The birds and the bees

3 September 2020

In a recent survey, 22% of respondents said they had taken up a new activity or hobby during lockdown.

One person who has added a new interest is Peter Beach, sales and marketing manager with Genquip Groundhog. He’s just started looking after chickens in the back garden of his Sheffield home.

“I’d thought about it for ages,” Peter tells me. “I really love an egg poached in the traditional way, but those you get in supermarkets just don’t taste the same as fresh ones.

Two-tier coop

“I bought three chickens from a local farmer and a two-tier coop (pictured), called an Eglu, from a delightfully named supplier named Omlet. It’s made from durable plastic, includes an extendable run and has a slide-out tray for easy cleaning.”

Perhaps like Genquip Groundhog’s welfare cabins, the coop offers plenty space as it can actually accommodate up to ten chickens.

Beekeeping

Someone else pursuing a new interest is Phil Leahy, MD Rental Solutions South for Sunbelt Rentals UK. Having successfully kept chickens some years ago, he’s now turning to bees.

“With less road and air travel during lockdown, there was a real increase in local wildlife,” he tells me. “I went fishing one day and I’d never seen so many dragonflies and bees. That inspired me to have a hive in my garden. I’ve been talking to beekeepers and I plan to get one in the spring.

Apparently the bees should be quite self-contained. And they’ll help to pollinate flowers and enhance the environment.