Hope-sessa Tra La La!

You know, I have the dearest husband in the world, but he's been cranky lately - short handed at work, mean and mouthy customers that he's had to deal with every day...can't say as I blame him for getting 'the cranks'.  I've been waiting for the mail delivery each day, hoping the surprise I got for him would show up - and today it finally did!  SWEET!  So, I gift wrapped it with a charming note and put it on the bed where he'd be certain to find it when he got home and changed this evening.....

Mr. Wonderful and his Surprise!

It was an instant HIT!  Doesn't he look pleased???  He could hardly wait to climb into his new Tee, and it brightened up his mood immediately!    I love to see that smile - it's a winner!

Love Chickens?

When I was a kid, we called gifts like this "Hope-sessa Tra La La!"  I think it means "present" in Polish, but I'm not certain.  The expression has a funny happy sound, and that's why I remember it so easily!

Make it a great day - for EVERYONE!

Down Country Roads

WAZZ-UP?!?

 On Friday we took the finished coop to the Newaygo County Fair and got our display set up.  The borrowed trailer worked quite well for loading and unloading - much better than the big lift required to put that heavy monster into our pick-up truck!  Getting too old for much more of that!

 I added a few decorative touches, including signs and sun flowers - and of course we included flyers and business cards in weather protective folders for folks to take if they were interested in ordering one of these beauties for their flocks at home.

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE!

 The designated area for our display had a nice grassy spot and we set it up there to take some photos.  We got a lot of lookers even though the fair didn't officially start until the next day.  Everyone seemed charmed by it, flipping open doors and latches to look at the "innards" as well as the "outtards"!

 We're happy to be finished with this project - the heat as been terrible, but the humidity was WORSE!  I believe God is making up for our unseasonably cool summer LAST year by sending us rain and heat THIS summer!  He works all things out according to His plan.  Today it is raining again, and since we have friends that will be exhibiting daily this week, they have graciously offered to open and close the hen house doors depending on the weather, so the display bedding and our fliers do not get soaked.

Even if we don't get any orders resulting from the display, we'll get exposure, and maybe surprises will happen --

Down the Old Country Road!

Abracadabra - the Things We Learn

A poem for those in the working world - from one of my favorite childhood poets. It was written long ago, but rings true even today!

One from One Leaves Two

Higgledy piggledy, my black hen,
She lays eggs for gentlemen.
Gentlemen come every day
To count what my black hen doth lay.
If perchance she lays too many,
They fine my hen a pretty penny;
If perchance she fails to lay,
The gentlemen a bonus pay.

Mumbledy pumbledy, my red cow,
She’s cooperating now.
At first she didn’t understand
That milk production must be planned;
She didn’t understand at first
She either had to plan or burst,
But now the government reports
She’s giving pints instead of quarts.

Fiddle de dee, my next-door neighbors,
They are giggling at their labors.
First they plant the tiny seed,
Then they water, then they weed,
Then they hoe and prune and lop,
They they raise a record crop,
Then they laugh their sides asunder,
And plow the whole caboodle under.

Abracadabra, thus we learn
The more you create, the less you earn.
The less you earn, the more you’re given,
The less you lead, the more you’re driven,
The more destroyed, the more they feed,
The more you pay, the more they need,
The more you earn, the less you keep,
And now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to take
If the tax-collector hasn’t got it before I wake.

--Ogden Nash

Fair Play

The plan for this evening is to transport our lovely hen house to the Newaygo County Fair. We were fortunate to be able to borrow a small trailer to move that heavy Chicken Palace - much easier than us 2 senior citizens lifting it onto the box of a pick-up truck (which incidentally has been outfitted with a lift kit by the previous owner!). We've delivered many chicken homes to our customers in that fashion, but upper body strength is something I lack, and as wonderful as Mr. Wonderful is - he just can't lift it that high by himself!
Yesterday I finished staining, and today will be adding finishing touches to the project. The girls have been watching and hoping that this new home will soon be theirs, but Mr. Wonderful refuses to lean that direction. His plan is to sell this display model! We advertise our structures unstained to save money for the general public, and also to encourage the entire family to complete the fun part - the painting and decorating! We imagine parents and their children getting away from their TV's and computers, using their creativity, working as a team to complete a project that can be uniquely theirs. What could be more fun?!?

Playin' it Fair -

Got CHICKS? Brooder Set-up the EASY WAY!

When I lived in Illinois, I was able to get advice on an inexpensive brooder system from a farmer's wife. Being born and raised in the city, I had no clue as to the ins and outs of chicken care, and Donna, who had been born into a farming family, was no stranger to anything farm-related. She took me under her wing, so to speak, and taught me a few things about poultry and brooder boxes for new chicks. I will share that with you today.

Before you bring your new chicks home from the post office or the feed store, you should have a few things in place. Assuming you will be getting only a few birds to raise up to be layers, this plan works well for around 10 birds. Once you get the gist of it, you can set up additional brooders for larger amounts of chicks!!! You will need:

• heat lamp
• heat bulb
• large cardboard box
• wood 2x4
  
• wood shavings (not sawdust!)
• chick waterer
• chick feeder
• chick feed
• small size grit

Heat Lamp - These are relatively inexpensive and can be bought at a hardware store, feed store, or online if you like. The bulb that works best for the chicks is a RED one, as it is easier on their eyes.
Cardboard Box - get a clean refrigerator box from an appliance store. These have worked great for me, and you can cut it to the height you need, so as the chicks grow and attempt to pop up into the air, they won't pop over the top and outside the box! Yep - they are kinda like popcorn!
Feeder/Waterer - these can be purchased at the feed store or online.
Grit - because chickens don't have teeth, food goes directly into their crop, so they need to grind the food in order to utilize it properly. Small grit is the size you need for chicks, and as they grow into large birds you can increase the size they will need to medium grit.
A word on Chick Feed - there are plain feeds and medicated feeds on the market today. I have always purchased medicated feed to prevent such diseases as coccidiosis. Most poultry suppliers will vaccinate chicks for around fifty cents a bird, and that is well worth it. Medicated feed for the first month, in my opinion, is worth feeding as a preventative, and it costs the same amount per sack. Some folks, because of the popularity of organic farming, don't want vaccinations or medicated feed anywhere near their chicks. That is their choice, and there's nothing wrong with that. They may or may not have troubles with the health of their birds during the early stages of "chick-hood". I prefer as much certainty as possible, myself, and prevention is the best medicine!

Of course you can buy a brooder from a poultry supplier or from the feed store. But, this is what I do, and it's easy, inexpensive, and you can send it to the landfill when you are through and not have to store much at all!

Cut the cardboard box down to about a 3 ft. height, and fill with pine wood shavings. (Sawdust is too fine, and the chicks might ingest it, causing blockage and illness.) Fill the feeder and waterer, placing them in the box. Then, grab each chick, dip their beaks into the water so they will start to drink. Don't dip so far as to let water enter their nostrils! Just wet the beak! Then, take the long 2x4 (it should be long enough to cross the top of the box and stay put, without falling into the box) and clamp the heat lamp onto it and plug it in. That's all there is to it!

Watch the chicks, and if they huddle together near the heat, you may have to lower the lamp an inch or so. If they try to go way to the sides of the box away from the lamp, they are too warm, so raise the lamp a bit higher. If they are walking around all over the box, napping and eating and drinking, they are ju-u-u-ust RIGHT!

You will have to keep an eye on how they are positioning themselves if you have them in an outbuilding and the weather is changing daily, like in early spring. As they grow larger and the down is replaced by feathers, you may not need to use the lamp during the day - only at night if it turns cold. But that's it for brooding in the brooder - pretty simple, and nothing to be afraid of. If I can do it, you can too!

Keep it Simple -

Tuesdays' Show & Tail - Don't Get all in a FRIZZLE!

I'm joining in on Tuesday's Show & Tail at Angela's West Virginia's Treasures. If you have a cute story and picture of a pet, or any furry (or non-furry) friend, you are welcome to join in! Please check out the rules at her blog, and WELCOME!
Isn't this a dandy looking chicken? It is called a "Frizzle"! A friend of mine has buff colored banty Frizzle hens, and hers are the first I have ever seen, though Frizzles come in just about any color. They are bred for exhibition and originate from Asia.
Here are some Frizzle pullets. They look so downy and soft! If a Frizzle is bred to a Frizzle, 25% of the offspring will be what is known as "curlies" - the feathers are only curled, and very dry and brittle. If a Frizzle is bred to a normal soft-feathered breed, 25% of the offspring will be normal feathered.

Frizzling in the Summer Heat -

Dutch Barnevelder Name Suggestions - - -

My new pullets need some names. REAL Dutch names because of their Dutch Heritage. A relative of mine said she knew a few Dutch ladies, and would see what she dig up for me. Well, she phoned this evening with 2 suggestions. The first was Matje (pronounced "Macha"). I'm okay with that one. Unusual, but might be easily remembered after a few days. The second name suggestion was Fokija (Pronounced "Fuckya"). Again, unusual, AND VERY easy to remember.... but I'm not so sure about that one. Any other suggestions out there would be welcomed!!!

Unusual Day for Unusual Names,

Barnevelder Hens

The new pullets I got yesterday will look like the hens shown in the picture above when they are grown. I did some quick research before I decided on trying them out, and found they are a medium heavy breed of chicken, and dual purpose (eggs or meat). They were a well known Dutch breed known for producing a good amount of dark brown egg, but now breeders are raising them for show so they aren't as concerned with maintaining the dark brown egg color, or even to the productivity of the hens. It seems that whenever chickens are raised for show birds, some things such as productivity are compromised to achieve a balanced appearance in the bird.
Do you think the same goes for breeding other species of animal?

Happy Saturday -

CoOpS FeR sALe!

These past couple of weeks has been pretty hectic for Mr. Wonderful. He got a great response from the chicken coop ads I've been placing. Finally he got caught up and has one more to build, but we can start taking new orders now. The picture above is the coop we delivered yesterday to a couple that lives nearly 2 hrs. drive from our location in Michigan.
We advertise fully assembled coops, ready for the buyer to paint or decorate any way they wish. Heck, that's the fun part anyways! This family ordered 2 coops - one for meat birds, and the other for laying hens. The pictures here are what they are doing to finish the first coop to their tastes - I think it will look great when the coops are completed!
They placed an order for "heritage" chickens, on the endangered list, to add to their farming experience. As we talked with them, they spoke of their hard work to become "Organic Certified" with their farm, and all of the road blocks to obtaining certification. And there are many! Sometimes it seems that the government is against anyone wanting to be self sustaining, and against the small farmer in general. Big Business is what pays - taxes to the government, and maybe even money to put towards keeping someone in office. We don't know much about that, because we're only one of the little guys! And the prospective Organic Farmers? They've not given up their "day jobs" yet!

Have a Happy Day!

Snow, Piles, and Other Wintertime Fun

This year we've seemed to have such a long winter! I am SO READY for SPRING!!! Especially when I visit your blogs and see dandylions, green grass peeking out, and sunshine in the photos you share. Yep, I'm jealous, but it brings me some hope that soon our skies will be blue again soon! The only thing blue here lately has been my mood....and some of the eggs my hens have been producing!
We're still getting one huge egg every day or two - and did I tell you - I think I've tracked down the one WHO DUNN IT? Henrietta, the Black Astralorp hen named by my sister - that's the CULPRIT! I don't have an egg container with compartments large enough to hold those large eggs - they're big as duck eggs, yes indeed! I have to use em up quick, or put em in a measuring cup so they don't break before I'm ready to do some baking! Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining. I AM worried, though, that Henrietta will have a "Prolapse" - - - I don't relish treating a hen with Preparation H.....Good Grief!
Prolapse in hens can happen when they lay such large eggs, and Preparation H is one of the few recommended treatments, lest the other hens in the flock spy the poor bird's troubles and pick on her, to Lord knows what "bad end". I've seen her straining and looking like she was trying to squeeze her cheeks - and her poor fluffy chicken butt has me concerned when she walks across the pen and stalls out for a moment before heading for the feeder.
I do believe Black Astralorps are designed to produce XL eggies, as they are a rather heavy and meaty looking bird themselves, but I watch out for her because I'm more used to the size of the other eggies the rest of the flock produces. Henrietta is the black hen on the roost, but notice Priscella's expression - she don't cotton to any mention of Preparation H! I don't reckon I care to pursue the matter myself!

WHO DUNN IT?

Yesterday evening while doing chores, I found something pretty startling in the nest boxes. Like the 'shreds'? Mom saves these for my hens when paper gets shredded. It looks very Valentiney right now out there! But that isn't what was so startling. Take a look-see - - -

WHO DUNN IT? That has GOT To have HURT!

Chicken Chores

Since getting my flock of hens, I've had little help in maintaining the "girls". Mr. Wonderful skillfully constructed the Coop Du Jour in which they live - a palace of wonderment and delight! He is a great life-partner, but his time and attention are limited when it comes to some of the mundane or the medical treatments they sometimes require. Anything "medical", I can mostly count him OUT!

So, how do I GiT R DoNe all by myself? You can imagine, chicken wrangling can be a little frustrating - hens are mighty flighty at times. Sooooo --this is what I do:
mmmmmm...No, not "quite"! But I've thought about it! Actually, I use a long lost procedure from the past...Chicken Hypnosis!
Years back, folks could not always count on having someone readily available to help with doctoring or butchering. (We have all heard tales of chickens running around with their heads cut off while everyone watched...gruesome.) Sometimes a person had to butcher alone, and there were a few tried and true ways to go about it. Here are a few methods for Chicken Hypnosis that you can try yourself. Each one should immobilize your hen for 15 seconds up to 20 minutes. Swinging pendulums not required!

The first method is what I prefer. I hold the hen firmly, turning her upside down, and resting her back on a table or the ground - whichever is handier. I take my hand and slowly stroke her from the wattle on her neck down her breast, removing my hand and beginning again very slowly, until she looks drowsy - takes a very short time. When she is calm, I can put Vaseline on her feet, comb and wattle to protect them from frostbite, I can dust her for parasites, and also clip wing feathers! Easy Peasy!

The other methods are ones that are handy to know, but are my less preferred ways of hypnotizing a hen. The birds' head can be held down to the ground, and you can slowly draw a line from the comb of the hen to the bird's feet repeatedly, till the bird is hypnotized. Might last 15 seconds or longer, as the bird will keep looking at the "line". The last method involves holding the hens head curved under her wing (must be done gently) while you slowly rock her back and forth, putting her into "the Trance"...then release her, setting her carefully on the ground when she is fully under your spell! Yes, this does work, and to miraculously awaken her, loudly clap your hands together, and she will return to consciousness, as if nothing has happened!

Chicken Hypnosis is very helpful when doing basic hen care - give it a try. And, as with all things, practice makes perfect! Read the chicken jokes below for amusement, and have a wonderful day!

"Why did the chewing gum cross the road?" "Because it was stuck to the chicken's feet."

"Why did the duck cross the road?" "Chickens day off."

"Why did the dinosaur cross the road?" "Because chickens weren't invented."

"Why did the punk rocker cross the road?" "He was stapled to the chicken."

Flew the Coop

Yesterday when I let my Corgi girls out for their evening FRAP (Frantically Running Around Playing), my hens were fortunate enough that I noticed they 'flew the coop'! It took a few minutes to quickly grab them and stick them back within the Chicken Compound, but I collected them before the Corgis were aware that BIG FUN might be on the horizon!

Time to do some trimming of flight feathers, and so, after dinner, and after a couple of TV shows that he just HAD to view, I conned Mr. Wonderful into holding hens so I could get the job done faster and more easily.

Evening is the best time to catch the hens - when they are on their roosts, nice and peaceful. I could either pick them up, or carefully nab a leg. Once they calmed down with some petting and cooing, I handed them over for Mr. Wonderful to hold, so I could trim those pesky flight feathers. He finally figured out that he must hold those wings securely, so they would quit thunking him on the head! (He is not a 'natural' when it comes to holding critters for nail trims or wing trimmings - some things I have to teach him!)I like the natural look of the wings and so I only trim the first 10 feathers, as shown above. 3 or 4 inches is as far as I trim back, just below the next row of feathers on the wing. Care must be taken not to cut into the 'blood feathers', and on young birds who have immature growth it is best to wait until the bird is near 7 months of age before you trim the flight feathers. If you have netting over your hen enclosure, you don't need to trim the feathers at all. I don't have netting at this point in time, and want to keep my girls near their coop, as Michigan winters can be very harsh if one should strike out on her own for a day.

Some folks trim only the feathers on one wing, to throw the bird off balance a bit. It doesn't take long to trim both wings, so why scare a bird like that and risk injury if it whacks into the side of its coop or something? That is my thinking. If the bird is carefully held upside down, it will go into a trance, and is easier to gently extend the wing you want to work on. I use this time to examine my birds - toenails that need trimming, beaks that need attention, and a general go-over for injuries, possible parasites, and to be sure they are maintaining their weight.

We were able to do 5 hens last night - the 6th bird, Cleopatra, FLEW THE COOP - and could not be found! We looked high and low, no Cleo! But this morning, Mr. Wonderful woke me from a sound sleep to report he had captured the escapee and turned her loose with the other inmates! My HERO! He is getting braver the more he sees me handle different animals...Hurray! I went out in my PJ's and quickly trimmed some feathers before she escaped again. We have a few egg customers now, and I need to keep these working girls safe! At some point in time, I should consider getting a helper like Squeaky the Pig - see video below. Squeaky can herd and pen cattle - maybe she could do the same with chickens!

Real Estate - Chook Cottage 4-Sale??? SOLD - to the Highest Bidder!

He finally did it - - - Mr. Wonderful sold the coop right from under my hens!

The DICKENS, you say!!!

It began yesterday - it was supposed to be a peaceful Sunday. We got an order for our first hen house to be delivered in the mid-afternoon and we began strapping it into the pickup truck when the phone rang - someone desperate for a chicken house SOON! How soon? Well - - - NOW, said the woman!

After offering her the 'deal of a lifetime', Mr. Wonderful broke the news to me - my 'girls' will be HOMELESS! But, only for a week. He PROMISED to build them a new FORTIFIED home - De Creme de la Creme - the "Coop Du Jour". And so - I get to actually pick and choose any number of options available for my little troupe of hens! This is almost better than the surprise coop he originally designed for me, really....that hen house was his first trial and error model. THIS one will be superb!

We made our first delivery mid-afternoon, as promised. Then before my hen's home made the 'disappearing act', Mr. Wonderful took me to the lumber yard to pick out the ingredients for a new hen house - and surprised me by also purchasing insulating panels for the floor and roof! Oh, my girls will REALLY be spoiled now! He is also going shopping for a solar powered lighting system this week - so they can have interior lighting for reading bedtime stories during the long cold winters in Michigan. How cozy is THAT?!?
He began the process of framing up a new house, then we delivered my beautiful 'castaway coop' to the new owners. They were truly delighted! It was fun to see the looks on their faces, and how their eyes lit up as they checked out the doors and compartments, windows, and latches of their new Chook Palace. We were exhausted after an entire day of delivering the two coops, but as my bloggy friend Chatty Crone said to me, "...this could be the beginning of a dream come true!" And you know - - - she could be EGG-Zactly RIGHT!

It's a GOLDEN DAY!

OH MY!

The DICKENS, you say!

EVERYONE agrees...

...But, WHAT a SURPRISE!

ROBYN, the black hen in the center of this little flock.......laid her VERY FIRST EGG! (no comments on the small size please - let's stress the IMPORTANCE of her completion of the task she was born and raised to do!)
A GOLDEN DAY, INDEED!