HOLD 'EM DOWN

Checking out the Chicken wire

We’re down in Westport with Noeline Haylett getting some advice on how to look after chickens. Noeline runs the Mayo Animal Welfare Centre and knows a thing about our egg laying friends.

“How long do chickens live?” I ask as we make our way past the barking dogs.

“They usually live up to eight years.” Noeline tells me. Noeline was brought up in the South African bush. She tells us one of her famous stories;

“When I was about four, my job was to hold the chicken while my father chopped the head off. One day my older brother whispered to me, ‘Do you know the chicken will still run around after the head is chopped off?’

‘Really,” It couldn’t be true, so, even though I had strict instructions to keep tight hold I couldn’t resist letting go to see what would happen. It was amazing. Off the chicken ran, blood spurting out of it’s neck like a pulsating fountain. My dad wasn’t too pleased though and neither was I when I had to clean up the blood while my brother smirked in the background.”

It’s a miracle
While we laugh at the image, Ronnie pipes up with one of his internet facts.

“There was a chicken called Miracle Mike who lived for eighteen months after getting his head chopped off, he toured the sideshows of America. The owner took a pickled chicken head to the shows, but that wasn’t Mike’s head, that was eaten by a cat.”

Ronnie and Noeline begin to talk about how Mike was fed through his neck with an eyedropper, while I go off and look at the chicken run.

I am hoping to start keeping chickens soon and want to see just how we can protect ours from the likes of foxes, mink and farmer Lloyd Olsen, (Mike’s owner and beheader).

Mesh
Noeline uses a one inch thick galvanised steel mesh, ten feet long by five feet wide that are so sturdy they stand upon their own. Noeline and the gang join me. “I find that the foxes can chew through chicken wire, so I use this.” Noeline pulls at the thick steel. “Nothing can get through that.” She says proudly. “It comes from Turkey and is expensive though at €50 a sheet, so it’s not very environmentally friendly.”

“I’ll take my chances with chicken wire.” I say. “Put them into the chicken house at night then.” Noeline advises.

Noeline also has a surprise for Michael. After surrepitiously checking it out with myself and Julie she offers Michael two baby Guinea Pigs brothers (Bubbles and Squeak). He is delighted having been hankering after one for years. I am feeling worried. I don’t have much luck with the lad’s pets. My last attempt at fish pet care ended up with a big Who Dunnit.

Ronnie has some more facts for us “ In some areas of Peru, Guinea Pigs run free around your kichen. They are pets until it’s dinner time.”….

He might be on to something there………..


GREENME
I have joined the GreenMe team.

The GreemMe site was originally set up set up by Jo Gallagher, Gina Geanan in 2006 as a farmers market but has grown and evolved into Ireland’s leading online directory and information resource for sustainable living. Architect, environmentalist and broadcaster Duncan Stewart joined the site as a non-executive director and is helping to make the site an ideal starting point for going green.

What is in the site?
GreenMe is a trusted source of information and advice for greener living. There are practical guides, blogs (I do the gardening one) and Ireland’s biggest green business directory. The site makes it easier for people to source green products and suppliers – and distinguish between businesses that have good green practices and those that don’t.

The GreenMe website focuses on businesses that clearly show their integrity, credibility and transparency in their practices and take a holistic approach to improving their ecological footprint, rather than companies who often cherry-pick their eco-friendly parts (often small) and yet ignore their larger environmental impacts.

Something for everyone
With the directory, the GreenMe blog and the tips and other advice you’ll get on the site, there’s a wealth of information and advice at your fingertips. The site already has over 8000 business listings, spanning the whole green industry, from renewable energy and solar systems to recycling services. There’s something for everyone, from the responsible DIY enthusiast to the eco fashionista. The listing is free too so if you are a local green business check out their website for more details. http://www.greenme.ie/

GreenMe makes greener living simpler and realistic. The website is not just for the green “purists” but also for everyone who wants to be greener.

A FISHY TALE

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FISH GONE?
I have been busy clearing out a small natural spring fed pond in the garden. It didn’t take long as it is only about three feet around so a few mucky scoops of old leaves and it was done. I had a brainwave. We have had our fish in a small tank outside since we moved into the house about nine months ago. “Would you like to free your fish?” I ask my lads. The two goldfish and one slippery eel like thing that has hidden under an upturned saucer at the bottom of the tank ever since we bought it three years ago have survived the winter near the back door, so a taste of freedom might be what they need right now. “What about setting the fire bellied newt free too?” This creature has managed to survive for three years, all on it’s own in a small tank and I thought this could do with a bit of action too. The lads agreed and off we went to put them into the cold clear water.

THE NEXT DAY
“Have you checked on the fish?” I am asking them the next day. The lads are straight back. “They have gone!” They tell me. “There’s no sign of them at all. “They can’t have gone.” I say. “Fish just don’t disappear.” And I should know. My mind wandered back to a few years ago…..

A FEW YEARS EARLIER
I had a goldfish years ago, and this one vanished out of the tank one night, it was all very mysterious. I looked high and low for it but to no avail. It wasn’t until I moved out of the house four years later that the fishy skeleton was found behind the bookcase underneath the tank. The mystery was solved.

FISH SITTING
There were other times that fish went missing. These incidents were a bit more complicated as they were not my fish. “We’re away for a holiday so could you look after Bill and Ben for us?” A couple I know handed me the tank at the front door of my flat “They are like children to us so look after them.” They said. “No bother. I have looked after fish before.” I told them reassuringly. They were away for three weeks and I was a busy man, so didn’t really think about the fish much until I got a visitor with a better sense of smell than me. As soon as he walked in Pete said, “Has something died?” His nose took him to the bowl. “What’s in that? He asked. The water was green and lost any form of transparency a while ago. “Bill and Ben.” I said. “Are they alive?” Pete asked, pouring the water down the sink and catching the two fish in a net.

I am not sure which one was rotting, it could have been Bill…

FISH SUPPER
I was forgiven when my friends returned. “He was a good age” they said, “I’m sure you did everything you could.” “Mmm.” I mumbled.

Things got back to normal and a few years later I was asked again to look after the one remaining fish. It must have been seven years old and that’s probably quite a ripe old age in fishy years and they were very attached to it. “We’re like old friends.” I said taking the bowl off them and placing it in the middle of the table where I couldn’t forget about it.

My friends drove off in their car knowing that their pet was in good hands. I had the food and the water was to be kept clear. A few moments after they left I took a trip to the local shop. I was only gone for two minutes and when I got back I noticed that the table was a bit wet. There were cat’s paw prints on the table and following them with my eyes I saw something more terrifying that a scene out of the Blair Witch Project. It was the fishes tail…..The neighbours cat had got in through an open window and wasted no time in destroying any trust my friends had left in me.

BAD SITCOM
What was I to do? I did what any friend would do. “Would you have a goldfish with a tail like this?” I was at the pet shop in town showing the member of staff the dismembered body part to a rather shocked member of staff. “Well I think we should be able to sort you out.” She said politely as we made our way to the fish tanks with hundreds of potential suitors swimming around. “I’ll take that one.” I said eventually. I couldn’t really remember what the fish looked like but I had a good feeling about this one. You see situation comedies where misguided people think that they can hoodwink someone into thinking that an animal (or fish in my case) is the original one, even after the owner has lived with them for years and know every hair on their bodies (or scales in the fishes case.)

I took it home and put it in the tank. “Job done.” I thought “They won’t notice.”

It took less than a second for my friends to notice that their fish was looking a few years younger and that it had shrunk half an inch……


WHERE DID THEY GO?
“What’s happened to them? One of my lads is asking as we get to the pond. “It could be anything, rats, herons, dogs, otters, cats, neglectful friend or even alligators…We will never know. I paused and thought about softening the blow a bit. “They might even be hiding.” I said then remembered something else. A few years ago I threw their last dead fish in the fire instead of burying it or flushing it down the toilet…. You should have seen the expression on their faces as the fish filled with air and started to squeak really loudly…….I don’t think we will be buying any more.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Laura, Seon, Mary, Brendan and Rose collecting blooms for Daffodil Day in Buncrana

Spring has certainly sprung and Inishowen is buzzing with the sound of lawn mowers and strimmers. The grass is growing quickly now and the familiar spring flowering shrubs such as the yellow Forsythia and pink Ribes are cheering up the garden alongside the daffodils and emerging tulips. If you are planning a new garden or looking after your established plot, the Inishowen Independent is here to help. Check out the local suppliers and follow our top tips for successful growing.

TOP GARDENING TIP 1
There’s no need to be too tidy under hedges; keep a rough area to encourage wildlife. Keep a pile of logs or branches to rot down and an uncut grass area with a few weeds.


PLANNING A GARDEN

Spring is in the air and our thoughts are moving to our gardens. Most of us have little difficulty watering our plants, finding a patch for the sweet peas or mowing the grass. When it comes to the planning of a garden though, even the most seasoned gardener can break out into a sweat.

Some of the best-designed gardens in the country have come, not from professional training, but by trial and error. Over the years dedicated gardeners will plant shrubs, lay paths, create herbaceous borders and put in water features. Then the next year everything could change. The garden is a living thing and like all of us, changes all the time (hopefully for the better)There are as many designs for gardens as there are gardeners and some people wouldn’t dream of doing anything in the garden unless a professional landscaper was present. A garden designer could save you a lot of time and money, as they know the pitfalls of poor planning in the garden, they will listen to your ideas and then put them into a workable plan.

If you choose to go it alone you can create your own ideas. Put them down on paper first. If they don’t work you can try something different. You can start on a small area of the garden first, maybe a flower border or raised bed for some salad vegetables. If you decide to get in the big boys or hire machinery to get the garden levelled, check out the local hire shops. Remember to have fun.


TOP TEN FLOWERING SHRUBS FOR SPRING
All of these shrubs do exceptionally well in Inishowen. Check out the fine examples at your local garden centre.

Azalea. Avaliable in many varieties and colours. The Japanese hybrids are wonderful when grown together.
Berberis. Spiky evergreen plants look great all year round.
Chaenomeles japonica. Japanese Flowering Quince. The flowers are large pink, red or white and the shrub produces quince fruit that can be made into jelly.
Forsythia. Beautiful yellow flowers emerge before the leaves emerge.
Hammemelis intermedia. Witch hazel flowers before the leaves in yellows or oranges clustered down the twigs.
Lilac. Lilacs have a strong scent that carries quite a distance. Although classed as a tree they make a fine addition to the spring collection.
Mahonia aquifolium . Spiky evergreen shrubs with spiky leaves and yellow flowers.
Ribes sanguineum. Pink flowering currant.
Rhododendron. Evergreen shrubs range from 30cm to 10 metres. Early varieties are in full bloom now.
Viburnum Pieris japonica. An evergreen with white or pink flowers in tumbling clusters of bell shapes. The new leaves are a strong red colour.


TOP GARDENING TIP 2
Take your time removing winter mulch and cutting back evergreen plants such as lavender. There’s still time for a cold spell and there could still be a frost.



IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

Now is the time to:

Leave daffodil foliage intact for at least six weeks after flowering to regenerate bulbs, so they'll bloom again next year.
Sprinkle organic fertiliser around clumps of tulips.
Fill up those gaps in flower beds with primulas and polyanthus.
Prune forsythia and flowering currants as soon as flowers have faded.
Plant out groups of gladioli and begonias in borders.
Sow sweet peas directly outside at the base of obelisks or supports.
Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven. Odd numbers look better.
Sow hardy annual flowers directly into beds.

IN THE VEGGIE PATCH
Now it’s time to...

Sow seeds of dwarf and climbing beans in deep pots or cardboard toilet roll tubes filled with compost.
Plant new asparagus beds, they will take time to mature,but it’s worth the wait.
Continue planting potatoes, shallots and onion sets.
Feed spring cabbage with a high-nitrogen fertiliser.
Feed fruit trees and bushes.
Check out the garden centres to see what veggie plants are for sale.

IN THE GARDEN
Now it’s time to...

Check tree ties are not too tight or cutting into bark, and loosen if necessary
Cut back any overgrown ivy, it can be a pest on trees and take the plaster off of your walls.
Freshen up the garden by pressure washing patios and driveways.
Snip plain green shoots off variegated shrubs Spread a compost mulch around border plants to suppress weeds, grass cuttings can be used too.
Put pond pumps and fountains back into pools, thoroughly cleaning filters first.
The ground is drying so you can lay turf or sow new lawns from seed .
Clean out bird baths and top up with fresh water.

TOP GARDENING TIP 3
Work with nature. Grow native plants, which will thrive in Inishowen. Ask your local garden centre about the best plants for your garden

TOP GARDENING TIP 4

Don’t become green with envy when you see your neighbour with the latest gadget…. This year, less is more….



How to be an ethical gardener
It’s more important than ever to be environmentally conscious in the garden. Here are a few ideas to help you along the way.

Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers - they require large amounts of fossil fuel to make and emit nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more powerful than CO2
Add homemade compost (about a bucketful per square metre) to boost the amount of water and nutrients that soil can.
Go manual - buy a push mower and a watering can.
Choose sustainable wood for your garden furniture.
When you're paving, consider lower-emission alternatives to concrete. Made from recycled and reclaimed materials, they have catchy names like pulverised fuel ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag.
Get low-carbon outdoor lighting, such as solar lights or LEDs
Recycle wastewater from the kitchen and bathroom for use in the garden
Discover plants that can withstand long spells of heat, including French honeysuckle, Lavender, Iris, and Salvia, and water infrequently but thoroughly, at the base of the plant
Avoid patio heaters

KEEPING CHICKENS

Photo: Shane from Chic-hens makes keeping chickens easy with his purpose built houses

LAY A LITTLE EGG FOR ME….
Noeline, our friend who runs Mayo Animal Welfare is up visiting and we’re wandering around the garden looking for a suitable place to keep some chickens. “The time has come when we need to be harvesting more than just vegetables” I tell her.

Noeline has some fabulous free rangers herself and our lads thought they were being given chedder cheese in a bowl when we handed them some scrambled eggs made from one of the eggs. The colour was so rich and golden. If you have ever had a wholesome egg from a free range chicken, you will know that the extra work needed to produce them is well worth the effort.

Noeline is a dab hand at looking after birds as she has been rescuing all types of flying animals for years. “There are certain key things to take care of first.” She begins. “Keeping chickens is one of the fastest growing hobbies in Ireland and it’s not surprising. Get yourself some good ones and they are productive, friendly pets which give you a regular supply of fresh eggs and liven up your garden with their antics.”

Are they expensive to keep? I ask Noeline as she looks at the possibility of converting the shed into a chicken house. “They are relatively inexpensive to keep but they need a little attention to keep them in good condition.” Noeline continues, “you do need to look at how many birds you can keep though.”

COMPANY
“A solitary hen won't be a happy bird, so you should have at least two. Four to six will supply the average family with an ample supply of fresh eggs and you could keep this many in a house approximately 1.2 by 1.8m (6 by 4ft)”

SPACE
“Chickens’ housing requirements are quite simple as they will spend most of their time outside, unless they’re laying eggs, sleeping or sheltering from bad weather. You can either build your own house from wood or buy a readymade one. I tell Noeline about a local supplier called Shane Houston from Chic-hens in Carndonagh, his designs have the shed raised up off of the ground so the chickens can run about underneath, which will be ideal for people with limited space. “That sounds ideal.” She agrees.

INSIDE THE HOUSE
“So what about inside the house?” I ask. “The basic requirements inside a chicken house are a perch to sleep on and sufficient nesting boxes - at least one per four chickens, as they will take it in turns to lay. You should also consider how easy it will be to clean and how easy it will be to move, if you make your own give yourself space to get in and out to clean.” She advises.

OUTSIDE
“For safety and security when you are not around you may need a run for the birds. I have a netted area that also has a secure cover of netting too.” Noeline and I are walking towards the lawn to see if there would be more suitable. “The run will need to be large enough for the hens to rummage about and flap their wings, so the larger the area the better if it going to be permanent and unable to move. Make sure the netting is dug into the ground though as foxes can tunnel under it.

Clean ground is also very important – any area that the birds are running on can soon become spoiled. Ideally you could make a run and house that you can move around, a bit like a rabbit run.” Noeline suggests. “Moving them around will provide the chickens with a different outside space and keep them occupied.” Noeline projects and looks at me winking, “they like to be kept busy.” Then adds as a caution “Whatever you do, the run and the house should both be secure against vermin and predators including foxes, badgers and rats.

FEEDING
I would be a bit reluctant to put the run on the lawn as it would deprive the lads of football so we head off into the undergrowth to look at more areas. “Do you feed the chickens your leftovers?” I ask. “I do, within reason, I give them a balanced chicken feed, either in pellet or mash form, this contains all the minerals, calcium and protein they need but I do give them treats too.”

TREATS
“If you want to give your birds an occasional treat, avoid any salty, sugary or fatty foods which can play havoc with their stomach and their health overall. Stick to wheat and fresh vegetables.
This also provides you with the chance to add a little cod liver oil to their diet, just mix in a very small amount with the wheat to help the birds to feather and keep them in general good health. A supply of grit is also essential as it helps hens break down and digest their food and make those lovely shells.”

Noleline has found just the right spot for the birds next to the outside tap. “You should provide chickens with a constant supply of clean water, so use a poultry font drinker. Water should be changed on a daily basis and kept outside the poultry shed but under cover to avoid wild bird droppings. Drinkers which are used inside can cause damp which is a health hazard for yourself and the birds.” She advises. “By having the run near the water supply, it will never be an inconvinence to refresh the water.”

GENERAL CARE
“Look after them like you would any other pet.” Noeline advises. Leaving them in damp and drafty accommodation will only end with a variety of poultry-related problems. Clean the house on a regular basis and use dry, dust-free wood shavings for the bedding; try not to use straw or hay as it can quickly become damp underneath and go mouldy. And concludes “They are not water birds like ducks so need a nice dry environment.”

We head back into the house. We now know where to put the run and house, all we need now are the chickens….

CHIC-HENS

The number of types of chicken can be a little mind-boggling for beginner poultry keepers like myself. Contact Shane at Chic-hens http://www.chic-hens.ie/ or tel: 086 0616324 to get advice and see what he has hatching and check out his fabulous houses. Ideally buy the chickens when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old – at this age they can still be tamed and will either have just started laying or be about to.