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This year the chickens have laid 267 eggs so far!
a sample of the articles in the press that have appeared featuring your favourite hencam site!
Ooooh, I missed that. Not been paying attention enough. I'll need to keep a closer eye on them. Have spiedon the Derby chicks too, can't always see them though, they have a massive area to run through and the cameras don't always follow them.
I was going to ask how they were getting on. Thanks for the update - fingers crossed for the other chicks!
The first baby has fledged..I hope they all make their first flights.
Red, how is Zoey doing since her operation?? I hope she is doing alright with it.
Ivy is still being broody..silly kid. I have a hard time stopping my Silkies from going broody too, I have to throw them out of their sleeping quarters and shut the door to keep them from going back inside.
There's Ivy hunkered down in her own little heaven. Sophie saying "Hello" through the netting to the black and white cat - I've forgotten his name... Now he's walking about on the shed roof next door, peering into the clear coop roof. The other day Sophie was having a conversation with a very noisy magpie that was taking a walk on the coop top. Elsie seems to be growing new feathers now. Ivy came downstairs for about 20minutes to exercise her legs a little.
The girls are all inside cuddled up together again, sleeping sweetly.
Awwwww... now how sweet is that tonight? There are all three chucks snuggled together in the box. Makes me want to snug into my own bed. G'night folks.
This sounds amazing Lyn. I will look into it. I do wonder about what books are on there. I don't like fiction. Auto/biographies aren't bad when I am desparate but most of my book reading is for information and such.
I really don't know - but she loves to cook and gives them lots of different food to taste and enjoy so maybe variety is the key to long life!!
4+ years..I wonder how she does it..that is amazing, Kate.
Amazon has a free Kindle app. that lets you read books without buying a Kindle, I've got it on my laptop (I can read it in the dark) it works great.
Yes it does CC! You can now also buy a version that lights the whole page but I can't think what they call it (Christmas pressie hint for Helen!)
LOL! Very funny! Average age for a rat is about 2 to 2.5years. Anything over that is a bonus. I know of a lady in Australia whose rats often live to be 4+ which is amazing!
Particularly if you think of the relative sizes of the egg and the hen!
How old was he? And what's the average age? I know nothing about them bar what you & Red have said, Kate. I had 2 customers with rats; one carried her rat on her shoulder like a parrot, and the other called her rat Basil and said he was a Siberian Hamster! :)
I sent Kate a special Tiny Light to clip on her placcybook. You'll have to ask her if it works! Another two cons; you can't get an author to sign a Kindling for you, and it's very difficult to lose 30 books by accident...
I was going to say my best was catching up on the list of stuff everyone had put here but then realised I'd missed some horrendous times (apologies). Kate - so glad Shaun is ok - must have been terrifying. Lynn - great that Don is on the mend, make sure he looks after you too. :) CC - Helen said the same about Kindles as you did - I wanted one (as it's a gizmo, right up my street), she 'borrowed' it when she was bored and I have since had chance to use it about twice since! She's read dozens of books on it, and grudgingly accepts it. I just think it's a great idea - carry all your books on you in a light and thin device that you actually forget isn't a book (and most of the books still have cover illustrations so it's only the paper ...
Posted By: georgehi guys i was wondering if any of you had any knowledge on other birds such as blue tits? i was jmust wondering about this because i have a nest (nest box) and it is in use by... BLUE TITS! and i just went and checked on it earlier (under rspb guidlines-ofcourse!) and it was circling its head like it was crazy and im worried its in trouble and what shoukld i do to help? I still can't tell if you are an elaborate troll or what, but far and away the easiest way to help any wild bird sitting on a nest with eggs is to leave it the hell alone! Even if there was something wrong with the bird (and why would there be if it's managed to build a nest, lay eggs, and sit on them for x amount of days?), what would you do to help...
It was probably Helen - I saw Scarlet but not at our house (an emergency trip to buy doggy painkillers!), she was last at ours just before Zoey was spayed, so sometime last week. I'm not sure what Sophie and Elsie are doing - I think they 'miss' Ivy from the flock so are seeing what's going on, or maybe wanting to lay an egg but aren't sure! If they get too close to Ivy they'll get warned off (and get a peck too!) so maybe that's it too - going up to lay an egg and seeing someone's already there - I suppose it's like when you go to a public toilet and there's loads of people in there - it can be hard to 'go'... haha! Or they may just be mental chickens...
Ah. it did remind me of one of the noises some women give just as they are birthing.... I wouldn't like to think I was going through all that every day to part with my egg!
If you have a little teddy he might appreciate it-something to cuddle up to. Does he let you snuggle him? He might like to be near to your heartbeat if you could let him sit inside your jacket. My girls loved to have tissues to rip up and make into a nest too. I know what you mean about crying when you see him. I was like that after Angel died. Saffy had a large tumour so I knew her time was short so made the most of every minute I could be with her. At first I couldn't bring myself to look at her it just hurt so much, but I knew when she was gone I would wish I'd been with her more. Give him a kiss for me! xx
Thankyou everyone. Since Banjo passed I can't help but cry every time Okto comes out. I can't bear to think when he will be gone, I know you're not supposed to have favourites, but Okto has always been my little baby and Banjo was Lyles boy, although they are both loved dearly. I've been making toys to try keep Okto busy, just from toilet roll paper, tubes and kibble. He's so old :(
Get some arnica down her too, Red; it aids and speeds healing. I do hope she's feeling better and you're so right to change vets after that shocking treatment.
Oh, bless him, he was such a happy chap too. So sorry, Red & Lyle.
Ivy might be in The Priory in rehab... Sinead and Lemon do a duet of that wail as a prelude to the full-on Egg Song.
I can't see Ivy today, n'or did I see her yesterday. Is she in the nest where we can't see? Why is Sophie making that awfully long drawn out wail?
Maybe Neil took Ivy to a "Chicken Whisperer" to have them explain the facts of life to her..without a Rooster, you don't have babies, no matter how long you sit on the eggs.
I'm sorry things didn't go as well as I'd hope for poor little Zoey, I have never heard of not giving them something for the pain either..at least no Vet I had ever taken my critters to. If she starts to lick the wound, put a cone on her, no matter what they said at the vet's office. I'm glad to hear you will be changing Vets and going to Kasper's Vet.
That is terrible Red, good job you are such a good owner and have the intelligence and ability to research. I've never heard of a pet not having painkillers following surgery! In fact my vet gives them a dose an hour before surgery as it is then already kicking in by the time they're coming round. I hope if the person who told you no ever needs surgery they're denied pain relief too! Glad to hear she's bounced back so well. Don't let her overdo it - I'm surprised they're saying she can jump around already. There should be some supervisory body we can complain to about bad vets.
I am so sorry Red, I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a rat - they burrow into your heart and take a piece with it when they leave. I hope Okto copes ok without him. Sleep soundly Banjo, there are lots of rats at the bridge waiting to play!
Oh No Red! That's terrible news! I'm so very sorry to hear you lost him, he was such a sweet little guy. R.I.P. Banjo
Thanks Lynn! He waits at every curb without needing to be asked anymore :) CC, she howls when she wants attention or someone to play with her! Happy pup, the night before her spay I took this photo 'blind', just pointed the camera in the vague direction of Zoey and took it...and it's my favourite pic of her Tired pup!! And this was our rubbish attempt at getting Zoey to eat more...she had two mouthfuls and then wandered off :P So yes, we have had Zoey spayed. It's been HORRIBLE!!! We went to pick her up from the vets, and expected some aftercare advise. The receptionist brought Zoey out, we sat and waited for a meeting with the vet, and were practically asked to leave!!! Our puppy has just had majo...
We lost Banjo this am which was a horrible shock He was a wonderful rat, he and his brother are the best rats I've ever had. Banjo was bouncy, never sitting still, licky, although not as much as his brother, and full of fun. He was the one that, when left on the floor in a room, would five minutes later be on the highest object in the room! Banjo will be much missed, especially by his very elderly brother Okto. Okto is very thin and doddery these days, although when picked up and cuddled he still bruxes, bless him.
Has she been deposed again and sent into rehab?
I can't see Ivy on her throne this morning. Has she been deposed again and sent into rehab?
The weather here has been nice, Ollie. It was the middle section of the USA that has been getting the bad weather. Oklahoma City was hit pretty hard, my granddaughter lives there, but she lives on the other side of the city from where all the damage was, so she is fairly save. Tornados don't happen here in Washington, we just have to worry about earthquakes. We are almost caught up with the chores that had to be put off, since Don was hurt, he is doing great except he has very little endurance, so has to sit down and rest alot. My shoulder still is giving me problems, but nothing I can't learn to live with.
I thought I could hear Red's vioce, or does Helen sound similar? Sophie and Elsie keep going up the stairs but abandon their excursion and just come down again. Does Ivy expel them in some way?
Oh, I see Neil the window cleaner is working on the coop. The girls don't seem at all fazed! I get all excited when my window cleaner comes - No it's not Neil... The girls adore all that grass, (!!!?) they just wont leave it alone - except for Ivy in her iv-ory tower!
This lovely weather we have had for the last few days has been such a contrast to the previous weeks. I have my tan now for this year, though I didn't get my legs out, I have the sort of legs that are best kept tucked away inside the long skirts I wear. Lynn, how are you and Don getting on now? Your country has been having some extreme weather lately, hope you weren't involved.
The picture is back up and I can see the girls again...Wooo Hooo Thank you Neil!
I have sound now, but I can't see anything at all..LOL. I don't know if it's just me or what, I had to get a new desktop computer, and it has Windows 8 for an OS..I'm finding it hard to get use to it, I still like WindowsXP the best.
Why is she howling Red? Does she sing along to music?
Posted By: chief chickenHe's a BOY, Red; low threshold of pain! :D
Kasper looks absolutely beautiful, Red. Love the picture of him waiting on the sidewalk to cross the street...and the one of Zoey howling is soooo cute.
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YOU are the best!!!
posted by Neil, 11 July 2007, 7:02am
I managed to get a half-decent picture of the award and a happy chick so I thought I'd post it here for posterity!
Back in April, thanks to your support,
HENCAM WON THE 'WEIRD AND WONDERFUL' CATEGORY OF THE BEST OF BRIT BLOG AWARDS 07!!!
It still hasn't sunk in - I never win anything - but I'd like to think that we all won this, I count you all as friends and hencam would have stopped a long time ago if it hadn't been for you guys, you make it all worthwhile.
Thanks! *sniff* :)
It's quite funny if you think about it, as the real stars of the site don't even have any idea of their prestigious award - though they might wonder why they've been treat with a huge bunch of grapes later today!
hencam is BBC Radio 2's Webcam of the Day!
posted by Neil, 5 July 2007, 3:26pm
We are absolutely thrilled to tell you that today hencam was BBC Radio 2's Webcam of the Day!
At one point we had nearly 50 people watching the live stream simultaneously - ouch!
Click here to hear what Steve Wright said about us (and thank you Dan for suggesting us in the first place!)
BBC Radio Suffolk love hencam.co.uk!
posted by Neil, 2 July 2007, 1:31pm
On Saturday I was interviewed by Rob Dunger of BBC Radio Suffolk who was very nice, and it was probably the first interview where I didn't sound like a complete arse!
Unfortunately they don't have a 'listen again' feature so I can't upload the interview as I don't have a copy of it, and I can't remember what I said either (nerves!) so you'll just have to take it from me it was very entertaining and I said lots of witty and intelligent things (ahem!)
Chicks get media coverage!
posted by Neil, 25 June 2007, 1:53pm
Those lovely supporters of hencam, the Telegraph & Newspaper (Bradford's local newspaper) have covered the recent hatchings at hencam with a written article and also a video!
You can read the article here, and watch me make a fool of myself too (feel free to skip viewing!)
BCB interview
posted by Neil, 1 May 2007, 1:10pm
This morning I visited the studio's of BCB (Bradford City Broadcasting) and was interviewed live on air!
It was quite nerve-wracking but good fun, and the guys at BCB are nice chaps (and chapesses!)
Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I haven't got a recording of it.
We love the Telegraph & Argus!
posted by Neil, 15 April 2007, 9:22pm
This weekend's edition of the T and A (Saturday April 14th 2007) featured hencam and Lottie the Lamb in particular!
She was featured on the front-page strapline! (click for bigger)
Nearly the whole of page 3 was devoted to her! (click for bigger)
Then when we were driving home tonight, we happened to pass Wilsden Post Office, and Lottie was even used to advertise the weekend edition of the paper!! (click for bigger)
Thanks to the T&A for the great coverage, it's much appreciated as always, and we hope it spread a bit of humour at the silly happenings here!
Hencam in the Guardian (again!)
posted by Neil, 4 April 2007, 8:28am
Thank you to the Guardian (a very serious and sensible paper for intelligent people!) ran a story on pointless websites (mainly covering the 'watch a cheddar mature' site), but they also listed other webcams, and we were mentioned - yay!
You can read the article here
I'm not sure about 'brilliantly boring' and 'the cult of banality' but I can sort of see where they are coming from...!
Anyway, we all know hens are the ultimate stress-buster and it's nice to see the Guardian realising this too :)
hencam.co.uk is Kerrang! Radio's website of the day!
posted by admin, 2 February 2007 11:07am
Thanks to Ugly Phil and Rachel from the breakfast show, and all at Kerrang! Radio who chose hencam as their "website of the day" and also interviewed me too for the show!
Click to hear me sound like a pillock :)
hencam wins more praise - hurray! :)
posted by admin, 31 March 2006 11:07am
Thank you to earthcam who made hencam one of their top ten webcams of the week, they are (in their own words) "chosen by EarthCam based on quality of image, uniqueness of content and overall technical achievements in webcam technology" - whoo many thanks for the award! We were listed just below the Olympics!!! :)
SEPRA 'net spat shows no sign of a resolution - more bad press for Scottish miseries...
posted by admin, 25 March 2006 10:39am
Don't forget, the Look North TV hencam spot can be viewed here too!
This article appears on Page 13 of today's T&A (click for bigger)
I would also like to answer Mr Grosvenor's comment in the T&A re: "My criticism was that it does not cost 50p to feed a hen for a day - even feeding grapes won't cost that" - actually there were SEVERAL issues you raised (which I answered in my original email) - you conveniently ignore the ones you cannot defend and cling to the cost of food issue. It's true that hens don't cost much to keep on a day to day basis (in fact it's chicken-feed!), but people know that - they are donating to provide treats and whatever else the hens might need. Do you really consider the public so stupid as to blindly donate to a website willy nilly? Credit them with some intelligence please!
It might be the Yorkshireman in me but I will be damned if I will sit here whilst your website prints completely unjust and potentially libellious drivel regarding what I spend on my hens to give them the best possible care - when you yourselves represent battery and cage hen farmers. My hens are NOT a means of income - they are much loved pets.
The T&A were lucky even getting a response from you, you've conveniently refused to answer mine or anyone elses emails on the subject.
The Telegraph & Argus (Bradford and it's surrounding areas most widely read newspaper) rang me the other day asking if they could do a follow up piece on hencam. They were the first newspaper to feature hencam and started the whole ball rolling, so how could I refuse? They were very interested in SEPRA's hatchet-job on my site - hopefully the article will show the SEPRA people that they cannot make unfounded allegations against an individual or website and then refuse to answer or apologise for their completely incorrect assumptions.
I sent Dennis Surgenor - the "journalist" who wrote the article on hencam a quick courtesy email to let him know what his good work had achieved thus far:
From: neil@hencam.co.uk Reply-To: "neil@hencam.co.uk" To: info@scottisheggs.co.uk Date: 21-Mar-2006 22:35 Subject: FAO: Dennis Surgenor Hello Dennis, I am not sure if you have received my original email and as you are the "journalist" who I believe wrote the drivel regarding my site I thought you should have a chance to see the facts behind hencam and also the negative publicity you have single-handedly created for SEPRA. The Telegraph & Argus - which is Bradford's (and it's surrounding areas') most widely read newspaper - is covering the story regarding your hatchet-job on my site and hopefully this will spark a second wave of media interest - it was the T&A which first covered hencam and from there it snowballed. I honestly cannot understand why an individual or organisation such as yourself/SEPRA would go out of it's way to try and destroy something that was started with the sole purpose of lightening people's days and bringing a bit of fun back to the Internet. Hopefully the bad publicity you are now receiving will make you think twice and enourage you to research your facts more fully in future. Regards Neil |
Let's see if he has the decency and courtesy to answer this one...
In the meantime, please feel free to contact him and see if you can get a response. If you feel email just isn't getting the message across, you can phone on +44 (0)1324 715337, or fax: +44 (0)1324 874773. Let me know how you get on!
Egg update: no eggs, they upset the hens :(
The Pulse (West Yorkshire's main commercial radio station) saw the article and emailed me to arrange an interview which I've just got back from. It covered why I thought SEPRA had such a bee in it's bonnet and whether I was going to sue them!! Interestingly, the quote they used was from a question they asked after I'd said that the merchandise was just 'for a laugh' - "how much profit would you make if you sold 50 t-shirts?" and I replied it would be about £15 - they used this which made it sound like the shop had made more than it actually had, although I think their point was that it still wasn't a lot (the final quote from the presenter was "so you won't be buying that ferrari and retiring just yet then")! I tried to record it but the stupid audio recorder cocked up, however it was aired on the 7am, 8am, 9am and 10am news bulletins.
Amazing how a silly idea can take off...
posted by admin, 8 March 2006 11:23am
Here are the clips from the BBC Look North news programmes!
The first one is from the lunch-time edition, there was a longer piece on the evening show too!
This morning the hens (and Scarlet and me!) were filmed for a piece which will hopefully be on tonight's BBC Look North programme! I am shocked/bemused/amazed that a silly idea like this can snowball and receive so much attention, but I'm over the moon of course!
Here's a photo of the "shoot".... (Ben the reporter was very nice, I just hope we don't look like complete lunatics...!)
Milly laid an egg too, she's either showing off for the camera or Tilly and Penny are *really* lazy! (year totals: eggs: 9, laid by Milly: 9, laid by lazy good for nothing Tilly and Penny: 0).
Wish I'd let the hens do the talking...
posted by admin, 7 March 2006 10:01pm
Listen to my interview with Jack & Ali at Spin 1038! No sniggering at the back!!
I've also found out we were mentioned on Tuesday's Breakfast show on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, and also on CBC Radio in Canada!!! I'm totally amazed and completely 'flummuxed' by it all!!!
Seriously... the Guardian!!!
posted by admin, 6 March 2006 10:25pm
the girls make it on page 3 again!
posted by admin, 4 March 2006 11:59pm
Today Milly, Tilly and Penny were featured in the paper again, this time the Yorkshire Post!!! (click pic for bigger)
Do hens have egos...?
posted by admin, 3 March 2006 10:02pm
The website and hens were on the front page of the Telegraph & Argus!!! I only found out because I had a phone call at work and it was the Yorkshire Post wanting to cover the story, when I asked how they found out they said it was on the front page of the T&A - I was slightly shocked!!! (click images for big version)
Milly, Tilly and Penny make the front page!
Possibly the only time in my life I can honestly say "I was on page 3"...
The hens even featured in the cartoon on the letters page:
Hopefully tomorrow they will be in the Yorkshire Post - more news if and when... :)
The online store is open for business!
posted by admin, 20 February 2006 1:07
The online store is finally properly open! There are tons of weird and wonderful goodies on there from t-shirts to bags to clocks to stickers to mugs to mousemats - you get the idea! If you want something totally unique (nobody has bought one yet!) then have a look and make Tilly, Milly and Penny famous!!
Visit the hencam store now
Thanks for breakfast Milly!
posted by admin, 17 February 2006 17:52
Thanks Milly :)
Egg-citing things afoot!!!
posted by admin, 17 February 2006 9:52
Expect a big change tomorrow, I plan on getting up early and moving the webcam to a more interesting "hens eye" view. This will mean it's exposed to the elements but I'll try and protect it somehow (not sure yet!)
If the camera doesn't get ruined then it should provide a good view of what's going on. Don't forget that if you have any suggestions on what should be on here, then give me a shout...
Milly is in the good books...
posted by admin, 15 February 2006 08:15
Milly has started laying, bless her! We can tell it's her because her eggs are large and creamy/white coloured, and Penny's and Tilly's eggs are browner...
Still no eggs, shouldn't be long though...
posted by admin, 30 January 2006 12:57
Still no eggs, not really surprising as Tilly and Penny are getting on a bit now (over 3 years old, and modern breeds only really lay for a couple of years - after which they lay the odd egg every now and again) and Milly is 2 years old. The days have started to stay light longer on a night which is nice, so this should trigger their egg laying soon. I will be sure to let you know when they do!
Possible exciting developments coming soon...
posted by admin, 20 January 2006 11:41
Ok, somebody suggested that it would be more "eggciting" to have more of a chicken's-eye view of the coop, so as long as it isn't chucking it down with rain, I will move the cam in the next few days to an outside location more on their level. It should provide some pretty amusing views (as long as the camera doesn't get busted!) - keep an eye out for more news...
No eggs today...
posted by admin, 18 January 2006 08:37
Our hens are still not laying - I think it's due to the shorter days (they need at least 12 hours sunlight) - some hen keepers use artificial light to stimulate egg production all year round but we think it's kinder and certainly more natural to let nature take it's course... When they feel like laying again, they will!
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