What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

Ahhh sounds like a suhc a sweet baby! Sort of like Aria's new favorite baby...Wilhelm the Screamer. He has been very depressed since Taunus died, and now seems to have a stuffy nose. I'm treating everyone for thrush because they are all stuffy and sneezy after the last rains. So much cold, windy weather with wet soil. Anyway, Wilhelm is clearly happier inside with us than outside with other chickens and when we put him in with George the rooster we intended to buy, Wilhelm would sleep under George's hackle feathers at night like he used to with Taunus. I have never had a more timid rooster!! He's just the sweetest boy and seems soooo much happier in my lap than anywhere else!

I need to Spring Clean in the yard so badly, but I just can't seem to get up the energy to do it. Good for you for getting the work done!! But keep a good eye out for spiders!! Maybe next weekend after a normal week of busyness we can finish up the EZ Frame Coop and that will motivate me. I am still really beat from visiting my Mom--she has horrible pillows and an old mattress and I am getting too old for bad pillows! I know now what she needs for Christmas!!

Poor Wilhelm! He sounds lonely and confused. I've been bringing Stan in on an afternoon for the last few days to give the neighbours a break. Demented crowing has replaced fighting but he's enjoying his afternoons in the house so much, I found him upstairs in our bedroom watching kids playing soccer across the street from the window!
I had wondered where he'd b*uggered off to...

My dad once decided my mom needed a deep fat fryer for Christmas one year. He never heard the end of it. Just bear that in mind before you gift your mom pillows.

 

[Shetland lover]

How was mom's... besides exhausting with bad pillows and lumpy mattresses (the worst). Yes, remember when I could sleep on the floor just fine. Hurts to even think of it now.
I'm kinda thinking maybe we should have an official nap day every week. Who's in?

I'm definitely up for that! I'm an insomniac but can usually manage daytime nap if forced...

 

[Shetland lover]

97 already?? OMG that’s gross that’s some serious temperature swings! I was whining about 81 and how I wasn’t acclimated to it so it felt really hot I would melt away there haha!

Oh 29 days isn’t too terrible! There’s a breeder here locally that’s kids just left for college and I think she needed a new distraction, so she got emu eggs and has been sharing her adventure with them. They’re super silly birds that just seem like lovable spaz heads They get the zoomies, trip over themselves, do funny side kicks while running…and of course, they peck at EVERYTHING! They take like 42 days to hatch! Would feel like forever waiting for them! They have the most beautiful eggs I think someday it would be fun to have one or two…but definitely need way more space for them

There was an emu farm not far from where I used to live. They are very entertaining, like the stupidest chicken you have times 100! They do make some quite unearthly noises too.

 

[Shetland lover]

Java boys here! His colors washed out and his feathers are shredded...but hoping it's just upset from the trip here. I'll start loading him up with good food though and keep my that he's healthy. Hard to tell right now but I'll have a better idea of his condition by tomorrow.View attachment 3463390View attachment 3463392
Here's my girl...her face colors how his should be too, except he should have blue face skin also. Hers is actually blue, but a pale pale pale blue.View attachment 3463396View attachment 3463397

Oh my! I want peacocks so baaad!

 

[Shetland lover]

Until you have to mow it.. then it is only good for the heart

Canada geese! They do the mowing for you! And eat anything else in sight... I remember how long it took to mow our 3/4 acre lawn when i was a kid - with a rotary push mower. Definitely great exercise!

 

[kurby22]

There was an emu farm not far from where I used to live. They are very entertaining, like the stupidest chicken you have times 100! They do make some quite unearthly noises too.

Hey!! How are you feeling?? Getting well rested? We’ve missed you

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

My unaclimated chickens were all panting yesterday around 4 pm in the heat of the afternoon! It was 77 haha...just wait till July ladies!!

Mine have been pa tong in high 60s and low 70s here as well! I bet we are in for an even worse summer than last year was the way things have been going!

I'm kinda thinking maybe we should have an official nap day every week. Who's in?

I'm down for that! In fact I think u just convinced me to go nap in the hammock DH left up by accident lol!
How's the ear healin?!

Java boys here! His colors washed out and his feathers are shredded...but hoping it's just upset from the trip here. I'll start loading him up with good food though and keep my that he's healthy. Hard to tell right now but I'll have a better idea of his condition by tomorrow.View attachment 3463390View attachment 3463392
Here's my girl...her face colors how his should be too, except he should have blue face skin also. Hers is actually blue, but a pale pale pale blue.View attachment 3463396View attachment 3463397

OMGeeze!!! I would be ecstatic! Peacocks are my spirit bird!!! I have these gorgeous ones in my bedroom! I
Best of both worlds stained glass and peacock! I would definitely get reported if I tried to have those though!
I'll live through you and cheer on the Javas!!!

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

So really rough few days...mentally and physically.
Then my d'uccle Cathy decided the grass was indeed greener on other side of our fence while enjoying some free time and the neighbor's older dog has some pep in his step after all but thankfully her flying skills are good!
Then if one close call wasn't enough she tried a second time the next day.
So I was desperately trying to get the courtyard and side coop finished but nope body gave way.
Of course the d'uccles and cochins can fly so not sure how the courtyard is gonna help them.
Anyways it's all gonna have to take a backseat cuz baby is coming tomorrow as past due date! My daughter goes in at 5am and I have the boys.
Oh...n still no finished backporch...ugh
Missed deadline #3
Ok hammocks calling my name!

 

[ChicksnMore]

Looks like the Java boy is going to be happy to have a vacation at your house! He definitely looks like he needs some good meals and less stress!

Your girl is sooo pretty! If Java boy is NOT into her he’s blind

Emu beaks are scary! That’s a legit fear I was a volunteer at the Zoo in Boise when I was in high school and one of my main jobs was helping train birds for a bird show the Zookeeper wanted to start. One of my primary duties was training the emus, they were going to be the stars because they are so food motivated and goofy haha. I learned really fast to never wear any jewelry, flappy clothing, or shiny things on my clothing/shoes. They are tall enough to be eye level, so it has taken years to get over the anxiety of their beady eyes and giant beaks trying to eat everything on me I was only 16…things seem less scary now haha. But the best part—picture me holding a tin can full of emu treats, running around their pen while they chase me trying to reach the can of food Perhaps the start of my anxieties?!? But seriously, that experience was the start of my bird obsession and why I originally went to college to be a wildlife biologist and specialize in raptors. Being practical I realized jobs in ornithology were very rare and highly competitive field and shifted to habitat instead. Probably why getting into chickens felt so much like coming home! Someday I’d like to have a bunch of birds of different kinds.

**edited because my thumbs are apparently very fat today!**

My youngest wanted to be an ornithologist for most of her childhood! She decided the same...too worried that she wouldn't be good enough to make it well in that field. Miss those days when she seemed to live for birds though.

Best part of my day was getting home and letting my flock out of their run. DH had mowed the lawn the day b4 and it was a BH&G image for my heart.
Mosquitos were lighter again last eve, almost bearable. So stoked!
Yes, feeling a tad better. Looking forward to being 100%

Hope that ear heals fast now! Ear aches are no joke.

Certain types of algae are toxic, especially blue-green algae which is toxic to most animals, including us.
I was just playing with it as a possible cause of Pua's bloody poops if cocci and worms were ruled out. Algae toxicity causes organ failure and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms non-specific - lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, and pale comb, along with diarrhea and bloody or dark droppings. Signs of poisoning occur within 30-60 minutes of ingestion and death within minutes to hours after exposure. Decreased oxygen delivery makes it difficult for the bird to breathe, and causes the chicken’s comb to change to a crimson to purple color.
It's important to look out for blue-green algae (it tends to manifest in drought conditions over here but can occur at any time) as if you suspect your animals have been drinking from affected sources, your only hope to save them is by administering activated charcoal ☆BEFORE☆ symptoms appear - and even then, it's not guaranteed to work. You should always consult a vet for advice.
There are other species of algae which are toxic but blue-green is the most commonly seen here.

I'll see what I can find recipe-wise. I'm an instinctive baker, I don't really follow recipes or measure anything (drives my DH absolutely nuts, he's a bit of a perfectionist) but I do have a National Trust baking cookbook which has lots of very traditional, authentic regional recipes in it. I use their Errdig apple scone recipe as my go-to one. I have done it with the apples - it was delicious - but I substitute whatever ingredients I feel like adding. I also have a great macaron recipe - coffee and walnut - which always goes down well. Will you be providing savoury items as well?
Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you, my arm has been really off and it's been a busy Easter.

Sorry your shoulders being rough on you! Your cooking sounds yummy! Good to see you and hope your healing ok?

Poor Wilhelm! He sounds lonely and confused. I've been bringing Stan in on an afternoon for the last few days to give the neighbours a break. Demented crowing has replaced fighting but he's enjoying his afternoons in the house so much, I found him upstairs in our bedroom watching kids playing soccer across the street from the window!
I had wondered where he'd b*uggered off to...

My dad once decided my mom needed a deep fat fryer for Christmas one year. He never heard the end of it. Just bear that in mind before you gift your mom pillows.

My mom used to ask for toilet paper for presents. She says she has everything she needs but she can always use more toilet paper!

Canada geese! They do the mowing for you! And eat anything else in sight... I remember how long it took to mow our 3/4 acre lawn when i was a kid - with a rotary push mower. Definitely great exercise!

I adore Canadian geese! They were all over in Spokane. Wish they were legal to keep in America.

So really rough few days...mentally and physically.
Then my d'uccle Cathy decided the grass was indeed greener on other side of our fence while enjoying some free time and the neighbor's older dog has some pep in his step after all but thankfully her flying skills are good!
Then if one close call wasn't enough she tried a second time the next day.
So I was desperately trying to get the courtyard and side coop finished but nope body gave way.
Of course the d'uccles and cochins can fly so not sure how the courtyard is gonna help them.
Anyways it's all gonna have to take a backseat cuz baby is coming tomorrow as past due date! My daughter goes in at 5am and I have the boys.
Oh...n still no finished backporch...ugh
Missed deadline #3
Ok hammocks calling my name!

Gotta tell your birds that that kind of heart pumping isn't good for you! Have you thought about clipping their wings to ground them?

 

[ChicksnMore]

Oi, busy day here! Java came around 7am, then had to run off for a doc visit. Was on my way home from that and got a call saying the chicks I ordered in January were here. So stopped and picked them up. 14 silver spangled hamburgs, one little yoko, and they threw in a polish baby as a free extra chick. They've all had a drink and some mash and look wonderful . Think that's the fastest shipping I've ever had. They arrived at USPS last night around 5pm-ish and got here today around 10am-ish. Amazing! .

I probably should have cancelled them, but by the time I decided that, it was so close to shipping time that I felt it wouldn't be right to the hatchery. So they're here and I am glad. No more new birds though right!?