Cockerel made an error by crowing loudly and early

There are, or rather were, two adult cockerels in the yard. Both in contention for the most attractive hens and pullets. But unfortunately the young cockerels in the groups of chickens hatched out over the summer are starting to feel their feet or feathers.

And this particular cockerel was trying to make the point that he was still top of the flock. Or was. He tasted very nice in a casserole at lunchtime.

It's not that we mind waking up early but the latest addition to the family is adding her whines and cries to the morning chorus, and we can do without the extra reminder that is time to be up and creating a tempting dish of lightly scrambled eggs for Millie, our new baby Jack Russell.

Ever since Bud, our old Jack Russell died, I have craved another little dog. I adore Holly, Nell and Pip, but you just can't sweep a sheepdog, spaniel or Labrador up onto your lap for a cuddle. Despite what they all think.

Millie came courtesy of a friend whose Jack Russell bitch had delivered more puppies than had been expected. A scan revealed two. The birth, seven. What a shock for Meg, Millie's Mum. All of them had gone and Millie was in fact promised to another home, but it fell through and I was delighted to provide an alternative home for her.

So far she has not had a lot of contact with the other dogs. She is very curious about the Aylesbury ducklings which are waddling about just outside her reach in the paddock. Probably because she has already acquired a taste for Aylesbury, having helped to clean one up for Sunday tea.

Today she dined on pheasant. But that is a Jack Russell for you. They are notoriously finicky eaters, or at the least Bud was. Only the best of the pickings off the roast for him. And fortunately for Millie, she has come to a home where her new Dad provides quite a bit of game for the freezer.

Hatching out in the incubator are a selection of duck eggs I brought back from our holiday in Scotland. I was assured they probably were Aylesbury eggs, but the emphasis was heavily on the probably.

They came from the Castle of Mey farm. Formerly the Queen Mother's holiday home and now belonging to Prince Charles. So these are blue blooded ducks.

I expect they will have ideas totally above their station and see themselves as superior to all the common farmyard ducks.

Might even be born with coronets. Or crowns.

Whatever. I should think by the time they are ready for the table, royal or not, they will just taste the same to Millie. And us.