Chick baby's all over

Well it has been quite a while since I wrote on here but I have been really busy.

My babys are growing and getting feathers. They are in the house and I really want them out but feel like I need to wait until they have all their feathers. I have a wooden box outside but it is not tall enough to put a light in without possibly causing a fire. Boy I will be so happy when they are out!!!!!

Yesterday I had the weirdest thing happen...... I had decided that Tiny needed to be put in a play pen I have so he/she could get her fair share of food and catch up in size to the others. Any way I fixed it all up food water ect and caught her and put her in. I put in two others so she wouldn't be lonely. Even at that she was very unhappy but I figured she would settle down with the others there. Well about two hours later I decided I should check it out and make sure everything was ok. I went in and NO TINY!!!!!! Oh my gosh I looked all over under the desk under the sewing table on top of the sewing table under the paper in the play pen. NO WHERE...... I could not find her anywhere. I was heart sick. So I go over to the other box where the others were and counted, then counted again, then looked at them real close and low and behold THERE WAS TINY!!!!!!  How did that little s--t get over there. I knew I had not put her over there, and I knew I had not been drinking, (maybe I had gone crazy)...... The only thing I can figure out is that she had flown to the top of the play pen, gotten on the sewing table right next to it, and gone over to where her flock was and jumped back in with them. I do not think she could have flown up from the floor but the box was close to the other end of the sewing table and she could have possibly flown/jumped back in.  That is all I can figure but the little stinker was definately back in the box with the others. I did not take her back to the play pen I figured she must have really wanted to be with her mates.

I just contracted to have my last (please let it be my last) chicken house built. It is going to be a duplex so I don't mix my Americunas with Opingtons. I just have to stop this. I also have to find home for three roosters and honestly am thinking of selling my two year olds. Any leads would be appreciated.

I lost one of my last hens from my original flock two Fridays ago. The dogs were barking at her through the fence and I usually make them stop but I was talking to a guy about the yard and spaced it. Before I knew it she had flown over the fence and in the blink of an eye they had her and she was gone. I was sick. I should have been paying more attention.

If any one is reading this I wish you would add a receipe and comment......

Weather here is wonderful, albeit, a little cooler that normal. After last summer this is a very welcome change.

I am getting psyched up for my trip the end of this month. I really need the break. It is hopefully going to turn out great. Rome, Spain, France Morocco......ahhhhhhhh......

Well take care and I wish you peace and love...

The week end is over already !!!!!

I swear it seems like I can never get anything done on the week ends. This week end I spent time running back and forth to where the babys are checking on the temps. in the brooders. I am so worried I will do something wrong and cause them harm that I can hardly think about anything else.

None of my girls are laying many eggs. They look like heck so I believe they are all molting. I get so disappointed when I go into the house and expect to see a lot of eggs, or even a normal amount, and there are only a few. My older, four years, girls hardly lay at all any more.

I still have not gotten to cleaning out those houses but I have to even if I have to take leave to do it.
I feel like I am spinning my wheels and never getting any where. I hate this feeling. I want to quilt but I never have time. I have to clean out the houses, but never have time, however I have to get this done even if I have to take leave to do it. Need to straighten up my house but never have time. So where is time GOING?

While time seems to be flying in one sense I just realized this morning that the babys are only a week old. The way it seems they should be at least three weeks by now. UG

It really rained last night which was such a gift. I still haven't been able to get my poor trees in the ground so the water was very much appreciated.

Got some pears sliced up last night. Going to try some pear perserves. I don't think my pears have much flavor but maybe after cooking they will. How will I find the time? I have to get the jars steralized tonight so I can jar the jam.....

Well that is about it for today. Stay safe and of course peace and love.....

Sort of a sigh of relief

Good morning..Yesterday I worried all day b/c one of the babys, the last to hatch actually, was so very weak!! He/she look a mess and not well at all. I thought and thought and finally it hit me, I am embarrassed to even reveal this, he was not strong enough to navagate in the big brooder with all the other strong healthy chicks!!! I could hardly wait to get home, honestly expecting him/her to be gone. I rushed home ran in the door and there he was so frail and at least looked fearful. All the others were up running and eatting and growing (they sure grow fast).
Immediately I started reading the small clear crate and as soon as the temp got up to 98 I moved him/her in. I put in a couple others with him so he would not be lonely (they do get very stressed at this age when taken away from their buddies) and said a prayer.
Well of course I was up and down all night checking temps watching how he was doing. I had showed him where the waterer was and now that the others weren't knocking him out of the way I noticed he was actually drinking and seemed very thirsty. I tried to get him to eat but never saw that happen. But he was more relaxed and actually layed down. Poor little baby..
Well this moring he was still there. I actually saw him peck a bit and eat a dot. His feathers are fluffed up and he looks like a baby chick. So while I am not ready to proclaim that he will make it, it sure looks better than it did yesterday at this time.
Nothing else of note to pass on. When I have babies the pretty much consume my life until I know they are well....another three week of anxiety....I wish you peace and love    Caio

Garden Daddy: ONE OF THE STANDARD COCHIN PULLETS LAYS HER FIRST EGG

Garden Daddy: ONE OF THE STANDARD COCHIN PULLETS LAYS HER FIRST EGG

A valuable lesson

When I got home yesterday I had about 12 fuzzy little faces looking at me through the incubator!!! The other bator had four more.. Then I looked at the temp. and the frigging temp in one was 102. I grabbed those baby's out put in the brooder tub and when temp went down a little closed them (the bator) back up. I know you aren't supposed to open the tops but I knew they could not live long in 102. Then I noticed one that was in a egg where she had tried to pipe but the membrane was dried out and she couldn't peck through it. She was peeping loudly. My heart ached because I had promised myself I would not mess with the eggs, and let nature take its course, but this was not a nature issue it was a machine caused issue. Soooo I got some tweezers, disinfected them and pulled a little hole for the baby. Soon I realized the shell was dried too and that she was a little stuck to the dried membrane so I pulled off some more shell and membrane, enough that her head and lttle body was visible. Set it down and said a prayer and closed the bator up. I would do no more, she was on her own from here on out. It was her battle to win or lose. When I have helped chicks I learned that part of that struggle they go through twisting and pushing to get out of their shell is really important to straighten them out and strengthen their muscles so they can stand. Low and be hold when I went back about two hours later there she was straight and standing!!!! Praise the LORD.

I have learned a really valuable lesson through this, and that is you can help or you can help too much. I then had an epiphany ....this struggle to live and be strong is a metaphor for life, but especially for those who are raising kids.... watching our kids go through struggles is very hard for a parent to do, giving a little help is okay but when we make it too easy for them they do not learn the lesson, nor do they gain the strength they will get from going through the struggle on their own and being victorious. This just blew me away folks. What a life altering realization for me. Especially since I am a therapist and I watch parents protect their kids to the point that they either can not make it through a struggle or wait for someone else to open the shell (struggle) for them. At this point they truly are crippled and in all our good intentions we really have killed them. It was our anxiety and worring about them that got in the way of them being able to stand tall on their two feet!

Praise the Lord it is cool today

Well it is Labor Day. Baby chicks were moved into their house, stayed in their for all of yesterday. Today I opened the doors and it did not take much time for them to find their way outside!! Out the door or down their ramp.
The other girls who they will be sort of sharing their yard with were very curious and stood around the outside of their yard behind the fencing watching.....So far so good.
Boy I got stung by at least three wasps yesterday. Did not realize they were under one of those hot wire caps on a fence post and man they got me.. I put white vinegar on it and while that stopped the pain my hand is swollen up like a balloon and my gosh it itches like crazy. Any remedies any one? Yow. I try not to itch but that only works for a short while.
Gotta get going....Peace and Love to all.

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Two old standbys, deviled eggs and potato salad, join forces to make a true crowd-pleaser.

35

10 servings

- Mark Boughton Photography/Teresa Blackburn Styling

Ingredients

·         2 1/2  pounds (about 5 large) russet potatoes, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch chunks

·         1/2  cup mayonnaise

·         1/2  cup sour cream

·         3  tablespoons Dijon mustard

·         1  teaspoon salt

·         Coarsely ground black pepper

·         3  stalks celery, diced

·         3  hard-cooked eggs, coarsely chopped

·         1/2  cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus additional for garnish

·         Prep Time - 10

·         Cook Time - 25

Instructions

1.    Place potatoes in large saucepan; add cold water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 10 minutes or until tender. Drain, transfer to a large bowl and cool 5 minutes.

2.    Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Combine potatoes, celery, eggs, parsley and mayonnaise mixture. Mix gently with a large rubber spatula. Garnish with additional parsley.

Recipe by Jean Kressy

Nutritional Info (per serving)

·         Calories 180

·         Fat 8g

·         Saturated Fat 2.5g

·         Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5g

·         Monounsaturated Fat 2g

·         Cholesterol 65mg

·         Sodium 410mg

·         Potassium 460mg

·         Carbohydrates 25g

·         Fiber 2g

·         Sugars 2g

·         Protein 5g

The poor horses from next door.

September 1st. Fall is hopefully just around the corner

Hi to any one following this.
Well it has been quite a month. I had a birthday, received my second masters degree and saved two horses lives. I think that is pretty good for an old lady.
New chicken house is ready to inhabited and I will move birds this week end when hopefully it will be a bit cooler. Kevin has done a great job and will finish up the small touches in a couple weeks.
On the 29th one of my little Scottie girls, she had been living with ex-sister in law, went up to be with Brenna and Murphy. She had Leukemia and got very ill very fast. Bless my little girl.
As I noted above I was able to save the lives of two beautiful horses this week. They were literally starving to death. I will insert pictures. I still don't know if they will live but they are safer than they were.
Finished my second masters degree this is in Psychology. Now I must pay for it.
Firming up issues with vacation which is set for November. Really need the rest and to just get away.
I have baby's in the incubator. They are lavender, black and blue orpingtons. Due to hatch the 12th. Really hoping they all hatch.
Got messed over by PayPal and a seller. Bought a incubator and the seller never sent but of course took my money. Still haven't gotten it back and will be surprised if I ever do. So let this be a warning......PayPal isn't as safe as it purports itself to be.
All my dogs got their shots to the tune of $300 but that is what it means to be a responsible pet owner.
Job is very boring but pays the bills and allows me to have this wonderful farm that means so much to me.
Went to the eye dr. and cataracts need to come out. Good maybe I will be able to see better.
Still have a quilt that needs quilting which I should be able to get to soon  :)  Want to start another one. I have a few ideas swimming around in my head. This is the fun part for me.
Have to get to cleaning the chick houses out for the fall/winter. That is such a job but very fulfilling when it is finished. Pull out everything scrub down spray with disinfectant and refill with shavings. Scrub down or replace nesting boxes, make sure there is DE. Put up plastic over areas which will leak cold air ect.. worm chicks. I usually start giving them scratch about this time of the year so they can add some weight on for the winter. During summer they get fruit, they love, love grapes!!! Just go nuts for them.
If this year so far is any indication of the weather for the winter we are in for a nasty time. I figured out last year if I fill the horses watering tanks with water and put in the heaters and put in chicks waterers at night they won't freeze. So those have to be scrubbed down well also. (I am thinking out loud here)
Oh and I am so excited, the baby's outside have blessed me with 1 buff roo, 1 buff hen, 3 BCM roosters and three hens, 1 beauitful Americana roo and the same coloring hen, one white orpington roo (I think) and one white hen. It doesn't get much better than that!!!
I am going to add recipe this month and if any one is reading would love input if you recreate.  PEACE and LOVE everyone.

Sunday

So it is finally a pretty Sunday...problem is I feel terrible. Ears are stopped up, throat really hurts and can't breathe. It must be allergies but I still feel bad. I may just have to go back to bed which I really do not want to do.
I am so excited I have taken the plunge and ordered lavender, black and blue orpington eggs. The site that I ordered from shows some really pretty, healthy looking birds. Here is a link to you can see what I am talking about. These are not from the place I ordered from but are the same color. (http://chirpychicks.com/lavender_orpington.htm).  Now I have to figure out how to brood them and get them grown enough to get outside before it turns cold. I have attached a link so you can see what the lavender birds look like....I know they look silver/grey but they aren't,,trust me.
Booked a cruise for November. I am sure by then I will be really needing some time off.
My poor boy Jack cut the heck out of him self right above his eye. Too close for comfort.
New chicken house is looking nice. I really need to get the babies out there, they are getting too big for the area I have them in and it needs to be cleaned desperately, actually all the houses are ready for a good cleaning.
I am going to start posting eggs recipe's in the next few weeks and would like others too also...Try what I post and let me know if you enjoy them or what changes you think they need. Actually please post any recipe you love and we can do a swap.
Thanks for stopping by......

Brutal heat

I should have been on here before this but it has been so hot and with trying to keep from losing any more birds I am filling waterers, moving fans ect. Despite all the heat my girls are still producing eggs. I have heard from others their birds quit laying. Just to much stress on their bodies.
My baby chicks are getting big and need to be moved pretty darn quick. The guy who is building the new house is about done and it really is cute. However I can't put them out until there is a proper fenced in yard because they are still small enough to be pick up by owls and hawks.
I am sure everyone is sweltering....the pool water is too hot to go in!!! I have been sick from the heat for days now. I had a heat stroke some years ago and now can over heat in a second. But frankly I have not had a choice.
Working on paper for school. I have two weeks left and that will be that...second master in psychology this time. Why I did that I have no idea. I do love to learn though and will really miss reading the studies and I love to write. But I also love to quilt and I need to get caught up with my group plus I have two quilts to finish.
Well I will close for today. Would love for you all to join the blog and put in your two cents lol. C

Day 2

Thanks to those who have checked this out. Don't forget to subscribe please. All you have to do is check the "follow" button. I would love for you to tell your friends also. The more people who visit and join the farm the more fun or relaxation we can have. Just think of this as a place where friends can come together and share thoughts, ideas and info.

Well it is so very hot here. When I got home it was obvious all the birds were stressed by the heat. I noticed Prince laying down. This is not a good sign. I opened up his yard and let him and the girls out and he still was acting poopy. I knew he needed to be helped so I went and got what watermelon I had and cut it up and brought it out to him. The sugar and fluids seemed to help bring him around. I had some frozen vegetables and so I brought them out and they all pecked on them and I think that helped also.

Up early, five, out with the girls. Filled up waterers and fed everyone, made sure fans were running correctly. By the time I made it up to the house I was drenched. I am telling you it is so muggy there is water running down my windows....honest!!

Hey over the week end I made some forcasia bread. It was pretty easy just takes time. I will post the receipe this week end so if any one wants a good receipe for Italian bread give it a try and let me know how you like it.

Well that is about it for right now

Post 1

Okay here I go. I want to say I am excited about this experience and hope you enjoy it also.

I think first I will introduce you to the chicks and the dogs.

I currently have three chicken houses and yards.

First there is Prince. He is a full blooded Ameraucana rooster. His girls are Ameraucana, Welsummers and there are two Buff Orpington. They are all just about two years old.

In the back house/yard are Buffs, Plymouth Rocks and six Speckled Sussex's. They are all a year old.

In the smallest house is Merlin (1 year old), a really pretty Welsummers rooster with his three girls (four or five), two Ameraucana one red sex link. These girls are from my very first flock.
Also in that area are  two adolescent chickens. One white Phoenix, I think it is a hen and a Welsummers/Ameraucana mix rooster. these are about five months and in the next brooding pen are black copper marans, buff and white Orpington and four Ameraucana chicks. One I know for sure is a rooster because the little devil is already crowing!! These guys are about three months.

Next are my dear dogs. There is Jack who is a lab/sharpei mix. Someone dumped him on my lawn when he was a baby. I think they wanted to get rid of him because he had cherry eyes and they couldn't afford to have them fixed. I did not want another dog but I will tell you he is one of the best dogs I have ever had. I love him, but he sheds a lot!!
I also have five Scottish terriers. I had breed Scotties but stopped after I had a really bad time with the last litter. I still have my stud and the momma and also three pups (two years old).  Two boys, Fergus and Angus. Angus is Fergus' daddy. Then the girls are Bella, Maggie and Fiona. Bella and Fiona are white scotties Maggie is traditional black. I will add pictures later so you can actually see them.

I want to add a egg recipe to the blog about once a month and would like everyone else to also if you find one that is different or that you think is really good.

So a little about me...I am not a young chick lol. I have learned a lot from life. I have four children, three girls and one son. I also have four grandsons and one grandaughter. I am divorced. The divorce was not pleasant and I will share my lessons learned later.
I work full time and run the farm alone. It is a lot of work even though it is small. It is however my passion. I love the land, the animals and serenity that is there.

As mentioned above, and you can see the picture of him (Murphy), the farm is named after Murphy. He was my first scottie and I loved him almost more than life. I still do and there is not a day (literaly) that I don't think of him, wish he was here and wipe away a tear. I miss him so. He was the best friend a person could ever have. He loved me and I loved him. I would give anything to have him back, but that can not happen. so I have great memories and sometimes feel him around me. I think I can almost see him standing there looking at me or laying at my feet.
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