25 - Brooding Madam Poulette

Having had an in depth conversation with Emily, we have now decided to allow Madam Poulette the privilege of having chicks of her own. Emily is really taken with the chickens and thinks it a little unfair in denying Madam Poulet the pleasure of raising her own chicks. I agree with Emily but had put myself on hold because I still have not been able to pick up a chicken. Since we moved into the house, Madam Poulette has done little else other than to brood, so hopefully this will sort the problem out. Today, she has 3 eggs in her nest, which we have carefully marked each with an X in pencil. There is a little dilemma here due to the fact that all the hens are wanting to lay their eggs in the same nesting box, so identifying Madam Poulette's eggs is important, we hope that we have chosen correctly...

"So I am going to be a Dad again, ah Chicken Maid Emily". Emily is simply amazed that Monsieur Poulet is talking directly to her. "Did you hear that", Emily says looking at me. "Yes but do not take too much notice of him as he can be extremely lippy and cocky besides.". I continue. "Talk to him if you wish but I am going to have a word with Sugar Plum about putting a couple more nesting boxes up". I leave Emily crouching down, having a word with Monsieur Poulet about his forthcoming offspring. I can see that he is taking the opportunity to show off as he is spreading his colourful wings and pointing out the many colours that adorn his coat...

Sugar Plum is in agreement about the necessity of building two more nesting boxes and will work on it once he has completed a couple of tractor jobs with Max. A results excellent, I am happy, so many jobs getting done this week is remarkable. In the short time that Louisa, Emily and Max have been here, so much has been achieved on the land that it is being transformed daily. We now have in place 3 superb rockeries. The old washing line pulled down. The biggest bonfire ever. The development of a Veggie Patch, Pear tree pruning, Hen Pen Garden grass cut back and the fencing that Monsieur is not happy with....

"He's a miserable old ungrateful chicken" says Emily as she comes into the Kitchen, frowning. "You don't say", I did warn you." "He was having a go at me over that fencing we put up yesterday and could we re-arrange it so that it looks Posh". "He even suggested that we take it down completely so that Madam Attitude could have a nesting place for her chicks". Interested I ask Emily "How did you respond"? "Well, I was tempted to kick him up the parsons nose but decided against it and just called him a miserable old git and turned my back on him and went on to have a chat with the youngsters instead", "he did not like that one little bit, it brought a jealous rage on and he cock-a-doodle-doo until he was blue in the face"....