I’m always pleased to hear that what I do inspires others. One of my readers, Jennifer, has a new flock and her talented and capable husband is building her a coop. She’s been reading my blog for chicken care advice, but has also come away with decorating ideas. It makes me smile to think that coops all over the world are now sprouting ladies room signs. (BTW, I copied my friend, Wendy, who put a loo sign up on her coop, so I can’t claim credit for the original idea.)

Jennifer’s coop will have a side area for storage, and the coop itself is large enough to walk right in. I approve!

Jennifer also liked the red door on my Little Barn. But, I have to say that she did it one better. Just look at this – an egg-shaped window! So, so charming!

Now, all this coop needs are chickens. I hear that they’ll be moving in soon.

One other reader photo for you – I got an update on Beryl and Topaz, my broody Buff Orpingtons that were handed off to a HenCam viewer who doesn’t mind broody Orpingtons. Kim lives near the ocean in Maine, and perhaps the sea salt fresh air has cured the girls, because they haven’t gone broody since their move. Or, perhaps it’s that they’re in a smaller flock with a lot of space and interesting things to do. In any event, they look great and they’re laying eggs. Here’s Beryl with one of her new friends.

It’s finally stopped raining here, and my girls will be getting a nice long outing while I spread compost in the pumpkin patch. I’ve already done my Memorial Day shopping. Agway was having a sale, 20% off one item. I got the broom that I’ve wanted for awhile. When I was a teenager I went to riding school in England. Every day we swept the stable yard. First thing in the morning, we stable girls would scramble for the best brooms. Some girls tried to hide the good ones, and if you were stuck with one of the brooms worn to a nub, it made chores ever so difficult. That experience certainly made me appreciate a broom with full bristles and bounce. To this day, a new broom in my hand makes me feel happy. What’s making you happy today?

A maple tree grows at the back of the Little Barn. A family of robins has moved in. They are quarrelsome and loud, and often have spats directly overhead.

The chicks aren’t afraid of them, but it is rather like having a neighbor that you’d like to ignore, but can’t. The drama is simply too compelling to pretend that it’s not there.

This Ameracauna pullet stopped in her tracks to listen.

She’ll be going with Mr. Grumpy to a new home on Tuesday. Perhaps to a more peaceful neighborhood?

Lucky Mr. Grumpy. One of my readers has a young flock that she’d like to free-range with a rooster. Her 6 week old cockerel is already showing signs of bossiness and aggression. She’s smart to recognize that he won’t be a nice animal to live with. Mr. Grumpy, however, appears to be just the sort of mellow fellow to have in a backyard.

It can be a challenge to integrate only one bird into an established flock. Two is easier. So, this stunningly beautiful Ameracauna is going with Mr. Grumpy. I’m hoping that she’ll lay bright blue eggs for her new owner.

They’ll be picked up on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday five of the remaining chicks will go to the nursing home (much more about that next week!) That will leave six here. I’ve no idea yet what I’ll name them. You’ve given me too many good ideas!

For those of you in the States, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Much gratitude to those of you, and your family members, who have served this country in the military.

When I was quite young I was allowed to bicycle by myself to the town’s one room library. Despite the small size, some librarian must have been a woman after my own heart because the children’s area was stocked with books that I totally related to. It was a library with old wood, big high windows and dust motes dancing in murky light. There I devoured all of the Misty books, the Black Stallion series, The Wizard of Oz (did you know that there are volumes of these?) and Dr. Doolittle. I already understood about talking to animals, and Dr. Doolittle was like spending time with a close friend.

I’ve been taking hundreds of photos of the chicks. Scanning through my downloads I saw this:

It’s a Pushmi-Pullyu Hen!

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s Hugh Lofting’s illustration of his creature:

Now I have an itch to go back and read the original book. But, I’m a bit nervous about doing so. It was so perfect when I was a child. Have you read Doolittle lately? Should I revisit the book or keep my memory as is?

Yesterday I took Opal, the Delaware, to her first school visit. She’s the largest hen that I’ve ever brought, but Opal is so easy-going, and she talks in such happy low chortles when meeting the children, that she wasn’t at all intimidating, even though many of the kindergartners had never before seen a chicken up close. When we came back home, Opal deserved a bit of free-ranging in the meadow.

This corner of the yard is planted with native wildflowers and it is just coming into bloom. For the last half-dozen years, I’ve nursed it along. I’ve weeded out the invasive buckthorn and removed brambles. I thought I knew what was there. But, I don’t recall seeing this flower. I don’t remember planting it.

Does anyone know what this is?

It’s ever so pretty. There’s a few blooming underneath the peach tree, too.

I’m delighted to see it, whatever it is. I love these surprises in the garden.