We’ve had chickens for nearly two years now: three of them. It took a while to decide to get them, but we haven’t looked back. What Soulsby Farm has to say about them is so true. They fulfil the permaculture principle of being multi-functional: they provide food, control pests, cultivate the ground, produce a fantastic compost ingredient and are highly entertaining.

There is much on the internet about naming chickens, including many forums (or fora as my school latin makes me think). So, let me introduce our girls:  We have two Speckledies Esme (who has blue eyes like her literary namesake) and Gytha (who has brown eyes). Most people have no idea why I would have called a chicken Gytha, but you see, there are three of them and I thought of the three witches (Pratchett not Shakespeare, you understand); I drew the line, however, at Magrat, even I wouldn’t call a chicken Magrat however big a fan I am of Mr P. So Mr Snail-of-Happiness got to name chicken number 3: Lorna is a Calder Ranger, so named by because she is the Lorna Ranger (you get an idea of his sense of humour).

We haven’t bought an egg in nearly two years – thanks girls for many delicious meals.