Author Archives: Hollywater Hens

What sound does a duck make?

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According to Oxford Dictionaries (part of the Oxford University Press) the noises that animals make is different depending on where they are from:

The onomatopoeias used to describe the sound produced by a rooster are comparatively different. In English we would say ‘cock a doodle doo’ (which quite frankly sounds more melodic than any sound a rooster could ever produce). For once, the Germans use a word that is shorter than in English, ‘kikeriki’. A French rooster says ‘cocorico’ and an Arabic-speaking one will sound something like ‘kuku-kookoo’. Whereas the vowels differ in these examples, all of them contain a plosive (/k/). Once again, this is the quality of the sound produced by a rooster translated into human speech: loud and piercing. Another example where this is the case is the different onomatopoeias for the sound of a duck: ‘quack’ in English, ‘coin coin’ in French, ‘cua cua’ in Spanish.

Read the full story at http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/04/onomatopoeia-in-different-languages/

Country Strife: Abz on the Farm

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Swapping city life for the good life on a smallholding

Possibly one to watch...

In a brand new series for BBC Two, Country Strife: Abz On The Farm, former pop-star (5ive) and Big Brother contestant Abz Love will swap the luxuries of his life in the city for the good life, as he and his partner Vicky leave the music business behind them and head to rural Wales to live off the land. Watch as the two novice farmers set about buying and renovating their very own smallholding.

Abz and Vicky are determined to realise their dream of self-sufficiency, but with plans bigger than their pockets and very limited farming know-how, will their ambitions and enthusiasm withstand the harsh reality of living off-grid?

Abz says:

"Moving to Wales was a complete shock to the system - the house, the chickens, the horses, the foxes, the cats, the splinters, the leaks, the grass, the gates, the fence, the rain. This being said, I have met some wonderful people with beautiful insights - I currently love my life."

 

Head of Natural History and Specialist Factual Formats Commissioning, Tom McDonald says “Country Strife is a warm, engaging series following a charming, open-hearted couple try to live the good life against all odds – with no knowledge of country life, very limited funds and a series of increasingly outlandish ambitions & plans, Abz and Vicky are in for an often hilarious reality check as they touch down in rural Wales. Through their eyes, the BBC Two audience will get a real sense of what it really takes to make a go of the countryside dream.”

Three half-hour episodes will air on BBC Two later in 2015 (possibly July).

New Hollywater Hens Website

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Chicken expert Suzie Baldwin has now opened Hollywater Hens

Hollywater Hens is a smallholding where chickens rule. With over 300 girls roaming around there will certainly be one here to suit you. We have a variety of organically reared hybrids and pure breeds – large and small hens, there will be a chicken here suitable for small gardens and large. At Hollywater Hens we have a variety of organically reared hybrid and pure breed chickens for sale as well as quail, geese, turkeys and ducks.

Chicken expert Suzie Baldwin is the bestselling Author of “Chickens – The essential guide to choosing and keeping happy, healthy, hens”, and “The Smallholders Handbook”.

This website will develop and grow over time. Planned items include:

  • A gallery for all the chicken breeds
  • Monthly tips on looking after your girls
  • More Frequently Asked Questions
  • Travel directions
  • A new section all about our shop
  • …