Dingbat Donkeys

What an odd sight awaited me yesterday morning when I approached the gate for morning feed.
Three dingbat donkeys were napping -- before breakfast!

I'm actually not sure I've ever seen them do that before.  It was odd.

And then we have the episode where I thought little donkey feet were going to step all over me.  No, I was not happy.  Let's not forget they're 300# or so.

I have always thought Gabby to be my beauty girl.  To my eyes, her looks are striking.

 The shape of her face, her coloring, her markings.  I've thought all the donkeys -- Luigi, Francesca, Alice, Sugar, Spice were/are winning in their own way.  But Gabariella is my beauty girl. 

I Am Smitten!

 On July 5, little Pippi joined the wonderful(?) world of our teeny tiny farm.

She was picked up by the Michigan Humane Society, apparently wandering the side of the road.  They estimate her age to be two months and she's such a little thing we're wondering if she's a bantam.  They named her Pippi because she's a pipsqueak.

When I picked her up from MHS the staff person put his hand out, as you would for a parakeet and she climbed on, after which he took his hand to his shoulder and she hopped off.  I tried it too. 

She chatters all the time in a soft voice.  Except when she's provoked by one of the big girls.

She's been with us over a week and she's been kept segregated with the usual screened division in the coop so the big girls (+Sharone) and she can see, smell and talk with each other.  When the big girls went out for free range there was some fresh air visiting.

Last weekend I let her out to free range for an hour each day.

 Oh my, what a grand time she had.  And how hard to get her back in!  It can be difficult to sneak in, grab her and get her back to her side of the coop without having the thundering herd come running to investigate.  And I'm not referring to the donkeys!

Heat Abates But Flies Have Not

 Here in Michigan, the heat wave lingered a long week as it did in the rest of the country.   Although certainly not to the degree as in the west.  As you might guess, the animals suffered more than we did.  Although surprisingly the chickens didn't seem too affected.  Perhaps because we didn't reach mid-90's.  And we do have big windows.  And had fans going constantly.  To assist the chickadees I served up frozen blueberries

and electrolytes.

The donks preferred the barn much of the time with the fan going full blast 24/7.  Not only did that provide a bit of relief from the temps but also a bit of relief from the flies.  And they are brutal.

Don't know if I've mentioned, everything is happening about a month early.  The pasture opened a month early, the flies arrived in force a month early, shedding started a month early.  Gabs has her sexy summer look and usually she isn't this sleek until mid July.,

This girl sums up the state of affairs last week (seen from the kitchen window).

In other news, Clara adjusted to her saddle pad nicely.

I was a bit worried the heat would affect her more than the other girls, but that did not seem to be the case.  So the question is, will those back feathers grow back when they all molt in the fall.

I am puzzled as to why people seem to find Sharone's name so hard to remember.  You'll remember she was Sharona when she arrived last July.  That name was chosen for two reasons -- the character in the TV series "Monk" and the song by The Knack.  I just changed the 'a' to an 'e' when we discovered his true identity.

And JoannieLu is still acting wonky.  Perhaps it's time to try another pain remedy now that the weather is "normal".  There's no way I would have subjected her to the stress of catching her and applying the essential oil during the high temps.

Here's a fun thing we tried with a neighbor/egg customer.  I suggested we barter eggs for homemade strawberry jam.  She agreed so she has been supplied with three dozen eggs while we got a quart of gorgeous jam and some homemade bagels.  What a deal for both of us!

To conclude let's get a short lesson in donkey tail action.  Sometimes when non equine folks meet the donks they think tail wagging is similar to dogs - a sign of friendliness or happiness. 
Au contraire mon frere. 
It can be a warning sign of  displeasure or, this time of year, it's a fly swisher.  And those tails have been going nonstop lately.

 Stay cool my friends.

Heartbreaking Scene With the Donkeys

 Two days ago, a little before 4:30, I heard the donkeys making a very odd sound.  After all these years around the beasts I know the hungry, angry, scared sounds.  But this one was new.  

Then I heard it again.
I went out to investigate.

As I approached the gate I saw the donkeys (not sure if it was two or all three) alternatively shaking and head nudging something.  To my horror I realized it was a fawn.  Earlier in the day Rick had seen mom and baby in the driveway.  

I have never seen the donks behave this way.  They were totally absorbed, focus intense.  
Clearly the baby was dead.
I quickly walked back to the house to get Rick.

When we arrived back at the donkey yard, we saw the same behavior.  Rick approached and I warned him to be careful; would the donkeys be aggressive to us?  He was able to get them to back away and he scooped up the deer.  Rick laid it out in the field behind the pasture so mama could find it.

Clearly they saw the baby as a predator and that instinctive protective behavior kicked in.  But damn!

Yes, I yelled at them.  And yes I know it was pointless.  But it was a purely emotional response.

What we don't understand is how the baby got into the yard.  The only way was over the four foot fence.  I would not have thought such small a fawn could have leapt so high.

Definitely new territory with the three beasts.   

  

Managing Chicken Pain

If I'm not in a hurry, morning breakfast with the chonkeys is one of my favorite times with the critters.
Hens will come trouncing back into the coop telling me they're hungry and then they really attend to their meal with gusto.

And who could not find the slow methodical donkey chewing peaceful.

What I didn't mention last post is JoannieLu's behavior is a bit off.  When the girls gladly fly out into the pasture for free range time, she often hangs out in the barn alone.  Or I'll find her in a corner of the coop.

But she doesn't act lethargic.  She's eating, although won't get in and scrabble for treats as the other girls do.
Lo and behold I was flipping through the recent chicken magazine yesterday during a car ride and  skimmed an article on pain management.

It specifically mentioned signs of pain as isolation and standing in a corner or staying inside during the day where it's safe.  One of the suggested plans of action is to combine a couple of drops of lavender essential oil in a carrier oil and administering to feet and legs.

So that's what we did today.

Other options cited are using clove oil or arnica, both items in my tool box.  

Let's see if we can get JoannieLu feeling better!

DIY Donkey Waterfall

 The donkey water trough.  Debris can float at the top and gather at the bottom. So from time to time we don't fill it every day and allow the water level to lower so it can be dumped, scrubbed and refilled.  Even if the level is low when dumped, a lot of water spills into the yard.  And the chickens like to paddle around in it, drinking from the puddles.  

So much better than their clean waterer.  Of course, when it comes time to fill the trough, one tends to turn on the hose and continue chores in the vicinity.  Time and again we miscalculate.  And our cup runneth over.

At one time I wanted to create a flow of water down the small hill at the side of our house to a small pond.  I guess this donkey waterfall will have to suffice.

Let's turn to Sharone, the rooster, for a moment.  He does not find it necessary to awaken the world at daybreak (there is a god), but when he hears (human) voices approaching for morning chores he begins to sing his song.

I always thank him for his music.  Such a good boy.

Changing subjects, how many of you have seen the quite cute videos of people giving their dogs a spa day.  Often this includes the dog on its back getting paws oiled, massaged, and lotioned.  Our vet was out recently so I asked about this.  His quick response was "don't do it".  You want your dog's paws to be tough so running or walking on rough surfaces isn't painful.  So there you have it.  Don't do your dog a disservice by duplicating the cute videos.

I'm thinking it might be fun to incorporate a "What are you reading/watching" section if readers would participate.  Let's give it a whirl.  I'll start.

I just finished "The West Wing".  Shown on network television 1999-2006.
I loved (almost) every minute.
Created by Aaron Sorkin (he also wrote the first 3-4 seasons) with a wonderful cast (Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, John Spencer), intriguing storylines, and sensational opening and closing musical themes.  Sorkin also created "Newsroom" with Jeff Daniels.  I have watched that one twice and may go for a third time.  I find it that good.
I did find I had to get DVD copies of The West Wing from the library as the streaming service that offered it wanted to charge me a fee in addition to the monthly fee I was paying. No thank you.
I think I would definitely put The West Wing in my top 10 best TV shows.

I'm also watching Northern Exposure (1990-95) on Netflix.  I'd give that a Very Good rating. 
And finally let me throw in The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2000, but only 3 seasons).  British and always made me smile.  The characters were so eccentric but endearing.  I really wanted more after the last episode.

 So let's hear what your thoughts are on an outstanding show, not just good but outstanding.  

* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * *

Like a thick and creamy pudding.  And oh so good.

 

This and That On the Teeny Tiny Farm

What an odd spring.

Donkeys have been out on pasture since the beginning of the month -- unheard of so early.  Usually the grass isn't ready until late May.  The donkeys aren't bothered by the odd timing, they couldn't be happier.

And today I actually turned on the fans for both the donks and the hens.  To be honest, between you and me, when I powered up the little fan in the coop a cloud of dust to rival the dustbowl flew into the new coop.  Don't worry, I timed it so everyone was out in the run.

A couple of days ago as I walked down the driveway to feed breakfast to the donks, I readied my phone for a video to catch the blast of noise from the three girls - I was 10 minutes late and had heard them yelling at me from inside the house.  Of course, Gabby was a tenth as loud as normal, but you can get a taste.

Let me tell you about Gigi girl.  A couple of weeks ago I saw the early signs of lethargy.  So Rick and I sprang into action and started a 3-day worming regime.  Shortly after she was right as rain.  That's Gig in front.

I'm low on chicken wormer so called our dog vet to see if by any chance I could get some from him.  That started a lengthy discussion about different wormers, how they tackle worms, AND, some info on the so-called chicken vet I went to a couple of years ago.  Let's just say I shan't be returning to him.  Which means now I have no chicken vet closer than an hour's drive.

Anyway, I'm missing my Sweet Pea and am hoping Gigi can become my buddy.

Thanks to friend J2, I have had a radio in the coop and go in spurts in turning it on for the girls.  Most often we listen to news and music during morning chores.

Oddly enough I don't get much feedback from them as to station preference..

A couple of posts ago I mentioned the turkey buddies who usually are gobbling in the vicinity when I wake up.  I spoke to a neighbor recently who lives two properties away and she said the turkeys come up to the back of their house and peck on the patio door.  As much as I delight in them, she wasn't nearly as enthused.  But she loves hearing the donkeys!

I know you're here to read about the adorable(?) little chonkeys but I must step up on my soapbox for a brief moment.  My pet peeve for some time has arisen again.  Please please please do not wear your "I'm so busy" status as a badge of honor.  Really doesn't cut it with me.  I'm not impressed.

Now I'll leave you with pathetic little donkey faces peeking out of the barn witnessing the rain.