Chicken Coop in Progress

We've decided to take the plunge and broaden our horizons to include laying hens.  I had been thinking about this for over a year but wanted to wait until I had retired to make sure I had time in the mornings to properly tend to everyone.  Now, the time is right!

I've actually purchased three Isa Browns but they're currently residing with my "egg lady" about 10 minutes away.  My carpenter husband is in the midst of building the coop (as I write this) and I've been itching to show you the progress.

 

Its cozying up against the back of the donkey shed.  

I've read the donks can help keep predators at bay.

After only a couple of days, the walls were up.

This beauty is 8'x8' with a height of 6'. 

Snazzy, huh.  I'm loving it.

The outside pen will go to the right of the coop.  

One entry to the coop is situated through the donkey shed.  I felt strongly that in the winter I did not want to be obliged to shovel an additional path through deep snow to get to the hens.

Although I'm not intending to have a large flock, and we're only starting with three, this gives room for expansion.  You see, I have no intention of killing the girls when their laying days are over.  They'll become pets and we'll bring in three replacements. 

\My favorite husband about an hour ago working on a door.

A Modest Digression

Donkey blog purists will perhaps raise an eyebrow or give a slight shake of the head when they see this post has no connection whatsoever to donkeys.  None.

But let me explain.

Recently I finished reading "The Hundred Foot Journey" -- perhaps you saw the movie with Helen Mirren -- in which an Indian boy's family moves to France and eventually opens an Indian restaurant. He speaks fondly of the aromas and spices of his birth country's meals.

And then I watched "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".  Situated in India.

A few days later as I was thinking about the evening's meal preparation, I remembered having purchased a spice of Indian origin.  And I had done nothing with it.  Well, of course, with India on the brain, I had to dig that spice packet out and test its properties.

 

   Garam Masala

While sauteing carrots I added a gentle shake of the finely ground brown powder.  It added just a touch of sweetness and perhaps smokiness.  Definitely a yes.

Should I delve further into "exotic" spices?

With what spices have you experimented?

In Remembrance, A Quite Wonderful Horse

As most of the regular readers of this blog are aware, my horse, Natural, died on December 1 of last year.  Shutterfly,one of my favorite (user-friendly) photo memorabilia companies, very recently offered a free 8x8 photo book.  I spent a bit of time yesterday gathering some of my favorite photos of Natural to take advantage of the offer.

I'd like to share just a few of them with you.

I thank good friend Brenda for spending time with Natch and me last September to snap a slew of  candid pictures, and, Archie Neil for his time and talent in October capturing some heart-breakingly lovely moments.

Apollo (on the right) was always in the vicinity

Spring's Pitfalls

Its that time of early spring when one's boots step into inches of water and mud and one doesn't quite know if boots will follow the feet for the intended next step.  Delightful.

  And one has to be a Houdini to find dry and clean spots to feed donkeys.

The sled has been replaced by the wagon to haul water.  Let me assure you dragging a wagon up the driveway through the mud is not an easy or enjoyable task.

As I ponder these changes  I ask which would be preferred (albeit a rather senseless exercise) -- the chilling cold temps, the ice which appears each morning as the previous day's thaw freezes at night, or the boot-sucking oozing mud.  Questions to ponder.

One can only hope the pondering period is brief and solid dry ground emerges soon.  Please!

Friendly Visitor

It's time for you to meet Jasper.  I'm his Friendly Visitor.

After Natural died, I approached the barn owner to see if any horses needed some extra visits -- perhaps their owner couldn't get to the barn for whatever reason.  Instantly she thought of Jasper.  His owner is experiencing health problems and was delighted that I could go out and provide lovin' and treats.

As it turns out Jasper is a senior (29 years) and was on the periphery of Natural's posse.

So I've been visiting the sweet boy on Sundays.

A nice bowl of hot slop on a cold wintry day is always a good thing.

By now, you should all be familiar with the preparation for hot slop, and yes, there will be a quiz later.









Admittedly I don't have the emotional commitment I did with my own horse, whom I still miss like blazes.  So visiting only once a week is fine.  But I do believe the visits are good for Jasper and they're good for me.
To stay connected to my friends at the barn and to still be able to get a horse hug.

Donkey Photo Ops

Temps were a wee bit warmer the other day, allowing me to take the "good" camera out for a spin with the donks.

Here are the results.  (Franny was too busy wanting head rubs and checking my pocket to allow for a photography session.)

Luigi in all his Eyeore glory

The boy in a nice tight CU

Gabby illustrates the wonder of yellow teeth 

More pics as the warm-up unfolds...

Hot Slop Preparation

This morning couldn't have screamed HOT SLOP for donkeys louder.
This is what we faced at 7:00 a.m.

Three donkeys needed a warm-up to defrost whiskers this morning to be sure.

I recently discovered that preparing slop the night before makes the process infinitely easier.
Last night I grabbed my hot slop bucket with lid.

Side bar:  I have raved about U.S. Animal of Vermont (shown on the label).  They saved the day when Natural was diagnosed with ring bone. Now if you would like to investigate their equine supplements you need to go to VetriScience (some company reorganizing).  Cat McKeen was my rep most recently and if you're lucky enough to live in her region, you're in for a treat.  She's knowledgeable and compassionate.

Back to hot slop.
My recipe is embarassingly simple.
Start with an appropriate quantity of hay cubes -- no alfalfa for donkeys, please.

Add boiling water and mix.  Put lid on.
If you let it set overnight the flaking process is much faster in the morning.
See the difference?

This morning I added yet more boiling water and then hot water to really mush things up.

Once a week I'll add bran.  Sometimes if I'm worried about impaction I'll toss in some vegetable oil.  I tend to avoid molasses because of the sugar content.  Of course carrots and apples are always appreciated, but this morning I wasn't as concerned with treats.

I have read differing opinions on the advisability of feeding warm mash to equines and those opinions differ on the use of bran too.  Since I only offer hot slop once or twice a week and bran only once a week I don't think I'm endangering the babies.  I gave hot slop to Natural every week in the winter for 20 years.  He lived to 30.

I had intended to show you little frosty faces but when I took out my cell phone to snap a quicky, found that the phone didn't like glove covered fingers.  And  was not about to remove my gloves, not even for you, dear readers.  Let me assure you that when I left the donkey yard they were doing a fine job of licking bowls clean.