Updates

We didn’t have much of a winter (so I guess that heavy coats on goats are not a weather predictor) and now spring is fully here. Leaves are unfurling. This is one of my favorite trees. It’s a Red Buckeye, a native plant that has tall, bottlebrush blooms, loved by birds and bees, and me! It’s a slow-grower and so hard to find in nurseries, but worth the search.

The Water Celery in my pond is taking over. To keep it in check, I pull it up and feed it to the goats. Last week when I stepped into the shallows to do this task, my boots filled with water. Once again, I’ve done in a pair of rubber boots. Here are my new ones:

Only $16 on sale! So, when they crack in a couple of months, I won’t feel so bad.

The anti-broody coop worked! It took only 2 1/2 days for Topaz to go from henzilla back to a mild-mannered Orpington. Here she is back with the flock. See how svelte she looks now that she’s not all huffed up and crazy?

I’m hoping that will be the last of it for awhile, but I have three Orpingtons, and I’ve a feeling I’ll be using the rabbit hutch again soon.

Agnes is, surprisingly, looking better. Still not good, but her comb is a tad redder and she’s roosting and eating. I think that the epsom salts was just the tonic that she needed, if not to extend her life, at least to make her comfortable while she’s here. Another dose can’t hurt, so I’ll be soaking her again today.

I promise that I’ll put up that FAQ about epsom salts soon, but I’ve been busy! This morning I visited 80 first-graders in Texas via Skype. Thanks to my husband/resident nerd, I have WiFi in my backyard, so I’m able to answer questions while showing the children Pearl’s fluffy butt (to gales of laughter!) and other things, like chickens in nesting boxes, and Candy eating hay.

Meanwhile, I’ve cookies to bake for the Chicken Keeping Workshop on Saturday. Speaking of which – I’ve added another workshop to my calendar – Saturday, June 9. The details are the same as last time, so if you’re interested sign up soon. It’s already filling up.

Comments:

  1. Agnes is looking better, that’s great! The Epsom salts clearly do a good job, I’m visiting the US next week, so I shall be stocking up on chicken first aid!

  2. I should watch it; broodiness is catching. Gladys and Solo, having seen Babbs in her glamorous private quarters, have both this week dallied with hanging about for a couple of hours after laying, fluffed up. Couple of big poos in the run. Grumpiness. I’m constantly on guard…

  3. Agnes does look 1000% better then what I saw a day or two ago. She was sitting on the lowest roost in the coop and not looking good at all. From that view I didn’t think she would make it another day or so.

  4. I saw you in the coop this morning doing your Skype. Noticed your boots right away!

  5. I’ve read that the Cochin hens ‘go broody’ often. Good luck with that Terry! I can’t image Pearl, with her fluffy feathers, being even more puffed out during a ‘broody’ episode!

  6. I really like your new boots (and what a bargain). Topaz looks beautiful, and amiable again. Agnes looks much better; another epsom salts bath sounds like just the ticket for her. That picture of you showing off Pearl’s fluffy butt is priceless! LOL

  7. OH! We need to have another visit to Temecula soon! The kids still ask about you and “The Beast”! I am thinking you need a “Pond Cam”? When I am surrounded by 52 2nd graders I can turn on the Pond Cam and the soothing waters will relax me!

    • Would love a pondcam, and I think we should all watch it while drinking sangria.

      Would also love another visit to Temecula – I’m still charging only $75 per visit through the end of this school year!

  9. Here we are once again, at the Haven, enjoying the other worldliness of your backyard. Thank you for the great mitzvah!

  10. Poor Buffy is looking rather bedraggled this beautiful Saturday morning. Has some been at her again?