Be Free

Monday night Mark decided that the boys could be free.  Meaning that they could go in and out of the pen whenever they chose.  They chose to sleep by the backdoor.  I slept on the couch to keep an eye on them.  Boogie got into the little trash can (that had a tight lid on it) and ate whatever he could find.  I don't even remember what was in it.  Then he used the can on its side as a pillow.  Crack me up.

Boogie figured out that all the fun was happening in the family room and wanted in.

They drank from the chicken waterer.  Ate most of the leave and mowed down all the weeds on the left side of the backyard.  I should have let them out years ago to eat the weeds.  Next fall they will earn their keep.  I'll never have to pull another weed!

This is the very first time that I have noticed Scoot has a heart on his side.

They love the freshly fallen oak leaves.

I am totally serious about the weed eating thing in the fall!  Might even rent them out if I could just figure out how to load them in the truck without them running down the street!

Silly Girl

We read this book today a few times.  This silly chicken reminded me of Inez.  Speaking of my lone chicken, she can't figure out where she wants to roost at night.  One night it is in the coop.  One night in with the goats.  And then there is always on top of the pergola.  We have both traps baited tonight in two different places in the yard.  I can hardly wait to see if we have a new friend tomorrow morning.

Getting my DVM

DMV...doctor of veterinarian medicine...ha, ha, just kidding.

I got a call from a friend at church.  She has a friend that is a new chickie-ma.  One of her chickens was attacked by a hawk.  They asked me to help.  So I go grab all my chicken books and start to research.

I love how this book lays it right out simply so this is what I went with.

Just in case you ever have this problem or someone you know...this is what would do.

The vet told me to get this when Boogie lost a horn.  But I read on the back and you aren't to use it on an animal that you eat or get food from.  I asked if the hen was laying yet and the answer was no.  If it were me I would go to Tractor Supply and ask what they would do.  Or call our farm vet...Dr. Patechell at Rolling Hills Veterinary Services..513-734-9400.

I'll let you know what I hear.

Book 'Em Dan-O

Caught you, you dirty rat!

So maybe it wasn't a raccoon after all.

A little story about our friend.  I love sharing nature with the yahoos in Wammyville.  Little creatures, big creatures, friendly creatures and not so friendly creatures.  This one is a not so friendly creature.  I set the cage out by the sliding doors in the family room.  Our spot for watching the animals that frequent the back patio.  After lunch I let them all have a look.  They loved it.  Adi was even able to share some of what she had learned in preschool about nocturnal animals.  Pappy told them about marsupials.  I just watched and listened. 

Ava was concerned about how he was going to find is mommy,  G-Ma, and his family.  She named him Thomas.  She also wanted to feed him some crackers that she found in her car.  Then she decided that a better name would be Ava.

Tonight the last bit of cat food goes in the trap to see what else is coming to visit.

Not Fans Of The Cold or Snow

This chicken is going to be the death of me.  It's cold.  She has a perfectly awesome cook but refuses to go in at night.  I'm beginning to think she has been traumatized by whatever that is stalking the chickens.  Maybe she knows her days are numbered if she goes in there at night.  But I think it is pretty safe.  I have set traps and caught nothing.  I still climb the ladder at night and put her to bed.  One night she tried to trick me.  She snuck in with the goats and though she would roost there.  No way sister, this is not a sleepover occasion.

The boys are ready to move to anywhere sunny. 

Please, mom, make the cold go away!

I'm Going To Get Them

They better not show up.

If I Ever Get More Chickens

And Now There Is One

Inez is now the lone survivor.  I didn't check on them this morning. And I am kicking myself all over the back yard. Then after church, I called them and there was one.  I found Lucky not so lucky in the nesting box minus her head.  And she wasn't even stiff yet.  Sorry TMI.

She is so mad at me she won't come to me or even look at me.  I even tried to sweet-talk her with some scratch and pumpkin seeds.  Nope, just walked away.

Look at that smarmy look!

I took care of business and then tried to figure out what happened.  My best guess is that I didn't get the latch fastened tight enough and a raccoon got it open.  I feel so bad.  So tonight when I put Inez to bed I made sure that everything was locked up tighter than a drum and I even put empty trash cans in front of the door and by the feeder.  Maybe whatever it was squeezed in the hole where the feeder tube is.  That is the only way I could see.  So hopefully in the morning when I get up Inez will be there happy with me again.  I will have her a special little treat and hope that gets me back in her good graces.  Now I worry about her this winter.  She won't have anyone to snuggle up to so she will stay warm.