Meeting Peep's Rooster

Not sure of the story behind the big rooster but I can tell you the story about the little one.

 

The tale I was told was that my dad has wanted his picture with the big rooster forever.  I have no idea where it is.  I got a text from Cassie when she was home visiting her Peep and Papaw with the big rooster picture.  Okay, ha ha, funny.  I made a comment something to the effect of hope that was coming to my house when she returned.  Just kidding...where would I put it?

 

The story behind the other rooster is...Cassie and the kids were here when I got back from camp.  I wasn't in the door ten minutes and Cassie or was it Emmy, comes running in telling me there is something wrong with one of the girls.  I am moving in what seemed to be slow motion trying to take off my camp shoes and to put on my chicken shoes (we all wear chicken shoes out in the backyard, and only the back yard...don't want any germs going anywhere else).  I'm falling against the door frame asking questions like, who is it, what is she doing, when did she start this, who found her....all the time everyone is going along with the sick chicken story.  I get out to the middle of the back yard and see this big old metal rooster standing in front of the Big Girls coop.  Ha, ha, you all got me good!  I love my new rooster.  Just the ornament I needed to make the little NottaLotta Farm complete.

 

Now it is time to introduce him to the girls.  I put him out for them to see but in a spot they hardly ever go.  I call them over and give them a little snack right at his feet.  They aren't getting too close.

Ethel high tails it out of there.

Inez could care less...let me just eat the treat.

Nosey One and Nosey Two advance on both sides.

Ethel is still running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

They finally tell her to get a grip, nothing is going to bother her.

The Little Girls still aren't sure about all this nonsense.

EffieGrace could care less.

 

Just this afternoon a neighbor came by to get some eggs and when we came out the backdoor he asked about my new chicken.  When I told him it was metal he just laughed and said, 'I thought that was an awfully big chicken.'

 

Chickens Getting Use To The Pool

Plan B in effect.

 

It is a hot day and I know that they are hot.  I can see it in their open beaks.  I can see it when they dust in the shade.  I can see it when the walk around the yard with their wings in a real funny position.  So Plan B went into effect.  I put the yard waterer in the center of the pool on two bricks.

Funny but they were interested.

Almost one by one, taking turns they got a drink of water.

I added a few kernels of frozen corn to the bottom hoping they would jump in for it.  Nope, they didn't take the bait.

 

They just waited for the corn to surface then they plucked it out.

Some were better at it than others.

Then Susie jumped up on the side and I thought she was going to get in.   Nope.

I thought if I put a little bit of corn on the top that they would get in and try to get it.  Nope.

Susie did give it a try...without getting in.

Inez got the memo about kernels on top.  She tried but another no go.  I then put just a few pieces of cracked corn on top.  Haven't seen any takers yet.  I'll keep trying and maybe someone will venture out of their comfort zone.

They Have Come Up In The World

The girls got their own ghetto pool today...actually two!  Gotta keep them cool.  But I have to say that today has been the best egg laying day to date.  Everybody produced!

 

So I read somewhere that to get them interested in the water to put it when they can see it, put bricks it so it is not such a deep step and put something interesting on the top of the water.  Chickens are nosey little buggers.

EffieGrace says no thanks, I'll just stand in the little puddle here.

Has a few lookers....

I'm just so hot.  Mouth breathing to keep cool.

I was able to introduce three girls to the water...Sunny, Ethel, and Judy.  Ethel stayed the longest...all five seconds of it.  We will try again tomorrow after the thunderstorm ends.

Trying To Keep Them Cool

It is so hot that the girls are...

 

...walking around with their wing out hoping to get some airflow...

I gave them some extra treats...

...I put apple cider vinegar with mother in and a frozen water bottle to keep the water cooler longer.

Lots of mouth open breathing today.

I even gave Sunny a bath.

 

It's A Sad Day

I don't like it when things like this happen.  And I don't like it when I don't  know why it happened.

This morning I was going out to check the chickens and check for eggs.  The big girls were a little noisier than usual.  I soon discovered why.  I walked to the nesting boxes and noticed Keithetta just laying peacefully in the corner.  I talked to her and when she didn't move and I didn't get a response I looked closer.  Her comb and waddle were light pink.  That was when I realized that she was gone. I couldn't see any thing outwardly wrong.  No blood.  She was fine yesterday.  I guess I will never know. The saddest part was that Effie Grace was by her side and wouldn't leave her there alone.  When I finally got EffieGrace to go out into the yard I got the shovel and buried her in the backyard behind the barn.  It is sad to lose one of my girls but I also realize that it is just part of having animals.  It still doesn't make it better or make me less sad.