RIP* Von Kluck

It is my sad duty to report the demise of my chicken, Von Kluck, after a short illness. 
Kluck has appeared several times on this blog and it is on account of her modest international following that I post this news here.  Kluck was always by far the fastest of our three chicks and moved with a grace unattainable to the others.  Indeed it was issues with her movement which first alerted us to her being in less than perfect health - to the point where she was falling over.

Kluck a few months ago on top form - hurtling across the garden at high speed!

Our concerns about her movement and the need to ensure her safety led us to bring Kluck into the house, and she lived for the last two weeks - apparently in good spirits - in a large cardboard box in Sara's office.  Sadly her ability to move continued to decline and latterly needed to have food held in front of her in order to eat.  We decided last night that the time had come and Sara took plucky Von K to be put to sleep by the vet this morning.  When I last saw Von Kluck she was tucking into her breakfast of scrambled egg and tomatoes.

Von Kluck in her command bunker.  Luckily I recently bought a new printer!

The other two chicks - Shelley and Fluff - initially seemed a bit lost without their chum, so we'll have to keep a close eye on them.  The plan is to look into getting more chicks in the spring - any new arrivals will be featured here.

The original chicken post can be viewed here: Link

* RIP = Roost in Peace.

Chicken First Aid

A slight crisis arose on Saturday when we noticed some drops of blood where the chickens had been.  A thorough examination of the flock revealed that Von Kluck had a broken claw.  We've still no idea how this was inflicted - presumably she caught it in something and suffered the damage while trying to break free.  The diagnosis and treatment process wasn't made any easier by Kluck being the least docile of the chicks - picking her up generally involves a chase round the garden followed by trying to keep hold of a struggling mass of wings claws and beak.  The talon in question was cleaned up and the problem of keeping the wound clean was solved with two sticking plasters - one on the injury and the second to keep the first in place!

Von Kluck briefly poses for the camera - the plaster can be clearly seen.

A close-up of the repair work.

Although the plaster had disappeared by Monday, Von Kluck seems to be on good form and making a good recovery.

And no, I've no idea what this has to do with wargaming either.

Home before the leaves fall?

A bit of a real life interlude over the past few days with various things needing done over and above work - thus eating into time normally spent fooling around with toys.

Most of  today has been spent cleaning out the chickens, taking a carload of stuff to the dump and sweeping up leaves - hence the title.

Earlier in the week I had a new set of winter tyres put on my car (Saab 9-5) - I didn't bother last winter and suffered restricted mobility as a result.  Just getting up the drive to the road is tricky (or impossible) if there's any ice or snow underfoot and earlier this year there was plenty.  In any event the old tyres were getting a bit threadbare, so I'll keep the winter rubber on until Easter-ish and then get a new set of summer tyres.

I also had my car serviced and a replacement radio fitted (the old one had lost it's RDS function).  New rear shockers mean its quieter over speed bumps and more stable on corners.  I'd thought for a while the old ones were on the way out and having now seen them they were in quite a bad way.

I just need to find the time to clean it inside and out - never my favourite job but worth it when it's done. 

Given all the car-related expenditure it came as a pleasant surprise to receive a call from Richard Holden (see his blog at http://wargamesandwalking.blogspot.com/) to tell me that I have won two prizes in the raffle he was running in aid of the British Legion.  They are a £5 voucher for Irregular Miniatures and a Baccus Napoleonic army pack, so not a bad return on my £3 worth or tickets.  I'll certainly use the Irregular voucher, but my Naps are all 15mm so the army pack will no doubt go on the disposal pile.

I have just been out in the garage spray painting some toys, so hopefully there'll be another small batch finished later this month.

The Chickens have landed...

The latest additions to my household arrived on Sunday 2nd.  They are three Silkie Chickens and are providing us with entertainment and eggs.  In that order. 

The white one is (inevitably) called Fluff, the red (on the right) Shelly (think about it...).  The handsome gold coloured creature goes by the name of von Kluck.  Sorry but I've been reading a lot about 1914 recently.

Fluff investigates the foliage.

von Kluck forages for....whatever chickens like foraging for.

Shelly checks out the scenery.