Meet the Makers: Our Hens at Edenfield

No. 1

From uncovering an old hen house in the garden to welcoming rescue hens into our little corner of Edenfield.

Back in 2022, we uncovered an old hen house tucked away in our garden here in Edenfield. Rather than letting it go to waste, we decided to bring it back to life, adding a small run and welcoming our first four hens, each a different breed. I think they were Rhode Island, Blue Bell, Black Rock and another one I can't remember.

We simply fancied keeping a few hens, learning something new and enjoying the little pleasures that come with having animals in the garden.

And, of course, there was the promise of fresh eggs.

A little bit of garden magic

We loved having eggs to share with family and friends. There was something special about giving someone eggs that had been laid right here, rather than picked up from a supermarket shelf.

Keeping hens also brings a different rhythm to the day. They need feeding, fresh water, a clean space and a bit of attention. In return, they bring plenty of character, a little entertainment and the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your eggs come from.

Before long, the hens had become a much-loved part of life. Occasionally coming up to the house.

A few unexpected visitors

Of course, we had some downs.

We've had a few unwelcome visits from the local wildlife over the years, including the fox and even a mink. Sadly, we've lost some of our hens along the way. When it came time to replace the hens we'd lost, we decided to do something a little different.

Giving rescue hens a new home

Rather than simply buying more young hens, we went with Lucky Hens Rescue in Wigan, welcoming rescue hens into our garden.

There’s something grand about giving hens another chance at a happy life and it's lovely to be able to offer them a place where they can settle in, enjoy their surroundings and potter about in the garden.

They've become part of our little flock and part of the story behind our eggs. For us, keeping hens has never just been about what they produce. It's about caring for the animals, appreciating the food they give us and having some character in the garden.

From our garden to The Village Larder

We didn't set out to sell eggs, but I was over keen and rescued too many chickens - we had a lot of eggs! So started a little honest box on the pavement, which has worked out well. We have upscaled a little to help supply The Larder, and as of now, we have 20 young-ish chickens dotting around. Once they start laying we'll start selling.

The Village Larder is our way of sharing a little bit of what makes Edenfield special, bringing together good food, local people and really (really) important to us, the stories behind what we eat. Our hens are just one small part of that bigger picture, and we're looking forward to sharing more of what we grow, make and discover along the way.

Fancy a taste of Edenfield? Explore what's available at The Village Larder, discover the people behind our local producers, and join us in supporting the good things happening right here on our doorstep.