![\"Some](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/some_mash_for_the-girls.jpg\")
<\/a>Some mash for the girls<\/p><\/div>\n
Emerald seems less fussed by the mash than the other girls and is often either at the pellet dish or pecking at the shavings which is something she likes to do a lot.<\/p>\n
![\"Emerald](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/emerald_is_too_busy_pecking_at_the-shavings.jpg\")
<\/a>Emerald is busy pecking at the shavings<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Topaz](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/topaz_is_too_busy_practicing_laying_an_egg.jpg\")
<\/a>Topaz abandoned the mash to go and practice laying an egg<\/p><\/div>\n
I have never known any girl to need as much practice as Topaz does. She has now been practising for a month. Most days she will sit in the nest box for half an hour then come out shouting. I go and check and there is no egg and that was the case again on this occasion.<\/p>\n
It was at this time of the year she that started laying last year so I am expecting her to start any day soon.<\/p>\n
![\"Emerald](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/emerald_decides_to_join_the-girls_and_speckles_would-like_to_join_in_too.jpg\")
<\/a>Emerald decides to join the girls and Speckles would really like to join in too<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Speckles](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/speckles_is_getting_brave.jpg\")
<\/a>Speckles is getting brave<\/p><\/div>\n
Speckles is getting much braver although a stern look from Peaches or Barley will still send her running. She returned to the dish when the other girls had tired of the mash so she still got her fair share.<\/p>\n
By lunch time the mash was all gone and I know that the girls enjoyed this simple treat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Recently it’s either been cold and frosty or cold and wet and muddy. On days like this I like to give the girls warm mash. I do this to give them a treat and to help occupy them. They spend … Continue reading