Quarantining with chickens
We live in Brighton and are fortunate enough to have a decent sized garden.
We are a family of three girls (Mum and two daughters), two cats and the new arrivals: four chickens!
Our house is semi detached with four bedrooms.
The youngest, Lilly aged 7, trying to get the chickens out of the house! A daily battle
In what ways has the coronavirus pandemic changed the way you use your home?
The most drastic change we've found is to the garden. What once was a hardly used patch of unmaintained, overgrown grass is now home to Phillet, Hennessey, Henrietta and Amelia Egghart.
Alongside this we've also created a compost space, installed a greenhouse bought from Facebook Marketplace and turned all our old recycling into makeshift veg patches.
How do you feel about your home? How have these feelings changed?
Our home has become messier! Because of the new animal arrivals and the three of us spending all our time in the garden we've found our indoor and outdoor spaces have begun to merge, which is not always a good thing when you find a chicken on the sofa!
How does staying at home affect your relationships?
As a family we are all quite fiery! We've had a lot of arguments, debates and disputes but ultimately we are finding that we are working together and utilising our space more effectively.
The tears were inevitable.
What do you appreciate most about your home? What do you find frustrating?
The outdoor space! We've never been so thankful to have the space to grow plants and veg as much as we do now! It also provides a calming area and a great place to eat dinner during the heatwave.
How has lockdown changed your habits or routines at home?
A lot of red wine has been consumed! We've also found that our average weekly screentime has sky-rocketed, we are cooking more healthy meals and getting lots of sleep.
How is your sense of home affected by your neighbours or those living nearby?
Many fence conversations have been had with our neighbours, including their polite request to turn down the Ben Howard which often blares from the kitchen (sorry Alexis).
I've found that people in the area have become much less friendly. People actively avoid your gaze in public and exercise the two metres apart rule. Although this is necessary it makes me feel very alienated and alone. I feel like I'm in a Doctor Who episode a lot of the time!
Adventures of quarantining with chickens
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