Our first chickens are home

After weeks of an empty coop, the croft finally has chickens in it. Three of them: two Silver Sussex and one little bantam, collected this week after a long drive south to just north of Glasgow, and the long road back up to the glen.

The lady we bought them from could not have been kinder, and we weren't the only first-timers in her yard — two other new keepers were collecting birds the same day. We stood about swapping nerves and tips, which is exactly the sort of thing that makes a daunting first go feel possible. Jak came along for the ride and spent the entire journey making very sure we knew he'd rather have stayed at home. Noted, for next time.

For now the coop sits close to the cabin. With a croft this new — and predators that know the ground far better than we do — we'd rather keep the hens where we can watch over them while everyone finds their feet. The fence is mended and solid, though we're under no illusions: a determined fox will always find the one gap you missed, so we'll keep walking the line.

Names are still being argued over. Three birds, no shortage of suggestions, no agreement yet. We'll introduce them properly once they've told us who they are.