Yesterday I paid another visit to the fruit farm. When we arrived there were disinfectant-soaked sacks to drive over and then we had to dip our shoes (just up to the soles) in a bowl of disinfectant before as we walked in. The foot and mouth outbreak has affected many people and events in the countryside already, I just hope that this time that it is contained effectively.
I picked two large punnets of redcurrants to add to the ones I grow on my allotment. In total they made about two pints of juice. I have frozen this while I wait for my crab apples to ripen. I always make my redcurrant jelly with 50:50 redcurrant juice and crab apple juice. It makes a jelly that sets really easily due to the pectin in the apples and it also makes the redcurrants go further while still giving a good redcurrant flavour.
I also picked some strawberries and some autumn raspberries to eat for tea. My son decided we should use the strawberries to make Eton Mess which was delicious if somewhat high in fat and sugar.
Later in the evening we noticed that one of our chickens was running round the garden with a frog. When we went out to have a look, she was pecking away enthusiastically. Then suddenly as I was trying to take a photo she picked up the frog and swallowed it whole. I didn't realise that chickens ate frogs or that they could swallow something so big in one go. I hope she doesn't make a habit of it because we quite like having frogs in the garden.
6 comments:
Eeep! A frog-eating chicken!! Actually, my chickens eat parts of dead voles all the time: leftovers from the cat's hunting.
I was very surprised at first, but now we figure it's a valuable source of protein for them! But voles are less nice in a garden than frogs, I suppose...
That is fascinating hearing about the fruit farm. I am following the foot and mouth outbreak via Classic FM from my bed where I am recovering from a bad turn with my chronic fatigue. And, I've also been reading Linda Lear's biography of Beatrix Potter and following the outbreaks of f&m in the 1930's and 1940's and how that affected her.
I guess chickens will peck about anything.
I remember we had several bushes of red currents as a child. They were quite sour as I remember, but my mother made an excellent jelly out of them.
Thanks for the tip about the jam jars. I am about to make my second lot of marmalade. The first one my husband said tasted fine as long as you kept the toast straight and you didn't lose it. OK it was a little watery. Practice makes perfect.
Joy
Melbourne,
Australia
Yeah, my chickens have had some frogs and they even ate a little bird once... I wouldn't worry about it -- I think the frogs will always outnumber the hens...
ooh summer fruits....my mouth is water just from your picture. Poor frog :(
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