New hens for Christmas
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Chickens, Cottage tales | 26 comments
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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I’m going with the Christmas theme. I think Angel and Fairy as they are so pretty and dainty.
What does Mrs. Boss think of them?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both and thank you for such interesting and inspiring posts – I wouldn’t be without you since I found you early in the year! x
What a lovely surprise. No idea about names but would like to wish you and Danny a very peaceful Christmas and New Year. Thank you for a truly interesting blog.
Sequin and Lace?
Pretty birds. I had some lovely Andalusian Blues that I was very fond of.
Oh, how lovely! I’m so glad Beatyl will have some companions — and they look magnificenr. What a kind thought from the Chicken Lady. I’m not inspired on names I’m afraid. But happy Christmas to you, Danny, the MinPins and all of your flock. And thank you for the (almost) daily pleasure of your blog entries.
Miss Havisham and Estella – if only because the colouring of the hens reminds me of an off white, rather old wedding dress, all faded and tattered… oh lord, That makes it sound like they’re not nice hens.. !!! quite the opposite, i think they’re gorgeous colouring, like the person who suggested “arsenic and old lace” it reminds me of old lace, only my thoughts took me down a different track. 🙂
congratulations on the newcomers – and have a happy christmas!
keth
xx
In view of the Bombay Saphire box why not Gin And Tonic? Have a very happy Christmas and a great new year and please keep up the good work Julian
What a lovely surprise. My suggestions are Ebony and Ivory because of their colouring. Have a lovely Christmas X
They’re so pretty! What great friends you have.
My suggestion is Frankincense and Myrhh, or Frankie and Muriel for everyday use. 😀
Have a fantastic Christmas and thank you for your wonderful blog this year. Take care all.
What a wonderful present to receive. The first names that came into my head, because of their colouring, was Arsenic and Old Lace!!!!
As they are Christmas birds how about Holly & Ivy?
Have a great Christmas