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New hens for Christmas

Photo: Wyandotte bantam hens

Photo: Wyandotte bantam hens

I woke late on Sunday and drifted back to sleep with the comforting warmth of the dogs at my feet. So it was after ten o’clock when I fumbled down to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and pick up my messages.

“Ring me at your earliest convenience.” The Chicken Lady sounded upbeat. She would have been up for hours so I dialled her number immediately.
“I’m in a tussle with these outdoor lights. What do you mean that you’ve just got up? We’ve got something to drop down to you. We’ll be there at one.”

Generous and thoughtful, The Chicken Lady could appear with virtually anything. Danny quickly tidied the kitchen and vacuumed downstairs.
“What do you think it might be?”
“If it was a fully decorated six foot Christmas tree, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

When their shiny Golf reversed into the drive, I shot out to welcome them. Inside the car TCL was sticking two silver bows onto the lid of a cardboard box. It was carried up the drive and gently placed on the kitchen table. TCL and S suggested that we corralled the Min Pins before we went into the garden.

Suddenly I realised that there was something alive inside the box. The Min Pins displayed more interest in the cardboard box than the delights of the sitting room. Finally they were locked away and we eased open the lid.

There were two young Wynadotte bantam chickens inside. Perfectly relaxed. My shriek of joy encouraged one to stretch her neck to observe us all. A thoughtful present of girlfriends for our young cockerel, Beatyl, who lost his step sister, Dixie Chick, after a few short weeks.

The hens were carried down to the chicken run and released without the usual furore and bullying from the residents. It‘s obviously happening now because they are keeping well away from the flock. The pecking order is a literal and inevitable ritual in chicken life. But there are two of them so they have companionship on the bottom rung of the ladder.

Dixie Chick was a Wynadote too and these sprightly young bantam hens are just a bit younger than she would have been. They are absolutely exquisite and deserve special names. Thank you TCL and S and Rollo.

So we are running a fun competition for the best names for these young ladies. Danny suggested Bombay and Sapphire (their chariot was an old Bombay Sapphire gin box). I’m sure that you can do better than this. And there is a small prize (not life changing) waiting in the wings for the most inventive and appealing monikers.


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26 Comments

  1. michelle sheets

    Hmm, christmas theme, so……Peace and Hope?

    Hope you had a wondeful christmas,
    Michelle

  2. magic cochin

    may I have another go? …

    Tammy Wyandotte and Emmylou

    🙂

    C

  3. Merry Christmas Fiona and Danny and all the Min Pins and Chickens and guinea hens too. 🙂
    Those are really beautiful Chickens there. What a thoughtful present.

  4. I love these Wyandotte hens and I’m sticking with the Country and Western theme and suggesting Dolly (Parton)and Shania (Twain). If I ever live anywhere suitable I am going to get Wyandottes. Oooh, just thought of some more names – Dottie and Wyn? Mind you I did get to name Dixie Chick (which was just the perfect name) so perhaps it is greedy to be suggesting some more names …? Then there is the Christmas theme so Satsuma and Cranberry or Pudding and Pie or (and this one is in really bad taste so I have included it for a laugh and it’s not really a proper nomination) Sage and Onion. See I told you it was in bad taste but I needed a smile as my brother was admitted to hospital this evening and I’m so worried about him.

  5. No idea on names – brain too numb at this time of year for inspiration! Have a lovely Christmas Fiona & Danny & everyone. XX

  6. kate (uk)

    No ideas for chicken names-yet- but HAPPY CHRISTMAS Fiona.

  7. Arsenic and Old Lace?

  8. Thank you so much for your blog. I look most days for any new postings and your advice on chicken keeping is appreciated. We have 6 young hens who have kindly laid eggs on a regular basis for us without a break this winter ( no artificial light but plenty of organic feed and fresh vegetables ).
    This Christmas we have given eggs to colleagues and friends tied with a raffia bow and a sprig of holly. There was little mention of other gifts given but sheer delight each time at the box of eggs. Just goes to show its not how much the gift has cost. Delighted to hear about your new bantams. As for names I would suggest Mary and Magdelene (Mags for short ). Happy Christmas!

  9. sloes and ginny

  10. magic cochin

    Oooh beauties! What a perfect gift! Names? er… I like Holly and Ivy too! They’re Silver Laced Wyandottes – what about Cagney and Lacey? girls with attitude!

    All the best for a happy and peaceful Christmas from all at Purple Podded Peas 🙂

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