La Dolce Vita

This could more rightly be titled "a little of this, a little of that", but I wanted to finesse things a bit.

Donkey and chicken fans were going full blast, almost 24/7 the past few days, until the high temps broke on Sunday.  Rick elevated the donkey fan to allow for more air flow.  I know I've said it before, but he can be darn handy to have around.  I mentioned how Dee, the owner of the farm I boarded Natural at, had a fan suspended from a rafter.  So, he went out and built our fan shelf.  It really is perfect.

Speaking of horses, is this just a stunning painting -- adjacent to the women's bathroom in the Metamora General Store.  I just had to stand and gaze.

This next story/question isn't so much dolce as, "what the heck".

Buffy, at least 5 years old, has been residing in this nesting box for days.  I haven't seen her join the group during their afternoon walkabout in at least 48 hours.  Any chicken folks have a clue as to the possible reason?  Louise?  Melba?

Next post I'll introduce you to Finny, the incredible beta.

Until then, stay outta trouble.

Chonkey Hooligans

OK, most of you know I had knee surgery a couple of months ago.  Progress is steady but I'm not yet at 100%.  I keep experimenting with "back to normal".  Like adding chonkey duties.  Yesterday morning, I said to Rick that I would do morning feed.  I miss talking to the chickens. 

Mornings = cool temps, quiet time, chatty chickens, peaceful donkeys (once they get their hay).  The chickens follow me while on manure duty, pecking and talking.  About life in general.  Especially Sweet Pea who loves to climb on the fork as I'm scooping and help.

Well anyway, yesterday amid those cool quiet temps, the donkeys escaped twice.  Yea, it was my fault.  I was lax and they were bold.  So twice this new knee had to go scoot them back in.

Three chickens scooted through the gate to peck around the pasture.  Twice this new knee had to go scoot them back in. 

I finally got everyone coralled, by this time limping, and discover through my head count I'm missing Buffy.  Damn it!  Back out to the pasture, to the back corner and scoot her out from under the tree.

Hooligans!!

I haven't posted pictures of the donks lately, which they have mentioned isn't fair at all.  To appease all concerned, here are the lovelies.

      Spice on the left, Sugar on the right

By the way, I am smitten with Sugar's summer coloring

Gabs on the left, Luigi on the right (the escape instigator, of course)

Crisis Averted

A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders just minutes ago and wanted to tell you.
Whew!

Sweet Pea sat in a nesting box for over 12 hours yesterday.  Something was terribly wrong.

Now she is my favorite hen and the last of the original four I got in 2015.  She had not demonstrated any abnormal behavior or distress leading up to this strange behavior so I had no idea what to do for her.  Talk about feeling helpless.

I feared I was going to lose her too.

This morning Rick went out for first shift and reported she was up and friskier than normal.  Oh my gosh, I think I'll do the dance of joy.

Now, I will admit to you I believe in energy work.  I had a Reiki session many years ago that cemented my belief.  Someday I'll tell you about it.  Last evening I sent Sweet Pea the strongest message of healing energy I could muster.  Who knows if it helped.

    My little stinker