A few months ago, we increased our small flock of chooks, purchasing six Hyline point-of-lay pullets. The Hyline breed has been developed solely as egg layers - the majority of eggs bought in supermarkets etc. are from Hylines. They have proven to be lovely layers, consistently giving us very large (some double yolkers) brown eggs. It didn't take us very long to discover that our newcomers are very social, as well as inquisitive, birds. When you approach them, they squat down, spread and flatten their wings, and beat a steady rat-a-tat tattoo with their little feet. They also like a pet and a cuddle.
Here's the story on how they became known as 'The Patricias'. We were watching a program on TV about a woman and her pets, and she had a hen called Patricia. We thought that was a pretty nice name for a hen. Whilst Jennifer was out and about in the garden a few days later, she happened to remark that one of the new hens was very friendly; always hanging around, always squatting and tattooing and enjoyed being picked up. Almost continually in fact, to the point of being a little annoying. She became known as Patricia. Then it was discovered that it wasn't just Patricia who was always being inquisitive and looking for a cuddle - it was all six of them coming up one by one. As we can't tell the difference between them, they are now,collectively, The Patricias.
The Patricias, helping to dig a hole for a new tree, heading for a speedy decapitation from the spade
The Patricias have, however, become somewhat of a nuisance as far as the vegetable gardens are concerned. They have been cramped in their living quarters, and as we market our eggs as being free range, they are let out to roam early to mid morning. It didn't take them long to roam over to investigate the vege gardens. And cause destruction and mayhem.
The Patricias getting their daily greens. Note the stalks at the back of the bed. There was a really nice crop of silver beet in this bed. Seems that they're not too fond of lettuce. A couple of rows of carrots just germinated at this end of the bed are no longer.
Another reason why the vege beds are so attractive. Dust baths! If there are any plants in the way that they find unpalatable, they just get scratched out. Out with the baby carrots, parsnips, peas and beans!
We did have some success with some vegetable crops this past summer - obviously, with those plants the Patricias do not care to eat. A bumper crop of both Kakanui and Elephant garlic, and prolific crops of both Pukekohe and Red onions. We have managed to grow good crops of basil this past summer as well (in Patricia proofed beds) and as our summer has been long and hot, we are still producing copious jars of yummy pesto.
Drying out some of the harvested onion crop ...
So, what to do about the Patricia invasion of the vegetable beds? We have never envisaged high fences all around the beds (the expense would be horrific, for one thing), and after last winter's early storm bomb which nearly demolished our purchased chook house, we have decided to build a strong, solid structure and put it out in the barn paddock, with a large run
Our total number of hens is actually ten - six Patricias, one Favorelle (Hannah) and the three Plymouth Barred hens she hatched (unnamed). The latter four are not nearly as friendly and sociable as the Patricias. Nor are they such a nuisance. And what of little Lucky who survived the Great Storm Bomb of the winter of 2012? She was not herself for a couple of days a few weeks ago, so we isolated her but she lost all interest in food and passed away in her sleep.
Nothing is sacred to the Patricias. They will come inside if the outside doors are not closed, clean up any cat food left in the cat dishes, cruise the bench and counter tops to see what there is to snack on, and have been responsible for ruining a plate of chocolate eclairs. No, we do not encourage them to come inside, but over our very hot recent summer, it has been difficult to remember to keep closing the doors when coming in from outside
