Tulips!

Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who left a note of condolence or concern about the death of our chickens. It really meant a lot to me, and we had a nice, little chicken funeral beneath the 'Fairy' rose. We buried Penelope with some of her favourite things such as 5-grain scratch, various berries, some dandelion leaves and a few squash blossoms. The grave was decorated with several of hers and Drucilla's feathers, and we have plans to relocate our purple 'Jeanette' Passion Flower above the grave as a sort of marker.

Over the past weekend, I purchased some Tulip bulbs in anticipation for Spring gardening. I love all of the colour and beauty that appears in the garden in Autumn, but this can't always compare with the excitement I feel waiting for the Spring. I'm sure some of you can relate!

Here are the names and images (not taken by me) of some of the bulbs we have purchased. I have planted many of these in pots to overwinter, and have mulched them well with straw, fish emulsion and new soil. I can't wait to see what Spring brings!

'Holland Chic'

'Purissima'

'Purple Flag'

'Mount Tacoma'

'Don Quichotte'

'Negrita'

       ' Purple Prince'

'Ollioules'

Lastly, something called 'Purple Mix' which only vaguely resembles this, but features two varieties of solid purple tulip (probably 'Negrita' and 'Queen of Night'), one solid white tulip, and a mottled lavender and white variety. I wish there were the Parrot tulips included, alas!

A Sad Day at Tiny Green Cottage

Today's blog post doesn't bring any new photographs or good news to share; though I felt it necessary to update regardless.

Yesterday afternoon, we discovered that two of our hens were the victims of a raccoon attack. I suppose these things are common.... particularly in urban areas, though after three years of rearing hens I somehow assumed we would never have such a sad thing happen to us.

Drucilla and Penelope in happier days!

Drucilla, the Ameracauna and Penelope, the Barred Rock were killed in our back yard while both my husband and I were away at work. Drucilla was dragged away, and Penelope was left dead in the side yard.

Despite fences and other precautionary measures, the raccoon still managed to find his way into the pen and kill two hens while wounding the comb and eye of Rosemary, our Silver-Laced Wyandotte. She appears to be fine, though her eye looks like it hurts. I am hoping she doesn't lose her vision.

Thanks to a trusted neighbour, my husband was able to come home in time to secure the pen and save the rest of the flock. Thank goodness for good neighbors and loud hens!

This week's project will involve a re-vamping of the chicken run area, and a thorough securing of the side fences. We are assumming that the raccoon got in because of regular wear and tear to this access point which is pictured above. Let this sad day be a reminder for all of you out there to critter-proof your chicken runs before cold autumn weather brings forth more roaming wildlife!