Thursday, September 27, 2012

Lullaby Of Birdland


I just love to sit and watch my sweeties.  I'm not sure what is so mesmerizing about chickens but they are just endless entertainment.  We have been letting the pullets out now for about 3 weeks and they are finally starting to integrate a little with the big hens.  Not much, but some.  Good ol' Ramona (my big New Hampshire hen) has taken it upon herself to act as ambassador and enjoys hanging out with the pullets more than the older hens.  Maybe she knows a few of these are her people.  I often come out to find her lounging with them or showing them good bug hunting spots.  In the photo above you can see the Speckled Sussex, they're kinda obvious, and the large one in front is a Partridge Rock.  They are very cool and easy going chickens.
We lost Sylvia early last week to a fox, so I have been vigilantly watching when they decide to stray too far near the woods.  I know it was a fox because about 2 days later he tried his luck again and actually was bold enough to run out in the daylight.  I saw him come out of the woods.  We all gave chase and have set a trap every night since but no luck.  EDIT:  It's a Havahart live trap for relocation.  I don't want to kill him but don't want him making a habit of this either.


I thought this was funny of Rocky peeking in from the side.  "what'er you doin' with that little box?"  The chicken on the left is one of the Brown Leghorns.  These things seriously need to take a Zanax.  High-strung is an understatement.  They are certain that everything is going to kill them.  The dog, the cat, rocks, the wind, whatever.  I hope they lay well.  I don't know, I may try to sell 2 or 3 of them.


Rocky here is one of the 2 New Hampshire roosters.  I only ordered one but got two and a Partridge Rock roo!  The PR that always looked like it was wearing bloomers?  That turned out to be a roo!  We call him Gaucho because it looked like he was wearing those short pants.  His feathers have filled out now and he looks fine; very handsome actually.  All of these roos seem pretty laid back so it might have been a serendipitous fortune to have had the mix up.


This is my sweetest little baby, Zuzu.  The Sussex are mostly very friendly and love to sit in your lap for you to pet them.  If you are not going to rub them though they'll leave!  They sing and make this funny groaning sound.  It sounds like they are complaining but I guess it's just how they talk. I had talked about selling a few of these but I love them so much I don't want to now.


And the kitchen keeps inching along, little by little.  All the cabinets, and drawers, are in now.  Just need to finish installing the plywood tops on part of them.  I'll get that done and the range hood temporarily hung and then will probably stop this project to prepare for the wedding.  I can't wait to have the tile installed on the wall behind the range; that is going to look SO good.
So, off to do a little more work before bed.  I have been terribly sick this week but have finally beaten it, I think.  What a horrible time to come down with a sinus infection!

7 comments:

HermitJim said...

Looks like all the chicks are having a good day!

Sorry that you haven't been feeling well, but I'm glad you are starting to get better!

Kitchen is well on the way! Looks good!

Island Rider said...

I really like the metal on the walls. Very chic!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Not only do the chicks provide eggs and food, but also entrainment. Hope you are feeling better by the weekend and able to enjoy it. Kitchen is looking better and better each post.

pamit said...

I love the chicken posts too! Those animals really are gorgeous and fascinating. --What kind of trap are you setting for the fox? A live spring trap? I don't even know if leg traps are legal anymore. At any rate, the barking and peeing method sounds much more ...organic! Maybe add an extra rescue dog to your menagerie?

MamaHen said...

Hey Jim! thanks man!

Hey IR! thanks! I like it too; I think it's going to look really good when it's all installed.

Hey Bea! thanks! oh, they are constant entertainment.

Hey Pam! yeah, I should have specified that we are using a Havahart live trap. I would never use a leg trap or such.
We have thought about getting another guard type dog but would have to wait until we are back from our trips and such. We may look into it although Chigger does pretty good, but she can't be everywhere at once.

ErinFromIowa said...

I just love the way you write about the chickens. Actually the way you write period. So descriptive and real.
Take care of yourself with that sinus stuff. I have to do nasal lavage once... sometimes twice a day and that is noooo fun! Blah!
Do you read Bitchypoo? They have 2 Great Pyrenees... George and Gracie who guard their chickens.

MamaHen said...

Hey Erin! thanks! Yeah, I do the sinus wash thing too if I've been welding a lot or gardening etc. Just didn't think of it in time for this one I guess!
I have a friend who has a Great Pyr and have thought about those. It's just SO hot here for those dogs though. Was looking for something with shorter hair.