Sarah Todd: New hen heaven indoors prompts rethink about free range eggs...

The equine industry can be the biggest rip-off in the world. If the glossy magazine adverts are to be believed, horse owners need to get themselves out and buy at least 250 worth of rug – plus another for spare. They're even tog-rated like duvets.

What would the proper horsemen of 50 or so years ago have thought to all the namby-pambying? Especially of our native pony breeds. Every time a rugged-up from ears-to-tail Welsh pony (or even a Shetland the other day) is spotted, it makes me want to run across the field and take them off. What did the good old New Zealand rug do to be dumped? Perhaps it's the lack of colour coordination it offered?

In contrast to the pony's warm ears, we've had a bit of a going on with the hens. The daughter has ended up bringing them inside. So, for the winter, we should probably re-label the egg boxes for her discerning customers as "barn" produced rather than free range.

There is nothing more miserable than a cold, wet hen. Although they had the coop and hedge back to go under, they just seemed to stand around the orchard looking suicidal. It was depressing to look at them.

They're now in fine fettle, with plenty of room to wander around up in the barn and a good dry bed of sawdust. They've got some perches and an area where they can pick at corn and vegetable peelings. They're in hen heaven.

Also, it's been interesting to note, that they've stopped hen-pecking each other. All the squabbling and squawking that went on while they were outside has come to a halt. That was my only worry about bringing them inside, that they might get bored and start attacking the older and weaker ones.

But it just hasn't happened, which has made me re-think my stance on free-range poultry and eggs. If a barn is right – and not roosted to the rafters – the hens are probably happier than the free range ones outside in the cold.

Now it's officially December, the Christmas shopping can't be put off much longer. Especially if the snow continues. It's hard to get out, though. The husband keeps clearing off in my car as his is useless in the snow.

Only one present has been bought, a little baking set for my three year-old niece. Wooden spoon, rolling pin, whisk and some biscuit cutters. Then all she'll need is flour, sugar and (barn) eggs…