Donkeys Develop Demanding Diets

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. 
That sexy sleek summer look is gone and the fuzzy winter look is starting to show.  

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.

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.

Last post I told you Rick had modified where the new girls perch at night.  Let me try to explain.

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.

    But it didn't take long for them to agree to the new arrangement.

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.

Donkeys Gone Wild

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.    

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.

Let me preface the video clip by explaining the normal day's schedule.
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.

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.

   [at this point you have to use your imagination in your mind's eye seeing three donkeys
running madly back and forth
in the yard, braying at the top of their lungs and my voice telling them to knock it off]

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!

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.

So instead, let me show you a little clip of a teeny fountain on the deck.

What I really want you to take note of is the tall flowering begonia just behind the impatiens. 

 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.

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.

  Next week I'll show you the modification Rick made to the roosting area for the new girls.

Sharona Shines

I cannot in all fairness say I have any new stories about the teeny tiny farm. 

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.

Over in the vicinity of Ludington.
Our time spent sitting on the beach listening to and watching the waves (and seagulls) was wonderful.  Plus lighthouses galore.  And good food.

However, this weekend I was finally able to capture a semi-decent photo of Sharona in her technicolor glory.

Yes, you may ooh and aah at this point in the story.

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.

I know the next question on your mind is, did the three donks miss you.
Well, of course.  Or at least that's my story.

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

This was a lovely recipe for incorporating  home grown cherry tomatoes and basil.  First time making it last evening.

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

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.

Next time I make it I'll cook the sauce a bit longer to help the garlic and basil flavors burst through.

Spice Displays Hidden Talents

 Before we delve into the world of hidden talents, allow me to give you an update on the  new little girls.

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. 

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.  
In the evening when it's time to lock up, I sweet talk the three as they perch above me for the night. 

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.

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.

Here Spice demonstrates her abilities to ring those chimes with just a flick of an ear.  Boy, what talent!

 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.

Thank Goodness For Generators

 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.

 I am not complaining.  Clearly other parts of the country have gotten hit much worse.

I was more than amazed Lake Luigi did not appear --

Enough rainfall to feed the bowls twice.

Power was restored yesterday afternoon, thank goodness.

Prior to this we finally repainted the side of the barn that showed many many many donkey nibbles.

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?

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.

And then there's the donks.


Gabby feels compelled to come up behind me in the hay aisle to remind me there's Equine Senior at my fingertips.

Thank you Gabs

And finally I want to show you the flower combo out by the donkey gate.

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.

Tree Trimmers Need Not Apply

 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.

When we've had more than our fill of the wet stuff, you'll see two things at the teeny tiny farm.
Lake Luigi and tall red boots.

 

  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.

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.

Cross your fingers!!

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

I hit the jackpot at Better Health during my most recent trip.

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. 
The pepper garlic spread is a little too yummy -- I need a big crock of the stuff. 
And I'll report on the enchiladas later after they've hit my belly  :)

Cranes, Little Chicken Girls, and Spice Ears

 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.

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.

Today, they were "hopping mad" that I disturbed them again.

My uneducated guess is they were cheesed that I inched the car forward bit by bit.
Anyone else have insight into crane behavior? 

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.

Either Henrietta or Marigold (on the far right) was investigating 

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 will peck you to put you in your place.

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.

 
We can't conclude today's brief post without a donkey photo, now can we.

Spice and her windmill ears, or perhaps more like the Flying Nun