Mrs Silkie has been sitting on 16 eggs for over three weeks. There was a difference of opinion in our house. One of us thought they would hatch, the other was doubtful. Yesterday I heard a faint cheeping. This morning there was a sighting of at least four little chicks.

We moved the house and run to the safety of the pergola to prevent rats from burrowing under the earth and attacking the vulnerable babies. Let’s hope that does the trick.