Scenes From a Teeny Tiny Farm

 I must have looked like a nutsy "mature" woman today.  Carrying a brimming paper bag of returnables from the car to the grocery store, two fell, I see a car headed my way so I'm trying to kick one of the darn things to the side of the aisle without much success.  Suddenly a young kid comes whipping over to grab the buggers off the ground and hand them to me.  Sometimes you look your age...

On the bright side, it looks like the spring weather will hold for a bit so Rick hooked up the hose going from the house to the donkey yard.  No sustained overnight freezing temps. Which translates to no more lugging water via the wagon.  It's the small things that make all the difference.

It's a good thing our hay guy is returning to Michigan soon.  Our winter stash is dwindling and we'll be ready to get a new batch of last year's supply from him.  

Although with this new weather pattern, 1st cutting has been coming in earlier of late.  The donks will be delighted when it does.  

Chickens are loving the spring weather with the advent of free range time.

You know when friends would visit donks and both roos were showing off, invariably they'd ooh and aah over Sharone.  I, however, think Pippi is one good looking fella, just as handsome as Sharone was.

Now here's a perplexing incident.  Perhaps a week ago I found the oddest egg in the coop.  Sure looked like a shell-less hard boiled egg.  I brought it to the house to show Rick and he, of course, sliced it open to investigate further.

Because of the "rings" he theorizes the egg developed abnormally slowly until finally the hen's egg laying apparatus released it.  Yes, that is the scientific explanation.

I need to close the pasture gate this week so donkeys do not interfere with the spring grass growth.  Basically the donks have been using it as a napping site.
Here Gabby gives "the look" to Sugar and Spice, clearly indicating they are two slackards. 

For those who prefer to eat vegetarian/vegan foods, here is a thumbs up recommendation.  I've only tried the garlic & herbs but plan on taste testing all flavors. 

Last night I made a rice/beans/sweet potato/red pepper dish with a homemade sauce.  The roasted sweet potato was definitely the best part.  If you'd like me to post the recipe, give a holler.

 

Basking in the Start of Spring

 We had a glimpse of spring for a couple of days and it was sensational.  Chickens got free range, donkeys basked in the sun and happiness abounded.

And now we have late winter tugging at our knees.

Yesterday while the hens were paddling around the donkey yard in mid-60 temps, I called out to Ethel.  And she walked right over to me.  I was so tickled.

This was during the afterglow when she realized I had no treats.

I have to believe her name recognition is the result of spending time in the basement last year following the hawk(?) attack.  We spoke to her daily using her name.  
When I only had three girls way back when, it was easier to reinforce names.

You'll be relieved to see the winter spillover manure pile slowly disappearing.  Pips and Roxie and Peggy relished what was left of the pile and said "butts to you".

 Before we leave the chickens I want to return to the last post where we all said good-bye to Sharone.  The post title referred to the jinx month of February.  Not a joke.  I have not figured it out after 11 years of chicken keeping, but it's true I have often lost a bird in that dreaded month.  When the month slipped by without incident I'd said, "whew"! 
But why?  We've all made it through the worst of the winter and them, boom, someone gets sick in February.  If anyone has any ideas I'd be anxious to hear.

I'll leave you with a glimpse at Gabby.  My lovely who keeps her chic public display, even in the worst of times.

Oh shoot, forgot to take a snap of the orchid starting to open up.  I look at the buds every day and huzzah they are starting to burst open. 

February, the Dreaded Jinx Month -- Good-bye Sharone

 No prefaces, no soft intro's.

We lost Sharone on Monday.

That big beautiful boy.

He was acting lethargic so we brought him into the house Saturday evening.  On Sunday he was eating, drinking and pooping.  All a good sign.  I wondered if he had a slight infection and just needed a few days of rest (Pippi had been picking on him in the coop).  But when I got home Monday evening, Rick told me he had died. 

And of course the guilt sets in - what could I have done.

In tribute, let's look at the boy in 2023.  See the progression as his color blossomed:

 

If you recall, I was not pleased when I discovered the "hen" I had purchased was not a hen.  I had avoided roosters hearing/reading the horror stories of aggression toward hens and people.

But Sharone was never aggressive.  Just a big sweet boy.

Sweet Pea was alive when he arrived and when his hormones kicked in. As he tried to get cozy with her, she puffed up like a banshee and told him who was boss.  He said, "fine ma'am" and backed away.

His job after Pippi arrived was rescuing the girls.  Pippi would charge after one of the hens, she'd be squawking in protest, and Sharone would scurry over to tell Pips to back off.  Now the girls have no protection from the sex maniac.

The kick in the pants is he was so young;  he was approaching three years in April.  

The last photo I have of the boy was of him hanging with Jo.  I had intended to tell you I thought they were an item, but now...

Chicken Madness

 There has been much celebration in this part of Michigan the past few days.  Cold temps have broken and we're basking in the 30's and low 40's.  And finally we have naked donkeys -- no blankets!

Chickens are doing the happy dance too.  Spending much more time in the porch.  
But here you'll see the crazy antics of goofy clucks.  A roo and hen sharing a nesting box while a loudmouth exclaims to everyone that this is just not right.

And then we have the rooster yodeling competition and a little peek at the sex fiend. (if you're sensitive avert your eyes...)

Last post, one of the African violets showed off, and this week one of the orchids is saying, "look at me!".

It won't be long.

Scenes from a Teeny Tiny Farm

Yes, we're in the midst of an snowy deep freeze, BUT we have power.  And for that I am grateful.

Donks have had blankets on for a week and will have them on until Monday when the overnight temp is in double digits.  And yes, we have a radiant heater in the coop.  Those readers are in the never-ever-put-a-heater-in-the-coop camp, so be it.  We can agree to disagree. 

Although this might look brutal, donks are OK.

They're getting extra hay rations which is the primary way to keep that internal fire going.
Of course the blankets help a lot and they have a nice bedding layer to insulate from the ground.

Yes, sometimes it's helpful to separate the two bully girls from Gabby so she doesn't get ganged up on.  Plus, you lucky readers get to see the amazing manure pile.  In the mornings we push the wheelbarrow into the donkey yard to collect manure, but when we go out mid-day and evening and the donks have pooped their hearts out in the barn and the dining areas, ya gotta put it somewhere. 

Now, you've got to admit, the donkeys demonstrated artistic creativity in this snow pattern.

Chickens are not happy with this weather.  We keep the coop closed up when the temps stay super duper cold during the day and that's no fun.  They do find ways to amuse themselves.  Witness Pippi's antics in the nesting box.  And yes, the stinker stops when I say his name. 

Keep Faith in your thoughts next week.  She's scheduled for major dental surgery at Michigan State University.  The princess is 11 years old (12 in March) so I do worry about her ability to pop back.

I caught her in a rare sunny spot which is why she looks a bit slitty-eyed.

Last, but not least, the African violet is blooming.  A somewhat rare occurrence so definitely worth noting.

And yes, I'm still following the Walk for Peace.  I encourage you to too.

Through Thick and Thin - Ice

 Ease of care for the animals has been dictated by the back-and-forth weather conditions since before the holidays.
Snow, ice, snow, warm with rain which means ice, snow and now another bout of slush and ice.

With all my heart I can say emphatically:  I hate the ice.

Navigating the driveway to get to the animals when it's covered with ice feels life threatening.  But this comes from someone with balance issues, as you know.

At it's worst, out came the shavings covered path to help us get from the gate to the barn, and helping the donkeys as well.  They walk v.e.r.y carefully in icy conditions.

Of course, now it is topped with a layer of snow and a thin layer of ice.  So much for solid footing.

Right after Christmas we loaded 45 bales to last through March when our hay guy returns to town.  Icy conditions made that chore lots of fun.

All for the donks.

Last post I showed you the citrus tree.  It did get embellished further and I'll hate to take it down.

Lastly I must end with the Walk for Peace that it happening right now.  If you haven't heard about it, a group of Buddhist monks from Texas are walking about 2300 miles to Washington D.C.  In the name of compassion and peace.  You can follow it on Facebook, and I believe Instagram as well.  I follow the photos and videos daily and am in awe.  At times, words simply cannot express my emotions.  They ask that we daily say, "Today is going to be my peaceful day."  Try it. 

Fa La La, a Citrus Tree

 First things first.
The weather.
Yes, we got another dump last week.  Maybe six inches.

Please do not say, "oh my, isn't it pretty".  Not when the tractor doesn't run so Rick can't plow the very long driveway and you cannot leave. 

More shoveling in the donkey yard for places to throw hay.  Since they don't like to forge their own trails, much manure can be found in the dining areas which must be cleared before throwing hay.  And much manure in the barn overnight.  And then there's this.  In the barn.

 Manure in the feed bowl.  Happens a lot.  Why, I ask.  I never receive an answer.

Last post we talked about the hens being on strike.  Big news -- one egg yesterday.  The first in at least a couple of weeks.  Could it be the new feed?  Could it be the parsley tea I've put in their water twice (after reading an article in one of my chicken magazines).  And, the girls actually ventured into the barn during morning chores.  This is normal during warm weather but they've really been off their game recently.

One of the sights I always enjoy is seeing the deer wandering in the woods in the back of the house.  It's hard to see here, but there seems to be a herd of about seven girls frequenting the area.

 On a final note, let me show you the newest holiday decoration.  The citrus tree.
When my son arrived on Thanksgiving he brought slices of various dehydrated citrus slices.  Meant for the Christmas tree.  But we decided to create our own citrus tree with slices having spaces large enough for a ribbon.

A cordless lamp on the windowsill lights the slices up quite well.  I may add some small red balls.  But maybe not.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, enjoy family, friends, good food and relaxing days.