Independent Chickens

[3 eggs this morning] + 8 = 11

This is how the chickens take off after I let them out of their coop in the morning. I used to think that chickens stayed in a flock and traveled around together. Maybe if they were all one breed? Some of my chickens do stay together, but others head out for their own favorite spots. You can see the Light Brahmas, and Wyandotte headed left and a Wyandotte and and Australorp headed right. I wonder if ducks stick together? Geese?

Kristine wants to get some geese. But what kind?

And if we get ducks we will get Muscovy ducks (info here.)

We have had them before when Kristine raised ducks

for a 4-H project.

Muscovies are a kick! We really enjoyed having them around.

They wag their tails, head bob and hiss not quack here.

Here is a video of some Muscovy ducks head bobbing and tail wagging.

The other ducks are quacking.

We had black and white ones, but I'll look into seeing if we can get

some brown or black ones so they can blend in with the leaves.

We got four of each breed of our chickens

and the Wyandottes are the only breed we still have four.

It is my supposition that they survived predator

attack because they are harder to spot in the leaves.

Maybe?

I don't know anything about geese except

that I know I want friendly ones.

My brother had some attack geese.

Well, back to the chickens...

It does upset Morgan when her chickens are spread

out and she can't see them all.

Sometimes she will just give up and go lay on the porch.

I checked on the fruit trees again

and at least the apricot and cherry tree are making leaves.

The fig tree isn't doing much at all.

Hope it is OK.

My paths are all messed up by the rain and snow melt.

This is a good thing because it gives me more opportunity

for exercise. And even when I get the paths all raked up again

the chickens will come along and move the leaves

back onto the paths. So, I have no excuse

for not raking leaves!

Smiles

P.S. I was just reading

If Life Gives You Scraps~Make Quilts here

and she mentioned her pollen

allergies. Maybe my migraines are

triggered by pollen? I got another one. Phooey!

I would really like to start sewing again.

P.S.S. I talked to Jean today and

she can get in and out of bed by herself!

And she can go home... except

she has to wait for a bed sore to heal.

How crummy is that!!!

Well, she will be home soon and then she can come up here for a picnic and we can go to the lake and she can even fish if she wants or have Kyle fish for her.

Fruit Trees

[6 eggs today]

Apple Tree

The apple tree has small 

leaf buds getting ready

to open.

My brother and SIL planted the trees

 and I'm sure

knew how to care for them better than I have.

Cherry Tree

I missed the cherry blossoms

this year. I hope the fruit set but

with all the snow, probably not.

Fig Tree

(far right edge of photo)

The story about the little

fig tree is that it was doing fine

producing fruit until a bear 

climbed in it one day and the poor tree

has never been the same since.

I have the branches supported but I haven't seen any fruit.

Apricot Tree

All of these trees are struggling 

for their share of the sun.

I have tried pruning them

but worry that I have damaged

them because all I know about

pruning trees is just what I read

on the internet.

The cherry tree is behind the apricot tree and there is an avocado tree

on the left that has never set fruit. However, it is healthy and

makes a lot of shade besides being a lovely looking tree.

The other problem the trees have

is the poor soil. Since this is the top

of the mountain all the good soil washed away long ago.

 I put chicken compost under the trees and that

seems to help. 

I called Jean and she says she is feeling better

today and she sounds like she feels good.

Her leg needs to be stronger to

support her so she can get in and

out of bed.

Smiles