Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Funny, I went to town yesterday...I put it off as long as I can...then take the jeep and do all my errands at once. It hs to be loaded well too, balance out the feed, and make sure nothing goes tumbling when I clmb some pretty steep hills. The power company was still on the back road...there sure was some damage...if we hadn't cut some trees off the road I'm sure it would have taken much longer to get through...well, it was a record for the most snow fall in the time period recorded. Its nice to have some hot running water...and the gas company is coming out next week to finish hooking that up. Just in time for the oven to burn out...always wanted a gas range...so I expect its time.

 

[cheeka]

Yeah, come spring I am thinking one or two roos may need their own space. Si and peachy are still juvinille, atchie too but doesn't want to be....maybe I have rooster squabbles on the brain but their body language says trouble is on the way. Toss in Archie and for sure. Is peachy bonded with si? What are you going to do?

actually, peach is more bonded with archie, but she likes Si enough, just doesn't seem to be interested in breeding with him, she's so little... but I've seen much smaller banty's so i'm not terribly worried that he would actually crush her.

so far, the gang is living well together with only minimal squabbling, I know come Spring, I have to make adjustments, I'm just pleased that they are working it all out to live together in the enclosure, at least for this winter... makes life a lot easier on me... bottom line, i desperately need more hens by Spring. I can make a bachelor pen out of the portable run, divvy them up... but, I will need to provide each boy with 5 ladies, minimum... so really, that's 9 new pullets I need... easy enough to attach another coop to the enclosure, then they can share the common room.

SIX EGGS again today! so awesome!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Well, had another scare today. This was a little more serious. My hubby was out putting a gutter on the back of the coop (he's so wonderful!

) this afternoon and came in with a terrible expression on his face to tell me that Matilda (BA) was missing! I know she got locked in last night because I counted, and hubby let them out this morning into the chicken yard, which is 60 x 60 or so, fenced completely with 5 or 6 foot fencing. We looked EVERYWHERE, in, under, behind, up in the trees, in the coop. No Matilida.

No feathers. No hole in any part of the fence. Everyone else acting normal. What happened???

I had to leave to run a few boys back to town who were over for a belated-birthday-sleepless-sleepover. When I got back, I was really bummed and didn't have the heart to look for more evidence about what could have happened to her, so I called my sis to help the procrastination effort. Dejected hubby went mushroom hunting. Soooo bummed! Of all the girls, she is one of my faves. Such gorgeous iridescent feathers, all fat and plump, big dark eyes.

I was just gearing up to go back out for the search when my 14yo, returned from the mushroom hunt, ran in and yelled that Matilda was back in the yard!! WooHooo! So funny to see my eldest, who thinks being happy makes him uncool

, jumping for joy over finding the chicken alive and well.

So relieved, but now have to solve the mystery of how she disappeared in the first place. Very glad that a predator has not invaded the sanctity of the chicken yard. Yet.


Matilda is safe! Yay!





And we have oyster mushrooms for dinner!

 

[BullChick]

Reminds me of the dog yesterday. He wouldn't even come when I yelled "treats!!". His collar was off to boot. Humane Society was gonna fine me big time if I didn't find him. After about half an hour he came running towards me. I swear the only thing I can think of is that he chased a cat into the Lilac bush, and got stuck. He isn't much of a barker, so he wouldn't let me know if I was standing next to him calling his name. Definitely made me feel a bit sick.

 

[BullChick]

Glad the chicken is well.

 

[cheeka]

on finding both the chicken and the dog safe and sound... phew... i can't stand that "sick" feeling when I can't find someone feathered or furry... a few years back, when my Min Min was younger, I think she delighted in stealth. she's a dark torty cat, and in autumn, she would sit on one of the many rock walls, with the autumn leaves around... and blend in to the point of disappearing. she does not meow. her squeaker is broken... she say "Meh" with a voice that sounds more like a 90 year old smoker... so... I would be looking for her, and I would occasionally hear the "Meh" and see nothing. I could walk past her 15 times... little stinker... Hershey, on the other hand... says "Meeeee" as he leaps above the tall grass in the back field, little black hopper calling out with each break above the cover... pretty funny.



Hershey loves to make Min Min smell like his favorite thing... his breath.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Reminds me of the dog yesterday. He wouldn't even come when I yelled "treats!!". His collar was off to boot. Humane Society was gonna fine me big time if I didn't find him. After about half an hour he came running towards me. I swear the only thing I can think of is that he chased a cat into the Lilac bush, and got stuck. He isn't much of a barker, so he wouldn't let me know if I was standing next to him calling his name. Definitely made me feel a bit sick.

Kind of makes you want to put a bell on them, but that would drive me nuts too! So many times I've gone looking through the house for Scooter the Pest (dogs only allowed in kitchen & family room) only to find him in his bed.

Cream colored dog on cream colored fleece cushion. Good camouflage. Some days I really feel my age!

on finding both the chicken and the dog safe and sound... phew... i can't stand that "sick" feeling when I can't find someone feathered or furry... a few years back, when my Min Min was younger, I think she delighted in stealth. she's a dark torty cat, and in autumn, she would sit on one of the many rock walls, with the autumn leaves around... and blend in to the point of disappearing. she does not meow. her squeaker is broken... she say "Meh" with a voice that sounds more like a 90 year old smoker... so... I would be looking for her, and I would occasionally hear the "Meh" and see nothing. I could walk past her 15 times... little stinker... Hershey, on the other hand... says "Meeeee" as he leaps above the tall grass in the back field, little black hopper calling out with each break above the cover... pretty funny.



Hershey loves to make Min Min smell like his favorite thing... his breath.

Cute pic! Kitty love!
Hershey and Belle should get together and share their bad breath with each other!

 

[cheeka]

Hershey and Belle should get together and share their bad breath with each other!

all right, but lets be smart about this... call the broker first, invest in Breath Savers and Febreze Air Freshener stocks first... we'll make a killing just from our own purchases...

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Funny, I went to town yesterday...I put it off as long as I can...then take the jeep and do all my errands at once. It hs to be loaded well too, balance out the feed, and make sure nothing goes tumbling when I clmb some pretty steep hills. The power company was still on the back road...there sure was some damage...if we hadn't cut some trees off the road I'm sure it would have taken much longer to get through...well, it was a record for the most snow fall in the time period recorded. Its nice to have some hot running water...and the gas company is coming out next week to finish hooking that up. Just in time for the oven to burn out...always wanted a gas range...so I expect its time.

The weather sure is having its way so far, and winter hasn't even started. Reports on the news say that some people are still without power in NY and NJ! Too cold for that, poor people!

We have a gas range, dryer, and hot water heater. Very happy with them since gas is so much cheaper than electricity, at least around here. Nice fire in the wood stove tonight. Been in mid-thirties at night this week, which is cold for here. Still waiting for more rain.

Only 4 eggs today, but that's fine because Matilda is safe.

 

[cheeka]

ooooh, i love oyster mushrooms...(i love all mushrooms...) those look so perfect!


my oven is broken. it's the lower element or lower burner or whatever... it does ignite, but it sets off the carbon monoxide detector. so... if i can't cook it on the stove top, or in the toaster oven... I'm outta luck.