No Control!

Morgan was barking so I went outside to find out what was going on and I spotted this egg when I walked up to the pen. That hen has no control! Tom says she just stops wherever and whenever and lays her egg. I think it is an Australorp hen who has the control issue. The egg is wet when it is laid and so the dirt side of this egg needed washing. It is soooo much nicer when the hens lay their eggs in the straw. I never did find out what Morgan was upset about.

Kristine was out checking on Morgan also and she picked up a couple of Orpingtons just because she could. She called me over to see this hen because she said the hen must weigh at least ten pounds. Our Orpingtons are such calm birds. Sweet chicken. When Kristine put the hen on the ground and kept ahold of her sides all the hen did was sidestep slowly and stretch her wings a few times. Kristine said that this was an example of an Orpington having a panic attack. Kristine is so funny!

After I hung up the clothes, I took a photo for no good reason other than I like how the clothes look drying out on the clothesline. I like how the clothes smell all outdoorsy and fresh. And I like clothespins especially the old timey ones. I'll take a photo of some of the ones I have that came with the old old clothespin bag that Tom found. I even have one with a wire around the top so the pin won't split. And here is a YouTube video that made me laugh. How to hang your wash properly here. I think I failed.

[12 eggs today]

Smiles

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Surprise!

Wow! Look at the surprise we found in the mail this evening. Rhiannon drew some lovely pictures, made some art work and wrote loving messages on the birthday card and envelopes that we sent her for her birthday. Thank you, Rhiannon! You are quite an artist! Thank you for thinking of us and sending us back your beautiful pictures! There are hearts, rainbows, flowers, faces, and best of all, Rhiannon, wrote lots of "I Love You" on the cards. We love you too, Rhiannon!

In this photo are also some of the letters I am making for Jaidan's quilt. I'm going to make his quilt first because it will have things like pockets, zippers, and snaps for him to play with when he is little. If I wait to make his quilt later, he will be too old to enjoy playing with the things. Don't worry, I will make a quilt for Rhiannon and Tristan. And one for you too, Kathleen. I need to make one for Kristine too.

The hens have finally figured out that the corn is in this feeder. The chickens would much rather eat the corn when scattered on the ground. Maybe the reason they took so long to eat the corn out of the metal feeder is that they don't like the sound their beaks make when they peck at the corn and hit the metal. I guess they just had to get used to the noise.

Tanya here warned me about the coyotes being dangerous to Morgan. This is very true. Kristine and I have talked about this problem. Kristine said that the coyotes up the mountain in Tahoe are larger, more wolf size, than the coyotes we have around here and they run in packs and they will for sure kill dogs. One of their tactics is to send in a female coyote to play with the dog and lure it out into the woods where the pack will kill the dog. The coyotes here are smaller and the most we have seen together has been two. I saw one by the chicken pen once. If we had the larger coyotes or packs here I would have to leave the chickens in their pen and keep Morgan inside the house.

Our neighbors put up a tall chain link fence to protect their little dog. Small dogs and cats and children here are also vulnerable. If Morgan was smaller I would be afraid to leave her outside. And I must admit that I do have some worries about the coyotes. Several times a day, Tom walks his male dog along the fence that circles our property and his dog lifts his leg on the fence regularly and marks it with his scent. I think that sent marking may have something to do with warning the coyotes away. I hope. We remain vigilant.

[9 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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Collecting Eggs

Here is a Dark Brahma in the basket next to a bunch of eggs in the bookcase nest box. The hen is hot and she is panting with her beak open. Poor Baby. I'm surprised and pleased that the hens have taken to the bottom nest box and are laying their eggs there instead of on the dirt. There was one egg in the basket under the hen. I will check back later to see if this hen laid the egg and was just setting or if she is going to lay an egg.

These three were in the top nest box

There was one egg under this broody Golden Lace Wyandotte.

She is so pretty!

And this egg was in the large bottom nest box. See, I really do need to add some more straw to the boxes. But it is so hot I get dizzy out there. Kristine is home so I should be able to get to sleep earlier tonight and get up when it is cooler. I found a bunch of paint and I have been thinking of painting the chicken coop and pen. My first thought was to let the white paint finish falling off and then stain the wood. But that is going to take too long. My brother made this pen and coop originally as a dog pen, and he made it from old horse fencing that was painted white. I really don't like the white, but I may decide to go with it and paint the whole thing white. The door is white, so that would work. Maybe?

I added a comment box in the sidebar that will even translate the comments. How cool is that. I tried it out and it worked, so if it gets used I will keep it in the side bar. Seems like a lot less bother than all the clicking around the regular way.

[11 eggs today]

So far...

(another egg in the basket = 12 eggs today!)

Smiles

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Late Snack

This evening there were only 6 hens on their roosts getting settled for the night when I went to lock the coop. I went inside with a flashlight to count them before I locked the door. I don't want to lock some chickens out for the night. I have to be careful because there are some like Hen/Roo who stay out in the woods until it is almost dark. So I count. Tricky business counting chickens on the move. Yep, still 18 chickens.

The broody Wyandotte was in a nest box all fluffed up and cooing at me. The rest of the chickens were out in the pen having a late snack. Maybe it is too hot for them to eat during the day and they fill their crops before going to bed. They are not eating as much as the usually do during this hot weather. I think they spend most of the day under the house. Today I was ready to crawl under there and cool off with them.

This is the first batch of jeans that I cut up to use for piecing a quilt. I have since cut up another wash load of cloths. I think I will try to make a crib size quilt and a throw size quilt. It would be great if I could get three quilts out of the pile of pieces I have stacked. Next step is for me to start cutting small pieces of material for letters. I want to put names and words on the quilts. I use the Lazy Gal Quilting tutorial here to make the letters. I'm so glad I found her site here.

[8 eggs today]

Smiles

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Needs Eyes

Kristine said that she is going to bring me home some googly eyes for this Snack Chicken. This is another find I made. I made this chicken over ten years ago and lost the basket it sat over during the move up here. The wings lift up so you can reach inside and pick up a goody.

Or you can just pop the chicken off the bowl. I found the bowl the other day and decided that instead of getting rid of it I might be able to use it with the chicken. It is not a great fit. The bowl should be taller to hold the chicken up higher, but it will work. Right now the bowl holds snack bars and candy. Any wrapped items should work out ok.

The chickens laid four eggs in the tall bottom nest box. I wonder if hens that usually lay eggs in the woods are laying in the coop or some hens have started laying every day? I check all the boxes carefully before I lock up at night, so I know the eggs aren't left over from the day before.

I have another load of old clothes in the wash that I'm getting ready to cut up for quilt piecing. I'll post a photo tomorrow. Maybe I'll even get another batch in the wash tomorrow. I have another box to look through. All the old hoodies and sweatshirts would make great backing for the jean quilts. I'm going to have fun with this project. I'm having to overcome my reluctance to cutting up clothing. But this a lot cheaper than buying fabric and a great way to recycle.

It was hot today. And it is going to be hot. It is 10:30 pm and it is 80 degrees in the house. Not too bad. No breeze. The fire is 100 percent contained. It burned 643 acres.

[Wow! 13 eggs today]

Smiles

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Snack Time

This afternoon I went out to the coop and nailed the nest basket to the back wall. There was another egg by the basket on the floor. I guess the hen was worried the basket would tip over again? The hens have decided they really like the bottom nest box in the bookcase thingy that I turned around in hopes they would use instead of laying eggs in the dirt. I need to put some new straw in all the nest boxes, but I have been waiting for some cooler weather.

Or I could get up earlier. I have been going to bed late because I stay up until after the house cools down so I can close all the windows and doors and trap the cool air in the house. The cool air comes down the mountain around three in the morning.

I cut up the jeans into strips and sections that I can use to piece together for a quilt top. I still need to go through some of the old clothes for some other material. Colors or prints? I still have the Japanese quilt to make. Maybe if I can get this jean quilt made without the migraines attacking I can get back to the other quilt.

The hens appreciated the cold refrigerated peach and apples for their snack time. The chickens have a fun time chasing and running around with the "balls."

[9 eggs today]

Smiles

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Gloves and Socks

It's hot! I'm melting. Short post tonight. Here are two more neat things that I found that I want to hang on to for awhile because of sentiment. Also they don't take up much room and I may use the gloves and I just might try knitting again. The gloves are from Tom's Grandmother Mary.

And the knitting stuff is from Tom's mother Dolores. The sock patterns are for women's socks and for a man's tie. I think this stuff dates from the 50's, maybe before? I have a pair of socks she was knitting put away somewhere. I'll find them and put all this together. I would hate for this bit of family history to hit the garage sale. Who knows... I may finish up the sock someday?

We have fires in the area. Scary. The firefighters did a great job fighting the fire yesterday! This is the time of year I start thinking of moving to the Oregon or Washington coast so I can have all that lovely wet weather. We have months more of this bone dry weather. I can hope for rain but it isn't going to happen.

[9 eggs today]

One egg broke when the basket tipped over.

I'll have to nail the basket to the wall tomorrow!

Smiles

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Jeans and Clothespins

Isn't it thoughtful of Morgan and the hens to come and admire the clothespin bag I just hung out on the line. I really don't know why they are there. I didn't notice Morgan when I took the photo. I was just trying to get the chickens in the picture. The hens didn't stay there very long. I think they were scratching around in the dirt looking for something or were going to dust or they were watching me hoping for a treat?

While going though my stuff I found some jeans and then decided they would make a great bag for the clothespin bag that Tom found somewhere. It was very old and in dire need of a new bag. That whitish thing is the old bag. The poor thing was falling apart.

I went the easy route of just cutting off the legs and sewing two seams. I cut a few holes in the waistband to allow the metal ring to slide through. There was a wing nut faster thingy that came apart easy enough and I finally got the wires back in the right slots.

Since I found a good use for the old jeans I decided to make a quilt out of the rest of them and some old corduroy pants I found. This will save on me buying fabric and should be fun. I was reading this blog today that referred to a post here about using old clothes for quilts. So, I thought I would give it a try. I will have to go through the box of clothes again with the idea of using some of them for quilting. But I don't want a bunch of old clothes stuck in a box in a closet, so the clothes I decide to keep I will cut up into strips. My plan is to wash them, iron them and have them ready to sew. That's the plan. I have no idea why the text changed color. Must be something I did when I added color to the "here."

[11 eggs today]

Smiles

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Egg In The Basket

This basket is one of the things that I found when I was sorting through over thirty years of stuff to donate to our town garage sale. I have sooooo much stuff to get rid of that I don't know quite where to start. My approach so far has been to sort through small areas like closets.

I have moved on to a small storage area that has been used as a catch all spot. I am tossing stuff! All that stuff that was saved because we might need it, or once used it, or someone gave it to us, or it's was something the kids had or... There was some kind of reason it got put away. Now I only want to save things that I love, that I use, and that are too expensive to toss.

I remember talking to a lady once who said that people spend the first thirty years of their life collecting stuff and the next thirty years getting rid of it. Sounds about right to me.

Just once in awhile I see something that I think I might find a use for and keep the item. Amazing, but a chicken has decided that she likes the little basket and she has made a round little nest.

Cute. I will keep trying to get a photo of the hen in the basket. When I remember the camera the basket is empty. The hen I saw in the basket yesterday was a Dark Brahma. Today I gave the chickens a peach and two apples for a treat. I will try to get a video of the hens chasing the "ball." Pretty funny stuff!

[11 eggs today]

Smiles

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Metal Corn Feeder

All the feeders are hanging in the pen again. It is a good thing that the hens are not in the pen very long because the feeders are taking up a lot of the room. It was hard to get a photo because the hens were all moving around so much. Today they were very vocal. Noisy. Somedays I think they make more noise than a rooster. They don't seem to like the metal feeder. When I put the corn in the plastic feeder they would eat it all up in a day or two. Not so with this new feeder. It has been three days and the corn is only down a few inches. Interesting...

Lately I have been going through stuff to pack up and donate to a local town sale. I found this plastic table cloth and had the idea of using it as a top for the swing. The cloth top it had finally sun rotted and shredded and I was going to sew up a replacement, but I thought why not try this out and see how it works. I used a clip on each end and used some large gold safety pins along the sides with duct tape in the middle for strength. I was going to sew a pocket along each side for the rod, but I thought the stitching would act like a line of perforation and it would come apart fairly quickly. So, I used the duct tape and safety pins. It is colorful, keeps the sun off and it was quick. And I didn't have to buy anything. I like finding other uses for things.

[9 eggs today]

Smiles

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Found Plants

Today I wandered around the property looking for plants I could transplant to my little green garden. I think the plants I found are all native plants. But who knows? This area was all gone over many times by gold miners, then settled and abandoned and found again. Except for the poison oak and the California Rose here I don't know what these plants are. The first plants I found were a large crop of poison oak. Lovely green stuff. But, no. Next I found a little round leafed plant. So I dug this up.

Then I found this little ferny plant next to some poison oak. Dug it up.

Not the poison oak.

Next I found this little wild california rose. The ground is very dry and hard and the root is hard to get out. Didn't get much of a root on any of these plants, so I don't have too much hope of them taking root. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Then I found this little plant with pointy tip leaves.

It was hard to dig up.

Doesn't look like much. The little plants are all planted in among the myrtle and ivy and some other volunteers. Morgan is eating grass. There are only a few grass plants, but she found them. Now all I have to do is remember to water this spot every day and twice on very hot days. I still want to get some flowers. I'll see if I ever get to the store. Tom does the shopping. He is not interested in buying flowers. Maybe I'll ask Kristine. Maybe we can go shopping?

[9 eggs today]

Smiles

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Green Garden

Even though this hen is dark against the background she still has a way of blending in with the straw on the ground, especially the area around her head. The hens can practically disappear in the woods when they hold still. However, holding still is not something they do very often. I like this Dark Brahma for her hennyness. I just made that word up, but she does look to me like what a hen should be. And she is calm, sweet, and fluffy. And lays eggs!
This is my little green garden from the driveway and that is Morgan wondering why I shut the gate and didn't let her out when I left. See, ivy does well in the shade, summer and winter.
And here is the garden from the inside. Yes, I had Morgan sit so she would be in the photo. I haven't been to the store to get any plants. I think tomorrow I will walk around the property and see if I can find any volunteers growing. Maybe some natives? Most of the plants in this garden are myrtle or ivy. I'll see what I can find. I know there is a lot of poison oak out there. Poison oak is a lovely plant and very hardy, but I don't want to plant any in this space.

[9 eggs today]

Smiles

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