"Cluck Cottage" Diary In late October 2008 the Ministry of Agriculture purchased a hen coop in the first step to provide free range eggs for the Embassy and Palace kitchens. This was a long held desire of HSE Princess Andriana and consistent with official policies for sustainable food production and animal welfare.  November 2008 : By 6 November the coop had been constructed in the grounds of Flag House Palace. Dreadful stormy weather over the next week tested the construction and the coop remained bone dry. The purchase of hens should be completed by the beginning of December. Although winter is not the ideal time to begin keeping hens for eggs, the current economic world climate is increasing the prices of free range eggs and associated hen keeping equipment. Therefore the decision was made to bring forward the start time of the project. The coop has been named 'Cluck Cottage'  and additional security and fox proofing has been carried out in late November. Our first tenants arrived on 26 November 2008.                                                                                   "Cluck Cottage"                                           Lavender and Penny Speckledy                                                                           Our first egg - small but lovely!                         Nest box prior to hens arrival December 2008 : 6 December and we have our first egg! It was good eating! December 2008 : We have been getting regular visits from a number of foxes and on the orders of HSE Princess Andrana, additional security precautions have been put in place. Captain Dylan Dog is let loose every night on the foxes arrival and this seems to be making them wary. An electric poultry fence is also on order to ensure afternoon sneak attacks on the coop are rebuffed. January 2009 : The hens have settled in nicely and are currently giving us three lovely fresh eggs every two days - surprising given the short winter days and recent cold weather we have experienced in early January. The hens have been named by HSE Princess Georgia-Andriana(against HRHs advice) as the 'girls' are now displaying their individual characteristics. Their names are in descending 'pecking' order; Penny, Lavender, Astrid, and Molly. An extension to their coop run is planned for the Spring. Feeding Frenzy! March 2009 : As spring comes to our shores the hens have started laying three to four eggs a day. This is a boon to the Palace and Embassy kitchens and excess produce is now being exported to the UK.  All the hens eat non-stop, so much so, an extension to their coop is necessary and is due for delivery from the Grand Duke Gordon's estate workshop by third week of the month. April 2009 :  The new hen coop extension is in place and the hens are enjoying their new residence. Unfortunately we are having a spate of pecking on Lavender which has caused a nasty flank wound and drawn blood. She has been isolated in the extension run while the wound heals or the other hens would surely kill her. Astrid (a Light Sussex) is the main culprit and she has taken the leadership away from Penny. Hens are not so fluffy and cuddly as they seem! Lavender has been so casual about the whole episode and continues to eat lots and still lays eggs! April 2009 : A monster sized egg has been laid! We suspect this double yoker was a present from Astrid our Light Sussex. Lavender is healing well and we expect to unite the hens into one flock in a few days time.                                                        Giant Double Yoker                                      Astrid                                             No Foxes Allowed! May 2009 : Astrid has been isolated from the rest of the flock as she is attacking them all. Lavender has healed and rejoined the flock. Signs of fox activity (holes in wire fence overnight) has spurred us to repair the fence and actually install the electrification kit we have had for some months. This seems to have deterred Raynard from calling again so far, but it is only a matter of time before one of us touches the fence before switching it off! July 2009 : Due to reductions in staff and available resources the Royal Kitchen Chickens have been sent for re-homing on 30th July. It is with regret that this project is closing and the fantastic eggs will be missed! However, we can no longer give these fascinating creatures the time they deserve. We have found a spacious new home for them in the countryside on a smallholding. Our thanks to everyone who supported this project and those who bought our surplus eggs. December 2009 Update: We have received a report of our chickens from their new home. Astrid, Lavender, Penny and Molly are fit and well and laying regularly. Here is a picture of Molly preparing to lay an egg in her new home! Don't Bother Me Now ! Photo © Brian Faulkner