It hasn't been a great 8 weeks but we haven't got bird flu either so it can't be all bad. Fingers crossed we are clear of the worst of it and the hens can regain their freedom very soon.our birds and love the fact that we, usually, have 4.5 acres of land for them to frolic and enjoy. Since the start of 'Flockdown' they have had the absolute maximum space I can realistically offer them which is about 1sq meter per bird; and it's heartbreaking.

On top of the flockdown rules, we had downpour upon downpour which had turned their enclosures into mud pits and in turn made all the light feathered and booted birds' feathers get matted and stuck with balls of dirt.

Lots of extra TLC and warm(ish) baths were given to break the dirt to the utter disgust and dismay from the birds I was bathing but they needed it. I still don't think Charles (our booted bantam) has forgiven me but then, he always was a bit of a hater so who knows?! Just to add to my stress, I decided that it would be wise to take in 7 extra birds during the ordeal and so had to build 2 extra enclosures; 5 gorgeous and entertainingly fearful, Bourbon Red Turkeys, a stunning Blue Partridge Brahma boy and an iddy biddy Partridge Pekin bantam boy.

To alleviate the effects of the mud, a very nice local tree surgeon delivered a couple of tonnes worth of fresh wood chip which was used to cover the floor of the pens and not 2 days later, our Sicilian Buttercup hen laid the first egg of the season.....I took that as a sign that she is happy.

It hasn't been a great 8 weeks but we haven't got bird flu either so it can't be all bad. Fingers crossed we are clear of the worst of it and the hens can regain their freedom very soon.