Mary Ann Shaffer
Whether it was the long hot summer, the consequent fires or some other stressor, our six laying girls decided around 10 weeks ago to shed most of their feathers and stop making eggs. Whilst a few weeks off is normal around this time, we were beginning to get a little worried as the days stretched on and each evening revealed yet another disappointing view of sad empty nesting boxes.
So we made up some mash of cooked beef, rice and oil to supplement their diet, as well as high quality grain and plenty of vitamins and minerals. All of our patient care has been rewarded as they came back online this week and we have some eggs appearing again. Apparently they can sense the lengthening days and with more light comes more eggs. Nice one girls.
We have also invested in an auto-feeder and auto-waterer to take some stress out of our lives, although no doubt it would be cheaper to just buy some eggs from time to time! The garden has benefited from all of their droppings, and soon the great cycle will kick in again. We also managed to remember to spray for leaf curl at the right time this year so here's hoping for a good crop of peaches and nectarines come summer.
Whilst cleaning up the plastic from one of our local beaches this week (on the shores of Kangaroo Bay) we took a lovely pic of the scenery, and also we thought the view of the driveway trees coming back to life was very pretty (spot the sheep in the background)!
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