Page 18 - ALG Issue 4 2023

Book Review
No Dig
By Charles Dowding
You would be forgiven for thinking that this beautiful retro, fabric- covered book is only for the coffee table – but you couldn’t be further from the truth.
‘No dig’ is a practical
well written guide that co
information on soil health and how to embrace the time saving no dig technique of gardening.
Within these pages, Charles Dowding teaches us that there is no need to dig over the soil, but by minimising intervention, you are actively boosting soil productivity. In fact: the less you dig, the more you preserve soil structure and nurture the fungal mycelium vital to the health of all plants.
If you’re relatively new to no dig gardening. The concise advice will help you save your back, grow bumper crops in harmony with nature and improve your soil’s structure.
There’s step-by-step photography to illustrate each part of the process, and calendars show what time of year to sow and harvest over 80 crops.
The Bees
By Laline Paull
A little like Watership Down for bees, this
is an extraordinary, otherworldly novel following a bee and her fascinating life.
Born into the lowest
class of her society,
Flora 717 is a sanitation bee, only fit to clean her orchard hive. Living to accept, obey and serve, she is prepared to sacrifice everything for her beloved holy mother, the Queen.
But Flora is not like other bees. Despite her ugliness, she has talents that are not typical of her kin. While mutant bees are usually instantly destroyed, Flora is removed from sanitation duty and is allowed to feed the newborns, before becoming a forager, collecting pollen on the wing. She also finds her way into the queen’s inner sanctum, where she discovers secrets both sublime and ominous.
This is an interesting book which considers community, nature, tradition and religion. ‘The Bees’ is the story of a heroine who, in the face of an increasingly desperate struggle for survival, changes her destiny and her world.
18 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
ntains a wealth of
chickens
Caring for Chickens in Autumn
Chickens are hardy creatures, but even they will require a little bit more care and attention as the seasons begin to change. Autumn and winter bring colder, wetter weather, shorter days and more adventurous predators, so it’s important to make sure your flock is prepared. If you’re unsure of what jobs you can be getting on with to get your flock ready for autumn and winter, our checklist is here to help.
Checklist to keep your chickens safe this autumn
CARING FOR MOULTING HENS
Chickens will begin their annual moult when the daylight hours begin to get smaller. During this process, they will require some extra care and attention
to make it as comfortable as possible. Their stress levels should be kept to
an absolute minimum, meaning you shouldn’t move them into a new coop
or introduce any new members to your flock. You should also try to handle them as little as possible as it can be quite painful and increase their feed levels to accommodate the extra protein that will be needed (more on that below).
INCREASING THEIR PROTEIN AND CALCIUM INTAKE
It’s important that your hens get the correct nutrients during the autumn and winter months. When moulting, your hens will require extra nutrients such as protein and calcium to make sure they can grow their new plumage. Extra feed such as mealworms, green vegetables and seeds are great sources of protein for your chickens, so make sure you’re treating them every so often!
SECURITY OF THE COOP
During the autumn and winter months, food becomes harder to find for predators, leading them to expand their usual hunting behaviours. This usually means they’re more likely to try and snatch an egg or chicken from your coop. Make sure your coop security is up to scratch by repairing any mesh flooring and making sure all panelling and chicken wire are nice and secure.
FORGET A SPRING CLEAN... IT’S AUTUMN CLEAN!
A tidy coop is a happy coop, and an autumn clean is a perfect way to make sure your flock is ready for the colder season. Clean the inside and outside of your chicken nesting boxes and coops and replace the bedding to give it a freshen-up.
ADDITIONAL BEDDING
It makes sense to tie this in with your autumn cleaning, but your chickens will thank you for supplying a little extra bedding during the colder months. If your coop isn’t heated, your chickens will need extra protection from the cold to avoid sickness – especially the older and weaker members of your flock!
Adding some extra straw or hay to
your coop or nest boxes will help to keep things insulated but remember
to replace it more frequently as it
can absorb moisture and be a good home for pathogens and bacteria. Alternatively, add some shredded leaves to your coop or even some scrunched- up paper for a cheap option. Just make sure any leaves are dried properly beforehand and the paper is ink free.
INVESTING IN A RAIN/WINTER COOP COVER
Even though your feathered friends are waterproof, too much exposure to wet weather can cause health problems and make for some pretty uncomfortable chickens. Respiratory illnesses and coccidiosis are two common illnesses that should be avoided, so it’s essential to keep your flock as dry as possible.
By investing in a waterproof cover for your coop you can be sure to keep the water out during wetter periods. A waterproof cover will also help to keep your chickens warm when the temperatures begin to drop.
Article credit:
Cocoon Chicken Coops (www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk)