Emma Cooper

The chickens are gone. Don’t ask why – I outlined our reasons in Rehoming. I still stand by them, but after having kept chickens for nearly six years, their absence has left a big hole in our lives. We are suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome.

Wednesday was moving day. They didn’t go quietly. Chasing chickens is never graceful, and Pete got covered in mud. We should have bought a net, which makes things much simpler. But eventually they were all safely in cat baskets for their short journey.

They have gone to live in a village not far from here, looked after by a lady with 10 years of hen keeping experience. They have moved onto an allotment, with upstairs accommodation. Apparently they mastered the steps with no problem on their first night there. Once they settle in they will have free-ranging privileges and the attentions of a cockerel. It sounded like chicken heaven to me, and I know they will be well taken care of. I can now imagine them all, forever living, somewhere else.

After they were gone, Pete pointed out an aspect of their departure that I hadn’t considered – I get their space back. We measured it as around 25 square metres – all well fertilized. The chicken run is currently home to 4 small fruit trees, but two of those are being removed, which will be much easier once we’ve taken the run down.

The current contents of the compost bins will be the last batch with chicken poo; it’s possible the garden will be overrun with slugs and snails and other beasties that would normally have been chucked to the chickens. And the wooden raised bed, that I was planting with perennial greens for the chickens, now needs a new role in life. Best get out there and get started while the sun is shining.