Animals
Weeks ago, our guineas stopped roosting in Sampson, the old pine tree by the barn.
Apparently, sometime during the daylight hours, a hawk took one of the guineas.
Fear of that nasty hawk has kept the guineas from returning to the barn.
Instead, they began roosting on the roof of the chicken pen.
A severe wind storm drove them indoors one evening,
and since then (much to the hens' chagrin), they have been roosting in the upper chicken house!
- Sunrise, Sunset
Yesterday was one of those days when I was lucky enough to be outsideboth at sunrise and at sunset.And let me tell you, both were spectacular!Sadly, I did not have my camera with me for sunrise.But yesterday evening.... The sun set with a promise of...
- The Rooster Saga Continues (and Happy Birthday Hubbs!!!)
I won't bore you by telling this whole tale from the beginning. But I will summarize for those of you who are new to my blog. This past summer I ordered 25 fancy chicks. I also ordered a very colorful rooster chick (enter Hank)....
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...
- Back To Farm Life
It didn't take long to get back into the groove of farm life and farm work. It felt so good to get up early and hit the ground running as usual. The sunrise was spectacular....red and glowing....a prelude to a seasonably warm and sunny day.For the...
- The Great Free-ranging Escapade
Well, Saturday was the big day. Since the fancy chickens are full grown and laying now, we decided to allow them to free range around the farm in the afternoons when they are finished laying. They have complete freedom until roosting time (nightfall)...
Animals
Growing Love
A month of holiday preparations, celebrations, parties, and feasts
has come and gone.
The decorations are safely stowed away for another year.
Back to life (as usual) we go...gladly.
The holidays are fun and full of wonderful times, but there is comfort
in the ebb and flow of every-day-life.
Its return is welcome!
I thought I would bring you up to speed with what has been happening around
the farm this past week or so.
I had noticed last week that Ellie May, one of my leghorn hens was feeling a bit under the weather.
She became very weak and looked as if she were headed for the big
henhouse in the sky.
Fearing that the other hens would peck at her (her comb already showing signs of abuse),
I moved her to the convalescent ward (the feed room in the barn).
A private bed (on top of the hay pile) with plenty of fresh air, feed and water
seemed to rejuvenate her after a few days.
As of yesterday, she was a bit more active and curious about her surroundings.
If she continues to improve, I will move her back with her sisters in the henhouse.
(I am sure she misses the hen parties and endless gossip sessions!)
Apparently, sometime during the daylight hours, a hawk took one of the guineas.
Fear of that nasty hawk has kept the guineas from returning to the barn.
Instead, they began roosting on the roof of the chicken pen.
A severe wind storm drove them indoors one evening,
and since then (much to the hens' chagrin), they have been roosting in the upper chicken house!
This situation reminds me of the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".
If you have seen the movie you will understand when I compare the guineas
to the crazy relatives that arrive for a visit...and STAY!
Sadly, Mr. Wellington has gone missing from the duck pond.
You might remember that his wife, Beulah May, went missing early in December.
(Fowl play is suspected in both cases....most likely the handiwork of the cunning Mr. Fox!)
Now, poor Edith is alone and is slowly finding her place amongst the rest of the ducks on the pond.
In the goat pen, Smoochie has been quite amorous lately...
directing his attention towards Sally.
Notice the look on Sally's face...
I couldn't tell what she was thinking,
but I'm pretty sure I heard her utter "Bug off!" just a moment later.
Smoochie must be confused.
After all, he has been hormone free since earlier last year.
Little Leo is a frequent visitor to the donkey pen,
and stops by for a little socializing.
Over the fence chatting isn't enough, so he slips under...
Daphne is curious...
and goes in for a sniff...
These inter-species relationships are my favorite part of farm life.
I am so pleased with how sociable all of our animals are.
Someone asked over the holidays, "What do you grow on your farm?"
Hubbs replied, "Love."
So true, so true.
- Sunrise, Sunset
Yesterday was one of those days when I was lucky enough to be outsideboth at sunrise and at sunset.And let me tell you, both were spectacular!Sadly, I did not have my camera with me for sunrise.But yesterday evening.... The sun set with a promise of...
- The Rooster Saga Continues (and Happy Birthday Hubbs!!!)
I won't bore you by telling this whole tale from the beginning. But I will summarize for those of you who are new to my blog. This past summer I ordered 25 fancy chicks. I also ordered a very colorful rooster chick (enter Hank)....
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...
- Back To Farm Life
It didn't take long to get back into the groove of farm life and farm work. It felt so good to get up early and hit the ground running as usual. The sunrise was spectacular....red and glowing....a prelude to a seasonably warm and sunny day.For the...
- The Great Free-ranging Escapade
Well, Saturday was the big day. Since the fancy chickens are full grown and laying now, we decided to allow them to free range around the farm in the afternoons when they are finished laying. They have complete freedom until roosting time (nightfall)...