The adventures of Barbara (BR)

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Hello Mrs. Chickendad:

I have been meaning to tell you: There used to be a retired pastor that raised Cochins here in the Okanogan County. He had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL set up and system. He showed his birds and he had one entire room that was nothing but trophys and ribbons. He had to sell and move back East to live with family (wife had health issues), but they made sure that the chicken set up was ready and up before he ever got there. He had such beautiful birds. I loved going over and seeing him and visiting.

 

[MrsChickendad]

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That is very interesting. It would be fun if you could find some pictures of his birds. Maybe google his name and see what is out there. Don't you wish you could talk with him now?

Greetings to Tyson and Hanna from Mom and Dad! Be sure and behave well so you don't end up as Thanksgiving dinner, like Uncle Tom. . .

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:
That is very interesting. It would be fun if you could find some pictures of his birds. Maybe google his name and see what is out there. Don't you wish you could talk with him now?

Greetings to Tyson and Hanna from Mom and Dad! Be sure and behave well so you don't end up as Thanksgiving dinner, like Uncle Tom. . .

LOL...nope no for dinner for the pair. They are doing fantastic and are definitely "top birds" in the flock....little Hannah holds her own against those big bottom BRs.

The name of the gentleman from here is Paul Ashbrook. You might Google him, like I said, he is a retired pastor. His set-up was just phenominal. I could have lived in it it was so clean and set up so nice. He had a lot of money set up in his barns/runs/coops. He even had a large grassy spot fenced with a little short (about 2.5 foot high) and a pond in the middle for ducks....it was just the nicest place.

 

[MrsChickendad]

The Garden Party and Progressive Dinner

Chickendad cranked up the John Deere Wednesday morning and moved all the coops to fresh spots. Mrs. Chickendad got out the rake and garden cart and cleaned up all the stalks from the back flower garden. After all the debris was cleaned off, the garden looked like a bomb crater. Barbara and friends had been having secret spa time there, and chicken-butt-sized holes had been systematically placed in between all the daylilies and iris plants. Clearing all the dead foliage made it easier for Barbara and her friends to dig up the bulbs underneath as well.

With such an auspicious start to the day, the Chickie Girls proceeded to conduct a Coop and Garden Tour, complete with Progressive Dinner. Mrs. Chickendad started off the event with the grape appetizer. The Neighbor Next Door sent over pumpkins, which were placed outside several of the coops on the tour for the visitors to enjoy. (It was only thoughtful to think of your guests’ needs and provide natural worming treats).

After the appetizer, the first stop was the Cochin Coop. The cochins had left layer crumbles for their part of the dinner, and Barbara and Monica enthusiastically helped themselves. They checked out the cochin accommodations: fresh shavings, nice roosts and four wooden nest boxes and a trap door. There was a picture of “Mom and Dad” on the coop door that Mrs. Chickendad found at a yard sale. The boxes were nice, but rather small for the Big Butt Chickie Girls. They tried out the ramp to the pen below, checked for any missed treats and exited to the yard.

Next was the vacant truck topper coop. This coop attracted a lot of attention, as it has a basement and a an outside stairway to the loft. There is a window in the loft as well as a nest box on the outside. There was a line waiting to get in to the truck topper coop. The Ameraucana girls crowded up together on the stairs waiting to get a peek inside. There wasn’t any food in it, but the girls could relax and loll around in the fresh shavings.

The Big Chickie Girls proceeded to the flower garden. This stop on the tour included a snack of potted flowers left from the summer. Barbara’s favorite, pink petunias were the first to go. She smacked her chicken lips in satisfaction.

Over at the main coop, the bantam rocks toured both sections, helping themselves to layer crumbles and a side of oyster shell. (Someone had already eaten the oysters). They tried out all the nest boxes and one of the Little Girls left an egg for a tip.

The Sussex Girls were fascinated to explore the little rocks’ coop. It had two pop doors and two hinged windows that opened so they could hop in to the coop and the Chickendads could replace food and water easily. There was a tasty pumpkin outside the Rock Coop and the Sussex Girls enjoyed it immensely. Two of the girls have orthopedic problems, so couldn’t go on the entire tour. (note Sussex Girl coming to tour the rock coop)

The Mille Fleur cochins were all excited to be out with the Big Kids on the garden tour. One of the Little White Cochin boys renewed his relationship with Millie while she was trying to lay an egg in the box. This made Millie very cranky. She was in her egg trance when he came to romance her, and she did not appreciate his timing. Mrs. Chickendad can relate to Millie.

 

[jojo54]

love it,

Love It,

LOVE IT!!

You really have a way with words!

I can visualize all the goings on. Great job! Thanks for sharing!

 

[maurerwerks]

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[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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WAY WAY WAY too funny.

 

[sewingca]

"Barbara’s favorite, pink petunias were the first to go. She smacked her chicken lips in satisfaction."

I'm with Barbara - if I were a chicken, I would go for the pinks also! Wonderful story, MrsChickendad, as always.

 

[artsyrobin]

Absolutely wonderful! I can just imagine it- you are so good with words!

 

[kla37]

Loved the petunia bit, mine love pansies.