.  Mum was not amused  :lol: 

We then went back to the borders and had a good root round.  We did make a bit of a hole as the girls wanted a dust bath and got shouted at for that as well.  I tried to play the innocent, but mum just said 'No good you trying that fella, when you come to the back door scrounging for mealworms with a big lump of mud on your nose!'

Blast - why didn't you tell me girls  :ohmy:  How am I supposed to keep you in the style to which you want to become accustomed if you let me make a school boy error like that.  Stop laughing you two - this is serious!

Plan B was needed, so instead of just making our way back home like we usually do, we ran round the garden dodging the run until mum got the treats out and inticed us back in  ;)  I don't think mum was fooled for a second, but we got our own way in the end  :lol: 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on April 23, 2015, 18:21
 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Love it!! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on April 23, 2015, 19:55
 :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Springlands on April 24, 2015, 10:46
Alphie's antics always make me  :D .
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on May 03, 2015, 19:17
It just gets better... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 15, 2015, 18:12
Alphie's diary

We are in the doghouse again diary  ::)  Mum was home and once again, the lure of that greenhouse meant we were left to our own devices in the back garden.  When mum popped back to the tap to fill her watering can, she wasn't best pleased to see Naomi and Eva having a grand old time in her knifofia border  :lol:

Its only a little narrow strip next to the house and there isn't really room for two side by side, but my girls always find a way to keep themselves looking well turned out and looking their best.  Mum wasn't quite so impressed by their newly cleaned, glossy feathers and chased them off back onto the grass  :lol:

Then she noticed I was a bit mucky round the hind quarters from sitting in the nestbox at night again.  Cue Benny Hill session of her chasing me round the garden, but even though I was off at a canter, she caught me  :ohmy:  Next thing I know, I'm sitting in the bucket again, mum's got the rubber gloves on and I'm getting a good old wash  :mad: 

OK, so it is a lot more comfortable back there now, but its no fun getting a bath >:(  I took off as soon as she let me go and had a good old shake.

Every time she came back after that, I was giving her my best hard stares, but she just ignored me and told me it was my own fault, so stop sulking  :ohmy:  We did get mealworms as a treat later on when we went back home, but I'm pushing for more treats tomorrow.  I'll stand on my bit of wood and turn my back on her until she caves in .......... she owes me and she knows it  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 15, 2015, 18:54
Oh Alphie that's just not on is it ones derrière plunged in a bucket of soapy water. No wonder you'll be strutting your considerable stuff on that log tomorrow, I'd hold out for strawberries or grapes if I was you. P.s your girls are just faaaabulous  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on May 15, 2015, 20:37
I can just picture a frantic cockerel running around the garden trying to get away!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Sparkyrog on May 15, 2015, 22:01
I wouldn't get to cocky Alfie Mum has got sage and onion in that greenhouse she loves  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on May 16, 2015, 08:12
The Benny Hill session must have been a lark. Did the girls sing the accompanying music?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 16, 2015, 08:24
The Benny Hill session must have been a lark. Did the girls sing the accompanying music?

It started playing in my head after a few minutes  ;)  :lol:  He's still sulking this morning.  I got 'The Look' when I let him out  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 06, 2015, 19:21
Foghorn's diary

Its a bit quiet in the coop at the moment diary.  Patsy and Eddie decided to go broody  ::)  Mum tolerated it for a bit, then even when she chucked them out of the nest box for food and drink, Patsy was a bit half hearted about eating.  Mum grabbed her up, told her off for getting too thin and took them both off to the sin bin, where there is nowhere to nest.

She says they are both eating like horses now, so that's OK, but they are still making broody 'chuck chuck' noises, so they are not trusted to come back for a few days yet  ::)

No problem getting the other girls to eat  :lol:  We know the sound of mum's car so we start up as soon as she parks.  By the time she opens the back door to check on us all, a reception committee is waiting  :lol:

We all suck our crops in and try and look half starved.  It usually works  ;)

Alphie's diary

Well we have new neighbours as Patsy and Eddie, the terrible twosome, are installed next to us.  Naomi is not best pleased and if we get let out, she patrols the edge of their run menacing them  :lol:

Eva and I are usually far too busy looking for stuff to eat.  Every plant is worth investigation and if you can't reach what you have your eye on ........... well no problem, just use one of the special pecking platforms mum has dotted around the garden  :lol:

Eva was supposed to be on lookout duty, but I still got yelled at for being too close to mum's treasured gingko tree  ::)    When I jumped off and took a peck at her prized olive tree, I got chased down the garden  :lol:  You wait till she realises I have spotted the figs on the fig tree and that the pecking platform it is in, is right next to the grape vine  ;) 

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on June 07, 2015, 09:59
Pecking platform  :D :D :D as funny as his posing log. :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: surbie100 on June 10, 2015, 19:22
Patsy and Eddie are stunners.

Hope Alphie's not about to come a cropper with his Grape Expectations.  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 16, 2015, 18:22
Foghorn's diary

Big run clean out today, so we got fresh new bark chips and mum set our favourite perching branch back up.  The girls love to line up on this on a lazy afternoon for some dozing, preening and generally watching the world go by.

We have our summer sunshade up now and doesn't it tone well with the posh new coop.  All in all, life is pretty sweet over in our corner   :D

We got chucked out into the garden while mum did the run.  She always digs it over and we like to help a bit too much  :lol:  She gets fed up of falling over chickens and nearly spearing them with the garden fork.  We love the garden, so no hardship there  :)

Mum's been doing a lot of pruning recently and has stacked up the big branches in corners.  I asked why and she said it was for wildlife.  What  ........... as in bugs and stuff  ???  Course, we rushed over to check it out but we couldn't find the way in.

I was not impressed, but mum says its a refuge for wildlife away from the tiny terrors and their beaks and claws, not a buffet for us.  Humans !  I ask you, what is the point of that ?  She held firm and said no go, so we stalked back to the run and demanded mealworms off her instead  :lol:

Alphie's diary

Well Naomi is broody and even more tetchy than usual, so me and Eva are keeping our heads down  :lol: 

Mum is getting a bit fed up with her and threw her and us out into the garden.  We had a good scratch around, then made ourselves comfortable on our bench.  Mum says its a people bench, but we think differently  :lol:

I stood guard while the girls did some major preening.  Mum came out with a coffee looking like she wanted to sit down, but we had squatters rights and she had to go and find a seat somewhere else  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on July 19, 2015, 23:28
Bench poo isn't the kind that can be easily brushed away either.  They reserve the non removeable type for the bench :mad:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 16, 2015, 18:17
Foghorn's diary

It was a lovely sunny Sunday morning here today and we got let out for a garden wander  :D  We usually move as a team down the garden, scratching up those bugs and slugs and having a fine old time.  We got to the end today and I noticed a couple of the girls were missing, so went to look for them.  I found them sunbathing together on the grass  ::)

Naomi and Eva were in their run looking over in distain.  I even heard Naomi muttering about brazen hussies flaunting everything they had got.  Well Old Girl, my silver laced dottie, really is a very elderly lady these days and she can't always keep up with the rest of the gang when they go on a forage.  She appreciates a bit of time out sun worshiping, but it seems Eddie has decided that is not such a bad option either  :lol:

Mum then made a big mistake by coming out to sit on the bench with a cup of coffee.  Of course we were all convinced it was something for us and came to check it out.   

Eventually, after we had inspected the cup and decided it didn't smell like anything we wanted, we left mum in peace and wandered off.  A  quick tour of the other side of the garden and we get back to the gate of our run, where we normally stand expectantly waiting for meal worms. 

Of course, we could just walk in, but why would you, when you can all stand around looking at one another and acting like you don't know where the way in is.  Well at least until a treat is chucked your way to entice you over the threshold  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on August 16, 2015, 18:35
They have a very contented look about them, don't they?  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on August 18, 2015, 10:43
I do think you have some of the happiest hens in the world New Shoot :)

Our girls fight like crazy since their clipped beaks grew back (they were rescued from a caged bird egg farm).
Do you think the cockerel keeps them calmer??
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 18, 2015, 14:54
Do you think the cockerel keeps them calmer??

Neither Foggy or Alphie like fights and will break them up, even going so far as to chase and grab a hen themselves, if they think she was out of line.

Doesn't always work mind.  Old Girl will turn and face Foggy and see him off.  He gets a definite 'uh oh' look on his face before he has to beat an undignified retreat   :lol: 

I do think you have some of the happiest hens in the world New Shoot :)

Thank you  :) 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 10, 2015, 17:47
Alphie's diary

Aaaaahhhh this time of year is great diary.  Over the last few weeks we have had overgrown courgettes, the cabbage leaves mum has been pulling off the cabbages she is bringing home from the plot, the odd squishy tomato and raspberry, windfall apples and as much perpetual spinach and chard as we want.

There was a special treat today though.  Mum takes our old run litter to the plot to use as mulch and gets all sorts of odd things growing where we have missed bits of food.  Most gets pulled out, but she left these and they turned into oats.  We were very impressed and picked them clean in no time  :D

There were loads of slugs and worms in the garden and we stuffed outrselves with grass, but there is always room for my favourite - grapes !  Mum thinned then to make them bigger and it worked on some, but there are still some small pippy ones that she usually gives to us.

Well I am full, but I'm sure I have room for a few of them  :lol:

We all waddled back to the run after that lot and the girls are now lay in the sun looking contented.  I'm just so stuffed I can hardly keep my eyes open.  Wassat !  No I'm not asleep Naomi, I'm just resting with my eyes shut  :blush:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on October 19, 2015, 06:50
Foghorn's diary

These dark mornings aren't making it easy to keep my diary up.  Hold that torch still girls, I want to get this done before we get let out  ::)

Mum was clearing the raised beds at home yesterday, so we did pretty well for treats.  We have been eating the chard all summer, but we got the bonus of the whole plants with the rootballs to scratch through, so I soon got the girls organised into a production line of chard shredding   :D

There are feathers everywhere at the moment as some of the girls are moulting.  Mum cleans them out of the coop, but says she'll sort our run litter out once they are done.  Mabel in particular is looking less than pristine.  Well mum said she looked like a right scruffy little madam, which I don't think she was best pleased about.  I told her she is still beautiful but her beak was definately put out.  Not enough to stop her getting her share of the treats though  :lol:

Hang on.  I'm sure I just heard someone moving around in the house.  That means they are up and we will be out soon  :D  Make sure that torch is hidden away girls and get ready to make some noise  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on October 19, 2015, 09:01


That gave me a chuckle this morning, the idea of them with a torch :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on October 19, 2015, 11:28
Brilliant.

With Foghorn's fine comb, hand-held torches must be the only option as head torches would be out of the question. I wouldn't mind knowing who deals with changing the batteries, though. They're always such a dreadful fiddle.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on October 20, 2015, 08:05
I think they must hide the torch wherever they hide the kazoo  ::)

One of that lot has one for sure.  We have some very odd noises each morning at the moment, as one of the daft girlies tries to sing along with Fogggie :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on October 20, 2015, 15:33
Do Foghorn and Alphie compete (vocally or physically) or do you keep them apart?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on October 21, 2015, 08:35
They are in the same back garden Snoop, hence the rivalry between them and their respective gangs of girls.  Only one lot can be out free ranging at any time, or a riot breaks loose.  The boys would fight and the girls would not be far behind, especially Naomi and Beyonce, who really do have issues with each other  ::) 

The boys do have a quick crow at each other every morning and at odd intervals during the day.  Luckily they get it out of their systems pretty fast and are quiet for the vast majority of the day  :) 

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on October 29, 2015, 14:27
They are lovely birds New Shoot. The boys are very handsome :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on December 13, 2015, 16:26
Foghorn's diary

Well some news for the diary.  My old silver laced dottie went to the great chicken coop in the sky recently  :(  She would have been 11 next spring and was getting slower and slower, but mum noticed she didn't look very well a week or so ago and took her inside the house.  She settled very happily into the puppy cage mum has and perked up a bit, eating all her favourite treats - apple, strawberries, grapes, mealworms and seeds, but when mum came downstairs in the morning, she had gone  :(

That makes me and the white pipsqueak the oldest ones now.  I would say that as the elder statesman of the run, I should now have all due respect from everyone, but Miss B might have something to say about that  ::)  She has had her eye on the top hen spot for a while and is insufferable at the moment.  She even tried to boss me the other day, but I'm too smart for her.  I wanted to get into the coop and she was blocking the door and being awkward.  All I had to do was say 'Age before beauty Beyonce' and of course she just simpered and stepped aside  :lol:

Anyway, we got a coop clean out today and mum found a nice surprise of eggs waiting for her  :)

Everyone has finally finished moulting and the younger ones are laying again.  They are looking good in their new feathers, as do I of course.  Mum has been rubbing my feet with castor oil as well.  I do get dry skin and I have had 2 treatments now.  Not sure if I fully approve of being picked up for a foot massage, but my feet are a lot more comfortable  :D

All in all we are looking good and those eggs got us a treat of mealworms, so we were well chuffed all round  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on December 24, 2015, 09:29
Such pretty hens... :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on December 24, 2015, 11:44
Sorry to hear of your and Foggie's loss, New Shoot. She had a peaceful end though, safe and warm.

Hope your birds enjoy their festive treats
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on January 23, 2016, 17:56
Foghorn's diary

Garden field trip today  :D  Mum got on with her jobs and we got on with ours - digging, scratching and eating everything in sight.  Beyonce likes to check all the logs we have around the outside of our run and enlists mum in her quest.  Mum's job is to lift them up one by one.  Miss B isn't happy until she has inspected them all and fixes mum with a beady glare when she has eaten all the worms and slugs and wants to move on  :lol:

Eddie was more interested in nicking bits of grit from the top of the pots, but got caught red beaked and was told off for this  :lol:

I've told her a hundred times,  if you are going to be norty, look around and see where mum is first.  Crikey, she's right behind me  :ohmy:  OK, think lad.  Just swerve round that pot and make all innocent.  Me?  I was never even thinking about it, honest  ;)  :lol:

Alphie's diary

Well the big gang were out in the garden for ages and we set up an almighty racket to complain about that.  Mum ignored us and went off to that greenhouse again.  What does she find to do in there for so long  ???

Eventually she came back and put Foggie's lot back in their run and we got out.  We were still moaning, but mum said she had loads to do and we could stay out a good long time, so shut up now please.  She wasn't kidding.  Away she went again and I thought in the end, it was high time we headed home.  I stood in the run and chucked to say there was good stuff to eat in there, but my two just would not come in  ::)

Mum came back, saw my plaintive look and said 'Oh don't worry Alphie, I'll soon fix that'

A few mealworms chucked into the run and those two madams could not get back to me fast enough.  They nearly bowled mum over in their rush to get in and I got well out of the way  :lol:

They tried to tell me later that they missed me and were running back to see me.  Hmmmmm .......... from what I saw, they were so busy filling their faces, they wouldn't have known whether I was there or not   ::) 

I think I need to speak to mum about my own secret mealworm stash  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on January 23, 2016, 18:16
I do so love this!!  :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on January 24, 2016, 10:36
Great read. Gave me a right good grin.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on January 27, 2016, 22:34
They must be the world's happiest chickens! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 02, 2016, 19:59
Alphie's diary

Its been a lovely day and mum was gardening, so we got out for a ramble.  I thought the girls would be happy to walk round together like we usually do, but Naomi was intent on a dust bath and was not interested in anything else  ::)

Mum rolled her eyes a bit at yet another hole dug, but Naomi was oblivious to her  :lol:  I tried to get Eva interested in a bit of digging under the shrubs, but even she was playing hard to get  >:(

I ended up following mum around and getting told off for being in the way constantly.  It paid off though when she started moving pots around.  I got a stash of worms revealed and as the girls ignored my calls to come over, I had a feast myself  :D

I moaned to mum about them ignoring me, but she said, you must have heard the rhyme Alphie - 'Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, just 'cos I eat worms'.  That made no sense to me. Those girls eat worms and I like them, so how does that work  ???  I reckon mum is teasing me.  Why do all the women in my life do that  ???  It's just not fair diary, just not fair at all  >:(
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on April 03, 2016, 16:34
Such a hard life, Alphie, such a hard life indeed lol
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on April 03, 2016, 16:52
What handsome plumage Naomi and Eva have got!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 01, 2016, 19:03
Foghorn's diary

Had a good weekend so far.  We got out for a garden visit yesterday and today mum was cleaning duck weed off the top of her wildlife pond and we got that as well  :)  It may be called duck weed, but we like to eat it and the girls decend on it like they haven't been fed for weeks.  Mum made sure I had my own little stash to eat in peace though  :D

We had some sad news a couple of weeks ago.  Poor Mabel just dropped in the run one day and that was that.  She had been running around like a loony as usual all morning, but then something very sudden obviously happened.  Mum was shocked to find her and Millie was a bit lost for a few days, but she is OK now.

Its left me with just 4 girls now and the coop seems a bit empty, but mum is refusing to listen to any suggestions that I need more company.  I tried again today, but she just went into the kitchen and came back to show me this on her phone.  Alphie's girls are laying as well at the moment, so mum is getting 3 or 4 eggs a day, which she says is more than enough  ::)

Miss B is doing her bit though by going broody and not laying at all, although she was enticed out by the duck weed and then got her favourite treat - comfrey flowers.  We have this growing outside our run and eat the leaves through the wire, but Beyonce loves to be fed the flowers and picks them off one at a time.

Mum offered me some, but I declined.  Can you imagine the mileage the white pipsqueak would get out of seeing me muching delicate little flowers.  Miss B isn't big on sharing anyway  ;)

Shame 'cos if she would let some of the others go broody and share the nest boxes I might have a bit more chance of talking mum round about some new girls  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on May 01, 2016, 19:28
Sorry to hear about Mabel passing, New Shoot, but it does sound as though "Millie" is coping alright thank goodness. Comfrey flowers.. whatever next!!

I never would have thought of giving chooks duckweed. Thank you for the idea. Our daughter's Chook-Babes will benefit hugely from this.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Snoop on May 01, 2016, 21:08
Lovely photos and love the name Beyonce! I bet she can strut her stuff. Sorry to hear about Mabel but not a bad way to go, all in all.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: Flowerpower136 on May 05, 2016, 08:32
Just read this from start to finish! Absolutely love it! It should be published.
Given me lots of life enriching ideas. Great to understand things from Foghorn and Alfie's viewpoint.
Totally inspired, can't wait to get my new girls. :D
Happy days.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 05, 2016, 08:42
Thank you Flowerpower  :)

Its just a bit of nonsense to read and smile over.  Foggy is a bit standoffish about being photographed, but there is always something going on with his gang.  Alphie knows exactly what the phone is and runs over to pose whenever he sees it  ::)  :lol:   It writes itself really  :)

Enjoy your hens.  They are great fun to have around  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 05, 2016, 21:20
Alphie's diary The diabolical exploits of Wilf

Time to let you in on a secret  ;)  As you know, I'm the best behaved out of me and Foggy and can usually be trusted to wander round the garden without being too norty  ...........  but boys will be boys and sometimes I drive mum to distraction.  I get called my alter ego name then - not sweet little Alphie, but the hooligan Wilf  :lol:

Today was one of them days and I got shouted at so much.  Didn't stop me though  ;)

Mum says her potted plants are not pecking platforms, pretending to just be looking out to sea doesn't fool her one bit and she saw me kicking all the grit off the top of the pot not 2 seconds earlier.

Likewise she says the bench may be old, but it really is not improved by chicken poop or by me cleaning my muddy beak on it.  And by the way, a muddy beak means you have been digging something up, so don't try the 'who me?' look on me Wilf  >:(

Finally tormenting Foggy at the wire of his run is extra norty and have you forgotten all the times he has managed to peck you already.  Yes you were fighting, so don't look at me all injured innocence  ::)

By the time we got back to the run I was knackered and spent the most of the rest of afternoon dozing in the sun.  Mum said she knew how I felt having had to chase me round the garden endlessly.

She wasn't too cross though, 'cos we got an apple to peck  :D


Foghorn's diary

You know diary, one of the best bits of mum being a veg grower is the cast offs.  Today it was the remains of the peas shoots and some oriental salad leaves that had bolted.  I did get some in the end, but I always find it safer to stand back a while when the girls spot food heading their way  :lol:

That didn't fill them up for 5 minutes, so we kicked up a stink until we got let out into the garden.  With all the rain this week, there were slugs and worms galore.  We have also all decided that our new fad is mum's wild violets and when we spot them, they get a good pecking over as well.

Mum sighs a bit.  We've never bothered with them before, but all of a sudden they are flavour of the month.  She says at least they seed themselves all over, so despite our best efforts, she may get to keep some for next year  :lol: 
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 06, 2016, 20:55
Alphie's diary

Mum got home from work a bit early today so she set about pruning some shrubs in the back garden and we got out to help.  Mum was working hard and was ever so grateful that we joined in.  There were branches to investigate, leaves to kick about and we made sure we stood right under where she was working to offer advice and support  :D

Dunno what was up with her though  ???  We got told to get out from under her feet and stop making even more mess, so we took ourselves off and .....

Pfffffftttt says New shoot and butts in ............ OK my lad, enough of your tales.  Let's see what you were really up to while I was busy.  Evil Wilf and his girls in the mega dust bath of all time and heaven help the poor plants in that spot  :mad:  Even better was covering me in soil while I was trying to tell you off  ::)

Now talk your way out of that one ....... stomps off and slams door behind her .....

Uh oh - guess I am in trouble diary  :lol:  It was such a good dust bath though and the girls let me join in and everything.  I suppose it was a bit of an own goal to shower mum with soil.  I was enjoying myself so much, I forgot she was there  :blush:

Best behaviour required for the next couple of days I think.  Well maybe  ;)  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on July 07, 2016, 19:01
The trouble is, in his mind, he really is in charge!! I think you'd be better off re-siting your primroses as Alphie will not be persuaded to dust bathe somewhere else, now, will he???? 😂😂
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 08, 2016, 10:30
Alphie will not be persuaded to dust bathe somewhere else, now, will he???? 😂😂

I'd be willing to lay money on the fact that if I move any plants, that will suddenly become his new favourite spot  ;)  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on July 08, 2016, 17:50
Alphie will not be persuaded to dust bathe somewhere else, now, will he???? 😂😂

I'd be willing to lay money on the fact that if I move any plants, that will suddenly become his new favourite spot  ;)  :lol:

Given Alphie's fondess for anything precious to you ... most likely!!!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 08, 2016, 10:57
Foghorn's diary

The summer bolted season is here  :D  Bolted is our favourite veg.  It varies in how it looks and tastes, but when we ask, mum just says 'it's bolted' and sighs a bit. 

She was up at the allotment at the weekend and we got a bumper helping - we're not sure what the allotment is, but it must be the magic kingdom of bolted.  Mum says the other people there give her their overgrown courgettes and other kinds of bolted, so loads of people are growing it for us.  How cool is that 8)  :D  :D  :D

Anyway, I staked a claim right away on what was supposed to be a mini cucumber, but had hidden and grown into a tough skinned brute.

Even when Beyonce looked like she was making for my bit, I stopped her dead in her tracks with a hard stare.  She knows not to just grab, but to flutter her eyelashes and ask nicely when I do that  :lol:

We were in 7th heaven, but mum didn't seem that excited about the great crop of bolted  :unsure:, so we made up a little poem for her to show our appreciation.

Bolted is our favourite food
It tastes great, whatever your mood
Leafy greens just can't be beat
Added soil and roots are just sweet

Monstrous cukes, gigantic courge?
We don't mind, we love it all
Stuff too overgrown for humans to take
Bring it on, deliveries taken at the gate

It made mum smile and say, well I guess bolted has its uses  :lol:

This bolted was extra good because it had some wheat in it.  Mum uses the bark from our run as a mulch as the bits we miss grow into fresh green wheat snacks  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on August 09, 2016, 14:04
You are all spoilt for sure, chooks!!

 But you are right, bolted is perfect food for you and hopefully will lead to sooperdooper eggs from your girls
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: devonbarmygardener on November 22, 2016, 23:59
Alphie's diary

Mum got home from work a bit early today so she set about pruning some shrubs in the back garden and we got out to help.  Mum was working hard and was ever so grateful that we joined in.  There were branches to investigate, leaves to kick about and we made sure we stood right under where she was working to offer advice and support  :D

Dunno what was up with her though  ???  We got told to get out from under her feet and stop making even more mess, so we took ourselves off and .....

Pfffffftttt says New shoot and butts in ............ OK my lad, enough of your tales.  Let's see what you were really up to while I was busy.  Evil Wilf and his girls in the mega dust bath of all time and heaven help the poor plants in that spot  :mad:  Even better was covering me in soil while I was trying to tell you off  ::)

Now talk your way out of that one ....... stomps off and slams door behind her .....

Uh oh - guess I am in trouble diary  :lol:  It was such a good dust bath though and the girls let me join in and everything.  I suppose it was a bit of an own goal to shower mum with soil.  I was enjoying myself so much, I forgot she was there  :blush:

Best behaviour required for the next couple of days I think.  Well maybe  ;)  :lol:

 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Love this entry!!
And Foggie's poem :D xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on January 04, 2019, 14:45
This has been edited to load the photos in as they were previously on Photobucket.

Sadly I lost Alphie in March last year at almost 8 years old and Foggy went a few weeks before Christmas at just over 8 years old.  Not bad ages and I hope their diaries prove what happy lives they had  :)

The girls also aged and poor Eva died, so Naomi had to overcome her pride and make friends with the big gang. She moved in with Foggy while he was still around and now gets along fine with the remaining girls - Beyonce, Patsy and Millie.

So plans for this year are to get some new hens and if there is a little lad looking for a home, he will be coming back with me as well.  The Lilac Love Palace is waiting few new occupants and the diary needs a new author - watch this space  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on January 04, 2019, 19:35
Oh sorry to hear about Foggy, think I missed that if you posted it elsewhere ☹️. Look forward to the new author & introductions all round 😊
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on March 28, 2019, 18:06
'pretending to just be looking out to sea doesn't fool her one bit'


Howling with laughter......

Do you just have girls now

xxxxxxx
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 28, 2019, 20:22
'pretending to just be looking out to sea doesn't fool her one bit'


Howling with laughter......

Do you just have girls now

xxxxxxx

Yup just 4 girls, of which 2 are very elderly, but on the look out for more  ;)

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on April 17, 2019, 12:18
My lone slightly grumpy girl will go broody at some point (and I'm away for a bit end April) so in May I'm looking for hatching eggs or 8 week chicks.  I'd be interested to hear if you find a wonderful place from where to buy or if you might adopt a boy we've hatched.  Reading is an hour's drive. Will be Pekins.  xxxx
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 17, 2019, 20:31
Try this lady Nerdle.  She gave me Foggie and Alphie and has lots of Pekins as well.  You can buy POL or sexed growers, that avoid any problems with unwanted boys.

https://www.chickens.allotment-garden.org/poultry-suppliers/poultry-breeder-9751.php

... And talking of which.  I picked up 2 very small, but very pretty birds from another lady very close to me, who has just started breeding again and was desperate to home a lovely little lad she had hatched and was very fond of.  He came with a friend, who has a question mark on him at present, but might well also be male. 

The diaries have at least 1 new keeper and perhaps 2, so they are settling in and having a read, just so they can see what big clawed shoes they have to step into  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on April 18, 2019, 15:03
Thank you! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on May 14, 2019, 09:08
 :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 10, 2019, 16:27
Drum roll please - we have a new diarist, although he's still settling in and trying to ingratiate himself with my ladies.

Meet Eddie, who came as a pretty but fairly nondescript little black chick with a bit of a quiff and a few white feathers appearing here and there, but who has grown into a very handsome lad indeed.  He was named Eddie pretty quickly due to his resemblance to Eddie Tudor-Pole (of Ten-Pole Tudor fame). He has similar dance moves when he thinks you are approaching with treats and is  deffo one of life's eccentrics as well, just like his namesake  :D

He's been warned he has some big clawed shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that he is up for it.  You have been warned  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: mumofstig on June 10, 2019, 17:38
Loving the hair-do  :lol: Such a smart fella!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 16, 2019, 19:37
The amazing adventures of Eddie

Hi I'm Eddie.  Eddie is the name.  Did you get that?  - it's Eddie here...

Ooohhh I've got a great close-up there.  If I peck here mum, does that post it??  Bet everyone can't wait to see it.

Oh, did I mention it was Eddie ...
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 16, 2019, 19:40
Goodness me Eddie, calm down.  No give me my phone back and listen a second.  You can't just babble at people like that.  Now, let's start again like we practiced ...  ready?  Deep breath and take 2 ...

Eddie's diary

It's Eddie here and I'm happy to say I'm settling in and getting into the routine.  The older girls are not too keen on me yet, so I have Millie living with me in the Eglu and the grumpy grannies Beyonce and Naomi, together with moody maiden aunt Patsy are in the big run. 

Millie thinks I'm great though and we go everywhere together.  What are you muttering there Millie.  What do you mean in I'm in my own little bubble?  Oh, you don't make any sense sometimes.

Anyway, as I was saying Millie worships me and won't budge from my side.  Well you can't blame the girl.  What now mum?  What do you mean - I think she's voted with her feet there mate?  Look I'm trying to strike a pose and you lot keep distracting me.  Look behind me where .....  ???

This diary lark is all very confusing you know  :wacko:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: sunshineband on June 17, 2019, 09:05
Well hello there Eddie.. good to meet you with your Diary. Love that feathery quiff... tres chic.Yes, that is chic, not chick, I know you are growing up nowI
look  forward to hearing more about your antics interesting life over the next few weeks. Do be careful to keep Mum  (otherwise known as The Bearer of Treats) happy. She does have high standards of behaviour you know  :nowink: Mind you, I expect by now you have noticed that  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on July 15, 2019, 10:05
Gosh so handsome - swooooon!!!!!! :blush:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 27, 2019, 16:23
Eddie's Diary

Well things have moved on and I am now living in the big run with Naomi, Patsy and Millie.  We have lots of access  to the garden, but often have a time out in our own place.  There is no place like home, especially when you have your girls congregated round you  :)

Mind you it is a different story when we are confined to barracks.  I have a stern word with mum when she gets in along the lines of 'Just where have you been and when am I getting out of here!'.  I'm at the run gate as soon as I hear the front door and shout until she comes to see me. 

Beyonce is living in the Eglu right next door.  We can chat across the gap and often go visiting when we are out.  She is getting on and doesn't like much fuss, so the big run is a bit too much.  Mum has let her out to see if she wants to come back with us, but she resolutely heads to her own pad every time. 

She's not been enjoying the heat much either.  Mum has been treating her with grapes every morning.  She and I get up straight away, while my lot loll about in bed for ages.  My run gate is usually open at that time though, so I cottoned onto the grapes and we share breakfast every day.  Well I say share - she actually isn't that keen and scolds mum every time she sees a grape piece coming my way.   I still get sneaked a few though  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 20, 2019, 12:00
Eddie's diary

Exciting news diary!  I've discovered there is more to my domain than just the garden here at home.  There is this whole other world called the allotment, where magic foods appear from  8) 

The girls all seemed to know about this already.  Whenever mum appears in the back garden with carrier bags of stuff and starts unloading it onto the garden table to deal with, they make a beeline for her.  Well this week we had sweetcorn  :D  It was apparently the half full and small cobs that we get, but boy oh boy was it good.  Me, Naomi and Patsy were huddled around 1 piece, but Millie went straight to the source and couldn't get in in her beak fast enough.

There has also been a bit of an uproar and - oh this is embarrassing - but me and mum fell out a bit.  She needed to go out to work and I wanted to stay in the garden and mum refers to it as a teenage moment, but I ended up losing my rag and pecking her, plus scratching her hand  :blush:  It was only a little peck, but it drew blood and ...

.. 'and it hurt quite a bit my lad and bled for quite a while!'  interjects New shoot.  'What happened to the cute little chick who arrived here, even if he was a bit daft and spent most of his time sat on his feeder.'  That was just me Mum - I was just that sort of kid you know  ::)

I was very sorry about it and the next morning I was creeping around trying to stay under the radar.  Mum opened my gate as usual and was giving Beyonce her morning grape treat.  I peeped round, then sidled up to see if I got any.  Sure enough I got my treat as well, but I'm watching my manners now I can tell you.

What added insult to injury was that mum was already nursing a puncture wound to her shin.  She has a cat friend up at the allotment and he loves playing with string.  She was tying up fruit canes and he thought it was a game.  First she knew he was there was when he latched onto her leg while trying to get a bit of dangling string.  She says he was all contrite as well and spent ages rubbing his head on her and saying sorry.

I told her 'That's what's you get for being friends with a cat.  Me and the girls all know they are nasty, don't we girls?'  But when I looked round for support, they had all cleared off and were intently pecking grass down the other end of the garden  :ohmy: 

Then the slap down came.  I got a look and mum said 'Well we all have our moments, don't we Eddie'.  Oh gosh, I guess I'm in the doghouse a while longer  :blush:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 05, 2019, 11:48
Eddie's diary

I've been busy out in the garden most days recently. Mum says I seem to have picked up some bad habits very quickly.  The girls all quietly chuckled, but I have no idea what she is on about.

For example, mum says I have mastered the 'Who me?' look completely.  I was only standing there doing nothing honest, but she was having none of it.  They are her lily of the valley that seem to get a constant pummeling and can I please find another bit of garden to play in.  Yeah whatever  ::)

The girls love pecking the seeds out of the wild violets and they have also been targeted before according to mum, but now they have discovered the verbena seeds.  I wasn't too sure but pulled one off anyway.  Mum says the wild birds eat them, but they can perch on them without damage.  Us lot are a bit of a different story ...  She said I may as well eat it now I had destroyed it.  My lovely long locks get in the way a bit, so I have to aim from below to see what I'm getting sometimes.  Still tasted good though  :D

Finally mum just laughs when we arrive at the back door.  It is usually when she has been home in the afternoon and we get to the stage where we feel it is time to head to the run.  We like to be back in around tea-time, but there is no harm in hanging about a bit and angling for treats.  Other times of day we get them to entice us to go back home, so even if we are heading that way anyway, it is worth a try  ;)  Mum says the 'Hi mum, look how cute we are' pose is nothing new you know Eddie, but she usually ends up caving in and we get our reward :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on September 05, 2019, 16:56
Oh you are a card aren’t you Eddie 😂 your mum does very well to tolerate you in the garden, I don’t think I’d be so generous with my garden. My poor girls just get their pen on the lottie, can you imag8ne what mischief they would get up to if I let them out 😱
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on September 18, 2019, 10:40
Gosh isn't he gorgeous??? :blush:   Eddie calendar 2020!!xx
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 25, 2019, 20:12
Eddie's diary

I've discovered a new superhero power diary - jumping!  I tried to jump up on Beyonce's eglu coop, but that didn't go so well.  I slid off fairly quickly and mum said the look on my face as skidded down the back of it was a picture.  Pure Tom and Jerry whatever that means  :unsure:

Well I showed here.  The girls sit on the bench seat quite often, but I went one better and was up on the back of it crowing away.  Mum said it was all very well parading up there, but had I planned my route down?  Actually all of a sudden it did seem a bit high up.  Eeerr I might need a hand down here mum, but she just laughed and said you got up there mate, so you can get down.  Well I did, but it was a bit of a crash onto the lawn.  Not the most graceful landing anyone had ever seen  :lol:

The only trouble is that I thought I had claimed the bench as mine, but mum thinks she gets to sit on it whenever she likes.  She was relaxing out there earlier with a coffee and how ever many times I circled round her making disapproving noises, she just stayed put.  Even my best hard stare didn't get a flicker out of her  >:(    I mean, it was my best stare and everything.  I think I need a new plan, but what to do?  ???
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 02, 2020, 11:44
Eddie's diary

Hi Eddie fans  :D  Did you miss me?  I've been hunkered down weathering the storms and winter downpours with the girls. but I reckon spring is on the way now and there is no stopping me.

One bit of bad news.  Beyonce went to the big henhouse in the sky.  She wasn't at all keen on me and insisted on moving out to the Eglu when I joined the big run.  She lived very happily there for her last few months, but mum says she was 9 and she had just gone to sleep one night and not woken up, so sad but not such a terrible way to go.

Meanwhile the remaining girls and me have been getting on great.  There is stuff starting to grow in the garden now, so we love getting out there to sample it all.  Patsy and Millie were enjoying the comfrey in the spring sunshine only yesterday. 

The disputed bench is in the background and we are still making take over bids on this.  Mum was sat there drinking her coffee this weekend and we were sure she had food hidden about her somewhere.  I got the team together and briefed them.  Agent Naomi - you go right, Agent Patsy Left, Agent Millie straight up to her and employ distraction techniques.  I though we were being dead sneaky, but we got spotted.  this is where Eddie's 'who me' plan comes into play.  Right girls, about turn and we are just pecking the grass, doing nuffin' OK.  Phew, got away with it  :)

It works when you get caught investigating things you have been told to leave alone as well.  I know the pots are out of bounds and eating anything out of them is BIG trouble.  Sometimes I just can't help but look and then of course I spot a morsel I want.  You have to have lightening responses on this one.  At the first sounds of 'What are you up to' from mum, I can snap back into full innocence mode.  "Wwwwwhhat - I was just standing here looking lovely like I do - honest'  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on March 27, 2020, 09:26
Eddie's diary  Eddie's message to everyone

It was going to be diary entry, but he had something important he wanted to say.  This is a short video - he is easily distracted  :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saWVBnQY4gc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saWVBnQY4gc)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on March 27, 2020, 09:50
 :lol: :lol: I’ll pass the message on to any one I ......ooh look seeds...... :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 03, 2020, 13:16
Meet the Team ...

... the Chucky Team.  If you need cheering up, if no-one can help and and if you  can find them, maybe you can have the C Team add a little to your day

Eddie

Head honcho, international playboy (in his own backyard) and king of the hill is Eddie.  A Sizzle (frizzle/silkie cross) rooster who is only just over a year old and very much still a terrible teen  ::)  Not adverse to the odd tantrum, attacking my gardening boots (with me still in them!) and being a pest.  This is the evil eye I get when he has hogged the bench and I arrive hopefully with my cup of coffee in hand. 

If he thinks I have grapes, this all changes into an immediate 'Who me.  I would never even think about being a brat - honest'.

Next up Patsy and Naomi

Naomi is the one on the right and is a bantam orpington and her colouring is black silver birchen, from a local breeder who developed those markings himself.  She is and always was a supermodel.  At 9 years old the thought has never even crossed her little chicken brain that she is not fabulous, not in charge and that you are in any way worthy  :lol:  Grumpy old gal, but she has her moments and we get along well.

Patsy in on the left and is a 7 year old blue laced bantam wyandotte.  She is named after the Ab Fab character and is very much like her namesake.  Fairly daft, but loves a good time.  Her version of a glass of bolly and a cigarette are grapes with a side of meal worms.  She is first there for any treats and can sprint down the garden in times Usain Bolt would be proud of.  She also has a very croaky cluck and does sound like she has been smoking unfiltered Woodbines for years.

Last of all Millie

Millie is a 6 year old barred wyandotte bantam and is a bit of a loner.  She is always bottom of the pecking order, no matter who else joins the gang.  She is very friendly and amenable, but just is not good at the social stuff.  Millie has discovered how to work this to her advantage though.  She will sit next to me on the bench to share lunch (her idea - my lunch!) when the others are far too important or full of themselves to do such a thing  :lol:  She has been laying eggs up to this year, but has only laid a few so far this spring.

The plan was to get some new girls to bolster the gang, but this was scuppered by Beyonce deciding to set herself up in the granny annex a.k.a. the eglu.  She passed  on a few weeks ago, but newbies can wait awhile yet I think.  Lots of new adventures to come though and the team will be back soon with more stories  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 10, 2020, 20:10
Eddie's Movie Debut

No diary today 'cos I am a movie star now  :D  So please enjoy my short video showing me and the girls up to no good in the garden.  We peck grit out of the pots (not allowed), sneak down the steps from the lawn to scratch up the gravel (really not allowed) and generally do as we please  :lol:

Don't miss Naomi's supermodel strut down the path as she stalks off into the sunset.  She got told off for digging where she shouldn't be and was not impressed  :lol:  I just concentrated on getting my close-ups right.  Well I am the star of the show after all  8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQZxzoFo24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQZxzoFo24)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on April 13, 2020, 16:22
Wonderful!  Shared on Facebook thank you very much!xxx
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 12, 2020, 17:49
Eddie's diary

Well it has been a while, but we have been busy in the garden and enjoying the summer.  Mum does get perplexed with us at times though  :lol:

Why do we lurk about in our run when the gate is open and we have the whole garden to play in.  Well to be fair, she had snuck in and left overgrown courgette and bolted lettuce for us.  When we found them, we decided home was the place to be  ;)

Then when I am out, I make a beeline for the Eglu run.  The coop is shut, but the run door is open as I moan a bit if I am shut out (.... A bit !  Something of an understatement there Eddie,  I never hear the end of it ... says NS)  What me!  I just like to check things out and I never make a fuss.  Well OK, maybe sometimes, but I'm not that bad.

Dunno, humans are odd.  I  don't get what mum finds so confusing.  I have discussed it with the girls, but they were no help.  Naomi just gives me looks.   Millie ... well Millie is just Millie and it is not often you get any sense out of her  :lol:  Patsy is a bit more down to earth, but even she just shrugged.   'Well it makes sense doesn't it' I say.  All I get back is shrug and 'Why worry mate. If the corn keeps coming, what's the issue?'.  Sigh  ::)  Here I am doing my patrols and making sure everything is in order and no-one understands just how important my job actually is   >:(
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 29, 2020, 11:44
The adventures of Eddie .. and his one tail feather

Well diary, we are making full use of the summer and getting out into the garden as often as we can.  It all needs careful planning of course as there are bits we get told off about if we start digging there.

The minute we are out, we are plotting mayhem.  I scout it out and the girls move into action.  OK so we have the grass, we have the bits under the shrubs, but what about those pots again.  Patsy and Millie say ' We just get shouted at, you know that', but it doesn't stop me  :lol:

I am like a ninja hiding behind things and I never get spotted.  'See Patsy - you can peck gravel out of that pot and I will keep watch with no-one noticing a thing'.  'Ahem' says mum 'I can see you behind there so don't be leading your girls into trouble you little ragbag'  >:(  Oh .... well maybe my ninja skills need a bit more brushing up then  :blush:

Perhaps I should just brazen it out and show myself.  What are you on about mum?  Me and my tail feather strutting my stuff  ???  I think you will find my tail is nothing to be laughing at.  We are all moulting and look a bit tattered, I'll give you that, but really !!!

Honestly, the things I have to put up with.  I would go and tell her off, but she is a bit bigger than me.  Last time I had a tantrum and attacked her gardening boots, I got picked up and put in the run on my own, so I satisfied myself with a few hard stares and a bit of wing flapping.  That showed her  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on October 01, 2020, 14:39
The diary of All-Seeing Eddie

I have been accused of being nosey  :ohmy:  Just because I like to keep an eye on things, which is not the same thing at all.

You think you can sit at the garden table and drink coffee without supervision. I think all-seeing Eddie might just be keeping a sneaky eye on you.

Feel beady eyes upon you when weeding.  There may be a reason for that. I could just happen to be standing over you, watching your every move.

Even if you have been potting up bulbs quietly and I have been off rummaging around for ages, don’t think you are safe. What ... is there someone in the shadows there ... is it your imagination ?  a trick of the light maybe? ... or is all-seeing Eddie closer than you think  :unsure:

Well that would be telling  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on October 01, 2020, 15:15
Lol, what a cheeky boy he is, probably plotting mischief or covering for his girls that may be up to no good perhaps?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: nerdle on October 01, 2020, 23:50
Lol!  Surveillance!!

xx :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 04, 2021, 17:13
Eddie’s diary ... I’m back  :D

I have been in lockdown for most of the winter because of bird flu, but not any more !

Mum says there were reports of chicken stampedes from other folk but I told her ‘Not my girls. I have complete control you know’.  There were a few sniggers at this point, but I ignored them.

Well the moment came, the run door opened and I sauntered out with my girls neatly following, then all hell broke loose. They were off in different directions before I even knew it  :mad:

I caught up with them under the bushes and tried to tell them off, but they were oblivious. There was so much chaos it took a while for anyone to realise the Eglu run door wasn’t open and there were 2 little reasons inside. We saw mum messing around yesterday putting sawdust in the coop, but it was getting late and everyone was a bit sleepy.

Naomi was over there like a shot getting grumpy. She is a bossy madam and usually bad tempered, but after a full inspection, she was in a vile mood and stomped off muttering about silly little airheads. She is over 10 now, being a muttering old lady comes naturally to her.

I thought they looked nice, but did not dare show too much interest. I don’t even think they have names yet, but I might see if I can have a sneaky chat with mum and see what she will tell me  ;)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on April 16, 2021, 16:59
Eddie and lock down locks 2021

Hi diary.  It feels like spring is back in the air and Millie celebrated by laying an egg.  It was a bit of a surprise all round, even to her and she laid it in the run.  At nearly 7 she did well even if it has been a one-off so far.

Last year there were going to be some new young girls, but it didn’t happen. This year there are 2 and they are growing up fast.  They have already mastered the ‘who us’ look of surprise when caught up to no good. Eating wood shavings out of the coop in this instance.  I have still not got near them yet ... I am slowly working up to it  though ;)

There are those round here who would say I can’t see the chickens for the feathers.  My new ‘do’ for 2021 was pretty spectacular I thought, but dad says I look like a crazy Cossack  ???

When mum told me that, I felt a stern word was in order. Have I commented on her lock down locks - nope... too gentlemanly for that, but things may change lady!  I don’t dish out my hard stares for nothing you know  >:(
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on May 08, 2021, 10:42
Eddie’s diary

It’s chicken wars here you know  :ohmy:

The new girls are a bit adept at making a break for it whenever the run door is opened, so have been named Babs and Ginger.  They are a blond and a redhead, so I thought it was that, but it is something to do with Chicken Run, whatever that is.  A film so I am told.  I am baffled, but they think they are movie stars, that is for sure.

Naomi, resident grumpy old lady, is not at all impressed by them.  I keep having to head her off from standing at the run wire getting cross with them.  Sheeesshhhh ... nice sunny day and we are out in the garden and she keeps heading straight for them to stand there and grumble.  They ignore her and she ends up circling the eglu looking for trouble.

I ended up doing laps as I tried to keep her in order, then racing off down the other end of the garden to see what the other two were up to.  Built up an appetite I can tell you, so when we heard the back door open and expected the treats to come out to get us back home, Patsy and I were there like a shot.  Guess what though.  Naomi must have moved at the speed of light because she was over from the eglu and first in line before we even made it down the steps.  Patsy and I didn’t know whether to risk pushing her out of the way or not.  Patsy was all for ‘Go on.  Show her who is boss then’.  That’s OK for you to say Pats, but mess with the aging supermodel, who is still determined she is queen of the flock ....hhhmmmmmm  :unsure:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on May 08, 2021, 11:01
You do have your work cut out don’t you Eddie?  :lol:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on May 08, 2021, 19:37
I do love to hear what is happening in 'your world' Eddie.  You have a far more exciting   life than I do.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 12, 2021, 08:06
Eddie’s diary

Summer afternoons in the garden. Doesn’t get much better, but as the girls head off into the undergrowth to have an explore, I keep getting distracted.

Those new girls are very quiet at the moment and I am not at all sure what they are up to.  Even having a good hard spy on them isn’t throwing much light on the matter.

Then someone notices and starts taking the mickey. This time Patsy, who alerted all the othes by shouting ‘you mooning over them again’.  No way! I was just standing here like you do …

Apparently I have no chance at the moment, because their heads are full of nesting and they are taking turns in being broody, or even teaming up with a joint effort  ???  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on June 12, 2021, 08:19
 :lol: poor Eddie, can’t get it right no matter what he does!
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 04, 2021, 08:36
Eddie’s diary

The new girls take over  :ohmy:

Well we were nesting, but bored of that now, so the big news is that we got our first go at a garden expedition.

We started small, with a wander round the grass but there was a bit of muttering coming from the big run, so we wandered across to have a look.  Eddie was straight over, but so were the older girls and they were not so happy to see us.

Eddie was whispering to back off and not push it, but we saw a chance of some fun, so headed round to the gate.  Then acted all innocent while he tried to keep the peace. They were still all arguing in there as we sauntered back home to our run  :lol:

Eddie’s diary

I have only one thing to say diary - flipping’ women !!!

Actually two things - how the heck do I keep in with both lots of them without getting a severe hen pecking   ???  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on July 04, 2021, 16:03
Oh dear Eddie, you'll just have to realise that women rule the world! :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 10, 2021, 18:46
New girls pushing their luck

We got a bit of a telling off last time for hijacking the diary, but guess what … we’re back  :lol:

We love our Eglu and our run, oh and corn and running about in the garden, but what we like most is digging.

Mum says she had never had a more destructive little duo and good job she is not precious about the grass.  First thing we do is take a fast and fluttery tour of the garden, then we picks our spot and gets our concentration faces on.  We know there are worms and all sorts under there somewhere and if you dig enough, they will find their way into our beaks.

Our run is testament to our efforts and we can do this to any bit of grass within a couple of days tops.  We think this is a great achievement, but it seems to generate sighs every time the run is moved. Out comes the soil and grass seeds and we just watch and wonder how soon it will grow again and we can launch another attack  :D

As for being told off, his royal highness Eddie will not even notice us sneaking in here again ….

‘Ahem girls’ says New shoot.  ‘I think the diary owner is wise to you and he doesn’t look too impressed!’

… uh oh … we had better scarper  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 31, 2021, 16:07
Eddie’s diary

There wuz a monster in my run. Mum says no it was just them replacing the roof, but it must have been a monster really.  We had ivy growing over from next door and it was ruining our old roof. Then we got new neighbours and they hacked the ivy down their side. That made the ivy monster move from next door to us  :ohmy:

It ripped off the roof and gathered up the remaining ivy. I bet it was taking it to its lair. We were at the other end of the garden where we found lots of new stuff to inspect.  I reckon me shouting at the monster to stay away was what kept us safe.

Anyway it eventually left and our new roof got fixed in place. I have been assured that there was no monster and it was just people covered in leaves and dust, but I am taking no chances.  I’m at the run gate guarding the coop and making sure all scary beasts stay outside.  Who goes there and don’t bother trying to get in here unless you have food, preferably treats  :tongue2:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on September 01, 2021, 19:03
Lol Eddie, you may just be right & aren’t your girls lucky to have you to protect them! Right posh you’ll be now with a new roof :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on June 09, 2022, 20:24
Eddie’s diary

Well what a wash out last winter was.  Bird flu and we were locked down good and proper  :mad: 

We had a couple of losses over winter as well  :(  Naomi went first at 11 years old.  Just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.  Then Patsy went a few weeks ago the same way.  She didn’t make it to 11 but still had a good old innings.

So that left me with Millie, my first friend when I got here and still my best bud, but she’s gone a bit power mad.  Millie was always bottom of the heap, but she outlived the rest and is now queen hen.  Trouble is, she quite likes that role and is not so keen to share me.

The new girls Babs and Ginger were still in their own set-up when the Flockdown order came, so we spent a lot of months apart and now reconnecting is proving … well fraught  :wacko:  I’m not sure what is going on.  I know I am supposed to be happy there are more girls around and want them in my gang, but I’m not sure about it all, so we have had a few real good dust-ups in the garden.  After getting fed up of refereeing, mum said we were paying house calls through the run mesh until we all learned to play nice  :blush:

I’ve made a few overtures, but I keep getting caught sneaking over to them, then Millie comes to reel me back in and scold me  ::) Babs and Ginger do come and say Hi to me as well, but will we ever be a big happy family  ???  Chicken politics are not a simple matter you know …
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 31, 2022, 08:37
Eddie’s diary

Well things are not going as planned.  I have tried to get to know the new girls, but they don’t seem to be that keen on me.  If they are safe in their run when they know I can’t get to them, they are up for being cheeky and chancing their luck.  Hmmmmmm … If I am in and they are out, they come and blow raspberries through the wire at me  :ohmy: 

Maybe it is Millie they are trying to wind up?  The scuffles with her are reaching new heights.  I don’t know what has happened to Millie.  She was always the one that got along with everyone, but now she is little miss feisty feathers and as soon as I take my eyes off her, she is causing a drama with Babs and Ginger.  Must be some female politics things that I would be well advised to stay out of  :wacko:

I try and make sure they behave themselves and hover around when the two sides meet, but they are sly.  I get distracted pecking something and uh-oh here we go again.  No I mean right now, so ‘scuse me folks while I try and diffuse this one  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on July 31, 2022, 12:07
Oh dear Eddie, life’s not simple is it. Must be a hormone thing with your girls. Please keep us updated if you ever get to all live together, I’m sure Millie would settle down eventually, maybe she needs a bit of solitary?
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on August 28, 2022, 19:49
The return of Eddie and his one tail feather

Well to be fair, he has got about three, but it is that time of year and someone is a bit touchy about his moult.

Babs has no filter and straight out asked him ‘What’s the story with the tail mate?’

He was not amused. He wasn’t too thrilled about me taking pictures of him either.  The look I got, it is a wonder I did not burst into flames  :ohmy:

I did offer him a diary moment, but he’s indisposed. This means sulking far too much to even consider it, but don’t tell him I said that  :lol:

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on July 06, 2023, 16:38
Eddie’s diary

Well another winter of flock down and into a summer where I can at least get out to inspect everything. It is a big worry when you are watching from your run and things keep happening. Unauthorised things to boot!

Take the new bench for a start. I don’t like it. The old one was one of my perching spots, but this new one looks suspicious to me.

I have checked it out many times. ‘What’s up Eddie’ I keep getting asked. What’s up!  Well no-one asked me about a new bench for a start. This one is different and that is an issue, plus it relocates around the garden much more. I’m told the old one had broken and this one is much more convenient as it can move sun to shade without being such a big heavy thing to shift. Pah! - I turn my back on you and let you have one of best ‘in a huff’ poses with a hard stare to boot  :mad:

Of course she doesn’t care. Too busy lolling in it with a cup of coffee to care about me, however much I stomp my feathery feet.  Even Millie can’t reason with this human. ‘Why do it’ she says ‘You know how he gets and it is me that has to live with him!’  ::)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on July 06, 2023, 17:35
Eddie, lovely to hear from you again, was wondering whether the 'girls' had got too much for you and you had flown away 'skywards' ::)  Will you never learn that us girls have the last laugh and one over on yo u males.  :D
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on September 07, 2023, 12:09
Eddie’s diary

It’s that time of year when most of my tail has moulted onto the coop floor and even with my best impressive posing, I just get giggled at … sigh  ::)

Honestly it is just one long round of hassles and humiliations at the moment. ‘Why not have a run in the garden?’ I get told.  Off I go with Millie and after a protracted going over of all areas, I head home and spot the garden fork. Now what!  Safe bet that blasted human has been cleaning us out, the coop will not be as I left it and the run has been dug over. That’s my favourite sleeping spot and carefully crafted dust bathing pits gone for sure  >:(

Then I see the whole lot is damp. Good grief, she’s only gone and hosed it all down for good measure. Now I am going to have to sit on my branch perch and sulk while it all dries out!  Expect some dirty looks and an attitude this afternoon then missus  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on September 07, 2023, 16:18
I have tried to PM you Eddie to find out what you're doing but you don't appear to have an account! :D  Lovely to hear from you.  It's not the clothes y ou wear that maketh the man, it's what's inside that really counts.  Y our 'human' is only trying to make things better for you and in this rather strange 'hot' weather, surely a 'damp patch, with your feathery coat is a relief.  Love to you and  y our girls, Wighty.
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: New shoot on December 16, 2023, 20:15
Eddie’s letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Please excuse my scrawly writing, but holding a pen in chicken claws is not easy.  Just to let you know that I have been a very, very good boy this year and deserve lots of presents.  My list is not that long and all year I have done my jobs diligently:

Guard the house and garden.
Patrol the area checking all is in order.
Make sure that human behaves herself (well as much as I can)
Eat the weeds and grass - ignore any complaints from this address claiming they are her flowers  :tongue2:
Look after Millie and try and keep the two young hooligan girls in order.

Soooo………… I would like please some mealworms, some grapes, some more mealworms, extra corn and apples and, and ….

Right Millie is demanding strawberries go on the list.  I am not too fussed about them and like the green tops better than the red bit, but she loves them  ::)  OK - happy now?  Better chuck in some tomatoes as well as she goes ape after them. 

… anyway, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I would also like lettuce, some more mealworms in case the previous lots were not enough and finally an intercom system in case my crows are not enough to get her indoors out here looking after me.  Let’s see her ignore that!  :lol:

Please also make sure all the nice forum folk get presents as well and have a lovely Christmas as they are my friends.

Thanks Santa - you’re the best.

Eddie xx

Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: snowdrops on December 16, 2023, 20:20
Fingers crossed for you Eddie  :)
Title: Re: Diary of a suburban bantie cockerel
Post by: wighty on December 17, 2023, 17:01
We  became good friends as I came armed  with mealworms  so that I could 'sneak' into your humans shed to hide cake and other 'goodies' in there .  I really hope that you get everything you've wished for,  but don't forget Father Christmas will be thinking about  your 'figure' and mealworms are very fattening.  :lol: