Category: Agriculture

At ten in the evening, all was well. By dawn, something was very wrong. The first sight on approaching the chicken run was one of the residents slumped on the ladder up to the hutch. All was silent, which did not bode well.

Two chickens had gone missing entirely and another was found dead, apparently having been dragged under the damaged chicken wire.

So the four brown chickens had all been killed. The identity of the preditor is in doubt. Perhaps it was a badger, or a polecat, or more likely a fox.

The chicken run fence needs to be strengthened, and the children must have it all explained appropriately.

We already had three or four new chickens on the way. They had been intended to supplement, not replace, the brown ones. Meanwhile, Rosie, the white chicken, continues in her old agae.

Larry lost his life last week. Because it was half term, it was not possible to have a burial service with the children. Instead, they heard the story of a rabbit who came to us in 2019, before we were at Tarly Pit, named Liszie, because we thought we had two girl bunnies. We soon noticed the mistake, and so Larry was named. He also had to go to the vet to avoid Annie having lots of baby bunnies.

In 2020, poor Larry was attacked by a rat, and one of his eyes was badly injured. He was back to the vet again and eventually recovered. That eye was always a weakness, and sometimes children noticed that “Larry’s eye is bad today.”

At Easter 2021, Larry and Annie Rabbit were stolen from the site. Through Facebook, they were traced and returned. See https://mrnoahs

They had endured a harrowing time, and Larry was particularly anxious as a result.

A week ago, Larry’s eye looked poorly and very soon he was found still warm but dead. He was buried on the north boundary of our field, and the children prepared a pot of bulbs to mark the place.

One of the best portraits we have of Larry was taken only a few weeks ago.

At half term, Freddie and Caramel were joined by (from left to right) Teddy, Cuddles and Fluffy.

It took them a little to find courage to venture out of the hutch into the run. Bit by bit they made there way.

Then they had to meet the established residents.

And, of course, children.

Now, all the guinea pigs happy coexist.

In the last weeks of the term, we began to see thrilling indicators of all sorts of life reviving.

There were varieties of butterfly, including the peacock and fritillary. A toad! And the black bunnies seem to have multiplied, and some have made their home near to the gate to the plat.

Then the sowing and planting have begun in earnest. Potatoes, radishes, onions and herbs have gone into the ground. Seeds were springing up even before the Easter break.

And a deliberately located provocation was quickly discovered by an eagle eye.

We have inherited four beautiful chickens. Thank you to the kind donors. On their first day at Mr Noah’s, they were named: Goldie, Blondie, Small and Penny.

They prefer to spend the night on the top perch.

There is strong evidence to suggest that already they are very happy in their new home: they are laying one egg each every day. The longstanding resident is not so content and has moved out in disgust. She has retreated to the trees for the night. The situation calls for urgent reconciliation counselling, before a fox notices.

Update on 3rd March 2022

We have been asked how the chickens are doing and what has become of Rosie, the white chicken. All is well. The brown chickens continue to lay, to the delight of the children. The original white chicken is still around and settling to a distant, but accepting relationship with the newcomers.

One pupil brought in tadpoles at the end of term. I wonder if there will be a noticeable difference when children return after the Easter break.

Change is all around at Tarly Pit. There are construction projects on the site, leaves on the trees and seeds that are growing. Every week makes a difference. What will it all look like after over two week’s absence?

Last week, albeit out of season, children were captivated by apple pressing. They engaged with every aspect of the process.

At last, each child arrived back at the plat proudly bearing a bottle containing the slightly sharp product. Their faces told their joy.

The children are involved in as much gardening as possible. For example we have been creating a new no-dig vegetable bed.

Before the children started this term, an example had been set and a bed had been made and seeds sown. Cardboard from large boxes is laid to inhibit the growth of weeds. Then a good layer of compost is added and evenly spread.

The result of the work of children is a pleasing appearance and a good ground for direct sowing and quick growing.