Any one want to join me in waiting for eggs, posting and comparing notes?

[jklyles1]

We support each other though everything. From sick chickens to grieving families. Because that is the kind of community we are. We will laugh again ... tomorrow... and remember our family with love.

My thoughts are with you MB and yes Catsol...perfectly said

 

[jyurina]

Thank you for sharing your stories Melabella. What beautiful people. I am always heartened when these things happen to see the sheer multitude of wonderful people that rush right into things to help.

Now on to my egg news. I came home early from work today and was rewarded with this little beauty in one of the nest boxes So one of the new girls is laying! The white one is a store bought jumbo. So not bad for a first egg!

 

[kdwag]

I grew up in the Bronx with my family and a wonderful extended family from my mother's side of the family of my grandmother, Noni, a Sicilian immigrant, and an Aunt and Uncle and three cousins. My cousin Joyce and I were inseparable, and more like sisters than cousins. As an adult she was head of corporate design for Intercontinental Hotels in NYC, and had an exciting life traveling the world to different hotel locations. She was rushing home on Dec.21, 1988 to be with all of us from London, England for Christmas. She changed her original flight to a day earlier, hustled to get her work done so she could finish holiday shopping. She secured a seat on Pan Am 103, that quite to our horror was blown up out of the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland. Our family learned a long time ago about terrorism. Since she had changed her flight last minute, her name was not originally on the passenger manifold list, and we all held out hope, yet I knew in my heart, she never would have not called to let us know she was ok.. Every minute that ticked away was agony, until her employers did indeed let us know of her flight changes. She always flew British Airways, and I just couldn't accept the cruel twist of fate. It has been 24 years and as we all age, she is forever young and beautiful in my mind, my heart. It is so very hard to lose a person you love at such a young age. She was 30 years old, and had her whole life to live,,, Her name was Joyce Christine DiMauro, and it helps to remember her by telling her story. I love to tell people about her, and I thank you for the chance to do it today. Here she is,, what a great human being she was, compassionate, beautiful, funny, always giving to others, artistic, and my beautiful cousin.



Our big Italian family on both sides brings me many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. My oldest cousin Joseph on my fathers side is more like my Uncle, and he and his wife had two children that were more in my age bracket. When I was pregnant with my fourth, my daughter Gabrielle, I remember waking just days away from delivering, and walking my 3 sons to school where I used to live on Long Island, NY. I was HUGE, a real broodmare I was. It was the most beautiful day, the sun shining without a cloud to be seen anywhere. My DH was off from work that day, and I told him I was going to go up and lay down for a bit. He came and woke me up not long after I had fallen asleep, and told me I had to come back downstairs. We sat in horror watching the second plane fly in to the World Trade Center. I sat there, literally stunned. The town we lived in at the time as 16 miles from midtown Manhattan, we could see the plume of smoke, a sad reminder that terrorism can hit anywhere, it is not something that happens over seas, in wars of other countries. As i sat in shock I remembered my cousin Josephs son Charles had just gotten a union job with the Electricians at the World Trade Center. He called his mother from Tower 2, and promised her he would leave. That is the last anyone heard from him. A friend he worked with got out, and told Joseph that the last he saw Charles was heading back up the stairs to help an elderly woman. That was Charles, a lover of life, of animals and his beloved dogs, and helping others. Always helping others. It is true, the good die young... leaving the rest of us to miss and await the day we are all together again....
http://longisland.newsday.com/911-anniversary/victims/Charles-Lucania

I hope I am not offending anyone talking about this here on our egg waiting thread. I know we all come here to escape our day, and stress, and find lighthearted news about chickens and eggs. Please afford me this one slip, it is my way of honoring the loss of these beautiful people in my life, and my family, who mourn for them every waking day.

Blessings to all your loved ones, keep them close by showing them just how much they mean to you.
Nothing else matters.
Carmela....

MB, I cried and cried as I read your stories. You know, I had truly forgotten but do remember the flight over Locherbie and I remember 9/11 vividly as I sat looking out of my office window remarking at the blue sky and sun that was shining over the river. Gosh, you just never know when it's going to be your time and makes you appreciate each day as it comes. Joyce and Joseph were beautiful--- for sure keep telling their stories.

I took my Clara to my step sister's today. I only cried a little on the drive home because my head was hurting so badly. She had laid me a very lovely and large egg this morning before we left. I can visit her whenever I want. I think she had it much better at my house though. LOL The other three are doing just fine and getting anxious for their free time this evening. I didn't sleep much last night so I think I will be turning in early tonight. The dog hasn't totally improved but isn't any worse so that's something I reckon. Supposed to be 77 here Thursday--- of course, with 35 MPH winds and storms. LOL can't win.

 

[kdwag]

The girls have been laying since the 1st of April, few odd ones but in general a med size pullet egg...today Red laid this monster! I still feel like each egg is a present and get egg-cited.

My RIR laid 4 of those monsters when she first started laying-- they were all double yolkers-- They've been normal since. I told her to slow down before she ran out of eggs. ha ha They are pretty....

 

[kdwag]

I mean Charles--- geeze -- I went to that web site you linked. that's really neat. He truly is loved and loved his family.

 

[kdwag]

My heart goes out to the New Englanders. My family lives not to far, Boston is my hubbys home town, many races, him and friends stood right there where others were injured- it broke his heart. A cousin had been excited for weeks to be a volunteer, she is not harmed. She was a few blocks away passing out water, but just knowing that no where is 100% safe sux. On Patriots Day nonetheless

I actually popped on here to escape the overwhelming sadness that I can not do a ****** thing about :-( but I am happy to hear this community is safe and send all my support and love to the victims and emergency/law enforcement personal that acted so quickly. Much love from down south to ya'll. Be safe <3

I hear ya sister--- glad your cousin is safe.

 

[Spikes Chooks]

MB, I am so touched that you shared your story with us. This latest tragedy has reverberated around the world and Australians are shocked and dismayed too. If the only good that comes of it is that it stops us all in our tracks and reminds us to be grateful for all we have, hugging those we care for close to our hearts - then that is the smallest comfort we must find.

My chicken news is good - Beetle the Australorp was broken from her broodiness by just a day and a half in the sin bin, which I squeezed into the covered part of the run. She was very distressed in the evening as the other girls went up into the coop to perch. I had to steal my heart and remind myself it is for her own good. I let her out the next afternoon when all the girls wenmt out to free range. She rushed to the side of Ladybird the RIR who is Top Chook and has stayed close to her ever since. She seems to have forgiven me, took a treat from my hand, and squatted for a stroke. Then today she laid an egg! Just as well as Ladybird is down to every second day and the other two have come to a complete stop. In just two weeks I have gone from 20 eggs a week to 5 or 6 and it's not even got very cold yet. Could be a long wait till Spring in September.

Today I've decided not to mind too much. After their breakfast mash this morning, I watched them preen in the sunshine and hop up and down from the branches they use as roost outside in the run. And was grateful that they are healthy and happy.

All the best, everyone
Katrina

 

[CatSol]

Today I came home from work and found we had a 3 egg day. Yahhhh! I don't get that many 3 egg days. And.... one of the Marans was caught checking out the nesting boxes. Yahhh! They are only 20 weeks old this week. I am not really expecting much for another week or 2... But I am egg-cited to see if I will get the dark eggs or not. I know some birds that are not well breed may not have as dark of eggs as others... ether way I am egg-cited.
Then I added up my egg totals.. I knew I was close.... and today I hit a big number. Since our first egg last December 24th ... today those 3 eggs made my total... exactly...

200 eggs!

6 eggs are from Amber, the gold star and 22 are from Tia turkey. All the rest are from my Matilda and Betty. Way to go... good job girls!

 

[countrygirl74]

 

[Melabella]

Good Morning everyone,,

Thank you all for your compassion, and support. I am so touched by everyone's love and concern. This issue touches us all, and I pray for the United States of America, God keep her safe, and free from any more agony like this. Very, very unsettling...

NOW, onto to eggs. So happy for you Cat, that is awesome to reach that number! I have a Matilda too,, she is one of my red sex links... those girls are laying machines. I really can't wait to learn and see what happens to their egg laying statistics after their molt. It will help me to make a decision about my second flock. I want some new breeds, some of those fantasy breeds I long for, but also want 10-15 good egg layers. I am thinking of splitting it up between some good Heritage breeds like RIR's, Black Australorp, German New Hampshires and Silver Pencilled Rocks. It is hard to resist the 6 egg a day red sex links though. I swear last week, Sadie laid an egg every day. They are the scrawniest skinniest girls in my flock. So funny. Sadie eggs also have spots on them like a Wellsummer egg.. so I know when she lays.

LOTS of Hawks around here this week. I guess it is Spring after all. I have been keeping the flock in only as long as I am out there with them, or in the barn. Clark has a distinct warning call for anything from above. I can hear it loud and clear, and the run . The one large concern I am having though is that he is not as effective in keeping the girls together in a roaming flock. The new pullet Ameruacana who came with him is getting picked on quite a bit, and she is flighty. It makes her run around frantic away from the flock. I find her up in the coop quite a bit, even during the day, but when she is out foraging, she is almost always alone by herself. This whole behavior makes me very nervous. Four can be in the front of the barn, dust bathing, then 3 will be in the side woods, scrounging under leaves, and my two loners, Vivian, the Amer. and Daisy the Columbian Wyandotte are such strange birds. I thought at first they might stay together being the two misfits, but no such luck, now Daisy attacks her at every turn. I don't think I will ever get a Wyandotte again, between Duke, and Daisy, they are both quite aggressive. That just might be there strain I guess, maybe some from a breeder would be quite different.

Ok, my coffee is done, and I am off to start stalls. I tell you, this weather just won't let go. Even though we have had some beautiful sunny days, there is still a bite to the air, and the wind just won't die down. Please remind me of all my complaining when I am sweating and cursing the summer heat, and the flies, and the frustration of that!

Have a good day all,
MB