Somerset Cottage with Cats and Chickens

Introduction

I live with my husband and our two cats and four chickens in a rural Somerset village. Our thatched cottage is one of the oldest here with timbers that date back to the 15th century set in nearly an acre of garden. The most recent addition is an oak framed garden room. We are passionate about wildlife and we look after our rambling garden with the wild flora and fauna in mind. There are newts in the pond and bats in the eaves.

Home & location

We are in the heart of the village on a quiet road on the edge of the Somerset levels and within easy walking distance of a thriving village pub. There is lots of lovely walking but few hills unless you count the fascinating Burrow Mump which is quite steep - near Athelney where King Alfred burnt the cakes! Other interesting local places include Wells (with its fabulous gothic Cathedral and a great farmers market) and Glastonbury. The house is all electric with an Everhot range and a charging point for an EV.

Responsibilities

The cats need feeding twice a day. One is happy to use the cat door the other isn't (bit of a princess) so she will need letting out into the garden from time to time (when you go out she should be indoors). There is a cat litter tray to maintain for her. The chickens have a large enclosure and need to be let out in the morning and secured at night. The need to have their layers pellets and water topped up. Only two lay at the moment and the eggs need to be retrieved (and eaten if you like) and their hen house cleaned out each day. One is lame and needs to be carried from the henhouse into the run in the morning. She manages to get back in on her own at night. We have house plants in the new garden room which will need watering and tubs on the patio area which may also require attention.