Our ancient cockerel Bruce finally pecked his last at the weekend. He made it to the grand, old age of fifteen. This is very old for a chicken! He was one of a clutch of nine chicks. He had four brothers and four sisters. He out lived all his sisters and three of his brothers. His brother Snowy is still going strong. According to google the record for the longest lived rooster is twenty two. I’m not sure Snowy will be around for another seven years but after a bit of a rough spell in the Summer he seems very healthy. He lives in his own little pen with one good natured hen who doesn’t bully him.
As well as one surviving brother, Bruce also has nine daughters. They are all rather bad tempered and impossible to keep contained. I suspect they all have the long life gene as well. As a young rooster Bruce survived an encounter with a fox. He fought the fox, losing his tail and neck feathers in the process, but was otherwise unharmed. His neck was a bit bald forever after though.
This year’s Croft Share scheme is winding down now. This has been the wettest Summer I think I’ve experienced here. Most of our plantings did well in spite of the rain and slugs. Broccoli and leeks seem to positively enjoy grey, wet weather. The mange tout grew quite happily as did kale and potatoes. All the tomatoes and other under cover veg grew much as they always do. The yellow courgettes did very well – that is a bit of a mystery, courgettes don’t usually set properly if it’s raining all the time. Resolutions for next year include trying to find a productive cucumber variety that isn’t irresistible to every passing creature, and persevering with peppers even if the weather’s rubbish.
This week’s Croft Shares will have:
Small Share – kale, chard, cabbage, leeks, courgettes and herbs.
Medium Share – kale, mustard leaves, cabbage, leeks, broccoli, salad leaves, sprouts and herbs.