tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62439732536871529982024-03-19T04:47:33.836-04:00My Miniature DonkeysJanet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.comBlogger522125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-59680222916217588652024-03-18T18:39:00.000-04:002024-03-18T18:39:02.906-04:00Faith Turns 10 (soon)<p> Well gang, I've had an ongoing foot issue so haven't taken many new photos or videos. When it hurts to walk I don't linger to capture that oh-so-cute moment. But I can offer you a few snaps of the indoor gang.</p><p>Which leads me to an update of Bleu.<br />Nothing has changed.</p><p>I've moved him to the largest shallow bowl I own. And then put in the "tunnel" from his aquarium so he had somewhere to hide.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdPpbrEloH85NvuzwNTUPB2ZTbRlM9Af67UTjQ7iS6IAYW1e96HvABJ4RQS1SdPlmi4jG2jtrFzAuWjzUe8jtDAz9DT_Lu1xG0vap5TCD8ICJkxMXl_cAOqps64pV2nW1OpqCxIl01v8zFf8Ht65bmc336vKvmRD-Oe23ADFzG2_SlP_HyFoh7LZi9BdS/s4000/Bleu%20in%20large%20bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdPpbrEloH85NvuzwNTUPB2ZTbRlM9Af67UTjQ7iS6IAYW1e96HvABJ4RQS1SdPlmi4jG2jtrFzAuWjzUe8jtDAz9DT_Lu1xG0vap5TCD8ICJkxMXl_cAOqps64pV2nW1OpqCxIl01v8zFf8Ht65bmc336vKvmRD-Oe23ADFzG2_SlP_HyFoh7LZi9BdS/w400-h300/Bleu%20in%20large%20bowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> But his behavior hasn't changed significantly. And often he can't get the food pellet I drop for him, even though I place it as strategically convenient as possible. But the other day I did see lots of surface bubbles so I know he's coming up for air.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6IoyJ6WW4H068rrvh8vMnL_hj2hSfBwxh6OoYOmMI1FqAvfrJ9csCe7c1kcmqAFp9PS0UiYSQPiTPaWfws5sX9xY2crrwxb23vo6r75RLKC5RKdCVZZHHk_SXhI6tibXcYk3k77iDy5av-DcVnmFNlHysF_RbpTK39k_YKzmhn2tL-4UaoLCB8NiQDy/s4000/Bleu%20in%20large%20bowl%20with%20tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6IoyJ6WW4H068rrvh8vMnL_hj2hSfBwxh6OoYOmMI1FqAvfrJ9csCe7c1kcmqAFp9PS0UiYSQPiTPaWfws5sX9xY2crrwxb23vo6r75RLKC5RKdCVZZHHk_SXhI6tibXcYk3k77iDy5av-DcVnmFNlHysF_RbpTK39k_YKzmhn2tL-4UaoLCB8NiQDy/s320/Bleu%20in%20large%20bowl%20with%20tunnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Next week Faith will be turning 10!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3azhbFTPFkkY8G4OnfXG2e2h23Uj0uA6AOmjrd3jWzD2LvYXN4Up9F907NRRbM48uuZx-O6V_uviOa41_FLatrahQjFLNoSNgJtF-WY0uEv35HgZHRfQopZwsxmGHII8I5XY6oqxlPEhCwv_vfMNFnCA6Qm8fhxbzcwkxao6Yt0LA0pjxT2XL_-vrQVS/s4000/Faith%20with%20occopus,%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3azhbFTPFkkY8G4OnfXG2e2h23Uj0uA6AOmjrd3jWzD2LvYXN4Up9F907NRRbM48uuZx-O6V_uviOa41_FLatrahQjFLNoSNgJtF-WY0uEv35HgZHRfQopZwsxmGHII8I5XY6oqxlPEhCwv_vfMNFnCA6Qm8fhxbzcwkxao6Yt0LA0pjxT2XL_-vrQVS/w400-h300/Faith%20with%20occopus,%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />with her favorite octopus, often repaired</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here she takes one of her many naps, fully owning the couch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuh1YBac2x8-Et9FiyR0_hEBfKKWAp1VW55mH6eiWC3Km3J59shE73h53_JVULV0gkeEVWrxguhyphenhypheniSE6ygnGGFFS8wBBn6zU-8NKPjQR08gxiIxUbePbOR2Ckf5krJyC6fDQLQdZS0Zl7rskJQPYEb2EZsJ1GLZyWp_6dRN7Ah7WGalxdkfcuNLRHm1-p/s4000/Faith,%20fully%20spread%20on%20couch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuh1YBac2x8-Et9FiyR0_hEBfKKWAp1VW55mH6eiWC3Km3J59shE73h53_JVULV0gkeEVWrxguhyphenhypheniSE6ygnGGFFS8wBBn6zU-8NKPjQR08gxiIxUbePbOR2Ckf5krJyC6fDQLQdZS0Zl7rskJQPYEb2EZsJ1GLZyWp_6dRN7Ah7WGalxdkfcuNLRHm1-p/s320/Faith,%20fully%20spread%20on%20couch.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />And then there's Phinny, always happy, always ready for a treat, always ready to tear after a squirrel</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZgz9dcJITea23XG-inltQRP5LeLMi_m7O7oqu3UFCitrc5gXhdNmrNvEUshOBB0Mw4misN4uLoD-t-g1dXfTKC_0su_5Y0hJfsT0HW_wKpw6KmA-qYEak4pbgct4xsuxsIrfIYQmHzAwb6m0K26EAfAZ1Hd7yhlxkFQmIha1kO8i5Xn7L834_xIAMvqE/s4000/Phinny%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZgz9dcJITea23XG-inltQRP5LeLMi_m7O7oqu3UFCitrc5gXhdNmrNvEUshOBB0Mw4misN4uLoD-t-g1dXfTKC_0su_5Y0hJfsT0HW_wKpw6KmA-qYEak4pbgct4xsuxsIrfIYQmHzAwb6m0K26EAfAZ1Hd7yhlxkFQmIha1kO8i5Xn7L834_xIAMvqE/w400-h300/Phinny%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Have a good week, everyone.</b></span></i></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-35433373608414848672024-03-11T18:17:00.005-04:002024-03-11T18:17:54.092-04:00Bleu, The Betta <p> Funny things, these blogs. And I can't entirely figure this puzzlement out.<br />When one of the animals dies, my readership rises like you wouldn't believe. Just a bit ago when I spoke of Sweet Pea, reader numbers <i>quadrupled</i>. It happens each and every time. So how do readers know? Clearly my post titles are part of it. But that means when they see a "boring" post title they skip by? It just doesn"t completely compute. </p><p>Well, on to the week's events.</p><p>As I mentioned last week my betta Bleu is of concern. He hasn't been acting well for weeks. Normally he lives in a gallon tank, but I saw he was having trouble coming to the surface to eat and gulp a bit of air. I was certain he was a goner. But no. Naturally I have no idea what I'm doing. I've talked to the local fish store - he said to change his water by 50% every other day. Been doing that for over a week but I see no improvement. I checked out a couple of books from the library and one said to put a bit of uniodized salt in the tank. So I've been doing that. It's difficult because I've moved him into a small kitchen bowl so he can reach the waterline so the amount of salt to put in is miniscule.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwi9SUeLOoGqHHY1yFndgY1UVEzBiGtSffSTnMHXgDfr5-mRsF-P4CsXHKHeWE5f_kRxBRWvHUM_6NbW6OzHA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> I tried moving him into a slightly bigger bowl but he again seemed to have trouble. Perhaps he injured a fin?<p></p><p>Interestingly, when I picked up the books from the library the circulation person asked if I was getting a fish. I explained I'd had Bleu for three years but he was sick. And that I didn't have a lot of knowledge prior to getting him. She replied, "well, he's just a fish". Ahhh... I always find it interesting how people prioritize the value of other living things.</p><p>Nothing seems to be helping my boy Bleu but I'll keep on until he either improves or declines further.</p><p><br />On a brighter note, JoannieLu seems to have regained some pep in her step. Earlier in the winter she'd hang with Sweet Pea by the heater and not rush around with the youngsters. She is now zipping around with the rest of the gang. Why you say? The only change I've made is to be more diligent in adding herbs and spices to their treats.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgZ7w8KKOOnQu7G7UtOXGyRsdI6tAPdKEL7UzipVakt7l7NiAukcnkVbLHhPKRrr_KqBKlBcI_RARC-MxwCiB7J2kByBMTn5JoUP2EZ-8ocZUOn0tULxAuqyTVbWeeTSZF2eBo4kdZi-w7_jQy6cPprvZouh3sbN0n0QzzDspNmnHt2idyn5_wA7UXEzB/s4000/JoannieLu,%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgZ7w8KKOOnQu7G7UtOXGyRsdI6tAPdKEL7UzipVakt7l7NiAukcnkVbLHhPKRrr_KqBKlBcI_RARC-MxwCiB7J2kByBMTn5JoUP2EZ-8ocZUOn0tULxAuqyTVbWeeTSZF2eBo4kdZi-w7_jQy6cPprvZouh3sbN0n0QzzDspNmnHt2idyn5_wA7UXEzB/w400-h300/JoannieLu,%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Joannie on the left</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of the youngsters, make sure you turn on the sound while watching this video. It's the "thud" I'd like you to hear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjuF4Yt78QZERPnX4b_mwlIPIS7ioPEvY0wL0TY1p_6IY9gNiGZThXz5UsuTwZTG_iN-Qky9exHgOCMe3tHw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />When the girls are rummaging around in the hay aisle, it often sounds like a herd of elephants.<p></p><p><br />Finally a delicious cake recipe. Not vegan. Of course I subbed plant based milk for the cow's milk but I did use eggs.</p><p>I thought it was perfect for a light treat. And yes, I used my quiche pan to bake it in which worked like it was made for it.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/everyday-olive-oil-cake-recipe">Everyday olive Oil Cake</a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEXQ7n9ERwmpSNSqP0Ke18WNXexkal5YO4k4BtzJRhUzC6IW05Rab4vbm6wm0xVBFw1qaDEsqnvMwh-rv46-dYcqhnUNXGpkQwlCu_wPYV9MUaVMTGs5bNDWxl3dIvBEaNvZ11T7Kjw0kXQMTpN65ZYDEW_DKJNHd8_alKLGk3TPESemxhd26O7NkWV6b/s4000/recipe,%20everyday%20olive%20oil%20cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEXQ7n9ERwmpSNSqP0Ke18WNXexkal5YO4k4BtzJRhUzC6IW05Rab4vbm6wm0xVBFw1qaDEsqnvMwh-rv46-dYcqhnUNXGpkQwlCu_wPYV9MUaVMTGs5bNDWxl3dIvBEaNvZ11T7Kjw0kXQMTpN65ZYDEW_DKJNHd8_alKLGk3TPESemxhd26O7NkWV6b/s320/recipe,%20everyday%20olive%20oil%20cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-86626095786137678102024-03-04T19:46:00.002-05:002024-03-04T19:46:34.087-05:00Balderdash (!!)<p> Dear Readers,</p><p>It's happened again. I am at the computer, ready to bring you wildly exciting updates from the teeny tiny farm and this jezebel won't let me transfer photos from my phone. Topics intended for tonight's communication -- Bleu the betta fish, JoannieLu's improved behavior and a recipe for some mighty tasty cake.</p><p>But it will have to wait. I'll try again. Patience is a virtue.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLmbxCPTraEpXdku2uzBbB7OgjRQKyHAqWr2o5SaFG5mywCzsNBK5pbReL41tWN4DRjWTaIsMjs7R_ymJ9XgewNAUSMd-5UHa3Ob71YTyioLO5Or2u6w3-Qx_MvYjezeV-pAW1niFzJMAKbmE9nclGrpSme2FJskOnkQF0gTtRODU0rLhLVd8QZkU7ZH/s1080/Luyigi%20poses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLmbxCPTraEpXdku2uzBbB7OgjRQKyHAqWr2o5SaFG5mywCzsNBK5pbReL41tWN4DRjWTaIsMjs7R_ymJ9XgewNAUSMd-5UHa3Ob71YTyioLO5Or2u6w3-Qx_MvYjezeV-pAW1niFzJMAKbmE9nclGrpSme2FJskOnkQF0gTtRODU0rLhLVd8QZkU7ZH/w400-h400/Luyigi%20poses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-72766581912106380792024-02-19T18:39:00.000-05:002024-02-19T18:39:31.756-05:00Dem Devilish Donkeys<p> Just to set the record straight. Donkeys can be a pain in the neck. Allow me to tell you what happened last week.</p><p>I've shown you how we wrap baling string from the hay aisle latch to a wooden post to keep the door closed during certain times of the winter. Apparently the donkeys worked their little noses to the grindstone prying that door loose until they achieved access to the hay aisle. Were they after hay? Of course not. It's what's inside those glorious garbage cans that is the ultimate prize. Chicken feed and Equine Senior. Both are too delicious for words. Thankfully they were caught before too much had been consumed. When Rick and I say "it's always something", we mean it.</p><p>And here are the precious angels, taking a sun nap.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBCukYcJccx2YHFIXsIln1uJLUhpqK_djOkmMzPTHDjgiQmHTFgJTm6uQTq0mBR3l7YTPPdDXtMzVeRiF80LKe078m-y0hXjPmjft7XBvW04M1_3TZiLudL7VJN-DE0uX8EaTD12btv3sENRyZdQodW94MTTUNzev6tNHy_cyqOWR9YF41agDPvAsBOec/s4000/donkeys%20napping,%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBCukYcJccx2YHFIXsIln1uJLUhpqK_djOkmMzPTHDjgiQmHTFgJTm6uQTq0mBR3l7YTPPdDXtMzVeRiF80LKe078m-y0hXjPmjft7XBvW04M1_3TZiLudL7VJN-DE0uX8EaTD12btv3sENRyZdQodW94MTTUNzev6tNHy_cyqOWR9YF41agDPvAsBOec/w400-h300/donkeys%20napping,%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>For this next video, you'll want sound up to catch the first few seconds. This vocalizing is mild<br />compared to the earful I get when dishing up their Senior.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWiYJkQ6wvkz7QUc-7I8KWaUfokgz5OzXyNJ-ZPGM1yR8xUo21t5DX_6pe3vm1AZ-yoTHHhhLgRVzvl5rKJg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />The little darlings love to forage in the woods outside of the donkey gate nibbling bark, sometimes leaves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxM_6YulsdA289njNYAnvDP7wWzEBwY0qPy2rGI6w7yol_Mm7a_gbgaBh7sEMd8P-kOh0y6ZujfWKalvuMcRg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br />And then there are the chickies.<div><br />They are quite partial to the sweet fruit food group -- bananas, blueberries. Apples not so much.<br />So I was surprised to see how much they enjoy a couple handfuls of the salad starter bags I've been buying. What makes it a bit curious is they don't enjoy all greens. The times I've provided baby spinach, they turn away and ask for the "real" treat. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2ntEdlNwcmO2oA1eQNbP9oBqmd9-5HUAjC6niYgugaja88imzGkLj3cr8KuKSNABvDQhdgJ55XmCOqPAInnYQFbuyICQwQIMNQXrZRy6TK7Q3Kb1dllIrYbcNdhVodhKAeFZSkW80uK0LdOyKHUmy6_gsJWWoJ4Ctn5HjRtYWhOTjOZZrB-E3d4_FKoS/s4000/chickens,%20salad%20starter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2ntEdlNwcmO2oA1eQNbP9oBqmd9-5HUAjC6niYgugaja88imzGkLj3cr8KuKSNABvDQhdgJ55XmCOqPAInnYQFbuyICQwQIMNQXrZRy6TK7Q3Kb1dllIrYbcNdhVodhKAeFZSkW80uK0LdOyKHUmy6_gsJWWoJ4Ctn5HjRtYWhOTjOZZrB-E3d4_FKoS/s320/chickens,%20salad%20starter.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />And, of course, water from the donkey trough is gobs better than their own. Of course.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk0wSTqYP02pRFo36mwxajz-kSOOHxxOuxyPerrH3e2MPyRjX-h2D2wSyebpjzVOJe5nhcZ_HjUySYy5y-KgSsdv4rOfrtDkki5prV5fhhuB3WEaqb560XdnN3IKkdmk-JCjwpidhWImJ-1TgEa8IrUEj9zMVgQggjMi5yKWks2Ldye7WES-Hawi-AQzw/s4000/chickens%20around%20water%20trough,%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk0wSTqYP02pRFo36mwxajz-kSOOHxxOuxyPerrH3e2MPyRjX-h2D2wSyebpjzVOJe5nhcZ_HjUySYy5y-KgSsdv4rOfrtDkki5prV5fhhuB3WEaqb560XdnN3IKkdmk-JCjwpidhWImJ-1TgEa8IrUEj9zMVgQggjMi5yKWks2Ldye7WES-Hawi-AQzw/s320/chickens%20around%20water%20trough,%202024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-84519536322899550612024-02-05T18:46:00.004-05:002024-02-05T18:46:45.853-05:00The End of an Era<p> Yesterday I lost my nine-year old matriarch of the chicken flock, Sweet Pea. </p><p>No one will ever be able to take her place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOAOm3dEynwHQChHGx_5-EhA2PYt3rZVoocoTkFY1Ux7SmYdKrKvqeCdGRtqC1fyrFwSXhQkLGgH5Fqvfiix-XgEHGEAlVdtTlPj3te4MLGaLD9hY4DzGKOB7jtwAAxNqDKcmCz5XKZm-wb0OVyyhq94H6ksAHadbevcPWVbnNKewUP7YKd6kfI-fUClN/s3264/Sweet%20Pea,%202020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOAOm3dEynwHQChHGx_5-EhA2PYt3rZVoocoTkFY1Ux7SmYdKrKvqeCdGRtqC1fyrFwSXhQkLGgH5Fqvfiix-XgEHGEAlVdtTlPj3te4MLGaLD9hY4DzGKOB7jtwAAxNqDKcmCz5XKZm-wb0OVyyhq94H6ksAHadbevcPWVbnNKewUP7YKd6kfI-fUClN/w225-h400/Sweet%20Pea,%202020.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div><br /></div>She had been feeling her age this winter, and in fact, I wasn't sure she'd survive another winter. But of course didn't want to consider her death, she'd live forever. <div>However, much as I didn't want to admit it I could see her slow decline. Every evening for the past couple of months she was unable to hop/fly up to the sleeping area and would wait for one of us to pick her up and put her with the rest of the girls.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjthQR7odBnK4FvgJJD989mUjGc0KUNWeWgrdQwsivgIJ_4f-r9oQjCsWKZdc5SwhAeZkvIB7_A6cUcHegkXoPv1mdtyzPXd7zepmEDW2sDvVc-WnR3w9PT48rXorX-PZgmUzLSXrrbvGC8kfU2f3i5ACE8x5kVvVmoHpfYa9zy1ClJ20SzM9sjKuWsdnR/s4000/chickens%20ready%20for%20bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjthQR7odBnK4FvgJJD989mUjGc0KUNWeWgrdQwsivgIJ_4f-r9oQjCsWKZdc5SwhAeZkvIB7_A6cUcHegkXoPv1mdtyzPXd7zepmEDW2sDvVc-WnR3w9PT48rXorX-PZgmUzLSXrrbvGC8kfU2f3i5ACE8x5kVvVmoHpfYa9zy1ClJ20SzM9sjKuWsdnR/s320/chickens%20ready%20for%20bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is an older photo but there's my girl third from the left.</div></div><div><br />Last evening I went out to lock up and once inside the coop lifted Sweet Pea up to the shelf. She flapped her wings as she always did when I set her down. Then made an odd noise and collapsed. I thought she had lost her footing so tried to set up upright but in hindsight think she was already dead. It happened so quickly I just held her thinking she'd revive but no. She was gone.</div><div><br />Long time readers will remember:</div><div>She was always my helper girl while I cleaned up donkey doo. Always stepping onto the manure fork to help and I'd have to shoo her away.</div><div>She knew her name and would come when called. I'd call to alert her to a new flake of straw just thrown for the girls, for she loved digging in to retrieve the good stuff. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEQ2KPjvXyhdRdGEK0Fi2X9fKpMLLYS5-41X3jn0jaSHjjHhxwTPMqKAdeSU8l6im0n5ldmuqQgRxumgFMzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div> I'd call when treats were thrown so she wouldn't miss out. And in recent years she'd be on the far side of the pasture and would come (maybe after 3 or 4 tries).</div><div>She had a distinctive voice; I always knew when she was in the area and would say hi even if she wasn't in view.</div><div>Most recently she showed Sharone who was boss, getting in his face, puffing up and flapping her wings. He bowed to her position in the flock.</div><div><br /></div><div>She was one of the first three chickens we got in 2015. Little did I know then how easy it would be to love her.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShyDyKMfZQCmJmByfxUMGhhQwO-xdANNG53oxfm0Zf4kSxhGKrQBZbmdeoIriIt6ZmnV-QPHw789-wFIu9phGp731dYYHq7FTy48v5Dxyzrp5AT761Fxr0UWc23Q1fNOQDnUHchXdPVDgB3CMeHSfP_Fr1K5VQ6f3LHRtjXsfEzYHk9Riogc_zdOa-cdM/s3264/CU,%20Sweet%20Pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShyDyKMfZQCmJmByfxUMGhhQwO-xdANNG53oxfm0Zf4kSxhGKrQBZbmdeoIriIt6ZmnV-QPHw789-wFIu9phGp731dYYHq7FTy48v5Dxyzrp5AT761Fxr0UWc23Q1fNOQDnUHchXdPVDgB3CMeHSfP_Fr1K5VQ6f3LHRtjXsfEzYHk9Riogc_zdOa-cdM/w400-h225/CU,%20Sweet%20Pea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvCkDU-dic2hUg_HZsPocbkSvBl-QXqizjG550nFI9sGHtm8wKcP63r-0Z8Xzk06uSLBEhupVSBV8K4ZfzjM5pTFVYu20PiaPdppkUpBwVAMT8GNM0B2vusLVbCxpFHmUB6QtQbYfhlFrGg9mHJOkPg48c_up1vjdVi6UYTDqHKeu0DLNRvujE7Tlxblk/s3264/Sweet%20Pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvCkDU-dic2hUg_HZsPocbkSvBl-QXqizjG550nFI9sGHtm8wKcP63r-0Z8Xzk06uSLBEhupVSBV8K4ZfzjM5pTFVYu20PiaPdppkUpBwVAMT8GNM0B2vusLVbCxpFHmUB6QtQbYfhlFrGg9mHJOkPg48c_up1vjdVi6UYTDqHKeu0DLNRvujE7Tlxblk/w225-h400/Sweet%20Pea.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-21549668398165389742024-01-29T18:50:00.001-05:002024-01-29T18:50:54.311-05:00Scenes From a Teeny Tiny Farm<p> Living "in the country" means sometimes things are done a bit basically, down to earth.<br />But let me back up a step.<br /><br />This morning I texted the next door neighbor to tell her one of the horses was down and struggling to get up. She responded almost immediately so I knew the horse would be helped soon. However, the next text said the mare was going to be euthanized for reasons I won't go into here. About 2:00 in the afternoon, as I was feeding donks, I saw two big piles of earth in the neighboring pasture and knew what that meant - Suzie the horse was being buried on site. To be honest I'm not sure I would have had the stomach for it, even if we had the right equipment to consider it. It's pretty heart wrenching, especially with a large animal. At least that's been my personal experience. </p><p>OK, let's move on.</p><p>We've had above freezing temps overnight for the past week which has meant some significant snow melting. Just take a look at the driveway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXU5AY7fXnISVH6oK4JGuy7y-4LuYuBALDIrA9Porpt-7JCFz2svcahIb12MSfU7TfuzLwMw8k1slMHVSQD6AW1ABMLpwW93pDMVUg8025h_t7zvCVx2jY8b9koJ-57PT-y4LZVBl-Oe2yzszS-haZ1xLH-1cajWmnvaZK_PKHTJRZ5FtAG3iBbiRhOUI/s4000/driveway%20(no%20ice).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXU5AY7fXnISVH6oK4JGuy7y-4LuYuBALDIrA9Porpt-7JCFz2svcahIb12MSfU7TfuzLwMw8k1slMHVSQD6AW1ABMLpwW93pDMVUg8025h_t7zvCVx2jY8b9koJ-57PT-y4LZVBl-Oe2yzszS-haZ1xLH-1cajWmnvaZK_PKHTJRZ5FtAG3iBbiRhOUI/s320/driveway%20(no%20ice).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Yea, so what's the big deal about that you ask.<br />The temps are now just below freezing at night which means some icing. But with this lovely clear area down the middle of the driveway I have a pretty clear shot all the way up to the chonkeys. No need for cleats and no need to worry about each step with the fear of slipping. Huzzah!<div><br />With that melting we have a clearer picture of the damage done by the weight of the snow.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y-EeXIVCmL4t4-64Gah1ISoIGhq-l9sDLRnh111yUbqr3whM7VS7uJyRZIzNcQwH4DyO9p1N41wX5HXiWwOcdXdldjjrpmPJmoeqvLvYwauDP1Sf8yyT8L6V4d3wpJ7CQzNx17RRgCIMt0__RHF6BGyNe3owZ2_u0czEO55srkJvV3y_nPOVLD8pYbvd/s4000/bent%20poles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y-EeXIVCmL4t4-64Gah1ISoIGhq-l9sDLRnh111yUbqr3whM7VS7uJyRZIzNcQwH4DyO9p1N41wX5HXiWwOcdXdldjjrpmPJmoeqvLvYwauDP1Sf8yyT8L6V4d3wpJ7CQzNx17RRgCIMt0__RHF6BGyNe3owZ2_u0czEO55srkJvV3y_nPOVLD8pYbvd/s320/bent%20poles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEVGPErc4e8z2xqPerXqUt01YDncyAw9_VjkGVcnGyMFagL6mpPnWf4A4Ct1aQ5oLRiZ3y_L23AnDwdwPiTqdMBh9TULiKOrIpnsiDUUGB6Yo6Vw6fe0oSAKrMKj7OgIH1k0eH-wukWcC3Zbop8cpcS3v-XWbjLRiVpGEtTavEDCkivDYqbhmRqUihv0s/s4000/bent%20poles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEVGPErc4e8z2xqPerXqUt01YDncyAw9_VjkGVcnGyMFagL6mpPnWf4A4Ct1aQ5oLRiZ3y_L23AnDwdwPiTqdMBh9TULiKOrIpnsiDUUGB6Yo6Vw6fe0oSAKrMKj7OgIH1k0eH-wukWcC3Zbop8cpcS3v-XWbjLRiVpGEtTavEDCkivDYqbhmRqUihv0s/s320/bent%20poles2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You're looking at the poles supporting the netting over the chicken run and no they're not meant to be in a U-shape. Yup, the netting is partially on the ground so I worry about the hens getting their feet caught, but they're so eager to be walking around in the no-snow zone I've not shut them out of the area. Rick says it will need to be rebuilt in the spring. Oh good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Next, hang on to your hats, it's a tour of the hay aisle..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyrSoiaSoXafDgFZMbj9QS7pBdqio-Do6iJeC_lYcX-_BDn5vLDe_3Z6mkDq80OvAH9ABUKM0CWttGs-FjCJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> And how could we not include a pic of the three princesses. We had an interior breakfast as there was the smallest bit of snow swirling yesterday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw38NZQSl7eej_uaCtD0Jou7XDAqATC7rlTVqQVAbEGy_svshbx5AEaUl52FTgIkxYRwR7aav2FL_ZZ3bw0JkvHSnArXP1TCF80hUThEsXwzWgUGRiBKhfKMZAbhH6RBTEsrADPjnmIgzi9JVUAybKHQJu3RVfh2xm8fO3-fzXvXJii3wMuwms3B8Z78D/s4000/donks%20eating,%20low%20angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw38NZQSl7eej_uaCtD0Jou7XDAqATC7rlTVqQVAbEGy_svshbx5AEaUl52FTgIkxYRwR7aav2FL_ZZ3bw0JkvHSnArXP1TCF80hUThEsXwzWgUGRiBKhfKMZAbhH6RBTEsrADPjnmIgzi9JVUAybKHQJu3RVfh2xm8fO3-fzXvXJii3wMuwms3B8Z78D/w400-h300/donks%20eating,%20low%20angle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Princesses indeed...</div><br />Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-66530901216056337942024-01-22T19:29:00.000-05:002024-01-22T19:29:56.707-05:00Chickens Secretly Plan to Unionize?<p> When last we spoke I was more than a bit fed up with shoveling paths and eating areas for the donks. Well, over the past week I've continued to expand eating areas just so they can have a bit of walking around room. And the ingrates do not appreciate the efforts and poop willy nilly in each of those areas. So it means cleaning manure each trip before hay can be thrown. I really wish one of you would speak to them about this. </p><p>I think I also mentioned the donks wanted to venture out of the darn barn to dine. No sooner was that statement out in the open than they refused to leave the barn.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPSrSGewf-V3_9cgxfw4rMXAPyqH3HTUSKo_Jg9YgJk1cCviF7o4u6H1VTEmvVwkCSAWQhGGA54wbgMBnB4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> Sometimes its not worth trying to figure out their seemingly irrational behavior.<p></p><p>Its also that time of year when the latch on the hay aisle door is useless and we turn to baling twine.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Fbu9sI62J_MbH5yOhKmKt3Xr9HeACv5gi2ATDTVIClUPpZvfw1GRN8iUlUpQy528Uq1c11iUpORz7ADWe7WRSjOFMvcLhDiVhJi3XtF7aAPNXjh_kJTw7ZJAVLZ4A46jvGBrNT0mxXvbpEJdclfSMH0Ed8Aji2DW6UzgVmphWOWN6vz_hWDZu5uNTLYw/s3264/tying%20the%20door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Fbu9sI62J_MbH5yOhKmKt3Xr9HeACv5gi2ATDTVIClUPpZvfw1GRN8iUlUpQy528Uq1c11iUpORz7ADWe7WRSjOFMvcLhDiVhJi3XtF7aAPNXjh_kJTw7ZJAVLZ4A46jvGBrNT0mxXvbpEJdclfSMH0Ed8Aji2DW6UzgVmphWOWN6vz_hWDZu5uNTLYw/w400-h300/tying%20the%20door.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The snow and ice collects at the door and its impossible to close. Earlier this past week it wasn't wrapped securely and the donks succeeded in getting the door open and helped themselves to Equine Senior stored in a garbage can (with a lid). Yup, those noses can do just about anything given enough time. Fortunately they didn't consume a dangerous quantity or we would have needed emergency medical treatment.<p></p><p>Speaking of medical treatment (on a small scale), last Monday I was worried about Sweet Pea's comb. I did not wait for the next morning but schlepped back out after dinner and schmeared her comb with an herbal salve from Fresh Eggs Daily. And gooped her up a couple more times during the week when the temps were plummeting overnight. This stuff has lemongrass oil, vitamin E oil and rosemary oil. Her comb color improved markedly after the first application.</p><p>Each morning when I open the coop door, out pile the younger crew. I walk in, turn the corner and there are Sweet Pea and JoannieLu in front of the heater.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGaEngT4KMknJ_gFqlypFkXT2WeKsNizkfhhaa-hTgEuiTdo1jE0bUrn1HNtEefb1rtidSY_HCEfW55rIgZnLvDTiQObTD4ZhHA1m1mf-PdGukHqMsPWAdMMqqfKjLu7jvzNbl9hngLpfpC9gnmaFezcCjVEnbjgp63f0VrOppeppSxSLyvWJz1Ef6ZfI/s4000/Sweet%20Pea,%20JoannieLu%20at%20heater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGaEngT4KMknJ_gFqlypFkXT2WeKsNizkfhhaa-hTgEuiTdo1jE0bUrn1HNtEefb1rtidSY_HCEfW55rIgZnLvDTiQObTD4ZhHA1m1mf-PdGukHqMsPWAdMMqqfKjLu7jvzNbl9hngLpfpC9gnmaFezcCjVEnbjgp63f0VrOppeppSxSLyvWJz1Ef6ZfI/w300-h400/Sweet%20Pea,%20JoannieLu%20at%20heater.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> In this photo the heater looks threateningly red. Please don't gasp and sputter. The photo is deceiving. It's not that red nor can they burn themselves.<p></p><p>But there is something afoot with the youngsters. They seem to be innocently gathering but when I approach all conversation stops. I'm suspicious and wonder what they're planning...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpBnMaw7MhDlr3-RA8wKsMRYbk_vxYcCFOIhM9F8NIQLVZt-xus2SeMjTVwoyRdG1ksIyo31cA7l2tXm9bPXDYM7_K5Nhmy-vJ4_MNKomzSme5yowUr9CTxk1YBLqtLAF2Hh3lCh8NtMqTs7IunVkzd27dLurZq31c_7qbnYRID8nsvMbG8rl0bugjS4/s4000/hens%20gather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpBnMaw7MhDlr3-RA8wKsMRYbk_vxYcCFOIhM9F8NIQLVZt-xus2SeMjTVwoyRdG1ksIyo31cA7l2tXm9bPXDYM7_K5Nhmy-vJ4_MNKomzSme5yowUr9CTxk1YBLqtLAF2Hh3lCh8NtMqTs7IunVkzd27dLurZq31c_7qbnYRID8nsvMbG8rl0bugjS4/s320/hens%20gather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwQWzwx1pvEKqBIrQH8MEuHbjJsgChba5ECkEXE9KBRWFI5wVAC7_L0Kgrwa3GO5s0Ghd1oUXa61tfu9jqEdUV48gaJnlaPqejvf-wNgpi4HLkOH9uoqvu8TYOZ7RsWL2liX18i1lqrxtIcXIgmTzmEsdB-WIb23kbIGWcklNmzXdLa4qGb6Fd1UG34y2/s4000/hens%20gather%20outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwQWzwx1pvEKqBIrQH8MEuHbjJsgChba5ECkEXE9KBRWFI5wVAC7_L0Kgrwa3GO5s0Ghd1oUXa61tfu9jqEdUV48gaJnlaPqejvf-wNgpi4HLkOH9uoqvu8TYOZ7RsWL2liX18i1lqrxtIcXIgmTzmEsdB-WIb23kbIGWcklNmzXdLa4qGb6Fd1UG34y2/s320/hens%20gather%20outside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-87062994822661139512024-01-15T18:49:00.003-05:002024-01-15T18:49:57.692-05:00Snow Shoveling For the Darn Donks<p> The two videos I'm going to show you illustrate what was happening two days ago. Five inches of snow is not a big deal in Michigan, but this stuff was so wet and heavy. One friend said it was heart attack snow. Have to tell you, I was feeling my age.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyPM4An_Jes569-AfuFoQTu1qtNemFY-elSr8J3gGtga9gRBnJ-BS1Y9vaZhfPD4dM6macQptZp-Vs73H5b5g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZw1Yd-0yWeDeQdQpZTWIkBGsYxyjuKLg7GYWzefQE8XlaYatyQeKDpxbDqEQPuub22-0CmZkTpZ2oNnD6Pw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning I fed the donks in the driveway so I could shovel an eating area - they were tired of eating in the barn and welcomed being outside in spite of the cold. (also being in the barn for extended periods means there's manure from one end to the other)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitx26dmP4lX8QXT-3J1p_eoMzi04OOkvIiRmlOdkie5E2aXv6r6tQ5ijhgpB6KNeTlcBnh-In-OpwanIIKloh6YO6JmJOdhiZ-anm73IajE-gTPbqR-Xm9w2TwIRItvuM0t1anM242GVFDUIZyvh7jetohUjmHEyu-ci3yXKsGmWdYLHkRpYCVaWVdDcTj/s4000/snow%20shoveling,%20eating%20area,%20Jan%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitx26dmP4lX8QXT-3J1p_eoMzi04OOkvIiRmlOdkie5E2aXv6r6tQ5ijhgpB6KNeTlcBnh-In-OpwanIIKloh6YO6JmJOdhiZ-anm73IajE-gTPbqR-Xm9w2TwIRItvuM0t1anM242GVFDUIZyvh7jetohUjmHEyu-ci3yXKsGmWdYLHkRpYCVaWVdDcTj/w400-h300/snow%20shoveling,%20eating%20area,%20Jan%202024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for the chickens, we've been leaving the door to the porch open but leaving the radiant heater on (I've not seen anyone venture outside). Many chicken keepers will rake you over the coals if they hear you're using a heater. And yes, I do understand the risks, BUT, I've seen my two seniors stand in front of it when they felt the need. I am a bit worried about Sweet Pea; her comb may be frostbitten so I'll doctor it tomorrow morning. Nighttime temps have dipped down to subzero numbers twice and it looks like we've got a couple more frigid nights in the coming week (then we're back up to double digits). Hay and more hay for the donks and protein and scratch with corn for the hens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also discovered today the heater for the chicken water was dying so had to look for a replacement this afternoon. Guess how much that sucker cost -- $58! But what choice did I have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And two tines of the manure fork broke so that will be Rick's job tonight.<br />No more problems please.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />On a smling note, my African violets are blooming - a first in years. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JIc2hidvuqEpe4Tz3zMcW0Q0J80DpoSVQ_0RWojy44_at2Pg9aqxpNwTIlj2VrDu7g7mdMbSudL_W-zfQhl_84PnIrMROZS38OEnhcjDgUaAIwgcxX0stqwt-D4eCaUW5zSi4VvykIie_mTazt8LXUdpgUuiZHR1wo8B-pMV9C9TxyNHj_XIlh8f9EJM/s4000/African%20violet%20blooms,%20Jan2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JIc2hidvuqEpe4Tz3zMcW0Q0J80DpoSVQ_0RWojy44_at2Pg9aqxpNwTIlj2VrDu7g7mdMbSudL_W-zfQhl_84PnIrMROZS38OEnhcjDgUaAIwgcxX0stqwt-D4eCaUW5zSi4VvykIie_mTazt8LXUdpgUuiZHR1wo8B-pMV9C9TxyNHj_XIlh8f9EJM/w300-h400/African%20violet%20blooms,%20Jan2024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXYaxL49XV3F8fHmDr6mgp9Pjp-C_U4qQaAx-jEDcHsnhHMI_BRkRQuQ840dYoekGS3X4d12JrQ4J94nty7di09uPxRVnxh4_BrfoBh66v4vm8wg-FHkL85jVtcuDPWgaYoPl1u8QQVy-eS4tWBg_Wt3Tiwwnsk8nm2Q0gX_1MVTJLYI4is_SJS_PdhzB/s4000/African%20violets2%20blooming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXYaxL49XV3F8fHmDr6mgp9Pjp-C_U4qQaAx-jEDcHsnhHMI_BRkRQuQ840dYoekGS3X4d12JrQ4J94nty7di09uPxRVnxh4_BrfoBh66v4vm8wg-FHkL85jVtcuDPWgaYoPl1u8QQVy-eS4tWBg_Wt3Tiwwnsk8nm2Q0gX_1MVTJLYI4is_SJS_PdhzB/w300-h400/African%20violets2%20blooming.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-37158919747162803402024-01-09T18:04:00.002-05:002024-01-09T18:08:36.346-05:00Loss, Mud, and Shenanigans<p>So much news from the teeny tiny farm.</p><p>I'll start with the bad news. Marigold died on Christmas Eve. She had been lethargic and we had just started a worming regime, but she died the next day. I will forever find it difficult to diagnose chicken maladies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV10sYi2CIkID6ZRK80hvKH0wltevpBjSeeL1LNj9fVcYZqyaTnc7tBqzTvtHza-yjXcNejGv1P31T0ZouByPGYRoUt3vFhXvB1SnIEc0ODYdegd2O0Ix9h-6OJQfk-2fwZYZZh4nVqYOexLPhZRHyuCr4prhQkzS5zFa8SzjYpnEzhIWGlkhd0k1a7GI8/s4000/Marigold,%20CU.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV10sYi2CIkID6ZRK80hvKH0wltevpBjSeeL1LNj9fVcYZqyaTnc7tBqzTvtHza-yjXcNejGv1P31T0ZouByPGYRoUt3vFhXvB1SnIEc0ODYdegd2O0Ix9h-6OJQfk-2fwZYZZh4nVqYOexLPhZRHyuCr4prhQkzS5zFa8SzjYpnEzhIWGlkhd0k1a7GI8/w400-h300/Marigold,%20CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />She was the last of the four girls adopted from the Michigan Humane Society in 2019. She used to roost on top of the yellow door separating the two coop areas and I still hesitate before moving the door thinking she's up there.<div>It's never easy losing one of the girls when they've been part of the chicken family for years.</div><div><br />Moving along to the weather and how it impacts the ground.</div><div>For two weeks we had too much rain which meant we had mud and nothing but mud in the donkey yard. There were a couple of high ground areas where we could throw hay to get the donks out of the yuck. Felt like it would never end. And then it froze. And in all the places in the mud where humans and donkeys had tread, there were/are divets. Deep divets. Walking in the yard feels like a balancing act. The donkeys choose their footing very carefully too. </div><div>As I write this the rain has returned. Donks have stayed in the barn all day. Can you see me shaking my head?</div><div><br /></div><div>I continue to find Sharone's behavior fascinating. For a brief period while a freshman in college I considered pursuing animal behavior/psych courses. But interests seemed to change every semester...</div><div>Anyway, just a couple of days ago for the first time that I have witnessed Sharone sounded the alarm to the hens. Everyone quickly scooted into the coop, although two girls were in the barn hay aisle. I saw nothing -- no hawks, no ground predators, who knows.</div><div>He continued to sound the alarm on a more subdued level, but wouldn't you know it, he hid behind the yellow door mentioned earlier as his hiding spot. That's him right behind the mesh.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5kcBZHmaqKCWzsTB2kspK62f0rcDLazVbdGcnEBlzYnBr15SUPKH-NOvJ4L6HR5VO5nmVPqPuNo8GNxOfHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>And then, Sweet Pea assisted him with the call to alarm. </div><div>Sharone on the right, Sweet Pea on the left. The urgency had dissipated but you can get a feel for the sound.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzhPH70mhOBP7PLkVV-SM1boUybGX4QsvGhqEyVuOCxAG5VYl1QQ3CxiHMdgcs2-4uU0izy87oxCtOoTt_nMw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This surprised me. Is she the matriarch being the oldest? That sweet girl will be nine years old next month. Equines lose their standing as they become elderly (witnessed that with Natural, when he went from king of the herd to a lesser standing with age). But chickens? Don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of equines, we'll end this post with me herding the three ruffians from a walkabout around the house back to the donkey yard. Do I sound I bit vexed? Yes, yet another trip back and forth.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwuWEAHOZVnk4PpL0O_TzrXuEBqCp4ZLsJsFeW-c6rG9JhQZqqJkgUrmHMUYcXG_SWsUxJ3vIWBBxs-qSc5rg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <br /><p><br /></p></div>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-19336905214712269372023-12-18T20:14:00.001-05:002023-12-18T20:14:21.478-05:00Hay Prices - Yikes!<p> In our corner of Michigan the first taste of snow arrived just after Thanksgiving.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_AAyoAWqtUwkHwuwWkA8uxiT7RZ5zvKfD2b36pVfPtsD1Lww0vYt-05J4BqszhEl5xz3j7qfuitd0TFBmayQ7B_xvvbPrgPiNBaOdTZepjs2yBOCJENdoeLnzAy9cbZbfmjJxlOZNZ90_9H53eu1J5fFoEscPKJn_xlG37kgyeHZEPuaE3rpsLD6QDum/s4000/first%20snow,%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_AAyoAWqtUwkHwuwWkA8uxiT7RZ5zvKfD2b36pVfPtsD1Lww0vYt-05J4BqszhEl5xz3j7qfuitd0TFBmayQ7B_xvvbPrgPiNBaOdTZepjs2yBOCJENdoeLnzAy9cbZbfmjJxlOZNZ90_9H53eu1J5fFoEscPKJn_xlG37kgyeHZEPuaE3rpsLD6QDum/w300-h400/first%20snow,%202023.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYbdnYS1SeJ4F1_dWMHJjXsGc-IZThwW8ocl1PpkzU87ZQv_SwY9NTFGlU4s7LoLV-eAYh83jekC0ma4sBO-rk-NIr47-7qDCoUY-Pv9_Tn-h46uE9oxtAeYlahIv3G7MiOldpzK0RyP52GMme42ZiwPe9BrhXI9MXvBTsysLo4iXsYNbZZvQE57Sb2Ur/s4000/first%20snow,%202023,%20coop%20run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYbdnYS1SeJ4F1_dWMHJjXsGc-IZThwW8ocl1PpkzU87ZQv_SwY9NTFGlU4s7LoLV-eAYh83jekC0ma4sBO-rk-NIr47-7qDCoUY-Pv9_Tn-h46uE9oxtAeYlahIv3G7MiOldpzK0RyP52GMme42ZiwPe9BrhXI9MXvBTsysLo4iXsYNbZZvQE57Sb2Ur/w400-h300/first%20snow,%202023,%20coop%20run.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>But it evaporated quickly and we all got spoiled with higher than normal temps. Until today.</div><div>And the donkeys are not happy.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx8KHeZhpLM0LjD8apTS8Uf1cJdv_YB7RqiES0mv-XU9nDbTOrneNK6yEVpGLpTsGAbIdPECjTcOlnYnA9wi5S8w3l9Nrlj_lf5xU80TtnlPS2cwUoTIxWp0UKo2uT8XFjGkm3m1B8guaTlx_IpEUYLwDmH3BC6AzYCFTEbGZUNGS_mT3MWMPZCG7qbPl/s4000/donkeys%20peeking%20at%20snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx8KHeZhpLM0LjD8apTS8Uf1cJdv_YB7RqiES0mv-XU9nDbTOrneNK6yEVpGLpTsGAbIdPECjTcOlnYnA9wi5S8w3l9Nrlj_lf5xU80TtnlPS2cwUoTIxWp0UKo2uT8XFjGkm3m1B8guaTlx_IpEUYLwDmH3BC6AzYCFTEbGZUNGS_mT3MWMPZCG7qbPl/w400-h300/donkeys%20peeking%20at%20snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Heck no, we're not coming out of the barn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But apparently the little we have will leave on Wednesday so no white Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The other big news at this teeny tiny farm is hay. Do we have enough? Where do I get more? And how much does it cost?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Our hay supplier, for the first time since we got the donks, left Michigan for the winter. Which meant we needed our full winter supply by Thanksgiving. We filled the horse trailer, we filled the hay aisle, we put some in a storage shed. But I worried we wouldn't make it until he comes back in the spring. So I started calling around. Found two places with hay. I'm used to paying $6/bale. I just paid $11/bale! Believe me I only got the bare minimum to make sure I wouldn't have to worry. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Good golly miss molly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-62058577029721017072023-12-04T18:52:00.002-05:002023-12-04T18:52:11.743-05:00Sharone's TransformationIn the days when I thought I had purchased two black hens, things looked like
this (August).
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbu5UZu-xzkPuP73oAg7OiFWG9WLcy-FPPli-K_YhstRKyKE7hc2HkoqKQKCKcYkg1pfnz4svYRJeWezlPYLtgfjXbMLeBQpRo2vkZJwqJVLKuOo_qC6XkYvQ0vsgeRfoevLb0wzVwaPxXWvPfQM2LEfZ0D0ASY7y3k2ptoHJiyWx0O6XV5NR4qIU8tXL/s4000/Sharone,%20August%202023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbu5UZu-xzkPuP73oAg7OiFWG9WLcy-FPPli-K_YhstRKyKE7hc2HkoqKQKCKcYkg1pfnz4svYRJeWezlPYLtgfjXbMLeBQpRo2vkZJwqJVLKuOo_qC6XkYvQ0vsgeRfoevLb0wzVwaPxXWvPfQM2LEfZ0D0ASY7y3k2ptoHJiyWx0O6XV5NR4qIU8tXL/s400/Sharone,%20August%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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And then things looked like this a month later.
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A little later in September, I clearly had a multi-colored hen.
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And as we all know, in October Sharona became Sharone.
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<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><br /><br />* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * *</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>We made this dish for the family gathering at Thanksgiving and, apparently it was a hit as we came home with an empty dish. Easy and deelish. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.wyseguide.com/roasted-carrots-dates-pistachios/">Roasted Carrots with Dates and Pistachios</a><br /></span></div>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-45028339956060976302023-11-13T18:09:00.000-05:002023-11-13T18:09:02.351-05:00Nothing Beats Donkey LipsNote: I wrote this a couple of weeks ago but had (yet again) technical difficulties. Let's see if it flies this time.<br><br>
The full moon was Saturday and I think I'm under it's effect. My patience with donkeys and dogs is paper thin. And they are testing me.
But then Gabby does something like this, and well, I kinda fall in love all over again.
<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZ9fQ0LgGlAF1aamZp7HX2X2yt_A96UjyrKOkcKZKNRes1mabujwr9K49IE-fRG-HyrywdWx0pd2BDws05BQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
And so it goes.Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-29374764214532882002023-11-06T18:27:00.000-05:002023-11-06T18:27:17.823-05:00Faith's Unrequited LoveFaith has loved two boyfriends. Gunner was her first and her love for him knew no bounds. She grieved last year when he died. Then Phineas came on the scene and she slowly fell in love again. She is most happy when she has a derriere to nap on.
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2x_tsRwnEnESKG0fF_NXkaO599-L_EyZYzy1od6rz0lNGyizAcUWWBOMd6W6t4RPpGw7pD4oT5eRqEtD6-LzYilVErwYVmCSvnMDSmFcX8oH0y7Htxh1TRufRrEJmxk44YGzoFvlZmdEhbVmA3JZ04j_ejtOKw2y-JDLIQPni6DuCzTTgjt4EMeROCyVL/s4000/Phinny%20and%20Faith,%202023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2x_tsRwnEnESKG0fF_NXkaO599-L_EyZYzy1od6rz0lNGyizAcUWWBOMd6W6t4RPpGw7pD4oT5eRqEtD6-LzYilVErwYVmCSvnMDSmFcX8oH0y7Htxh1TRufRrEJmxk44YGzoFvlZmdEhbVmA3JZ04j_ejtOKw2y-JDLIQPni6DuCzTTgjt4EMeROCyVL/s400/Phinny%20and%20Faith,%202023.jpg"/></a></div>
However, her love is unrequited, as it was with Gunner. Both boys found Faith to be a fine companion, but love material? Perhaps not.
Currently Faith has a mouthful of plaque.
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzEIz8hPkDv-VfCkZZfL6MSVK6HKU6NQSZBI6JCU9nNdO4mCR5XmvXKwJVZ1XmAiEz8ZqvTmGbtMqqznF78gIJGILbDfcNp9iwPoEScWIlMHdutySLLecxu7rdlKvXtEFFz74lygB9rgFr3COJ9vAye9YZjCJUFj3Dq2fcNTJfYIMP1hUjkQqubWfkqOk/s3264/Fayray%20arrives,%20upside%20down.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzEIz8hPkDv-VfCkZZfL6MSVK6HKU6NQSZBI6JCU9nNdO4mCR5XmvXKwJVZ1XmAiEz8ZqvTmGbtMqqznF78gIJGILbDfcNp9iwPoEScWIlMHdutySLLecxu7rdlKvXtEFFz74lygB9rgFr3COJ9vAye9YZjCJUFj3Dq2fcNTJfYIMP1hUjkQqubWfkqOk/s400/Fayray%20arrives,%20upside%20down.jpg"/></a></div>
When she came to us off the track her teeth immediately needed cleaning, but greyhounds don't do well under anesthesia -- no body fat. So putting her under to get those toofies clean again isn't advisable. Rick now has daily scraping duty. And she's such a good girl, she lies passively and makes not a peep.Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-48622693942835744932023-10-23T18:32:00.000-04:002023-10-23T18:34:49.296-04:00Oops<p> Turns out Sharona's name needs to be changed. Although I suppose in this gender fluid society, perhaps not. Anyway turns out she's a he. Yup, I've avoided roosters like the plague having heard the horror stories and now, voila. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_SyMAuT4bndTEQpmf0YIOfmpeqteaLhcP-CishPovl9xNKOWTxNt9IcDHjaTFbqpCAEcMiNW5CuOSpjqYmWkoYGxEwwpiNaNW1-mpXKRN3CUQdXC-ysykHgnDBcLYFb6Bi7TDKSkfxJTYjYyylu_f7Pfvu1_sq24qIgyBvbWyr17FgBImY1b-qRsVuPX/s4000/Sharona,%20Sharone,%20Oct%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_SyMAuT4bndTEQpmf0YIOfmpeqteaLhcP-CishPovl9xNKOWTxNt9IcDHjaTFbqpCAEcMiNW5CuOSpjqYmWkoYGxEwwpiNaNW1-mpXKRN3CUQdXC-ysykHgnDBcLYFb6Bi7TDKSkfxJTYjYyylu_f7Pfvu1_sq24qIgyBvbWyr17FgBImY1b-qRsVuPX/w400-h300/Sharona,%20Sharone,%20Oct%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>I'm still getting used to calling her a him, but isn't he lovely.<br /><br />I've talked to a couple of people who know roosters, trying to get a feel for what to anticipate. </p><p>When do you see aggression surface, if it's going to. <br />How to work with him to fend off aggression. One person told me to hold him as much as possible. Ha! I think the person I bought him from never did any "holding" work. All three -- Storm, Clara, and Sharone have been people skittish.</p><p>And then there's the spurs. I dread the day they appear.</p><p>I've been around aggressive roosters -- at a farm sanctuary I volunteered at -- and let me assure you, they scared me. <br />And I've been told the ideal ratio is 10 hens per rooster. I only have eight girls. How rough on the girls is mating.</p><p>So many questions!</p><p>I've seen many posts in chicken groups, "want a nice rooster?" They're a dime a dozen. I do have a lead on one person who appears to be a kind owner if I find he won't fit.</p><p>But let's be optimistic for the moment and assume he stays in the flock. What do you think about just changing Sharona to Sharone. I've been calling him Sharona for three months now, so I hate to make any extreme changes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9dAvhGnRlrg2q68TZOf61nlMF3hBO-bzuSSqJgDqgbQ-7CqkPujT8fLdirsRI4jvLbv9IYiVoNXcsHdJCMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>If anyone out there knows roosters, please comment as such and maybe we can make contact. </p><p> </p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-64338422193139464962023-10-16T18:44:00.000-04:002023-10-16T18:44:34.020-04:00Donkeys Develop Demanding Diets<p>Mid-October means donkeys are sucking down hay like it's water. From their loud bellows it seems they are in a perpetual state of starvation. <br />That sexy sleek summer look is gone and the fuzzy winter look is starting to show. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTD-zMYtB0jb7XMt_YbQ0hcYavHeG2ScwxorXq1hzKMzBysqWr6pIUY28xDyWQjP0B7Y3yZICyjR8Hrj3SogxA7T5vouxxcrdz2WRc5UVCETBkqiwGtYPEZbFYYSbPxiLo9JSJYhEAV12ZGBOR9nWAJlno5mlnTvI8FdGMbJBa33HLl4TI12L8LFdnIP/s4000/fall%20hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTD-zMYtB0jb7XMt_YbQ0hcYavHeG2ScwxorXq1hzKMzBysqWr6pIUY28xDyWQjP0B7Y3yZICyjR8Hrj3SogxA7T5vouxxcrdz2WRc5UVCETBkqiwGtYPEZbFYYSbPxiLo9JSJYhEAV12ZGBOR9nWAJlno5mlnTvI8FdGMbJBa33HLl4TI12L8LFdnIP/w400-h300/fall%20hair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I still shake my head at the fact the donks are sleek for only about three months of the year. I think Mother Nature should make some modifications.<p></p><p>The three new chicken girls (can't call them "little" any longer) are actually starting to mingle with the big girls - successfully without getting bullied. Well not always, but there are occasions now and then. Even little Marigold who is low in the pecking order will put one of the new girls in her place. Everyone is capable of being a bully from time to time.</p><p>Last post I told you Rick had modified where the new girls perch at night. Let me try to explain.</p><p>Before we added the second bedroom to the chicken condo, we had a yellow window that was on the outside wall. We kept the window after the addition was complete. We'd leave it open so it was at a 90 degree angle to the wall. That's the spot the new girls chose as their bed - up high and no co-mingling with the bully girls. Even though we placed fresh newspaper on the yellow window daily, it became pretty soiled. So Rick dismantled the roosting branches no one ever used, removed the yellow window, and re-assembled the roost where the window had been. At first Clara, Storm, and Sharona said you've got to be kidding.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgsANX78MbH1bRsM8ZOcvhnajoYKJjMLkNOkDIXCymbV0IrjCMedxuQvx2LcqY-n7yKWKlTz3y7aM4w5ULoHQj3EPQWTf78xh9utQxFxaiSIQdN3hMCdRvYiQTgjINAsQlDGta9BDa787LUmK96TBr59CVy9YsQK6wbJmOfDIz50UXI0HH38e-KQJ-hDH/s4000/chickens,%20replace%20yellow%20window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgsANX78MbH1bRsM8ZOcvhnajoYKJjMLkNOkDIXCymbV0IrjCMedxuQvx2LcqY-n7yKWKlTz3y7aM4w5ULoHQj3EPQWTf78xh9utQxFxaiSIQdN3hMCdRvYiQTgjINAsQlDGta9BDa787LUmK96TBr59CVy9YsQK6wbJmOfDIz50UXI0HH38e-KQJ-hDH/w400-h300/chickens,%20replace%20yellow%20window.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> But it didn't take long for them to agree to the new arrangement.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VyWG3wP9B2-21RyEDZ6eKrxTrnpdT_pdqMasdBj47Dq-0m9-TjSGQKzSYy4y3PpNGhEWIuR5FNF-qewdt-ekM8yZuI-vdMU9jvC3imdfZv3gPfBEtQHTFCC3ZtB94YQxgbvFQasYtZ_SH812CpCPAmcpU9Gab154xL3oTkm57NSmkEADWifKmKppvcpN/s4000/chickens,%20replace%20yellow%20window%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VyWG3wP9B2-21RyEDZ6eKrxTrnpdT_pdqMasdBj47Dq-0m9-TjSGQKzSYy4y3PpNGhEWIuR5FNF-qewdt-ekM8yZuI-vdMU9jvC3imdfZv3gPfBEtQHTFCC3ZtB94YQxgbvFQasYtZ_SH812CpCPAmcpU9Gab154xL3oTkm57NSmkEADWifKmKppvcpN/w400-h300/chickens,%20replace%20yellow%20window%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm going to cut this short today. Upon leaving Tractor Supply this afternoon after yoga class, getting chickie and donk supplies, I was in a fender bender. No, not my fault which the other guy clearly explained to his insurance agent. But I now have a nicely dented quarter panel. Yippee. Anyway, although it was minor, I'm pooped. So I will bid you a good evening.</p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-27848505239112588362023-09-25T18:19:00.073-04:002023-10-02T18:44:10.362-04:00Donkeys Gone Wild<p><i>I wrote this post a week ago, ready to show you a hilarious video of the donkeys. And then blogspot told me it was too big. So I trimmed it in my phone (or at least I thought I did) so it was under a minute. But then my computer wouldn't let me paste it in the blog, blah blah blah. I was confident if I started anew today everything would be A-OK. Blogspot is still telling me it's too big, which I think is baloney. </i></p><p>Your favorite three miniature donkeys have almost lost all interest in the pasture. Yes, around this time of year it's not in the best shape, but some of it still has lush grass. However, the three princesses do not deign it worthy. And yes, their royal sensibilities are becoming a bit irritating. Thus the following situation.</p><p>Let me preface the video clip by explaining the normal day's schedule.<br />Breakfast is served about 8:45 am. At 1:00 (until the pasture is not fit for the beasts, usually around October)) the pasture gate is opened. Post-pasture lunch is served at 3:00. And the final dinner bell rings at dusk.</p><p>Well, recently I had the utter audacity to pass the donkey yard via the driveway at 1:00, intending to give the next door neighbor cows some carrots. The donkeys went nuts. And the irritation you hear in my voice is just that.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> [at this point you have to use your imagination in your mind's eye seeing three donkeys <br />running madly back and forth<br />in the yard, braying at the top of their lungs and my voice telling them to knock it off]</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have no idea what caused the frenzied behavior. The vocalizations and running are more indicative of real trouble. Who knows what prompted it. Except my long held theory that they're nuts!<br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pjgw54fTyP8H42DvbgWqaJknaEw1EBwTIFGEyHIRlk1zt1Fa2Q-JBUvG1c7JhyphenhyphenOErMpuPSteamFZV5MaBBHAxaajApeKYN7Jco3sztd1FCs_pwS0U-1pP_1AJKfzYsvB3BGgWMeWiEYuIVL65fwyo8ZMgSKnS0Sl-OZNp4SpIzII48IPvAbIlZ0p5zn/s4000/donkey%20butts%20(2023).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pjgw54fTyP8H42DvbgWqaJknaEw1EBwTIFGEyHIRlk1zt1Fa2Q-JBUvG1c7JhyphenhyphenOErMpuPSteamFZV5MaBBHAxaajApeKYN7Jco3sztd1FCs_pwS0U-1pP_1AJKfzYsvB3BGgWMeWiEYuIVL65fwyo8ZMgSKnS0Sl-OZNp4SpIzII48IPvAbIlZ0p5zn/w400-h300/donkey%20butts%20(2023).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I may try again to figure out why it won't take the video or I just may post it on FB. To be honest I'm tired of struggling with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So instead, let me show you a little clip of a teeny fountain on the deck.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyALoEJiPydb2uMVuMpH7U9o1kcZnk0UQCx9FdDwlfO1lZ1FFYiw0I80YXPjun0I37dLSUp5CI3y2q4JfESvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What I really want you to take note of is the tall flowering begonia just behind the impatiens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89Loo0ZO15WXO90GTZOUuPy0Rp9kaN99PDA6rRMfgT2IgehJSavROxTDvo5QXDcWYwy66_25sze67WWF8Wty_CnopseODkW5YxAj9zBOKwucXez5G2VEuC7LHEIqgVZhdEON54PYHaPjn-wgi9errg2mMBiCxqu08TIRA8ab7EGCLaH0QN1rQY9FKxvf1/s4000/begonia%20(2023).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89Loo0ZO15WXO90GTZOUuPy0Rp9kaN99PDA6rRMfgT2IgehJSavROxTDvo5QXDcWYwy66_25sze67WWF8Wty_CnopseODkW5YxAj9zBOKwucXez5G2VEuC7LHEIqgVZhdEON54PYHaPjn-wgi9errg2mMBiCxqu08TIRA8ab7EGCLaH0QN1rQY9FKxvf1/w300-h400/begonia%20(2023).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> I've had her for years, wintering her every year. She's taller than I am at this point. I hate to trim her but I probably should before bringing her in for the season. A few of the many plants that come into the sunroom on a tarp in October are old friends. They've been around for years. Often they look a bit iffy when they take their places on the deck in the spring, but by fall they're again magnificent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">OK, back to the chonkeys. Sharona in particular. She is now the biggest girl of the nine, but doesn't know it. She kowtows to the older girls as does Clara. Storm, however, has got some gumption and is starting to hold her own.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdbKxaMl2jBOjOpxZ1bXgHzPWPhjD8foNKFGsF-ggtVORoBc5c1c8tsPAP5CMHNE3uNNm1qAe5UEFruM_WEBrbtopByrK1-RL9SFOcssCQzhUOSNikUEFBQP5Jd02EViKwAcRySTaoMelSyewodgBmFQIYsoJgDYkGsdQTkGFmcb8jEH9edYDPeV1S1vh/s4000/Sharona,%20Oct%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdbKxaMl2jBOjOpxZ1bXgHzPWPhjD8foNKFGsF-ggtVORoBc5c1c8tsPAP5CMHNE3uNNm1qAe5UEFruM_WEBrbtopByrK1-RL9SFOcssCQzhUOSNikUEFBQP5Jd02EViKwAcRySTaoMelSyewodgBmFQIYsoJgDYkGsdQTkGFmcb8jEH9edYDPeV1S1vh/s320/Sharona,%20Oct%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> Next week I'll show you the modification Rick made to the roosting area for the new girls.</div></div><p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-37083453105566781062023-09-12T10:03:00.000-04:002023-09-12T10:03:24.097-04:00Sharona Shines<p>I cannot in all fairness say I have any new stories about the teeny tiny farm. </p><p>We took a teeny tiny vacation last week on the west side of the state along Lake Michigan, not a teeny tiny lake in the least.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo8SqGN5ohxR0bBrVMCqvIxRdhQM-fLku6jIbFarFqq9Ns2n1eRpQqE_4pKaZfb5790DoL91l3CWCDVbZb4dCWxquWy1O1yi73pPW9yz50iXkIYkHb0q6AzYHD1xv-sC6Fc2ye3oa4ZovQGwPSeHBHGEFrE1kViNZoczdGEYDu_YaQsbuDCt0tKZjbX3V/s676/michigan%20map,%20%20hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo8SqGN5ohxR0bBrVMCqvIxRdhQM-fLku6jIbFarFqq9Ns2n1eRpQqE_4pKaZfb5790DoL91l3CWCDVbZb4dCWxquWy1O1yi73pPW9yz50iXkIYkHb0q6AzYHD1xv-sC6Fc2ye3oa4ZovQGwPSeHBHGEFrE1kViNZoczdGEYDu_YaQsbuDCt0tKZjbX3V/s320/michigan%20map,%20%20hand.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><p>Over in the vicinity of Ludington.<br />Our time spent sitting on the beach listening to and watching the waves (and seagulls) was wonderful. Plus lighthouses galore. And good food.<br /><br /></p><p>However, this weekend I was <b><i>finally</i></b> able to capture a semi-decent photo of Sharona in her technicolor glory.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ClYkru6tzGJfJWdiDnNtF0XoZ1_8MXygYis6s6x53NJOL607xNJPLDLfGOnppsGgERo8ke2Uf51yU9n6-fQAQVua005xNbN1GK5U0CMObZfCZ1A6Vuf6ivXFg4ADunXQN5FX6Unm8immYy33eBh4d1DZn8EmVcFrPRo0UCNP8EGTUQXAtSL8JvDUiWd/s4000/Sharona,%20Sept%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ClYkru6tzGJfJWdiDnNtF0XoZ1_8MXygYis6s6x53NJOL607xNJPLDLfGOnppsGgERo8ke2Uf51yU9n6-fQAQVua005xNbN1GK5U0CMObZfCZ1A6Vuf6ivXFg4ADunXQN5FX6Unm8immYy33eBh4d1DZn8EmVcFrPRo0UCNP8EGTUQXAtSL8JvDUiWd/w300-h400/Sharona,%20Sept%202023.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Yes, you may ooh and aah at this point in the story.<br /><br />So, the peculiar thing with the little girls is they fly out of the coop in the mornings with the big girls, but during free- range time they tend to stay in the run. A little chicken door is always open during this block of time for anyone who feels the need to find a nesting box so the three girls could leave at any time. But they don't.</p><p><br />I know the next question on your mind is, did the three donks miss you.<br />Well, of course. Or at least that's my story.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYywiWfPObZ4xOXqVEow5LlSLW2ZBYje5gLmL9JfEd_sXXaP6p-qBB-3NpkJ3RMnwaYctRWQLTXsA_JQQmMIQRselo7RXf8hljBRnrjt_-G8c8O0-M-i44N4uh3PT9lgqNWGdWahEU8nDNIusEreu3hbJvYy42Ov5GRCKLel_heCcIfkq4jAUkphhVEoTR/s4000/Gabby%20(2023).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYywiWfPObZ4xOXqVEow5LlSLW2ZBYje5gLmL9JfEd_sXXaP6p-qBB-3NpkJ3RMnwaYctRWQLTXsA_JQQmMIQRselo7RXf8hljBRnrjt_-G8c8O0-M-i44N4uh3PT9lgqNWGdWahEU8nDNIusEreu3hbJvYy42Ov5GRCKLel_heCcIfkq4jAUkphhVEoTR/w300-h400/Gabby%20(2023).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * * </span><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">This was a lovely recipe for incorporating home grown cherry tomatoes and basil. First time making it last evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4MhM0AbrkuiauUeJb4OfmYmEss1LFE9GxYfLEUh-5mh1jojPUci_wCdIUovCVp1Y9XedmvBMV71Ys4TOcuff0RSvRGIt-lL6ULT1ylP5uI1rbcnFvd18pcE_tByM5VfJgPISZ7nHfUx4_5qNxqLT6up-pQ7bIxyg99btlnsYOOrYOi1F0nagiazXoUhZ/s4000/pasta%20with%20cherry%20tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4MhM0AbrkuiauUeJb4OfmYmEss1LFE9GxYfLEUh-5mh1jojPUci_wCdIUovCVp1Y9XedmvBMV71Ys4TOcuff0RSvRGIt-lL6ULT1ylP5uI1rbcnFvd18pcE_tByM5VfJgPISZ7nHfUx4_5qNxqLT6up-pQ7bIxyg99btlnsYOOrYOi1F0nagiazXoUhZ/s320/pasta%20with%20cherry%20tomatoes.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/pasta-with-cherry-tomatoes/">Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Using a non dairy parm makes it vegan all the way. And I bet no one eating it will ever complain it's not "real" parm.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next time I make it I'll cook the sauce a bit longer to help the garlic and basil flavors burst through.</div></div></div><p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-83379994719998237632023-09-04T18:32:00.000-04:002023-09-04T18:32:02.170-04:00Spice Displays Hidden Talents<p> Before we delve into the world of hidden talents, allow me to give you an update on the new little girls.</p><p>Progress is being made but it's oh so very slow. Storm seems to be the most adventurous, zipping out into the pasture while Clara and Sharona appear to depend on her for leadership. All three can be easily bamboozled by the big girls, but I did see Clara and Sharona at the feeder at the same time a couple of big girls were there. Now that IS progress. </p><p>I had to pick up one of the girls the other day and oh lordy, you'd think she was headed for the chopping block. Clearly none of them were handled as chicks. <br />In the evening when it's time to lock up, I sweet talk the three as they perch above me for the night. </p><p>I'll try my darnedest to get some decent photos of the three for the next post. Sharona's colors are coming in and they're quite striking.</p><p><br />Last week I stopped in to Tractor Supply for some shavings -- I usually prefer to get supplies at my local feed store, but I do like TSC's shavings. As I walked into the cart area some chicken-themed wind chimes were seductively luring me. Yes, I am a sucker for wind chimes. Big ones, little ones, cheap ones, expensive ones. And these particular beauties were on sale. I was doomed.</p><p>Here Spice demonstrates her abilities to ring those chimes with just a flick of an ear. Boy, what talent!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzcWemW0RB2rC3KZqN_yUTrl09IAME8rG0DLYxnyT1SAhMEo1rF3_wRElY_rISDwFL6SIxzJSsPgRFYrNdPtQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> I'll hear them ring a ding when there's no hay in the manger and when there's no breeze. Yes, I have to wonder if the donks are musically inclined.<p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-13301262382210475142023-08-28T18:40:00.000-04:002023-08-28T18:40:40.948-04:00Thank Goodness For Generators<p> If you are a reader who does not live in the vicinity, the big news was the storms. Two biggies in two days causing flooding, downed trees, and of course power outages. We were lucky; no damage. Three days without power - thank goodness for the portable generator, although it's constant drone in the background became irritating.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0iNwpOXa8_VtK3mTyEzb0t7gLLkLmXV6ooFLNIOTtpgya_OaDOQarrGvsSgtHoPqv7PYsUCU2QaPqgEgz1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> I am not complaining. Clearly other parts of the country have gotten hit much worse.<p></p><p>I was more than amazed Lake Luigi did not appear --</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__PKV1NiKPjximHp3RbG8prh6LF7B8SacX700aXgml6qO8A37UuUC8JUaTI93R5iY_FZhjCMciKxY-PTQ1cReYoROmXGbaidnbMCxj0uKtgtHWlUm6oQNjLN4RN3wPUVKCKClZyoNQVwmBhztePsOgYB3V3BaYglPDi07S3go5XKcWhY_gCmBYt0baRlg/s4000/storm,%20no%20lake%20luigi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__PKV1NiKPjximHp3RbG8prh6LF7B8SacX700aXgml6qO8A37UuUC8JUaTI93R5iY_FZhjCMciKxY-PTQ1cReYoROmXGbaidnbMCxj0uKtgtHWlUm6oQNjLN4RN3wPUVKCKClZyoNQVwmBhztePsOgYB3V3BaYglPDi07S3go5XKcWhY_gCmBYt0baRlg/s320/storm,%20no%20lake%20luigi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Enough rainfall to feed the bowls twice.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKEBHYu8NgAbNFBMUjT-2b_6ZBGyaNmPQ2B6Ye2pRVKMpYn7BL2Ilacis6u4SjGj-BYMXrD6Zmj1KwxrfvfKWX2TrVA4w3kwGuPVLJan1T6VzHzgd1bW6U_aaE2MJItyeJm-05-eibMdg6KwT6iRyEeKt0JrDxzVh40LoNEOxZzoF8vhPBg5wa4YWtmTL/s4000/storm,%20water%20filled%20bowl%202x%20(8-23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKEBHYu8NgAbNFBMUjT-2b_6ZBGyaNmPQ2B6Ye2pRVKMpYn7BL2Ilacis6u4SjGj-BYMXrD6Zmj1KwxrfvfKWX2TrVA4w3kwGuPVLJan1T6VzHzgd1bW6U_aaE2MJItyeJm-05-eibMdg6KwT6iRyEeKt0JrDxzVh40LoNEOxZzoF8vhPBg5wa4YWtmTL/w300-h400/storm,%20water%20filled%20bowl%202x%20(8-23).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Power was restored yesterday afternoon, thank goodness.<br /><br /><div><br />Prior to this we finally repainted the side of the barn that showed many many many donkey nibbles.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxNBYkSA8Q-47WFhXcpcYcbIBz7p7WbvTLwHTGLFL0HTI_U1RUpNaKOHT94MtY2KOkUZR53PBNI5cqfZyC9t4kTMZUtH3v7LDyXdKcJgZRpXhfColC_V9Njc7VNw1Qmnc3S4niWWb_UC1BlNzXqM3m5OLz9PSasKg9dBVgyX5YYSc-IDwQKXgR7M8t8R3/s3264/painted%20barn%208-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxNBYkSA8Q-47WFhXcpcYcbIBz7p7WbvTLwHTGLFL0HTI_U1RUpNaKOHT94MtY2KOkUZR53PBNI5cqfZyC9t4kTMZUtH3v7LDyXdKcJgZRpXhfColC_V9Njc7VNw1Qmnc3S4niWWb_UC1BlNzXqM3m5OLz9PSasKg9dBVgyX5YYSc-IDwQKXgR7M8t8R3/w400-h300/painted%20barn%208-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIrsdxKcj6XAYrfqzQzXSAZ1MMCDFxMVv8lP6cVWeKGNuYme8iixBMlcPlBcjS8WSphYpm8QwvxHuG-s75SNHqz52DZm3OCUPJxN85F4DSyGKkTCEZNlGpNrpthshUatMQ151EXh2VJuZ2z_9QZD5hLxJpgVmgG9wM5MBrMCkFJraH4B1BGmgjeKho3yL/s4000/painted%20barn%202,%20Aug%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIrsdxKcj6XAYrfqzQzXSAZ1MMCDFxMVv8lP6cVWeKGNuYme8iixBMlcPlBcjS8WSphYpm8QwvxHuG-s75SNHqz52DZm3OCUPJxN85F4DSyGKkTCEZNlGpNrpthshUatMQ151EXh2VJuZ2z_9QZD5hLxJpgVmgG9wM5MBrMCkFJraH4B1BGmgjeKho3yL/s320/painted%20barn%202,%20Aug%2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I've been wanting a sign for the side of the barn for quite some time, but don't know who to go to for lettering. Any ideas?<div><br /><br /></div><div>While the painting project was in full swing, chickens were free range, including the newbies. They hated being outside of the run. I left them like this for about forty-five minutes, then said enough, and opened the door.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQHT5niW6qRa7TOPb9Frq0trYJrwQIXdI7rFndvSuo58YBeFU7s-0eVpB9lxa-qOflW1V7Bhh7-hBnGwqyjA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />And then there's the donks.<br /><br /><br />Gabby feels compelled to come up behind me in the hay aisle to remind me there's Equine Senior at my fingertips.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07hjLPUHXMd4XYNHM83avBA8f70aimrgZ1G8_PD9GbDHFg2HQmDOoTMc-GhyJiyOAaCrYZRV76t27kUk7qEqV_ryTEgvQrBPWX2zQecEh5s-puvPjPZyFnr6DQWs9yQ-6yEZdov2bhSjf5hnqj8a1cptUXL9bthENyeoa4RcMPDHQJ5bD0auc2ZADWyex/s4000/Gabby%20big%20ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07hjLPUHXMd4XYNHM83avBA8f70aimrgZ1G8_PD9GbDHFg2HQmDOoTMc-GhyJiyOAaCrYZRV76t27kUk7qEqV_ryTEgvQrBPWX2zQecEh5s-puvPjPZyFnr6DQWs9yQ-6yEZdov2bhSjf5hnqj8a1cptUXL9bthENyeoa4RcMPDHQJ5bD0auc2ZADWyex/w300-h400/Gabby%20big%20ears.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Thank you Gabs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />And finally I want to show you the flower combo out by the donkey gate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16zKq13ZyXevCRiX9pGwlPIPteUYQQwstSCvI6bh6nq02sC2KHlUEC9bpmeEhQUud_dkuPLwtfgYV7j3OsnTkfLFVWLg3la4RKG15mceCSbOw7w1ln7zSQkfOcqh1WjyNWKZFGNr31EIsO5L3B00bHQ8r7y_1dIkjsNndD7OBCZDBN47GwUQ0ZxBC5Z8m/s4000/flower%20combo%20(morning%20glory,%20salvia,%20mandevilla).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16zKq13ZyXevCRiX9pGwlPIPteUYQQwstSCvI6bh6nq02sC2KHlUEC9bpmeEhQUud_dkuPLwtfgYV7j3OsnTkfLFVWLg3la4RKG15mceCSbOw7w1ln7zSQkfOcqh1WjyNWKZFGNr31EIsO5L3B00bHQ8r7y_1dIkjsNndD7OBCZDBN47GwUQ0ZxBC5Z8m/w300-h400/flower%20combo%20(morning%20glory,%20salvia,%20mandevilla).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Morning glory, salvia, and mandevilla. All new to this year. The morning glory is not in top form here but she's a beauty. I'm hoping she comes back next year. And I'm smitten with the mandevilla. She'll spend the winter in the house, if I can untwine her hold on the fence.Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-5141440959966157132023-08-14T18:56:00.000-04:002023-08-14T18:56:44.121-04:00Tree Trimmers Need Not Apply<p> We have been lucky in Michigan this summer -- moderate temps and plenty of rain. Perhaps too much at times. My hay guy was having trouble baling second cutting because of the precipitation every other day.</p><p>When we've had more than our fill of the wet stuff, you'll see two things at the teeny tiny farm.<br />Lake Luigi and tall red boots.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MK0vPaN_7DDekXlmgiwFyfVdnatWlAnAGVVQLBblpo5aAgEanF8qJ3TLQc3teV7pcdGk0WU1adbenBe7NpcnpO9gKCgXLEYe4bpY11GjXcLYfMQBW6xS1OXySVGPGAR3dPhTLJh_MjdFdJx6DL0c_tOP3hbGEN7MQvwuPpN-ctFE0GqNdHG1hMCIqPVm/s4000/Lake%20Luigi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MK0vPaN_7DDekXlmgiwFyfVdnatWlAnAGVVQLBblpo5aAgEanF8qJ3TLQc3teV7pcdGk0WU1adbenBe7NpcnpO9gKCgXLEYe4bpY11GjXcLYfMQBW6xS1OXySVGPGAR3dPhTLJh_MjdFdJx6DL0c_tOP3hbGEN7MQvwuPpN-ctFE0GqNdHG1hMCIqPVm/w400-h300/Lake%20Luigi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMJKo1N3GYtnixnNif__deLHIauBOgkGM6eL26gscIUe0fzUv6BDVlIFvTh73ixOhcmYSVeVdps0nzMRLkpVKeFMp-CNZaYx-jjgWMO7qnzACDSh65573KJ9Sw3OBTb-jXdtXr638xHF8EQrLk3PjVuIdYj5Lj0ELfHqXYPgsOAHmQOArxzGQ6ffIJL0-/s4000/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMJKo1N3GYtnixnNif__deLHIauBOgkGM6eL26gscIUe0fzUv6BDVlIFvTh73ixOhcmYSVeVdps0nzMRLkpVKeFMp-CNZaYx-jjgWMO7qnzACDSh65573KJ9Sw3OBTb-jXdtXr638xHF8EQrLk3PjVuIdYj5Lj0ELfHqXYPgsOAHmQOArxzGQ6ffIJL0-/s320/boots.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> The donkeys have multiple responsibilities around the farm. Spice volunteered recently to take the tree trimming class. Here she works on her homework assignment. I'm confident she'll pass.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dycSegVSQLN_wgc7APm_7iL77wy9YG-0acqQY_x1Q3dMbG2hlUbBRWnWtkXDBeRH3kIGYPlbixflORpeX2V5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>By the way, tomorrow is the BIG day -- chicken integration. We'll open all doors at the mark of free range time so the little girls can escape any aggressive pecking. But when everyone is gathered back up, they'll have to stand up to the bullies.</p><p>Cross your fingers!!</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * * </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hit the jackpot at Better Health during my most recent trip.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97q2xNcw1zf2GSvORTC2winLqnsOSItwRrqnqHHOAHgDYCPLQmuAw-qgKSnrc3xGuAQfhfNemU2AT21W9VJqa5PvQX3Q0ShzjW4gv22PvlPwfSAC_UxiQlobrZim_lS_MXX45Cq0JBphB5hCs3KhMc0xCFj0YOKKAG_NcLUGG6kuqbd16n0PWjB0jvmpq/s3658/Trader%20Joe%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3658" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97q2xNcw1zf2GSvORTC2winLqnsOSItwRrqnqHHOAHgDYCPLQmuAw-qgKSnrc3xGuAQfhfNemU2AT21W9VJqa5PvQX3Q0ShzjW4gv22PvlPwfSAC_UxiQlobrZim_lS_MXX45Cq0JBphB5hCs3KhMc0xCFj0YOKKAG_NcLUGG6kuqbd16n0PWjB0jvmpq/w400-h328/Trader%20Joe%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm smitten with the "lunch meat" - I've tried a a few and this brand (Unreal Deli) gets top marks. Sadly in my neck of the woods, I've only found one store that carries it. <br />The pepper garlic spread is a little too yummy -- I need a big crock of the stuff. <br />And I'll report on the enchiladas later after they've hit my belly :)<p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-37884202371227084552023-08-10T18:45:00.000-04:002023-08-10T18:45:15.264-04:00Cranes, Little Chicken Girls, and Spice Ears<p> I tried my darnedest to update the blog on Monday but my PC thwarted me. Looks like it's fighting against me again so I may not be able to include all the videos I originally had in mind. Guess the name of the game is roll with it.</p><p>We have a few sand hill crane friends in the "neighborhood". Yesterday the family I see most often effectively held me hostage for a few minutes on our road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91mM_cBxC_C9UT_-7hlNg9oACTI8kcgkcA0G_4Uu3cBGsVvml5KOWmlWILQluo_viD2QjYCYitTx_tRX9AcXo70IuLOoeU6IcijXAAoLBfYMVG1F3I1e4Vb7sywyg1_vfFWMb9QX6XRRV9_HxlpT73LZsrte9HtoN3WfRbPP10qD7hE2-peA3LTJ3mIL1/s4000/sand%20hill%20cranes%20(2023).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91mM_cBxC_C9UT_-7hlNg9oACTI8kcgkcA0G_4Uu3cBGsVvml5KOWmlWILQluo_viD2QjYCYitTx_tRX9AcXo70IuLOoeU6IcijXAAoLBfYMVG1F3I1e4Vb7sywyg1_vfFWMb9QX6XRRV9_HxlpT73LZsrte9HtoN3WfRbPP10qD7hE2-peA3LTJ3mIL1/w400-h300/sand%20hill%20cranes%20(2023).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Today, they were "hopping mad" that I disturbed them again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwp_hke5iJzbye3-rDesedM-UV_6pKl0DzX1Mnka00OV8gTnKpV7YY5n10bt6535jjVLghHlxewrk6J2ZX1oA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>My uneducated guess is they were cheesed that I inched the car forward bit by bit.<br />Anyone else have insight into crane behavior? </p><p><br />The new little chicken girls are still segregated but that is going to change early next week. They want to roam (I've had a couple of escapees) and the big girls want the coop back. The tricky part will be herding them back in at the end of free range time; neither Rick nor I are looking forward to it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyOC-VCbJhPACyLXng92TSOVP23_vWSgOwGbqHhg2cZVhWYRj4S-Z_QVB_244ny-asQxmHEKp6bEhcLUHLMLy4jcN73wc5bFHBaJvfDl3LWUYAtOQJQrOK1dwEvxsJa57P_adI7G4ITNoRs9D2_6MqSrmgZt29clFNBrVSjr0m_7NwEdGN-RRBtJ6KDdG/s4000/new%20girls%20visiting,%208-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyOC-VCbJhPACyLXng92TSOVP23_vWSgOwGbqHhg2cZVhWYRj4S-Z_QVB_244ny-asQxmHEKp6bEhcLUHLMLy4jcN73wc5bFHBaJvfDl3LWUYAtOQJQrOK1dwEvxsJa57P_adI7G4ITNoRs9D2_6MqSrmgZt29clFNBrVSjr0m_7NwEdGN-RRBtJ6KDdG/w400-h300/new%20girls%20visiting,%208-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Either Henrietta or Marigold (on the far right) was investigating </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">We've had plenty of visiting on both sides of the screened divide inside the coop. It's always a "cross your fingers" few days when new and old girls are integrated. And there is always some aggression - one can only hope it's minimal. The term "pecking order" is accurate. <i>I will peck you to put you in your place.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The new girls are starting to fill out but they're still skittish around me. It's such a slow process. I'm so used to the big girls being fearless with me -- under my feet, stepping on my feet -- that it surprises me (irrationally) when the little girls don't want to be in the same room with me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykgITd8jb_GHDvv9GxUnvlAGG9D2zppBL_jubd8amNWVZelYVGpimS5FhPUUTvn3Rr44bXe2ls3CO-_B4R_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <br />We can't conclude today's brief post without a donkey photo, now can we.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu3pgcKQRSoh9ygi8RmJ0s4FYf3G49mFa4zIweEYYlR_eKHEXnLrCc6DhSPK6hPsNhYKRHs0QSFhH4-FCig35WAV6MI3om4fPks9YrLhkwnQ0ssLhUZ2qP5ybPe2sDjeDyXetrWcpPJWmHY6u-cn8S18TsYgyWZxRuO3d06xlAiQRZpA-srLwNuv8SsFR/s4000/Spice,%20windmill%20ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu3pgcKQRSoh9ygi8RmJ0s4FYf3G49mFa4zIweEYYlR_eKHEXnLrCc6DhSPK6hPsNhYKRHs0QSFhH4-FCig35WAV6MI3om4fPks9YrLhkwnQ0ssLhUZ2qP5ybPe2sDjeDyXetrWcpPJWmHY6u-cn8S18TsYgyWZxRuO3d06xlAiQRZpA-srLwNuv8SsFR/w400-h300/Spice,%20windmill%20ears.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Spice and her windmill ears, or perhaps more like the Flying Nun<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-2055685086424310072023-07-24T18:41:00.001-04:002023-07-24T18:41:58.915-04:00Look Who's Joined the Family<p> Three days ago three little girls arrived to join my bevy of beauties.</p><p><b>Clara</b> (from one of my favorite author's book series), <b>Sharona</b> (ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-my Sharona), and <b>Storm</b> (family name).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkzF5oqYhhoPhMprnjZE3qYu2D5M3n38gnCQiWNWFwNbcQ8eY4QwJAw4LDEfquqtY2lWIQbexaVxjOE9UjFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>The lovelies are three months old and so very skittish (which means not very many photos). So they're being kept separated from the big girls, who are not happy in the least with the disruption in routine.</p><p>Today was the first day i saw them exploring the covered porch area. Each day they grow a bit more calm, but they're far from comfortable. Last fall when we got Gigi and Stevie we introduced them to the older girls at night when everyone was drowsy, calm and going to bed. Worked like a charm. I made the mistake of trying it Saturday evening but it did not go well. At all. An important piece of the puzzle that had escaped my memory was that these girls are half the age of last fall's bunch.</p><p>You can see from the video above that JoannieLou demanded a nesting box in the little girl area and I thought since she does not tend to be aggressive it would be OK. Well, apparently after she had laid her egg, she went into the run and was squawking up a storm because everyone else was free range. Scared the pants off the little girls and they were all a twitter. I've already seen how Henrietta is going to be the bully. Yes, she got a scolding right off the bat.</p><p>Apparently the breeds are Leghorn, Black Cooper Maran, and Olive Egger. At this stage in the game I can't tell the difference between the two black pullets. To be honest I didn't care what breed we got. And, in fact, this post was going to be all about how I was beating my head against the wall trying to find 2-3 girls to add to the flock. That weren't priced at $20 per bird -- absolutely and totally ridiculous.</p><p>During the next week I'll be trying to get my photos of the cuties.</p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-35558152943315138492023-07-17T18:52:00.000-04:002023-07-17T18:52:24.899-04:00Summer = Sleek and Sexy<p> Gabs shows off her summer sexy look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CQ0MfmDZ3res4af9hzktgs4FXZtKV2rmeFQeTlEDRoK-xIssNEIk3vPEOQiuyc8tQ3PpAp4ZUV23dCWrcTZ3I2ZkRFLe0kh1ZuE2mQIX96NybXKugs6vlu2c4C8BovhPLJkrrSQHpq7Crq_mFladd240dRFJWjc15hHTMSzJtF5BPQ3R7TXNm8QhDutS/s4000/Gabs,%20sleek%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CQ0MfmDZ3res4af9hzktgs4FXZtKV2rmeFQeTlEDRoK-xIssNEIk3vPEOQiuyc8tQ3PpAp4ZUV23dCWrcTZ3I2ZkRFLe0kh1ZuE2mQIX96NybXKugs6vlu2c4C8BovhPLJkrrSQHpq7Crq_mFladd240dRFJWjc15hHTMSzJtF5BPQ3R7TXNm8QhDutS/w400-h300/Gabs,%20sleek%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I mean, come on, isn't that one lovely donkey.<div><br />Sugar and Spice have been a bit slower to shed out their winter locks. As I've mentioned, the donks shed so much later in the season than their horse cousins. When I first got the donkeys, it threw me for a loop. April vs July.</div><div><br />Sugar still has wispy winter hair - disclaimer: these photos were taken about 10 days ago and she's much sleeker now. She wanted you to know that.<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvxULBF84xw5DtBYagyr2DFU6Hnhleyj6aCodaeE94US-ZkXaWlN_2qcudXCezTjowYXbXbf-vXIEPUBa4NMH_aOck8GPotZfuNQsXM40HfenED1YV9dA1nfrw1btyu0aIVmr0CBojCpPKFWt6oiafcr5xR5fNtDFyPA0w6UyldkzUcPgbvXmcDP4eG4h/s4000/Sugar,%20almost%20sleek%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvxULBF84xw5DtBYagyr2DFU6Hnhleyj6aCodaeE94US-ZkXaWlN_2qcudXCezTjowYXbXbf-vXIEPUBa4NMH_aOck8GPotZfuNQsXM40HfenED1YV9dA1nfrw1btyu0aIVmr0CBojCpPKFWt6oiafcr5xR5fNtDFyPA0w6UyldkzUcPgbvXmcDP4eG4h/w300-h400/Sugar,%20almost%20sleek%202023.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA36ipDToNRcgfdFKZ-QA2LmThKtLNkxVVGMY5STfQXz8X5ygd4vCZW-pvZLkD9vMBjTBIlUohNKKLjBTOY-G0Ec7wIEJb_5PPebQu_t2y_VYXVpSBn9nxgcVdhpRLxdthALcluWiAJFuaT0XuEgZ0XEQNXf8IoNLvjNG9cRmNmR8ucrfwtleB68ulag0u/s4000/Sugar,%20side%20view%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA36ipDToNRcgfdFKZ-QA2LmThKtLNkxVVGMY5STfQXz8X5ygd4vCZW-pvZLkD9vMBjTBIlUohNKKLjBTOY-G0Ec7wIEJb_5PPebQu_t2y_VYXVpSBn9nxgcVdhpRLxdthALcluWiAJFuaT0XuEgZ0XEQNXf8IoNLvjNG9cRmNmR8ucrfwtleB68ulag0u/s320/Sugar,%20side%20view%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>In the video, you'll first see sleek Gabby, then Spice of the not-so-fetching bangs and finally Sugs.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxa-NE_0NDpPoWdXB_pXwf9qXwUJJPvDL49ST1_YspwTzQNn4lRJ9jeI-ucD878NO06rVdkcjeGE-B8phgIzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>And yes, the flies got bad about a week ago.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * *</i></b></span></div></div><div><br />I don't make the trip to Trader Joe very frequently; it's a bit too far for convenience. But today I took the plunge and boy oh boy I feel like I hit the jackpot.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JHMQsQaUagDwY6V6ltog0LX_k7OjtGeJdgZkt8_KeCKKbQ7ByIh-X4WMh9y5sioWQOW7Aj__yXG-eCsBlo5gXa9U3gDb1c33V2zlrEVLFNcmBpwTvSAavmkmZRbLiLMkOYxl3qFZUPMkRuz2s0KC_4n6v4E-OSjXaJKQ_1iUkEn4G2EAfZDcJFz88oKQ/s4000/Trader%20Joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JHMQsQaUagDwY6V6ltog0LX_k7OjtGeJdgZkt8_KeCKKbQ7ByIh-X4WMh9y5sioWQOW7Aj__yXG-eCsBlo5gXa9U3gDb1c33V2zlrEVLFNcmBpwTvSAavmkmZRbLiLMkOYxl3qFZUPMkRuz2s0KC_4n6v4E-OSjXaJKQ_1iUkEn4G2EAfZDcJFz88oKQ/s320/Trader%20Joe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And this doesn't even cover the frozen items -- vegan pizza, spring rolls (one of my musts at TJ), etc. To be honest I was anxious to get my treasures in the freezer before I realized I should have taken a photo.</div><div>Maybe next week.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-70030707418343326692023-07-07T17:38:00.002-04:002023-07-07T17:38:29.562-04:00Sudden Good-Bye to Etta<p> Last evening I headed out to the chonkey area for the final evening lock-up. After throwing a last flake of hay to the donks I headed to the coop to close the little doors against predators.</p><p>The scene before me -- Etta James was lying dead on the floor.</p><p>I was stunned and just stared at the scene for several minutes. The other girls were in bed and softly chirping.</p><p>I had brought all the girls in from free-range time that afternoon about 3:00. Nothing appeared wrong, everyone behaved normally.</p><p>What the bloody heck happened?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlFMDPHWVi74KyE7fJAlJm5_dj6G3tfO2uHDnAP2UVehaujjIS5iJxZj7P-yzkuj-gkImzDVzwww32fzgsgz2h_ImUV3hvqgIwWydfkKnDzdesuC84gT0kbI9XkYJKAu8aecB6z19ftPS9ul8ww6NUMR5zG1Vl-Q4IPGGUTv6LasBD5R5eWXDiw7P5is0/s4000/sunbathing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlFMDPHWVi74KyE7fJAlJm5_dj6G3tfO2uHDnAP2UVehaujjIS5iJxZj7P-yzkuj-gkImzDVzwww32fzgsgz2h_ImUV3hvqgIwWydfkKnDzdesuC84gT0kbI9XkYJKAu8aecB6z19ftPS9ul8ww6NUMR5zG1Vl-Q4IPGGUTv6LasBD5R5eWXDiw7P5is0/w400-h300/sunbathing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Etta (black) in rear</p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243973253687152998.post-37143968649699191522023-06-26T19:43:00.003-04:002023-06-26T19:43:40.862-04:00Chickens On Parade<p> Our hen family of seven is a wonderful group of girls. Who wouldn't love these affectionate (well, not all), funny, adventurous, sometimes smart bevy of beauties.</p><p>In no particular order:</p><p><i>Etta James</i><br />Came to us in 2018 from a farm that was being sold. 100 chickens were rehomed and we swept up the last four. That makes Etta roughly 6 years old I was told all the girls were one). She loves to travel out to the furthest point in the pasture during their brief free range time in the morning while I'm doing chores. Invariably when I'm doing a head count, I only come up with six and know Etta is adventuring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetx-HhlYJMEY0ZEYAGVDP_Y20imm9kq9XvIReEQzJlzhwFEa71abmFkTl96hIoeH1pGfan5U82PsLn5XBLg1k4NAU7TZwLQ9sATX6zaE5Ghhx1xWJ5No61bn9ojgFO0VqbBGFQkUxEkHZo7aSC9n9oOQ3-Vno-NVxkKa_vOE1KhdLq-8Ho00ZWTzAyOKT/s4000/Etta%20and%20Joannie%20Lu%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetx-HhlYJMEY0ZEYAGVDP_Y20imm9kq9XvIReEQzJlzhwFEa71abmFkTl96hIoeH1pGfan5U82PsLn5XBLg1k4NAU7TZwLQ9sATX6zaE5Ghhx1xWJ5No61bn9ojgFO0VqbBGFQkUxEkHZo7aSC9n9oOQ3-Vno-NVxkKa_vOE1KhdLq-8Ho00ZWTzAyOKT/w400-h300/Etta%20and%20Joannie%20Lu%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Etta and Joannie Lu</div><p><i>Joannie Lu</i> (Joan Baez/Lulu) also came from the farm with Marigold. She tends to keep to herself.</p><p><i><br />Marigold</i><br />This little girl was a rescue through the Michigan Humane Society in 2019. Apparently there was a hoarding situation in Detroit of 80 birds. Age unknown. During her bumblefoot time frame she was very meek and allowed herself to be bullied. Once she felt better, she stood up for herself, although I wouldn't call her assertive. Isn't she a beauty.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr9PDcRp0-bGVGOT4C2ZgNLpWdBQVw9H6cknlJwV0TJeNdxlzICvzX4mu502lH4EEjfy12RTIJz5zc5L4l-HdVN8tTe-CrXIGkyQV1NCnCe832UW4fNJIDG_b9zkE8DQtm_xOZne7S92EDvPuh60EQXyJs3xuvY45o1GKeGmJClHz7c1xuoxj379m31qL/s4000/Marigold,%20CU.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr9PDcRp0-bGVGOT4C2ZgNLpWdBQVw9H6cknlJwV0TJeNdxlzICvzX4mu502lH4EEjfy12RTIJz5zc5L4l-HdVN8tTe-CrXIGkyQV1NCnCe832UW4fNJIDG_b9zkE8DQtm_xOZne7S92EDvPuh60EQXyJs3xuvY45o1GKeGmJClHz7c1xuoxj379m31qL/w400-h300/Marigold,%20CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Henrietta</i><br />There is a local family-run feed store that I've come to use for many of my chicken and donkey needs. In 2021 they raised Isa Browns from chicks and Henri came to us as a three month old, making her now 2 years old. She can be a bit greedy when it comes time for treats grabbing at my hand or hopping up to try to be first. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQybpA6Aw4zY59ca4P6CIFBqmtQYoW3xAzbgVImendmDVY346OBAU2ALR3gmyXIsjh44F4k8CHLnbGcci23Hv3jEd2TIvtP2kSjYItx9816tTmLXx-7POpy-8H13TjkifeiZF6cVzAFoVTagn_RTN1UtIIL1qc2VgLwLgfZnP4rVG30Mjkkp9I4BeW7sx8/s4000/Henrietta%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQybpA6Aw4zY59ca4P6CIFBqmtQYoW3xAzbgVImendmDVY346OBAU2ALR3gmyXIsjh44F4k8CHLnbGcci23Hv3jEd2TIvtP2kSjYItx9816tTmLXx-7POpy-8H13TjkifeiZF6cVzAFoVTagn_RTN1UtIIL1qc2VgLwLgfZnP4rVG30Mjkkp9I4BeW7sx8/w400-h300/Henrietta%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><i>Stevie (Nicks) and Gigi</i><br />Also from the Michigan Humane Society. Just last fall. They were confiscated from a community that didn't allow chickens. (Lordy, check your ordinances). They were six months old. Clearly they had been loved and, as I've mentioned Gigi is my cuddler. Stevie is not.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4ZTaUZV-SexjvSs7utFaxf09SnmXlqvo2ixOblMfttdFIP5E2ScFhX0cBovtd6hWf-UzENfdL7PL0U9r9O8SUTedH4E3JCwUMtY-1Jw3yT7AV6wmNuv3a95wNmD653lSM4AOnHj08BbGAXKo10u8j1y3Zb0lBDjA1hfgJ6CK5IHeZRoFPTEQEv1qNnpM/s4000/Gigi%20CU%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4ZTaUZV-SexjvSs7utFaxf09SnmXlqvo2ixOblMfttdFIP5E2ScFhX0cBovtd6hWf-UzENfdL7PL0U9r9O8SUTedH4E3JCwUMtY-1Jw3yT7AV6wmNuv3a95wNmD653lSM4AOnHj08BbGAXKo10u8j1y3Zb0lBDjA1hfgJ6CK5IHeZRoFPTEQEv1qNnpM/w400-h300/Gigi%20CU%202022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Gigi</div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuBbTug_2rObOZU35WsMpsrK-VNc5kAtqli4IayiyTdYQ80KtkgzWdoDcHUEPFq5aScvV6HWHxQkWRG4Jl-xjwA17D9CX8Y1JEO0taMmrAIYlddAgtZXBtJmv-KNYo1mERuc76H4_FLZ400zPneRQGzXkogW8vxmhoSL1Nddn424iWvQ5iewj0t_rqCQ7/s4000/Stevie,%20CU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuBbTug_2rObOZU35WsMpsrK-VNc5kAtqli4IayiyTdYQ80KtkgzWdoDcHUEPFq5aScvV6HWHxQkWRG4Jl-xjwA17D9CX8Y1JEO0taMmrAIYlddAgtZXBtJmv-KNYo1mERuc76H4_FLZ400zPneRQGzXkogW8vxmhoSL1Nddn424iWvQ5iewj0t_rqCQ7/w400-h300/Stevie,%20CU.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Stevie</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yskw5BI672-bHiEMHqlET7oB30UEgfnKso-oTe5FMSL4e33cLpXJa63a5tvvPujkU7mLJKj2Z-Qwg6bY7sPN6yQOnwD1vfNgKd8LxI_8VHmgm-JlADmDd90Hm0H1KW_ZHuXUGZz7H7U70BRC34J6klbmr-26a1ki0TNZqaKMJktRpiG37Rr6GaGu6Bh8/s4000/2022%20new%20girls,%20two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yskw5BI672-bHiEMHqlET7oB30UEgfnKso-oTe5FMSL4e33cLpXJa63a5tvvPujkU7mLJKj2Z-Qwg6bY7sPN6yQOnwD1vfNgKd8LxI_8VHmgm-JlADmDd90Hm0H1KW_ZHuXUGZz7H7U70BRC34J6klbmr-26a1ki0TNZqaKMJktRpiG37Rr6GaGu6Bh8/s320/2022%20new%20girls,%20two.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And never ever last in my affections --<br /><br /></p><p><i>Sweet Pea</i></p><p>In 2015 when I originally decided to venture into chicken keeping, I got three Buffs from the feed store I mentioned earlier. And my favorite girl was one of them. I've seen her slow down with age but she keeps up with the rest of the girls when they scurry out of the coop in the morning and afternoon and come on the fly to get treats. She is definitely the heaviest chicken of the group! And she's the only hen of the current group who has an unmistakable voice. Much lower pitched then the others. For years she has been my assistant poop cleaner upper. Every morning when I tackle donkey manure she comes and assists, inevitably getting in the way. </p><p>I purely love her.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBXM9OGU5XnrwlWVMHO4SriXBhrpZ95X5WdNubsCrVtCYiGi8ofeCs-b5BTIjrvwQKl_tmDqfe_DHGbkUrGl9KGSstyJaCNIDhV7CrozvhUcyNtB5CgixQdgSpoAdvGiYSHWROZTGZldjZ97NybbTDqyEfAfDVqGMRR3RceNx-L3ZvWubwV0eLeHMNP0t/s3264/Sweet%20Pea,%202020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBXM9OGU5XnrwlWVMHO4SriXBhrpZ95X5WdNubsCrVtCYiGi8ofeCs-b5BTIjrvwQKl_tmDqfe_DHGbkUrGl9KGSstyJaCNIDhV7CrozvhUcyNtB5CgixQdgSpoAdvGiYSHWROZTGZldjZ97NybbTDqyEfAfDVqGMRR3RceNx-L3ZvWubwV0eLeHMNP0t/w225-h400/Sweet%20Pea,%202020.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Janet @ My Miniature Donkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520705764015395037noreply@blogger.com2