Weeding and Losses

(Written yesterday. Internet troubles - a common issue out here - so read it as if it's still yesterday)

I went out this afternoon to check on the flock and found myself pulling up grass and weeds from the beds around the koi pond. I discovered that five elephant ears I'd about given up on had finally pushed up above the sand to grow. I didn't pull up much but it gave me a few moments to reflect on the past week or so. I really have nothing to complain about. We have been so blessed and are so very thankful to our mighty God for those blessings. Still, it's been a rough week.

I had started the promised continuation on the growing chicken flock and how they have kept me busy the past 4-5 months. Last night I found myself adding a photo of a chick but decided to go to bed and finish today. You see, we lost him last night. Along with another young chicken. He was such a pretty fella and rather personable. His name was Peanut.

He and an unnamed barred rock were found dead as we were putting everybody to bed for the night. I'd found another sudden unexplained dead chicken a couple of weeks back so this wasn't new but two? Well, I wasn't looking forward to going out this morning. 

Two more lying there like they'd just laid down to rest, dead. Nobody seemed eager to eat, run, chatter... nothing. A few wandered out to find a spot to hang for a while. I made sure they all had food and water, attempted to entice a few to eat or drink. I came back in almost ready to give in to defeat. I'd wait it out and clean up after... Sigh... 

Skipping quiet a few details - I'd connected with a sweet lady online and the thought did occur to me that she and I could be friends if we lived closer. I sent a text to inform her of a change in plans and why. She replied and I told her a few more details. She replied again and while replying to her reply (Lost yet? LOL!) I hit the call button. Much easier! After a 45 minute call I was encouraged, had a plan, and definitely a new friend! 

Say what you will about Facebook... It drives me crazy too! I waste plenty of time on it as well. It aggravates me, irritates me, overwhelms me with the needs people post. Yet, I have found family I haven't seen in years, some I've never met, old friends from high school, friends from some of the previous places we've lived, and made quite a few new friends. Yes, friends! Okay, so I have a short list of really close friends that I'd drop everything in a heartbeat to help, and one or two of these new-never-met-face-to-face friends I might do for as well, but they're all friends. Sometimes it's just a shared interest, or a kind word, but it really doesn't take much to invite somebody in (or just barge right on in and make myself at home) and I love to do that! Oh, yes, I'm a homebody. I'd rather stay home than go... anywhere. I'd much rather you visit me because I do prefer one on one and face to face versus any of the many opportunities technology affords us! Just don't forget to call so you don't interrupt my nap... It's the extroverted introvert in me that you know. Few see the introvert but that's the larger part of me.... Anyway, I'm thankful for friends, old and new, near and far, close, good, and just there, each and every one of them! My kids ask me all the time if I've ever met a stranger..... I'm really not sure I have.

Eight. So far we've lost eight. They were a bit more perky this afternoon, eating and drinking, scratching, and wandering around. A few were still huddled up, some alone, some in groups. One or two have lost their buddies. It's sad. I wasn't vigilant enough. I thought I'd done enough. I made a mistake. I'm working on fixing the issue and pray I'm more successful than not.

Loss is part of life whether you're on a farm/ranch or not. Death. It's part of life. It seems a larger part of life out here to me. The living must go on, remember, learn, and try better. Over the past week or so we've lost seven to predators, and eight to what I'm assuming is an internal parasite I didn't treat well enough for. I pray we're completely done with death. At least for now. I need a break.

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This morning the flock was a bit perkier. A bit. A few are still a bit dazed. I'm hoping they hang in there and make it through this. Thanks for listening....

If I were a chicken in Autumn....

I'd stay in the coop all day! Unless I was Henrietta, then I'd be okay. Here are photos of the poor girls strutting around with no tails and half naked. 

All lined up. Henrietta still has her tail feathers and hasn't molted much. Or she just hides it really well.

Lillie Mae spends a lot of time preening, pulling the old feathers out to make room for new ones.

Look at all the pin feathers coming in on Reba's neck! Looks really silly when she stretches it out.

And, poor Lillie Mae...

I think her coloring makes it look worse than it really is, but, no, it's not a pretty sight.

And, another shot of skinny neck, tailless Reba.

Just a few more weeks, girls, and it'll be over. You'll be full of new fluffy feathers and a warm pretty coop to call home! (Better get back to painting!) 

Molting time

Autumn has arrived! My favorite time of year with the cooler weather, changing colors, and the promise of spring to come. A crisp morning brought added fog off the pond providing a beautiful scene of my favorite view. Of course, I'm happy to share the photo!

Shedding dogs have always been a part of my life. Twice a year the dogs blow their coats and hair flies everywhere. There's ALWAYS hair but during those times they produce mounds not puffs.

After three years with chickens their annual molting still fascinates me. The girls are beautiful full and fluffy with feathers all summer. Then with the first cool night you wake up to this:

Feathers everywhere! New feathers come in causing the old ones to drop off. Sometimes you can't really tell they are going through molt unless they're missing their tails. Other times it is very apparent. The above pile was left by Lillie Mae. Poor girl loses more than the others. Last year she looked so pitiful. Here she is with Reba napping with their heads tucked under their wings. Lillie Mae, silly girl, is standing... I'll post another of her in a few weeks.... It'll be sad.

Molting can be a rather stressful time for the girls. I mean, wouldn't you be stressed if you were forced to run around naked? I provide more protein during this time and will continue to do so all winter. I give them extra black sunflower seeds with their treats and mealworms before bedtime. I always feel like they've got to be cold but they don't act like it.

As for the youngsters, their feathers are coming in nicely and they are growing like weeds!

The Girls Have Nest Boxes!

The girls have been rather confused about where to lay eggs. Being stressed they can hold their eggs for up to 48 hours. I imagine a few are out in the scrub but the dogs haven't found them so... maybe not.

They're very comfy in their new digs even in this rough unfinished stage. They aren't eating their food but are getting plenty because I am checking their crops. They have been very full so I wasn't in a hurry to let them out. I want them to accept and know their new coop as home. Earlier this week I finally let them roam free after being cooped up - pun intended :) Within minutes all three were heavily engrossed in dust bathing, throwing sand everywhere and getting thoroughly covered. No need to provide sand and ash anymore. They now happily wander all over eating to their heart's content - crops overflowing with all natural bugs!

Nesting boxes were made yesterday. The girls were introduced, a slight design adjustment made, and I figure I'll soon find eggs where they belong. Happy girls! Yes, I have plans to paint after the coop is enclosed and I decide on colors. As for now you get a shot in the bare. In order from left to right, Henrietta, Lillie Mae, and Reba. 

You may be wondering if we'll build more for the newbies and later additions that I plan. Well, no. I don't want THAT many and they'll all use the same box anyway. These three nests will service about 24 just fine.