Update

Sylvia and Irene....I have them eating from my hand
In response to Beatrice F, who wanted an update on the Ukrainian Village population, I snapped a few photos for her this cold and muggy morning. The village population has now plateaued at a healthy 73 souls. The refugee hens that arrived on mass from Llanasa in the autumn have now been transformed from slightly sad and untidy birds into sleek free range ladies. You can tell that they are doing fine as the winter egg production remains fairly high.


The four geese are healthy and the ducks ( including the last three hysterical runners) have bonded into a robust little flock of eight birds....I will need to separate two drakes in the spring. when sex rears it's ugly head, but for now things are calm and peaceful.





Cogburn, the blind cockerel has shed his feathers and has suddenly gone all red and gold. He looks fantastic now and has recovered from a cowardly attack by the field cockerels who sneaked into his run when I was cleaning it out. The other waifs and strays ( the two ancient hens I took in last month and Mary the disabled rabbit) are all doing well in their own little runs and houses. There are now 17 little green " buildings" in "Anatevka"


Bingley, the turkey, is now the real patriarch of the field and in the spring will be joined by a couple of females ( a promise from a friend). His slightly aggressive behaviour towards the geese has now settled down.


It was too cold for the dogs this morning,
I found them all hidden away like this after their early morning wee walk

I am waiting for something to go wrong....everyone seems far too healthy and happy
Hey ho

43 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:07 am

    What a clean and happy bunch they look.

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    1. I always carry " wet wipes" that's why they are all vclean

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  2. Lovely catch up John. I love how Winifred has fitted in beautifully x

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  3. so nice to see your healthy looking bunch! what a happy place for them all to live.

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  4. It all sounds good, I suppose you wait for the sound of the other shoe to fall. Nice to see you have the 'girls', eating out of your hand. Can you pet them yet? Looks like a crowded bed, :D

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  5. That cockerel is a gorgeous colour. Do they take it in turns on the blue "pond" ?

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    1. There is a real pond on the field and a stream. And yet the geese adore their little paddling pool

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  6. You've got a nice little animal rescue centre set up there. Love the pretty cock.

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  7. Does the postman call? I see each house is numbered . . .
    Cockburn is sooo handsome; such a pity that he doesn't have a lady of his own.
    It all looks so well-cared for, John - it must be a good feeling to know that those 73 souls are all responding so happily to your love and attention.
    Erm . . . how's Chris?

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    Replies
    1. Chris is fine.... Up in harrogate at the moment..... The hen houses are numbered to make it easier for my animal babysitter to sort out who goes where?

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  8. you realize something is now going to happen, you jinxed yourself......

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  9. What do you mean waiting for something to go wrong?!! Stop it or I`ll come and slap you!!! ( With Jo Ross who slaps harder than me!)

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  10. Anonymous12:15 pm

    Knock on wood.

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  11. Beautiful scenes and Cogburn looks magnificent!

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  12. So I finally watched all of season 4 Walking Dead episodes during the past three days. Why did it have to be Herschel?? :(

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    Replies
    1. I know!
      I did like the part when Lizzie blasted the gov's henchmen

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  13. You could name it Bliss Farm....Love seeing all the happy healthy animals. Good job!

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  14. Man I would love to be an animal under your care. They all look so fat and happy :)

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  15. They all look wonderfully well kept and happy, a real tribute to you.

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  16. Enjoy it while it lasts John. What an eclectic crew you have there. I particularly like the photo of the duck/goose in the little wading pool!! Cute!

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  17. Looks idyllic. But so you don't drop off into self-satisfied slumber I suggest a nice pussy to liven things up.

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  18. Lovely post John. They all look so very happy and content. Wonder if they know how lucky they are? I wish I could find a caring soul like you!!!

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  19. Love, love, love the update.
    Everyone looks so wonderful and little Cogburn looks so handsome.
    LOL at the dogs they know were to fluffy up and nestle in to have a Gud Nap on a cold winters day.

    cheers, parsnip

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  20. Thanks for the update on the Ukranian Village. I thought Phyllis Diller was keeping Rooster Cogburn company?

    Enjoy this season of everyone being healthy and happy.

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    Replies
    1. Phyllis is still with him...and happy as Larry.. She's a late riser

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  21. You've got it all under control. Nice.

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  22. Those Canadian geese really are everywhere.....

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  23. I do love the geese...
    Batten down the hatches and hutches, getting windy again.

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  24. A little bit of this, a little piece of that, a pot, a pan, a broom, a hat..indeed! There isn't always a pogrom over the horizon, John, and calm isn't always because a storm is brewing.
    It tickles me no end that the url of this blog is disasterfilm - as it is about as disastrous as a lumpy custard. Just the ups and downs of farmlife.
    More Milkwood than Anatevka ;-) ? Either way you make my day, every time xoxo

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  25. Lovely update ... enjoy the good days.

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  26. When you mentioned Bingley, I thought the next photo would be of Bingley in bed with you. I think I've mentioned getting Bingley in the bed before. I don't know why I seem to have a thing about a turkey in bed.

    Love,
    Janie

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  27. Healthy and happy...long may it last!

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  28. I had to laugh at the one comment about the Canadian geese being everywhere. They are indeed, especially here in the country they were named after, but I'd be lost without them, their silly antics, their echoing honking and their adorable, fluffy young...
    Your post about your brother's final journey was very moving. My Scottish grandfather had his sendoff accompanied by some good Irish whiskey too.
    Enjoy all those wonderful critters you've nursed back to health...
    Susan

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    1. Camilla is a lovely goose...she came to me as a silly gosling

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  29. So true. Cold and flu season is just arriving here.

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  30. Everyone always gets to your posts before I do and says all the things I want to say... (said in a wingeing tone of voice).
    I love Cogburn's plumage. I am saving the feathers that fall from my bantams. They are not half as beautifully bright as his.

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    1. It seems that his feathers have compensated for his blindness x

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  31. I LOVE seeing pictures of your home and animal friends; so peaceful compared to the busy city life I have. a safe haven for the fur/feather crowd!

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