R.I.P. Blue Weiner Thingey

Blue Weiner Thingey... RIP

You can tell when a pet discovers a favorite toy. They spend far more time interacting with it than any others. Blue Weiner Thingey was Zoe’s favorite toy. She could grab one end and get Lucky to grab the other and they would walk around growling attached to each end of the toy.

I have to confess that the funniest thing to watch was Zoe jumping on Lucky’s back while he would lay down. She would have the toy in her mouth and she would try to “get busy” with his neck. He hated it! He would growl and bark at her but when she was feeling in the mood it was hard to stop her… the key component was having Blue Weiner Thingey in her mouth squeeking it while making love to Lucky’s back.

We have had a break in the snow and the chickens are totally loving it! They are back to free ranging and eating grasses and buggies. This is what makes the eggs so healthy! I supplement with a bit of layer pellet, scratch grains and for treats they get things like black oil sun flower seeds. When it was very cold out I gave them a couple of hot morning treats of warm oatmeal and scrambled egg with scratch grains mixed in. Happy chickens make healthy eggs and healthy roasted chicken!

I won 100 vintage egg cartons from www.eggcartons.com thanks to the Chicken Whisperer radio show! Now I can sell my free range eggs in style. I’m very excited to start that new chapter.

For 2011 we are planning on getting a calf to raise for beef for us and we are also considering a goat or two if I can get them at a very good price. I have been shocked at some of the prices I’ve seen for goats! I’ve seen them running as high as $400.00. That is wayyyy more than I am looking to spend.

Rocky

My biggest goal for 2011 on the farm is to get a proper coop made for my chickens. For this I am going to need help. I need some simple coop plans and I need to continue my research for that. I also want to learn how to "process" chickens. However I have discovered that if I leave my ax on my wood chopping block they seem to be keen to try it themselves! If they could then pluck themselves and clean the insides out I will be in heaven!

My biggest goal for my business is to grow it through advertising locally and to develop a good web page. I would like to have one more large corporate account in addition to developing my leisure travel business. In spite of my blogging about my farm life which I do love… travel is my true passion in life! I have already started working with my graphic designer to come up with my own logos for my advertising and branding. He is brilliant!

My biggest goal for my personal life is to continue having a wonderful marriage to my wonderful husband, Paul! I plan on going out on the road with him in his truck this year. What is wonderful is that I can help my clients while I am on the road with him! Have laptop… will work! I just need to find someone that will come and check on the beasties every now and again.

Wanted: someone to baby my chickens as I do. Must be willing to talk gibberish and cuddle them in addition to collecting eggs. J

Hen Jacuzzi

January 3, 2011

The puppies & momma dog all went to homes three days before Christmas. Yeah! I had some help from a school friend. Ronda stood out in the cold with me and worked magic in helping them find homes.

Christmas was quiet compared to last year and bitter sweet. We were supposed to spend two weeks in England with Paul's family but his company wouldn't let him have off without forcing him to quit and rehire. He hasn't spent a Christmas with his family in 7 years. The good news was that he actually made it home for Christmas Eve. They were going to try to just have him home for about 12 hours Christmas Day but he put his foot down.

The winter routine is settling in and I'm having my typical winter bla's. When it is dark out my body says it is time for sleep. So it isn't too weird to find me having a cat nap at 7pm. Only problem with that is that I wake up at 2am and don't always get back to sleep on time. What I really need is exercise!

Life with the chickens is funny as usual. Every time I think I've "done it all" I am proven wrong. Last week I had a poorly hen. At first I thought she might be egg bound because she stopped laying and was generally acting sick. She even stopped eating & drinking. I thought for sure she was a goner! I brought her inside and started reading what to do if she was egg bound.

This was quite nice for the hen... she got a couple of Jacuzzis and saunas out of the deal. I did draw the line at blowing bubbles in the water for her!

Then it was suggested that I don a glove, lube up and "examine" her to see if I could feel an egg trapped. Well what type of lube should I use? Plain or warming?

She didn't complain when I preformed the examination bless her heart! It turns out that I couldn't feel anything so I guess she wasn't egg bound. I decided to force feed her some olive oil and then managed to get some water down her. 

The next day she seemed to perk up a bit so I thought I would reintroduce her back to the flock. That did NOT go over well. The instant she was outside Jonesey jumped her and the other hens attacked her. Chickens are the bullies of the barnyard. They are just plain mean when they sense something is off. Or... maybe they were jealous over her days at the Keeley Hen Spa??

Fergus shared a kennel with her for a couple of evenings and he had no problem with her at all. Lastnight I had her stay out all night in the big pen with her siblings. It seemed to go ok though she clearly doesn't want to hang out with them anymore.  

Rescued Puppies

December 20, 2010

It’s 12:45am and I can’t sleep so I may as well get something done that isn’t too disruptive. I’ve had one crazy couple of weeks. I really thought that when I no longer had to commute to work that I would have a significant amount of free time. I’m sure that I do, I just don’t know where I seem to have misplaced it. I promised myself that I would work on time management but I first have to find where I put the dang time at!

On the 10th I rescued a mother dog and three puppies. A friend in my community posted on Facebook how her daughter rescued a puppy and I was touched by the post. I had a think on it over night and in the morning decided it was possible for me to do something about the others.

The owners had a substance abuse problem and locked the dogs inside a small dumpy place they had been living in and moved down the street. They left the dogs locked inside this house to slowly die. Two of the puppies did die. It really makes me sick that there are people like this in the world.

As you can imagine the puppy’s bellies were very swollen with worms and all of their bones were a little too obvious. The mother dog was in no better condition. I was too afraid to worm them the first few days and my vet agreed that it could be too much of a shock to their systems. I wormed them last Monday and let me tell you what a treat that was. At the risk of being too gross, I have never seen worms that long; snakes yes, worms no.

During this second week their swollen bellies have really receded and only two of them look super thin. But the good news is that they are getting their energy back and sparkle in their eyes.  I think the thing that shocked me the most when I first brought them home was that I expected them to be hungry but it is what happened when I put down a bowl of water that finally moved me to tears. They were fighting over it. Even the mother dog was fighting off the puppies so that she could drink.

All I can think about is how unnecessary this all was. The local newspaper has a program that you can apply for a neuter/spay voucher and when you take your dog in to the local vet it will only cost you $10.00. I am applying today for these vouchers for the rescued dogs in hopes it will better their chances of finding a good home.

When I bring them up to people asking if anyone would like a sweet, loving dog to take home to a safe home every single person has asked me, “What kind of dog is it?” Does it matter? They are mixed breed. One person I met locally said it best, “People here are back yard breeders”. They do not care for the animal and if it even slightly resembles a particular breed they will breed the female to the point of death so people who don’t know better will pay for $300.00. They tell anyone who will listen, their dog has “papers”. What the dogs really need are papers for the people!

Or… they think their dog is so special they refuse to neuter/spay because they are going to breed it. I know someone who bought a dog and paid $300.00 for it and they are convinced that the dog is something special and they want to breed it. They do not get shots for it, they do not buy dog food for it, they let it roam in the streets and couldn’t be bothered to train it to do anything but they want an opportunity to make money off of it. I nearly laughed out loud! This dog is anything but a good example of the breed in question and at the very least should be removed from the living conditions.  (stepping down off my soap box now)

I feel compelled to do something other than rescue and foster the dogs that I currently have under my protection. However, as my friends know… I am a bit of a bull (bully!) in a china shop. When I feel passionate about something I have a very hard time opening my mind to how others feel. It is my way or the highway.

BIG TOPIC CHANGE AHEAD!!! WARNING!

I met someone in the past couple of years who left a very strong impression on me. I’ve been influenced both bad and good by many people who have been in my life. Most of them good and I hope that I picked up a few more of the good traits from those that I admire than the not so perfect ones. However, this one lady embodies many qualities that I find myself wishing I had more of. She is kind, gentle, patient and soft spoken. She really is the sweetest person I have ever met. From Ingerlise I hope to have more gentleness in my dealings with others.

The past few days were filled with so much self pity that I nearly didn’t have room for anything else in my day. When I am alone for days on end with the company of these fantastic animals that I live with I have started to think back on the people who have come into my life and if I can practice a bit of the traits that I lov about them.

If I did that would I totally loose “me”? If I lost a bit of me and gained a bit more of qualities that I admire would that be so bad?

Remind me not to skip my Wednesday lunch date with LaVerne & Jonathan, it is virtually my only contact with humans these days and they really help keep me grounded and keep me from being so introspective.



Poor Fergus with frostbite



Lastly, Fergus got a bit of frostbite this week on his comb. I feel that I have let him down. His comb was, I am convinced, the most perfect comb on a rooster in the entire world. I am told that the black bits will fall off and that I need to watch for infection. I have been keeping him inside at night and only letting him out in the “warmer” day time.

I really get a kick out of the comments I get when I listen to the Chicken Whisperer radio show and I put my “cam” on with Fergus perched on my shoulder. He will occasionally gently groom my hair. He seems fascinated in watching the computer screen and he could sit on my shoulder for hours. Fergus is NOT food, but is a beloved pet, and gives far more to me than I am sure he gets in return.

I took a few photos of some of my gang and posted on Facebook. From Our Coop To Yours. Anyway… please wish me luck in finding homes for the dogs. Merry Christmas… may God bless you all.

CK= Chicken Killer

November 30, 2010

CK…

This is Zoe’s new nick name. CK stands for chicken killer. Yes, the unthinkable happened. Zoe killed one of my fancy new hens. I cried because I was angry with her for breaking a trust. I can no longer let her run free.



RIP Columbian Rock Hen!





At the end of the day and two weeks later I have a bit more clarity on the subject. She looks and acts like a bird dog. Why on earth would I be surprised that she did what comes natural? At the end of the day keeping the chickens safe is my job.

On to my fancy new chickens: I forget how long it’s been since I’ve written. I won a 2 free hotel night stay so that I could attend the Ohio National Poultry Show. I won this from the Chicken Whisperer radio show. I am so glad that I went and I really learned a lot. While I was in Ohio, one of the Chicken Whisperer cult members helped me to pick out a couple of chickens that were so beautiful! They won’t be dinner. I got two pairs of bantams: Buff Brahma and Columbian Rock. 



Black Australorp Jonesy



The biggest thing I learned is that you can not truly appreciate the size of a chicken in a brochure. I must have looked a rite simpleton with my mouth hanging open when I came to the English breed section which included the Orphingtons and the Black Australorps. They are massive chickens! Most of their huge size is really from their feathers but don’t get me wrong… Jonsey has been accused of being a turkey. Jonsey is the fifth chicken I went home with, a Black Australorp rooster. I named him after a dark haired, handsome Australian guy that I know. That and I couldn’t think of any Australian men’s names.



Buff Brahma Bantam



Today she taught me a new lesson. A lesson in eggs. I have a large planter on the porch that my two white banty hens use to lay their eggs in. Today she kept walking by the planter and the last thing I wanted her thinking is that she can eat those chickens! I told her no and she moved along to go do her business.

The next thing I knew is she ran into the house got as far as the dining room before she dropped an egg she had in her mouth! Arrrgggg! Now she has decided she likes eggs! I yelled at her and made her stay outside while I let the other dog “clean: up the mess.





I even eat the shells!





I opened the door to let her back in and she wasn’t there so I went looking for her. She was at the side of the house running to me with another egg in her mouth. Wait a minute! She found the place where the Red Devils had started laying their eggs. I praised her this time and got her to show me the spot. She pulled out a few more for me and after me taking three of them away from her, I guess she had had enough. She ran to the front door and dropped a fourth egg so it would break and it was a double yoker. My girl ain’t no dummy! I put the uneaten three eggs in the planter to try and show the hens where I want them to lay but I will have to let the dogs eat them as I’ve no clue how old they are.

So I’ve been busy learning hard lessons the past couple of weeks. The Red Devils will NOT get the best of me and they are in for a rude surprise tomorrow when they don’t get to free range.



Mama's free range eggs are YUMMY!

When is time to take away the nuk?

November 9, 2010

When is the proper age to take away the nuk?

My cousin for what ever reason had a nuk that she had left over at our house one day. The puppy discovered it and it has been a favorite toy ever since. She really does suck on  it like a toddler would. If I let her keep it for too long will she get bucked teeth?

Speaking of teeth, do any of you brush your dog’s teeth? I’ve only for sure known one person that brushed her dogs teeth. I can not imagine getting Zoe to set still for two seconds to do it. She would just try to bite me like she normally does. My hands are riddled with scratches from sharp nails and teeth. She is getting better about not biting so much but when I play with her toys with her I inevitably get torn up.

To squeek or not to squeek… is that really the question? I personally love the sound of her working on her squeaky toys. There is absolute joy in the sound; I know it is pure happiness for her in that moment and I am not annoyed one little bit! Paul has asked why I insist on continuing to buy toys that squeek but honestly, every time she plays with it I smile so much and everyone needs something in their day that makes them smile.

The day is fast approaching when I will have to deliver the mail in Mount Nebo all by myself. I am beginning to panic because I am only now realizing how short my arms are. This is not something I have ever given a great deal of thought on. I just accepted my short extremities “in stride” so to speak. (pardon the pun) and have spent a small fortune getting clothes adjusted for me over the years.

But on November 22^nd I will have to reach across my center console and open the mail boxes on the opposite side of the Jeep with my 24 inch arms and pray for a miracle.  All this so that my local postman (John) can have the deer season opener off. How on earth did I get conned into this? I have spent 3-4 mornings every week in the post office learning to sort mail for the good people of Mount Nebo. I feel I now know the actual rural mail route and the big day approaches.

Do you think it would be too awful for me to hope for some very contagious disease? Nothing too awful … maybe something like mono? It’s just a thought.  

While I am at it… do your postal carrier a favor. Make sure your address is correct from everyone that you get mail from. They had a big 911 change of address out here and you wouldn’t believe the amount of mail that still comes to the old addresses. Keep in mind that this happened ages and ages ago! It’s sorta like “be kind and rewind”. Practice good karma for your postal carrier! P.S. cookies and other goodies are normally a welcome site too! J

To save money because I am a cheap azz I have decided to build a chicken coop instead of buying one coz they really do cost a fortune. What a freaking racket that is!!!  Any suggestions on what works, doesn’t work and on rodent/predator proofing is greatly welcome!!!

Anyway… enjoy the pic of Zoe while I go outside and rake the leaves and hunt for eggs.

Tut! Tut! Looks like sleet!

November 5, 2010

First sleet of the season and I am not ready! You heard it here first. I am not ready and I’m not afraid to admit it! I received an invitation to go on a Fiji familiarization trip at a steal of a price. I did go to Fiji about two years ago but part of the trip was ruined by Cyclone Gene. It is very tempting to skip out of here right as it is turning cold and run away to the South Pacific for some beach and sun… but it is for November 28^th and that is not enough time to plan. Plus… it is over hunting season and this is my second year and I don’t want to miss it. Excuses, excuses. (I must be loosing my mind!)

I was a bit late getting to the pen to let the chickens out this morning and somebody laid an egg and it wasn’t Jenny’s usual teaspoon size eggs. This one was a regular sized egg. This means that one of the Red Devils is layin’ but nobody claimed it. As a matter of fact… one of the chickens actually pecked it and broke it open! But then again, one of the younger ones may have just been curious about the egg. Could be something more sinister happening… Maybe one of the other hens was jealous and wanted to kill the egg. 

I still have no chicken coop and this weekend is going to be our first cold snap. I am probably over worried about my chickens but they are a bit like pets to me. At least the banties are! This week I did buy an infrared heating lamp for them but that sucker draws a lot of power. I have bought compact fluorescents for most of the house helping it will compensate for the extra energy used. Note to self… would love to get some solar panels one day!

This week also marked another growing up moment for me. Years ago I had a Rolling Stone subscription that I had paid for. It was before I met John. Way back when Kalin and I were roommates. Since then I have not wanted any other magazines other than T3 during the brief time it was in print here in the States.

Sharing a blanket on a chilly night.

Yesterday I ordered two subscriptions. Back Yard Poultry; which makes sense as I’m very into this whole back yard poultry movement. The other magazine was something I remember seeing Tom Littlejohn have; Mother Earth News. He really liked it and I had a very deep respect for him while growing up that has never changed. I’m glad he was a big part of my life even though there were times that I rebelled against it! I miss you Tom and there are many days that I wish I could ask your advice about things.

I don’t want to sound too sad but doesn’t everyone get like this during the changing of the seasons? It is a time to reflect back on the past year and get ready for winter. I am not ready… but I am working on it. Sunday I am going to pick up more wood for the stove which is our primary source of heat. And next week I’m meeting with some friends who are carpenters who will help me with my chicken coop. I’ve got over a month before the official start of winter so no need to panic yet. Then sometime over the next couple of weeks I need to break up the soil for the garden we will have next year. So much to do on this cold, wet fall day. I think I will curl up with Zoe and have a nap!

Black Magic And Chicken Sacrifice

October 27, 2010

Halloween Episode

My cousin who gave me 6 of her 21 Rhode Island Reds has had all of her chickens but one killed over the past couple of weeks. Her theory is a fox climbing over the 6 foot fence, killing the chickens and leaving the bodies behind uneaten.

Pardon the Hart to Hart moment… but when they met, it was myyyrderrrr!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSn9xPnjLps

Tina asked me my thoughts and while I am no Mrs. H, I gave her my best educated theory…

I may be going out on a limb (or perch) but I believe it is the black arts or magic if you will. A predator is using magic to levitate itself up over the 6 ft. fence to practice sacrifice to some evil being then levitating back out.

I like my theory sooooo much better especially since it’s nearly Halloween! It’s much more interesting that the boring old fox climbing over a fence.

But then I had to ask myself the question… what could the sacrifice be for? I’m guessing it is to the Great Chicken God, you know the one… he’s the one who brings chickens and deposits flocks of them for the fox to enjoy in neighborhoods and rural settings all around the world!

You see, I knew something like this would happen last night. I knew because a “bad wind” (feel free to giggle here) was blowing. The past few days were so lovely and warm and there was the full moon. Then out of nowhere after 6pm the sky turned dark as midnight with no moon to be seen. The wind picked up and the sky turned dark so fast I got that funny feeling in my tummy and I found myself looking up at the sky to see if I could spot any of those little tails drifting down. (where was I?)

Oh yeah, the ill wind was boding trouble alright… not for my little flock, but for Tina’s.  duhhhh… daaaa…..duhhhhh (“plot thickens” sound effects) So now we have motive; chicken sacrifice. But was it really Mr. Fox? Could the fox be the too obvious bad guy that everyone suspects in the beginning?

I am not ruling anything out but I suggested bringing in the weasel in for questioning. The weasel is one tough cookie to crack, he wouldn’t talk no matter how much they leaned on him and threatened to throw a book at him.

As he was being dragged out of the interrogation room he glanced back one last time and said… “Ever wonder why the raccoon wears a mask, he has something to hide I’m telling you!”

Join us next week when Mystery Chicken Theater Presents: Will Fiona start laying before she is put in the slow cooker?