Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Omletina Kyckling]

How many people have chicken keeping going back through the generations?

I remember my dad used to talk about his dad keeping hens......I asked him if he named them, he tutted and said "did 'e 'eck, 'e had 300 hens!"

Dad used to go "samming up" i.e. collecting the eggs in a bucket when he was little. Sadly his dad died when I was only 1 so I never knew him. I like to think he's looking down and smiling at me keeping hens now!

When I was over at mum and dad's earlier today, he had some old photographs out and there were some of him with the hen houses. The funniest one is a very formal shot of some family who were visiting, dressed up in their Sunday best so they photographed them in front of the hen house (nothing changes!!)

 

Here are the photos:

Dad, granddad Jim and the hen house (he's holding the bucket which was used to collect the eggs and to also throw down corn - dad scoffed when I asked if they had a special one for each!)

 

Here's dad with the hens

 

and here's his Aunty Elsie visiting (dad doing the "don't touch me" pose)

 

On another level, I've got the original deeds for my cottage, and there was a "Poultry Farmer" who lived here for about 50 years!

[Alis girls]

My dads dad kept chickens and I found my mums family did too but I dont remember them =so yes probably in the genes - what lovely photos

[Egluntyne]

How lovely.

[Chicken shack]

My parents kept chickens through the war and my mother used to say they were silly things and would get ill at the drop of a hat. Just for the record I was born after the war. We had a nursery 3 doors away and when the chicks were hatching as neighbours we were allowed to go and watch them hatch. I thought is was one of the most majical things ever. I was devestated when they sold the land for housing. At our senior school we kept , goats, and . I used to be able to milk the goats and take the milk home along with the . I hated school but this all made it bearable. Could you imagine letting children take milk home today So the answer is a BIG YES, Keeping chickens is in the genes.

[chick wiggle]

What brilliant photos Diane, and how interesting. Doesnt your Dad look gorgeous! You look just like him!

[Cinnamon]

Wonderful photos!

 

I don't know if its because I live in a rural area,or if its a generation thing,but almose everyone around here used to keep hens,or their parents used to.

I have some fab old piccys of my Grandmum helping to feed some geese,& looking amazingly glam while doing so

[Omletina Kyckling]

What brilliant photos Diane, and how interesting. Doesnt your Dad look gorgeous! You look just like him!

Hmmmmm not sure if you are teasing me here

I am like my dad, same colouring, eyes, hair etc. My brother is very like my mum's side.

Mum said dad was really thrilled when he heard my eggs had won best novice in show at the poultry club and that I'd even got a rosette

[Sam Palmer]

What lovely photos!

[Jools]

What wonderful photos They're such a treasure!

 

My dad kept bantams, his dad kept a succession of single hens in the back garden for eggs, beyond that I don't really know. I suspect it's a lot more common that we think, very much a way of life back then - particularly in the country.

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Me too- my Dad and his family had them, for eggs and meat, the manure went on the garden. Grandad was a great veg grower, they established an allotment on a strip of land behind their house which my uncle kept going until his death last year. Now though, almost everyone on thier side of the street cultivates a bit and it is lovely. No chooks there now though sadly.

[fluffyfeet]

Fabulous photo's Diane - and you are very much like your Dad

 

My grandad kept chickens in the middle of the back to back houses in Birmingham when my mom was a little girl.

 

I don't know if anyone will remember brewhouses - but it was basically where you did your washing etc complete with a big copper boiler for hot water.

 

Well the brewhouse that was out the back of my moms wasn't used anymore so Grandad built a coop inside and where the pipes used to go out of the wall he made a 'pophole' with a ladder leading to the ground.

 

Mom also said that sometimes Grandad would occasionally 'neck' one for Sunday dinner, but my moms sister was not impressed as once after necking, the chicken was still running and appeared to chase her round the yard screaming (her not the chicken!)

 

Mom said it was brilliant, until somebody decided to be spiteful and reported my Grandad, and he had to get rid of them all.

 

Wonderful memories.

 

Dawn x

[Space Chick]

You may have something there Diane.

 

My Grandad used to keep chickens, and was so supportive when I got my girls, although he said his chickens were never as pampered as mine

 

He loved coming to Wernlas with OH and I, and loved my girls (and their eggs)

 

He passed away in July, and left his 6 grandchildren some money each, with instructions to use it to buy something that will make us happy. I have used mine to build WIR2.... I'm sure he'd approve