Back to the Farm

Visiting the farm is a treat although we were parting with Henry and Uma (Umar?). Lower: Pictured is my favorite little farm friend, Nibbles, the pygmy goat. He is standing on a table. Some of the other darling goats and the calf (far right - can you see the dark brown ear?) are always ready for a treat, or a lick, or a kiss.

Middle: Turkeys fall in love too. This beautiful brown and white guy with a light blue face, yes, light blue, was strutting his stuff in hopes the lady turkey would be interested. Apparently she was not because she ran around all over the place to keep ahead of him. There are quite a few very large eggs in the turkey nest currently being sat on by a black and silver Wyandotte chicken.

Upper: Sonya is in the chick/duckling house with her favorite chick who loves to sit on her lap. Can't blame that chick....Sonya is a beatiful girlfriend!

We did chose replacements for Henry and Umar, plus one more. Three Chicken Farm always seems to have four chickens. Oh, well. It could have been goats.

Uma & Henry

Here is the lovely couple. Note Uma's body language. She is not leaning into Henry (formerly, Henrietta).Lovely little Lacey is standing behind him. Neither she nor Uma hang out with him very much. He often sits alone.

Nighttime is a different story. They all get on top the run, on top of a tarp stretched over it. Uma is such a broad-beamed gal, Lacey and Henry vie to get in the middle next to her. They look like they are braiding themselves. Lacey will be up and around to get between Uma and Henry, then Henry will wiggle around until he dislodges Lacey. In the pushing and shouldering, Uma often slides down the tarp and has to flap and scramble to regain her postion.

Yesterday the girls were seen reading the Classified ads hoping to find a home for Henry. Any takers?

Senor Rooster Arrives

Senor Rooster Arrives The UPS truck pulled up in the gravel parking area at the front gate. Camille and I were working in the yard. She called out “UPS, I didn’t order anything but I’ll receive. I said, “I don’t think it’s for me.” After hearing our comments, the driver said hesitantly “I have a package for Three Chicken Farm. Is that you folks?” “ Yes” we answered laughing. He handed down a 3 ½ foot long box. Sure enough, it was addressed to Three Chicken Farm. After a bit of puzzling about no chicken supplies on order, I noticed a familiar name on the label…Ann Dettmer! We took the prized box into the shade. Camille went in the house for scissors. I pulled up lawn chairs. After cutting through much Cello Tape, it appeared to be a box of alien green packing peanuts. Clearing those away revealed another box…more Cello Tape cutting…more, but different Styrofoam shaped to fit the top and bottom of………………A HUGE CERAMIC ROOSTER!!! He is quite handsome with a creamy white body, black vertical stripes, all topped by a vivid red comb and red wattles (the hangy-down chin thingies). He is perched atop an earth-colored ball from which he reigns. When I presented him to the chickie girls, Henny (the most feminine) came running over and nearly fainted with joy. I placed him near the run. The four girls began to parade in a circle past him. When each arrived in front of Senor Rooster, she did a funny lifting of her head. That must be a secret Chicken thing. It has been alternately suggested meaning, ‘Me first’ or ‘Hi there, Big Boy’ or ‘Things are looking up’ or ‘Where have you been all eight weeks of my life? We may never know, but your suggestions are welcome.