Look Ma, Feathers!

We want out! Now!

The hens were making lots of noise when I went out to give them some lettuce and cantaloupe. About half of the hens were out in the pen walking around on the wet ground and acting like they were confused about the mud. They weren't scratching and they wanted out. Tomorrow. Tomorrow they can go out in the woods, but they have had to stay inside yesterday and today, because I don't want to let Morgan out in the rain. The chickens are fine in the rain, but poor Morgan gets too wet and dirty.

The middle photo is of Orp-Roo (in the front) and shows that she has grown her feathers back in finally. I found the duct tape in the pen the other day and knew her saddle had come off, but didn't spot which Orpington was Orp-Roo until today. She is much improved. When I put the duct tape on her she didn't have any feathers on her back and her wings were bare at the shoulder too. Now she is fluffy.

All the green on the ground has been blown there by the storm along with other stuff out of the trees. I can start my raking campaign tomorrow. I'll rake a few hours every day. That's the plan.

I got the drawer fronts on the cabinets! I'll paint as soon as it is warm enough to open the windows.

[no eggs as of 6 pm]

I think the chickens are mad at me

for locking them up.

Smiles

!:>

Feathered Fashionista

This photo of Orp-Roo makes me smile. I wonder if they have brown or orange duct tape I could use for Fall. I took this yesterday when the hens were having their treat. Poor thing, she still looks pretty bad and has not started replacing her feathers. If she starts molting she is really going to be a sad case. Silly girl thinks she is a rooster. My miter saw is under that green tarp on the picnic table hiding from any freak rain or dew.

This morning when Kristine was in a hurry to get out the door she had to stop to admire this little critter. She was laughing as she watched as it carefully washed its feet. I ran and got the camera and this was the best photo I was able to take. Kristine had stayed to have breakfast and was running late, but found a little time to look at the critter. There's always time for bugs.

Fall? Not so you would notice. Not yet. I thought I would take this pic so I have something to compare new Fall photos with. Things around here still look like summer. There are a few leaves on the ground, but not many.

Not too bad from a moving car. I was surprised to see the Fall colors when I looked at the pic in iphoto. I didn't notice the orange as we were speeding past. I have seen such lovely photos of Fall scenes on the blogs I read. Things around here will just get more dried up and out. But the pines will keep things green for us. Thankful for the evergreens!

Got the board primed again and painted and it looks good, so tomorrow I will prime and paint the doors. I'll make a stab at hand sanding some of the wood in the kitchen. I have to be careful with the sanding, because Kristine has asthma. Also, I need to find a piece of wood to cover the end of the counter or I need to have Tom pick up some more sheet rock. I did get the cabinet nailed securely in the corner. I try to get a little bit done each day. Eventually, I will get it finished if I just keep working.

[7 eggs today]

Smiles

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Saddle's Still On!

Orp Roo got duct taped again this morning and she was not at all happy about the experience. I was surprised that there were no pin feathers growing on her back. That look she is giving me says go away! Henny Penny's saddle was loose because she is growing feathers, but not coming off, so I didn't mess with her. Putting duct tape on chickens is not my favorite thing to do. I'm glad Henny Penny is growing feathers, but Orp Roo's back is still bare. At least it is not sunburned anymore. Hopefully, when she molts this year she will grow new feathers. Kristine said she would suspect mites, but the other chickens are Ok and Henny Penny's feathers are growing back so the feather loss must be from something else.

The broody Golden Lace Wyandotte is very happy in all her new straw where she has burrowed down and made herself very comfortable. She doesn't roost and sleeps in the nest box and is always here except when I pick her up and set her down in the pen so she will go eat and drink. Kristine and I keep talking about getting a chick from the feed store and sticking it under her just to see what she would do. But we really don't want anymore chickens. Poor broody hen. No chicks.

Although, there are times I would like a Light Brahma rooster that didn't crow or jump on the hens and make them miserable. Too bad roosters don't come that way. I do miss our big Light Brahma rooster, Brutus, that the coyote got. He was so gentle. My neighbor called us that day and said that a fox had one of our chickens, but Kristine and Tom said it was a coyote.

Morgan wasn't out with the chickens that day because for some reason we were keeping her inside and then someone let the chickens out. Kristine says she sees coyotes come through the yard early in the morning before we let Morgan outside. So, the coyotes do keep checking and hope to get lucky and find the chickens unprotected.

There is the little round plant that Kristine brought home yesterday. I mixed half a bag of potting soil with the dirt I dug out of the hole and used that mixture under and around the plant.I hope it will be happy in that spot and do well. I don't have a green thumb and I rely on plants that are basically survivors. Native plants are my favorites. Weeds do well also.

[13 eggs today]

I think the hens like the new straw!

Smiles

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Found Basket

Here is another find from years gone by. I sewed the fabric insert and the "wings" top for this little basket. There are pockets on the sides and in the top for thread, needles and such. I wish I could have found a chicken basket, but at the time we had ducks too, so having a duck sewing basket seemed a good idea. I think blue must have been my favorite color then.

Kristine brought this plant home to me today. It is called Armeria "maritima Bloodstone" a 6 to 10 inch evergreen perenial for borders. It has sea pink flowers. Well, not now, I dead headed the few that were there and I will plant this in the green garden. It is supposed to do well with two or three hours of sun a day. It is hardy to 0 degrees, so it may not last the winter, but it is supposed to do well in the winters up here. We'll see.

I went out this evening and put new straw in the nest boxes, but when I went to take photos the battery need charging. Phooey. I have to catch the two duct tape hens and replace their saddles. Orp Roo's saddle came off completely and Henny Penny's saddle is loose. I charged the battery so I hope for photos of the chickens tomorrow.

[11 eggs today]

Smiles

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