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Archives for March 2011

Ricotta at the Co-op

March 30, 2011 @ 00:01 By Gavin Webber 2 Comments

Today’s main post is over at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op and is about making Ricotta cheese.  I believe it is one of the most simple cheeses to make and tastes much better than the store bought stuff that they try to pass off as fresh Ricotta.

Also, I must apologise for the lack of posting over the last couple of weeks.  I have been ill in bed resting a hernia (ouch but soon to be fixed) and trying desperately to finish off my first assignment for my Diploma of Carbon Management which is due on Friday!  I know that you will forgive me, and I promise many more posts next week.

Gav x

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Filed Under: Simple Green Frugal Co-op

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow!

March 23, 2011 @ 20:23 By Gavin Webber 18 Comments

It is with sadness that I write this post.  In my last post I was very excited about getting 3 new hens and a bantam rooster who I named Mr Darcy. 

Well, as it turns out, Mr Darcy was a very noisy rooster, and didn’t just crow in the morning, but during the day and just before sunset as well.  Kim was stressing to the max, because our local council laws do not allow a rooster in suburbia, however we are allowed to have up to 12 hens.  She was so worried that someone would complain, that in the end I took up the breeders offer to give him back which I did today begrudgingly.  Note the sad face before I had to put him in the box to transport him.  Ironically, he hardly made a sound today.  Maybe he knew that he was returning back to his other harem.

I was so amazed that the little bugger grew on me so quickly.  He is one cool pint-sized rooster and really loved those two little hens in the few days he knew them, and I really mean loved ;-).  After all Jane Austin is so right when she wrote in Pride and Prejudice, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Mr Darcy by name, Mr Darcy by nature!

Maybe I am sad because he bought order to the flock so quickly and stopped all of the infighting straight away that you normally get with introducing new hens to an established flock, or maybe because I could relate to his blokeyness!  Oh well, you win some, you loose some.

Adieu Mr Darcy.

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Filed Under: Chickens

Mr Darcy and Ladies

March 20, 2011 @ 21:24 By Gavin Webber 5 Comments

“I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise.”  Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 13.

What a nice looking lad is our Mr Darcy, and he is one of the four new additions to our flock of chickens that we purchased today, and I will introduce you to the others in a minute.  But, shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, because we are not supposed to keep men chickens in our area.  If I call him a man chicken I don’t feel so bad at breaking the law!  Anyway, he is so small that his crow sounds like a dog barking.  Woof.  Large dogs are noisier than he is.

Anyway, I have a plan to stop that 4am crowing in the nicest possible way.  The lady that we bought them from recommended that we keep him in the dark after daybreak, which is fine because our little chicken house is built that way already.  However, we have had to do a bit of rearranging at le manoir de poulet due to some sad news.  One of our little Pekin bantams, Pippy, passed away suddenly on Friday afternoon, and was probably due to the larger ISA brown hens picking on her.  She will be missed as she was such a wonderful little hen, and I feel so bad and should have been on to it right away.

I bit the bullet and separated them all.  We put Poppy, our surviving Pekin bantam into the front coop and segregated the two runs.  The large hens get the back run and chook house and the bantams get the front with some new digs that I am going to construct next weekend.  This should also keep Mr Darcy in the dark until I let them out each morning.  We have told both neighbours on either boundary, and they are okay with him so far, but our breeder told us that if he causes too much fuss then we can take him back.  Which would be a shame because I do believe that Poppy has fallen head over heals in love with him!  

Here are a few pictures of introduction.



This is Jane Austin.  She is also a Pekin bantam and you can also see Poppy just up the back.  They are all so cute.  

Mr Darcy is showing the ladies how big and strong he is.  He is so manly.



As I mentioned before, Poppy is already in love with Mr Darcy, because I figure that she couldn’t get any closer to him if she tried.  Miss Jane Austin was getting very jealous at the time.  We are hoping for lots of fertilized eggs soon enough, because Poppy is the broodiest hen I have ever met, and would make a great mother hen.  We are not so worried about egg production for these two little ladies, they are just fun to watch and once they get settled they will have the run of the yard, but if we get chicks then that will be a bonus.


We also bought two larger hens to replace Ginger who passed away last month.



Not the best picture, but the black speckled hen to the rear is Jennifer, and the brown at the front is Daisy.  They steered clear of the other hens all day, there were a few minor altercations, but nothing to be too worried about.  If some of the older hens get too bossy tomorrow, we will put the trouble makers into Coventry for a day to knock them down a rung or two in the pecking order.  



Jennifer has wonderful markings.  We were told that she is a Barnevelder/ISA Brown cross.  She has a lace pattern around her neck and bright yellow legs.  





As for Daisy, she just looks like a normal run of the mill ISA brown hen, and has already laid an egg today.


To help with husbandry, we gave them all some pullet starter crumble mixed with 8 cloves of crushed garlic and a little water.  We mixed it into a semi-dry porridge, and they all wolfed it down with gusto.  We will keep doing that each week to keep any mites and intestinal worms at bay.


So all in all, a great day out to get the new additions to the flock, and they have settled in well.  The bantams sorted themselves out quickly due to the masterful Mr Darcy, and the ISA browns will probably take another day to settle down.  We have 7 laying hens, and 3 bantams just for their good looks.

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Filed Under: Chickens

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

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    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
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    A wonderful show!

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    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
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    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
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    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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