Of Chickens and Books...
Thanks to all for the well wishes on my new job! The IT guy for my new company called to get all the proper software installed so I will probably be starting up within the next few days. I am nervous, but hopefully it will work out! So far everyone at the company has been really nice.
Unfortunately, I have to start my post with a bit of bad news. After recently getting Bill and Wry Neck Chick safely over their ailments, we lost FIVE chickens to some sort of predator in the last few days. I am most upset to report that Spokes and Wry Neck Chick were among the missing - my two most favorite chickens in all the flock. Spokes was such a cuddler too... it is strange to go out and not have him on my heels all the time, squawking at me to be admired. I am going to try shutting the chickens up earlier in the day to see if that keeps the predator at bay. Such a loss! Especially with Spokes... since he was our only Spitzhauben roo. Now we have to find another one and they are not easy to come by out here. And dear Wry Neck Chick... it hurts to work so hard to save something only to have it be eaten by a thankless hawk or eagle.
Anyway, it does not do to dwell on the negative. All the other chickens are doing wonderfully, always on my heels cackling and nipping. The geese are doing great, too.
Another good thing... Saturday we went into town and did just a little bit of garage sale shopping. I found this gem of a book called "Thomasina" the story about a cat. I read few it within a couple of days and really loved it. It was really moving and thought-provoking, and of course I loved it just because it was about a cat.
Also, I wanted to give a big thanks to Miriam for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I will try to put my post together tomorrow for that, if time allows!
Have a lovely evening to you all!
Unfortunately, I have to start my post with a bit of bad news. After recently getting Bill and Wry Neck Chick safely over their ailments, we lost FIVE chickens to some sort of predator in the last few days. I am most upset to report that Spokes and Wry Neck Chick were among the missing - my two most favorite chickens in all the flock. Spokes was such a cuddler too... it is strange to go out and not have him on my heels all the time, squawking at me to be admired. I am going to try shutting the chickens up earlier in the day to see if that keeps the predator at bay. Such a loss! Especially with Spokes... since he was our only Spitzhauben roo. Now we have to find another one and they are not easy to come by out here. And dear Wry Neck Chick... it hurts to work so hard to save something only to have it be eaten by a thankless hawk or eagle.
Anyway, it does not do to dwell on the negative. All the other chickens are doing wonderfully, always on my heels cackling and nipping. The geese are doing great, too.
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| Jake and Arwen having a blast after the cool front came through. |
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| An unnamed Spitz hen. I am thinking Dalia. |
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| What remains of Mrs. Potts' brood after the attack. |
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| Sweet Bill trotting in from the pasture. |
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| I love this pony. |
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| Pretty Sptiz's. |
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| "Excuse me, FEED me, FEED me NOW!" |
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| How I love old books! |
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| It came from Louisiana. |
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| A drawing of Thomasina, herself! |
Have a lovely evening to you all!
I am afraid our area where they range is much too large, and also very dense forest which would be hard to cover. Maybe one day I can get goats and they can eat the thickets down and then I can try some netting!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job! I'm behind and not sure if I've said :) I did read about it and I'm so happy for you. I am very sorry about the losses, never fun dealing with predators. I hope it doesn't continue. I think goats to eat the brush is a very good idea ;) I too adorable old books, LOVE that one! And I really enjoyed the pictures :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna! I always enjoy you stopping by and reading your comments. Thanks for always being there and supporting me!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about the loss of your chickees. :( It's such a hard thing, but hopefully putting the rest up earlier in the day will prevent anymore. I'm the same with books, especially older books. Great find!
ReplyDeleteI am sure hoping so, I just can't stand to loose anymore! I love my chickens. Yes, I was quite happy about my book find. I found a lot of others, too!
DeleteI'm sorry about your chickens. :( I will especially will miss Spokes! I think Dalia is a wonderful name for your hen. And congrats on your new job! Glad to hear that it's starting out good.
ReplyDeleteBill is so cute! My parents have two ponies named Mary and Joseph they bought about a year ago so my nieces could ride. :)
I am sure gonna miss Spokes, too. He was an *awesome* chicken. Sigh. Mary and Joseph sound cute - you should post pictures sometime!
DeleteIt is so hard to lose part of the flock like that. It's hard for you, who so enjoyed them, but also for the remaining chickens. They get all out of whack, trying to reestablish the pecking order. Hopefully, you can get it all figured out. We have decided to keep them from free ranging anymore, and are putting up a fence to keep them in a smaller area. We have lost entire flocks to predators, and we just need to change it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new job!