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.

 

 

Playing In The Rain

EffieGrace and Keithetta Renetta having a little discussion...probably about what happened to EG.  And looks like someone has poopie butt.

Esthelle looking like she is on to something.

Ethel looking for Chickie Pa and his treats.  Just standing in the rain looking up trying to figure it all out.

Dixie running around like a crazy chicken.

Crispy checking out the camera.

RayJeana looking not so happy about something.

This is he dirtiest chicken on the farm.  her face and head are always covered in something.

I think Judy is stretching to see if she can be as tall as the big girls.

 

 

Spa Day For Some Of The Girls

You are going to think I am even crazier than before....if that is possible. 

It was brought to my attention that a few of the girls personal hygiene practices aren't as good as they should be.  I've been watching their backsides to see if maybe they would take care of the embarrassing situation.  Nope, the girls don't care one bit.

 

Today was the day to clean those dirty chicken butts.

 

Everyone was given a chore.  Alaire was the rinse/towel wrapper/drier.

Emmy was in charge of drying.

Michael was the chicken wrangler while Ellis was the catcher.  Susie was the first customer at the chicken spa.

Alaire doing a bag up job!

Emmy was cracking me up.  She was pulling one of my acts...gaging all over the place.

A little bit of B&W ointment on the frostbitten combs.  Alaire asked when we were going to paint their toenails.

EffieGrace was second for her treatment.

I thought Emmy was actually going to hurl!  Tears in her eyes and everything.

We saved Keithetta Renetta for last because she was way worse than the other two combined.

 

We covered the couch and chair with towels just in case we had an escapee.  We even blocked off the hallway and closed the bathroom door.  In the end the girls were very well behaved.  And we checked on Susie's bumblefoot and it is healing up on its own...no surgery needed that heavens.  Don't think Emmy would have been up for that one.

While I am cleaning up our mess, Ellis comes to me to ask if I have ever been able to catch a chicken with one hand.  Nope, I don't think so.  Well, just so you know, he can!

 

Strutting Her Stuff

Keithetta Renetta is developing a little stinker streak.  Maybe close to being the bully and I don't like that one bit.

She definitely has an attitude.

I'm going to say that she might be one of our 'plus size' birds.

But she sure is pretty.

I think she might be my Dad's favorite bird.

The Sassy One Of The Flock

Does she look like she run the show?  Well, yes she does!

Seethe feathers on her legs and feet?  She is the only one that looks like that so she is easy to pick out and remember.

You should see her run across the yard.  She always has to have her nose in everyone else's business.

And when she puffs up, she is something else.  And chases all the Little Girls around like it is her calling in life.  You might consider her the bully of the bunch.

But she is a pretty one.

A Little Chicken Dump...Keithetta Renetta

You've heard the saying...'chicken with her head cut off"...well Keithetta Renetta (named in honor of my Father-in-law and my crazy next door neighbor) runs around just like that.  She most certainly must suffer from ADHD.

She is starting to get her big girl feathers.  And look at the ones on her legs.  She's the only one with feathers on her legs...she's special in so many ways

And she is really liking this free range gig every night!  The girls have already managed to eat every flower on the one lavender plant that we have finally been able to grow.  They are so fun to watch.