The Front Porch Swing

[lovingmyhens]

Thank you for all your compliments! I've been so lucky to find some people who truly love the eggs I paint. It is rare to find someone, however, who will see these eggs and love them the way I do as I paint them. It's a gift to feel that sort of kismet. That's why I prefer to do personalized eggs for people. They order it and I try my hardest to portray their vision.

I've thought about eBay, but I think I prefer for everything to be super personal. People on eBay are essentially bidding in something and for all I know, it'll be an impulse but that will end up in a box tucked away in their closet. These little eggs really need to be appreciated. I know, it's silly. I'm just weird, I guess, haha!

Having a conure egg to paint would be so cool! Mom and I were laughing today because we were playing of a game of "Which of These Things is Not Like the Other".

Hehe! My sister asked me to keep her cockatiel for awhile and she's laid a couple eggs. My sister told me to blow them out and paint them, so now I'm gonna have a couple super fancy (and small) eggs. They are actually next to some game bird eggs, which tells you how small they are, haha!
That's so awesome! I'm glad you are starting out your flock anew. The chicks look so cute!

We couldn't go to the feed store today, so we are going tomorrow. Another chick died today, so I'm going to open up the brooder and see what's going on. I might need to replace the box I was using for them. I'm gonna see if I can find a huge box and just fill it with shavings and use a red heat bulb instead if a normal lightbulb. It'll be harder to maintain the temperature, but I think the humidity won't be as bad.
Thank you!
Happy birthday!

I got called around 10PM today and found out something really spectacular.

I was hired as the lead graphic designer at a local print shop! I start working Wednesday, 40 hours a week! I thought I was only going to get a part time job but heck, I've never worked full time before! I'm pumped! So many exclamation points!

Mom is concerned about the flock now that I'll be working so many hours, but I can handle work, chickens and bring about world peace if I put my mind to it.

I think we all under estimate ourselves! You go girl!

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

No big black rooster?????    Won't you miss his fwosted wittle face?      A fresh start is always a good thing...that's why these people that keep their hens into nonlaying retirement are really missing out.  An old bird is an old friend and I too am susceptible to their charms, but new hens have a new story and many of those stories are just wonderful editions for a library of flock experience.  That's how life is...constant renewal, a new year, a new spring, a new story.  Blessings on your new flock and may they also follow your old flock wherever they may go. 

I know, Bee ! I hate to break Rodney up from his ladies so that's why he's going too ! I'm gonna miss all my birds but a new beginning is sometimes refreshing and I can't wait for new stories and such with a new flock. I'll be without chickens for a couple of months but I'm sure it will be worth the wait once the new roo and his ladies arrive ! Blessings to you my friend and I trust all is well

 

[Gldnrose]

GUESS WHAT???? I have 6 chicks!!! 3 Americaunas and 3 Speckled Sussexs. The feed store is getting Australorps in on the 19th and I put my money down for 3. Guess who is smiling???? DH has the camera, will post pictures later tonight.

Lisa

I thought they had gone down for the night, but this little lady was on top of the EcoGlow!!! Lisa

Awwww......so CUTE! Glad you got some new chicks. I hope it all goes well for you )

The painted egg is absolutely gorgeous!

Lisa, I am so happy you got chicks!

Deb, so glad they found your grandma's car, sorry about the condition.

Tomorrow is my birthday, I am so excited! I love birthdays. I am turning 45 this year. And it is supposed to be a high of 60 degrees tomorrow!

Michelle

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Enjoy the day )

Hello I come from Va. along with Boots, got a dog biscket?

I brought some home made dog peanut butter biscuits we make from left over grains from my husbands beer brewing for Boots and anyone else that has a pup that wants one.

15 days til spring!
45 degrees (YAY!) - 76% humidity (YUCK!) - Expected to get to 57 degrees today ...but rain - but 57 degrees (YAY!!!)

Yay for SPRING! So excited. Today is actually pretty nice, mid 30's. I'll take it! Way better than the negative temps we have been having. Its Daylight Savings time already too!

Off with her head. Here's an experiment...keep her confined for a bit where she can still see the flock and they her, but keep her penned for a couple of weeks and see if this tail end damage stops while she's gone. If it does, take out the problem and don't try to work around it. It's a bird problem at that point, not a flock problem. Easy fix, that one.

Hmmm, I'd have to do some reconfiguring of my coop to separate her like that. I'll have the husband go out there with me and see if/how it can be done. I don't want to "off" her just yet. I guess I didn't mention, but she has the same problem going on with her too, so it could be others take turns doing it (I've only caught her doing it) or it is indeed a bug problem. So I'd rather wait and see.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:

Too much trouble. Just wait and see if your treatments will work....soothing butt oil of castor and the dusting may just solve the problem then. I can't wait to see what happens!

 

[enola]

Try raising the roost to a place higher than she can reach with her hopping pecker......

 

[Gldnrose]

Too much trouble. Just wait and see if your treatments will work....soothing butt oil of castor and the dusting may just solve the problem then. I can't wait to see what happens!

I'll definitely let you know.

Try raising the roost to a place higher than she can reach with her hopping pecker......

I did think of that. Originally we had the roost higher and I was afraid it was too high because they are fairly large birds and boy when they jumped off of it you could hear the 'thump" pretty clearly. I had a ramp for them when it was higher but they never used it. They would just jump up onto roost and jump back off when they wanted down. I had also read somewhere that with the larger birds to keep them a little lower so they don't get injured. Last night I thought about raising it again but these guys can/will jump up past my waist if they think I've got a good treat for them and am to slow giving it to them, lol. It's still an option I'm considering though.

 

[Beekissed]

I'll definitely let you know.

I did think of that. Originally we had the roost higher and I was afraid it was too high because they are fairly large birds and boy when they jumped off of it you could hear the 'thump" pretty clearly. I had a ramp for them when it was higher but they never used it. They would just jump up onto roost and jump back off when they wanted down. I had also read somewhere that with the larger birds to keep them a little lower so they don't get injured. Last night I thought about raising it again but these guys can/will jump up past my waist if they think I've got a good treat for them and am to slow giving it to them, lol. It's still an option I'm considering though.

I have the one of the heaviest breeds going and I've had them on roosts of 4, 5, and 6 ft. without any issues....never had an injury. Those birds have thick, strong legs built for the stress of their weight. My current roosting for these gals is about 4.5 ft. and they have one stump to get up on all the roosts and they can use some little roost bars in front of the nests if they so wish but most of them just fly up and fly down.

That's also where some cushy deep litter is a bonus as well.

 

[Searsmom]

GUESS WHAT???? I have 6 chicks!!! 3 Americaunas and 3 Speckled Sussexs. The feed store is getting Australorps in on the 19th and I put my money down for 3. Guess who is smiling???? DH has the camera, will post pictures later tonight.

Lisa

YAY!!!

Soo glad to have it back.... But it needs Serious detailing inside....

deb "pasting pre typed post before the computer freezes..... AGAIN:

That's great though! you got it back! Will insurance cover your costs?

Tomorrow is my birthday, I am so excited! I love birthdays. I am turning 45 this year. And it is supposed to be a high of 60 degrees tomorrow!
painted egg is absolutely gorgeous!
Michelle

Happy Birthday!!

Inc ome the triage team .... two paddle charged with cream cheese frosting.... Charging... Clear... the paddles deliver the equivalent of Two cookies..... Clear... Three cookies... Boom.... Are you OK? ... Good to go with One cookie shoved in your mouth. But Dang I still keep seeing the Chickie...

deb

LOL my 5-yr old keeps asking me what's so funny and can she see? Nope. Tried to explain it. Nope.

I was hired as the lead graphic designer at a local print shop! I start working Wednesday, 40 hours a week! I thought I was only going to get a part time job but heck, I've never worked full time before! I'm pumped! So many exclamation points!

Congratulations!!!

wish granted

OMGosh, can I print that, laminate it and hang it in my yard?

A sure sign the Spring is on its way.

So within the next month my current flock will be re-homed and I will be picking up 8 week old pullets and one roo in early June. For pullets I will be acquiring 4 Blue Australorps, 4 Golden Laced Wyandottes and 3 Buff Orpingtons, and for the roo, he'll be a Golden Laced Wyandotte... Their plumage is stunning !

Oh my, I would love to have one of those Gold Laced Orpingtons that are going around. I just love the gold lacing. They had silver laced wyandottes at TSC, good thing they weren't gold or I'd have brought home birds yesterday. Someone would be most upset at me if I got more.... But I've heard that combination you have is how they came up with the gold laced orpingtons.

Everyone is so happy and has good news! It just makes my day. We are getting up into the 60s here and my spring fever has sprung.

 

[Beekissed]

Spring cleaning today....got my bedroom tore to jake and back. So does the Ol' Bat. Wasn't planning on it but it just happened that way...this spring weather will give one a cleaning bug!!

Bleaching everything in sight, sweeping cobwebs that have their own zip codes and municipal buildings, and finding things that make me ashamed and wanting to hand in my Mom Card...such filth!!!

Psssssst! <whispers> Don't tell my boys.....

I'd never be able to nag them again!

 

[enola]

Spring cleaning today....got my bedroom tore to jake and back. So does the Ol' Bat. Wasn't planning on it but it just happened that way...this spring weather will give one a cleaning bug!! e Bleaching everything in sight, sweeping cobwebs that have their own zip codes and municipal buildings, and finding things that make me ashamed and wanting to hand in my Mom Card...such filth!!! Psssssst! Don't tell my boys..... I'd never be able to nag them again!

I used to blame the house mess on the kids. But there are no kids in THIS house !!!!