Hello New Feathered Friends!

Mr. Peeper and two of my hens are gone - Carmela Brown and Cheddar.  So is the raccoon that killed them, trapped and turned loose into a wild habitat that is miles from homes or someone else's chickens.  Mr. Peeper was buried in the backyard along with several others that have met with urban predators over the last few years and I know that he would approve of becoming a part of the yard he loved to roam.  

A very unhappy raccoon

The "survivors" Sylvia, Chicky-Licky and Layla have taken it in stride (after all they are hard core chickens) and went on with the usual scratching and poking around. Layla was on the receiving end of the older hens authority and she took to hiding and keeping to herself so of course, I needed to remedy THAT situation by bringing in a couple of new hens. 

Evan loving Layla

Perfect timing.  My oldest grandson Evan, weighing in at 6 years, 11 months, had come to visit from Colorado, so we made a trip to Robin's house in Calimesa after seeing her "chickens for sale" ad in CheapCycle.  Robin has close to an acre for her chicken endeavors so we had many to choose from.  I could not resist when she mentioned the young male that would grow into a huge rooster and how even-tempered and beautiful he would be.  I scooped him up and cradled him in my arm. He comes with the guarantee that if he doesn't work out, I can return him.  Evan had the honor of picking out a couple of pretty girls, an Australorp and Rhode Island Red and will help name them as we get to know them. 

This new young male will be a handsome rooster soon

So home we went with three new, young chickens in the carrier.  Evan already had many names ready but we'll still wait on that.  Here's the surprise though.  Just a few hours later, after we'd situated the young hens in their pen and after a period of loving and holding by Evan, I received a phone call from a friend.  "Nadine?  This is Greg.  Do you still have chickens?  I found a couple down at the park.  They look like they need a home.  They're friendly and they're hungry and thirsty."  (Sigh), they are Rhode Island Reds and I decided immediately that I could figure out how to fit them in. 

Reds are one of my favorite chickens.  They are consistent layers with a sweet disposition.  They seem to have distinct personalities and I just love them.  Within the hour the group of three became the gang of five which is important.  When introducing new chickens to a coop, there is safety in numbers.  After a couple of days, the two newcomers have assimilated with the three and have a much better chance of staying clear of mother hen Chicky-Licky who takes it upon herself to dole out discipline and establish her pecking order at the scratch of foot.  

Why in fact, Ms. Chicky-Licky took no time in filling in Mr. Peeper's role of keeping her compadres in line and pointing out possible food sources with a rooster-type chucking sound.  I don't know, I'm beginning to wonder about her.  As for the other fully grown hens, they tend to bully the young'uns just a bit but now, because they are FIVE, they have less harassment and more scratching time.

Chicky-Licky asserts her authority over the new chickies

As I write, the newbies are roaming the penned in yard area, opening them up to the danger of predators of all sorts.  While this can be devastating to the human owner as well as the chicken - it gives them a quality of life that makes us all happy.  When several chickens are concentrated in a coop, it gets dirty very quickly and the bug population they so love is limited having been exhausted due to the small area.  I take comfort in their ability to run and scratch, take dirt baths and discover new places to turn the soil over and over again.  Their poo makes excellent compost and they eat the fallen fruit from the trees.  They are happy chickens and happy chickens lay beautifully delicious eggs.

So, welcome my new feathered ones.  We'll be asking for name suggestions soon and we'll be looking for YOU to stop by and see us and perhaps become a chicken lover.   I'd love to add YOU to my Chicken Love page so stop by and hold a chicken soon!

In order of appearance:  Buffy, Mr. Peeper and Rojacita.  My Colorado chickies - may they rest in peace in their backyard home free of fear, always well fed and may they never need to cross another road, ever.

Chickens for the Soul

When everything closes in and you can't breathe; when getting out of bed feels like you're weighted down with wet clothes and each movement is in slow motion; when you have nothing to look forward to; laugh about...or nothing to love, it's time for... Chicken Zen!

Better than xanax

Instead of that unhealthy caffeinated drink, try Chicken Zen.  Chickens provide a pick-me-up in the morning starting with a rousing "rise and shine" crow from your rooster.  Then, throughout the day, you're presented with many light exercise opportunities including pen cleaning, poo pick up, checking for eggs, feeding, fence placement and maintenance and fight referee.  No more hiding under the covers for you!  If your cock-a-doodling rooster doesn't rouse you, the cackling hens will and when they both are vying for the same box to lay...well, the racket can raise the dead... or despondent, whichever you are.

Grass and chickens - good for the soul

Are you making too many trips to your therapist?  Popping too many Xanax or topping off your wine glass more often?  May I suggest an alternative?  Zen - Chicken Zen.  Grab your yoga mat and water bottle and set up on the grass surrounded by gently scratching hens.  Soothe your inner soul with their soft clucking and observe nature's teamwork as they discover a cache of insects under matted grass and leaves.  The kindness of the rooster as he discovers and shares tasty tidbits dissolves gender angst and his devotion to the ladies sets an example you men could take heed of.  After observing the utter bliss chickens attain when they bathe in a small dust divot, you may consider a bath for yourself and although you may not receive as many benefits as the chickens do, at least you don't have to wait for anything to dry like at those expensive spa baths.

See - dinosaur-like feet

When observing these creatures you notice that they hold an uncanny resemblance to those awesome creatures from Jurassic times - dinosaurs.  Yes, their feet and everything else look just like a velociraptor - if you squint your eyes out of focus for a minute that is.  But you'll see that they are a bit smarter since I have seen chickens playing those little pianos at fairs.  Witnessing the result of evolution up close and personal is an extra educational benefit you won''t soon forget.

Heart string tuggers at work

Chicken Zen offers young ones...small, fluffy peeping offspring of the egg (or was it the chicken - I don't know), anyway - they truly appeal to everyone and if you are fortunate to raise them from chickhood, you will overcome attachment disorders instantaneously after nurturing a few of these darlings.

Finally, Chicken Zen will lighten your worries with laughter when you observe their excitement when supplying ordinary kitchen scraps to them.  Their hasty lumbering dash across the yard will bring a smile to your face as they remind one of a clown - only smaller and with feathers.  Chickens offer constant amusement that one understands only after immersing oneself in the experience of chickens.

For these reasons and others I have not  mentioned, I highly recommend Chicken Zen for YOUR soul...forget the chicken soup, it only helps a cold, but the whole chicken, living and breathing has many more benefits - Chicken Zen - I guarantee it!

Calm and happy...

All ages benefit

Chicken Zen happiness *

 Pictures are not of actual participants in this program.  Models have been used to protect the privacy of those that are really screwed up and need help.  Chicken Zen is an alternative treatment and last resort and is not recommended for those with eating disorders since everything and its mother wants to kill and eat chickens.

  *These chickens are some of  the happiest chickens on earth and have been retired from public scrutiny.  They are truly free to run and scratch.

Fun Times - on the river - in the garden...

There's a reason this blog is called "not so daily. " Nuff said there.

Maria & Clint went tubing too

Yesterday turned out to be a warm, sunny Monday what with all the monsoon weather dumping rain on the four corners region, it was a nice change.  The Animas river is running high for August which is good for river riders and the businesses that rely on them and after a last minute phone call to my friend Dana, we met for a tube ride down the river.  It's relaxing.  It's fun.  When the sun goes behind the clouds, it's chilly. My tube starting losing air but it lasted the hour and a half bobbing, bumpy ride to the take out.  Fun times!

Back home after a ten day house and pet-sitting stay usually requires an adjustment.  Victor (my husband) has a "different" concept of landscaping - preferring to employ  "useful tings" (as he puts it), as decorations.  It's always a joy to pull up to the house to see what new items have been added to the landscape.  Upon my return home this time, there was a child's bike (no front wheel), an adult bike (it actually rides very nicely), a construction work zone partially blocking the parking area and a 1964 new/old step van that he is smartening up for his dream-of-a-lifetime specialty meals on wheels, hot tamale wagon food-to-go business.  He is excited!  I'm glad that he is excited...really.  The painting business has taken an extended dive off a cliff and perhaps this will be the parachute.

Sunny morning

So... my current contribution to the household has been my garden.  At first I thought it was doomed.  Everything seemed to be sampling the new plants before they even had a chance to take root. It was hot - and dry.  I'd been fending off chickens sneaking into the growing ground to scratch.  I was beginning to think that my green thumb had turned black and then - the rains came.  Every afternoon, or evening; or throughout the night...what a joy!  Such a welcome respite!  Not only does the water bill adjust...but the garden...oh the garden grew. 

Sunflowers and hollyhocks

Now I have some very large squash to enter at the La Plata County Fair this week.  Now I have flowers surrounding and concealing my garden fence.  Now there is hope that there will be some canning activity and fresh vegetables for the table... and to share.  This garden gives me a sense of accomplishment while I have no gainful employment.  Sure, I'm finding ways to take care of my financial obligations, but it's a day to day sort of a thing.  My garden has become a strong focus and it's success holds my self-worth in it's curling tendrils of snap peas, rigorously growing cucumbers and  fragrantly abundant herbs.  Since I've been back home, I've spent some hours plucking weeds from the beds; thinning the chard and spinach; tying up the tomatoes and cukes and harvesting.

Tomorrow is the day I take my entries to the fair... and because I didn't know if I'd have any produce to show, I decided to take some of my husband's useful stuff (and some of mine too) and assemble an entry for the scarecrow contest.  Using whatever I could find, it has come together to form a rather unconventional figure that is certain to ward off undesirables.  If it doesn't, then it's sure to make people scratch their heads and wonder "wha...?"  (I'll post a picture when it's fully assembled).

Little alarm clocks

Finally, I just have to mention the new chicken additions.  These cute little cochin batams were not my idea especially since all four are roosters. But... they really are too cute with their feathered feet and small statures.  They roam unruffled as one when scratching around the property, obediently returning to their enclosure early each afternoon.  They are, of course, one of Victor's acquisitions given to him eagerly and without cost - but what does one do with four small black roosters?  Because they are young and used to one another, they aren't aggressive and they don't eat much...but they have this habit of repeated vocalizations each morning close to 5am.  One starts a gurgling crow...and they politely take turns for just about an hour and then a sudden but welcome quiet.  What to do?  You tell me.  Would anyone like an adorable living alarm clock? 

Next up... a trip to Denver to see family and friends.