Yesterday Jake and Elise finished the major wall of the new bastard-mink-proof chook house. This was the wall with all the holes that the minks were getting through, it is now framed and covered in strong wire netting. The big door will close over it in stormy weather. And there is a door to their run.This door will be closed at night. 
One by one I caught each chicken ( losing a little of my skin here and there) and Jake nd Elise carried them across the fields and released them into their new house. Later in the night Elise and I re-caught each chicken and put her on the perch, they have been so long in an ark that they do not know how to perch, so we will be the mother bird for a while and teach them.
Elise and I will work on the run today.
And tomorrow Jessica comes. My last farm helper.
We had a lovely lunch yesterday, I am not kidding when I say that this new/old big table has changed my life. 
It was an orphan’s Sunday lunch, my favourite kind. Collecting all the people who are a little family-less due to geographical reasons and eating food together. A family within a family if you like.
Most of the fried chicken I baked.. I know!.. I know.. But the rooster: I fried – for The Old Codge,r because that is how his Mama did it. Straight from the barnyard. He loved it. 
Elise learnt how to make peppermint oil. Which she wants to add to a soap that she will design. So today I shall render some lard and begin the soap making process.
Last night I called Poppy in for dinner with Sheila, (they eat kitchen scraps in the evening, last nght it was the left overs from a huge vegetable stock). But she was so far down the back, grazing with the cows, that she could not hear me so her dinner had to be kept for later. Poppy cannot be kept anywhere for long but thats ok. She never goes far. And the best feed for pigs is greens.
Today is a holiday in America so John is going to help me shift the calves to the other side. Yesterday got away on us as you can imagine.
I hope you all hae a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy,
miss c
The Kitchen's Garden 
28 responses to “aka the chook house”
Dear Celi, have caught you before the comments lounge gets too busy… would love to buy THE BOOK from you when you come to NZ. I haven;t and don;t know how to get organised to pay things over the internet, but would love to hand over some real money when you get here… is that possible???? Love, Valerie
Good to see Dale looking so hale and hearty 🙂 Ironic that everyone gets the day off on Labour day … except you of course. Looking forward to seeing a pic of the sheeps in their new field. Laura
Have a lovely working holiday C.
🙂 Mandy xo
I don’t think there is anything like Mama’s fried chicken – I’ve never been able to duplicate my mother’s. Glad to see the Old Codger too. Psalm 68:6 says that “God sets the lonely in families” — thank you for doing that. The chook house is looking good. Nice that you will be able to open the doors for air and light. Good luck moving the calves today — hopefully a bucket of grain will make the move easier.
Fancy Poppy missing her dinner! Yours looked delicious. I hope you have a good “holiday” today 🙂
It certainly looks like you’ve finally thwarted any bastard-mink plans! Our Silkies don’t perch to sleep, but snuggle into their straw. Interestingly, BB, our mother silkie has raised ‘ordinary’ chicks the last time around, and although she’s now officially left them to their own devices, they still snuggle in the straw rather than perch. I will be curious to see if they start to perch of their own accord when they become bigger than mum!
Christine
Even a bastard mink is no match for you! I love your new name for the varmint.
That new chicken home looks great. Let’s hope there are only hungrey, depressed and frustrated mink about from now on! Your Sunday seems to have gone well.
Love,
ViV
C, I love how you are always so warm and welcoming. If I had a table like your’s I would be adopting family too. Nothing like full bellies around a full table. I sure do like your fine crystal. Spare no expense I say, the good tableware and good memories.
Great picture of the Old Codger. I’m sure he enjoyed the wonderful food, great company, and getting out of the house for a bit. I’m so glad you got that table. It’s a beauty. Poppy missing a meal? Shocking, I say! She and Aunty Dell must have been deep in some conspiratorial conversation for that to happen. The chook house renovation looks great! I was envisioning wire and there it is…breathable and impenetrable. Perfect.
Oh can we learn along with Elise about how to make oil? I would love to see how your still (is that the right word?) works and find out what you can turn into oil? I have lots of citrus peel in the winter, is it possible to extract the oil from the peel for example or is it just leaves? Another question, I have some frozen pig fat to render for lard, what do I need to do to get it soap ready? is rendering more that melting? Also does it have a smell that needs overcoming? I like to scent my soap with citrus essential oils but they do not having the staying power of other oils and leach out a bit in the curing process so would you suggest somethig stronger?
I, like Red Box Girl, would love to learn how to make essential oils along with Elise. Pictures of the process would be fabulous! Happy Day! 🙂
Yes, please share the process!
Every time I read your lovely words you impress me more and more. To be honest, remind me of the kind heart my own dear Mom had; she always invited a stray for Christmas dinner (Eve was our big celebration). It’s so kind and generous of you!
I’m making plans to come and be a farm hand next spring! Can’t wait, I’ll even trim my nails and bring my flats!
That looks like an amazing chook house…..hopefully the mink will move on.
Have a good labour day, try not to labour too much.
Now I am off to make some crab apple jelly from apples foraged from a city park!
I think you’re actually a witch. You conjure meals, friends, helpers, animals, recipes, remedies and wonderful stories from simple ingredients and a little white magic…
Enjoyed your post and all your efforts with the chickens 🙂