MJ's little flock

[BDutch]

Snowy died.

She was going downhill and I managed to make another appointment with Dr Kevin. But we were halfway there in the car, and she had a fit, and was gone.

I don’t know what to do about Angel now.

Sorry for your loss Lozzy. One comfort for Snowy, it went downwards so quickly that she hasn’t suffered much.

I hope Angel is going to be fine and you find someone to keep her company in due time. If she gets broody again, you might consider to give her a couple of hatching eggs?

 

[MaryJanet]

Today Melissa had a treat and she was running around with it in her beak and peeping, dropping it, trying to break it up, picking it up and running off with it. I thought what the heck is she eating? It was a small piece of bark from a log she moves in mysterious ways.

 

[Daisy June]

Mary

Mary is a black Australorp. She is the prettiest of my three chickens with iridescent black plumage and big black eyes that go blink-blink in a very charming way.

Favourite hobby: drinking. Mary is a waterholic.

Favourite saying: wohr-wohr

Rank: formerly Lieutenant, now Captain. Captain's rank was obtained by strategically using her weight, agility and determination to obtain the top spot on the roost from the disgraced former Captain, Janet.

Named after: Mary is named after Mary Kopscanyi. Mary Kopscanyi was my Nana's great-niece. Mary showed me kindness and love from the day I was born until the day she died. Her house is across the street from my house (both houses were built at the same time by the same person - my great-great uncle) but it is now owned by a lovely young family of four. Mary's house was built for her grandmother, Sarah, who was my grandmother's oldest sister. Tragically, Mary's mother died young, so Sarah provided Mary with a loving home and family life. Mary passed away quite suddenly in 2016, although she was well into her 80s. Her husband, Frank, died in 2017. They are both survived by their daughter Elizabeth who I don't call often enough. I'll call her today. Mary the chicken helps me keep Mary Kopscanyi's memory alive.

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For background, here are the other profiles.

• Janet
• Sandy
• Ivy
• Peggy
• And Blossom

Oh my goodness, seeing Mary brings me to a sad and happy place at the same time. My Australorp named Ness took her eternal nap several weeks ago. She was old and ready to rest and so lovely. On her last day, I scrambled an egg for her and fed her from my lap. It was just the two of us as she gobbled up her egg and stretched her neck across my arm for a sweet nap. I stroked her and we just sat quietly as I felt this would be my last time with her. It was, but that afternoon brings me peace, and I know she felt it too.

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh my goodness, seeing Mary brings me to a sad and happy place at the same time. My Australorp named Ness took her eternal nap several weeks ago. She was old and ready to rest and so lovely. On her last day, I scrambled an egg for her and fed her from my lap. It was just the two of us as she gobbled up her egg and stretched her neck across my arm for a sweet nap. I stroked her and we just sat quietly as I felt this would be my last time with her. It was, but that afternoon brings me peace, and I know she felt it too.

Awww sorry for your loss. Seems like it was a very positive death for both of you.

Australorps are such lovely birds. Mary is six years old now and beginning to slow down. She's had an eventful life so far, with a hernia the vet repaired for her and a peck in the eye that blinded her on one side for a while. Two failed hatches. And lots of time lazing under her favourite tree and playing with water. She's going on suprelorin after Christmas. There are 2 young Australorps in the flock at present and I hope one of them will turn out to be a pullet and take up Mary's legacy.

 

[ksbkeys]

Awww sorry for your loss. Seems like it was a very positive death for both of you.

Australorps are such lovely birds. Mary is six years old now and beginning to slow down. She's had an eventful life so far, with a hernia the vet repaired for her and a peck in the eye that blinded her on one side for a while. Two failed hatches. And lots of time lazing under her favourite tree and playing with water. She's going on suprelorin after Christmas. There are 2 young Australorps in the flock at present and I hope one of them will turn out to be a pullet and take up Mary's legacy.

I have had some wonderful Black Australorps. Recently, Raven, age 8.5, died suddenly. She was wonderfully broody and a wonderful mother. It was such a blessing watching her care for her chicks!

In your experience, do Black Australorps tend to be broody more than other chickens? If not, what makes some hens broody and most others not?
Thanks!

 

[BY Bob]

Turns out the tyre was punctured through the sidewall, which reminded me of something my hairdresser told me when I saw her two Fridays ago: people in the neighbourhood have been waking up to find their car tyres punctured. Someone has been going around and puncturing car tyres at night. So I checked my security cameras and there's no footage. Either they sneaked through and avoided the cameras or I somehow punctured the sidewall while driving around (which seems unlikely).

Either way, I'll start parking the car beyond the gates again. I only gave up on that because the hens were using the car space - it's where their favourite tree is. But I'm sure they can share it with the car.

That's awful. I'm sorry. Too bad the camera did not catch them.

 

[BY Bob]

Broody Aunty Katie had some choice words to share with the squealing youngsters.

Some of them have so much fun chasing the littles. It reminds me of how Lilly would stalk newcomers and surprise them. She really seemed to enjoy surprise attacks and no one was ever hurt. All in good fun and pecking order establishment.

 

[BY Bob]

The upholstered ottoman has changed Blossom's life.

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That is Enzo's favorite spot as well.

 

[BY Bob]

Snowy died.

She was going downhill and I managed to make another appointment with Dr Kevin. But we were halfway there in the car, and she had a fit, and was gone.

I don’t know what to do about Angel now.

Oh gosh! I'm so sorry. She had a great life with you. Such a beauty. So sad.

 

[BY Bob]

Today Melissa had a treat and she was running around with it in her beak and peeping, dropping it, trying to break it up, picking it up and running off with it. I thought what the heck is she eating? It was a small piece of bark from a log she moves in mysterious ways.

It was precious to her.