That chicken thang...

Yes! Thank you for asking! I am still doing that chicken "thaanng"!

Currently the flock is between 20 or thirty something and if they stood still long enough I might get half of them counted...or not. They all reside happily together at One Cackle Way.

One thing I know for sure is that I have about 4 roosters too many and the rest are hens. Oh and the other thing I know is that those boys have to "go" before spring. One way or another.

I have never been a cost effective flock keeper. I run more of a retirement home and shelter than anything. Culling is very difficult especially when I have had these boys since they broke out of the egg.  And they are gorgeous!

I love the way the sun brings out the iridescent colors of their feathers. Two are jet black with green, one is black and white barred with green and the last has orange, red, black and green.

They are all tremendously friendly, will free range, follow me around the yard and come when called.

If you know anyone who might be looking for a big handsome fellow or two, please give them my info or leave a comment below. Oh yes and that ^^^^ is referring to the chickens only!

Birds of Prey...and other "guests".

So one day a couple of weeks ago, my flock of chickens had a guest. I am not sure whether he was invited or not, but none of the chickens had their feathers ruffled and knowing my hens, well let's just say their gift of hospitality sometimes exceeds their sense!

Can you identify what hawk this is? I was thinking a Cooper hawk or immature Red Tail. As you can see the chickens aren't all that worried as there isn't anyway for the hawk to get in.

Spotted this owl along the road on my way home...sure is a beauty.

Kerry and I saw this Eagle near Lake Wilhelm.

I think they are impressive one and all.

Help, Help, we are snowed in!

No, that was not me. That was the squawks being heard from 100 Cackle Way. But not too fear, after DH got the path cleared again with the snow blower, BHR (basset hound rescue) was on the way!

Of course there was the sniff stops along the way!

"Well it certainly took you long enough!" cackled Miss Persnickity.

"Here now, no shoving! Plenty for everyone!" Says Sir Cockothewalk.

For myself I rather like this view of the chicken coop in the winter time...

...the one from inside the house!

Definitely enjoying the weather from here! And as you can see my car hasn't moved all day. It is the white mound in front of DH blue car...

I did have one reminder that spring would be coming. Some fresh cut herbs from a friends kitchen herb garden.

It has also been an ideal time to knit. I have been having a try at some lace work and so far these small projects have turned out ok...

After I finish a certain project that I can't show a picture of, I am going to tackle a lace scarf that is made from Kidsilk Haze Mohair. It's a wonderfully fine yarn. If it turns out I will post pics, if not, well I'll never mention it again, lol :-P

Chickens enjoying a treat...

...leftover jack-o-laterns!


The chickens share nicely!


Look at those pretty tail feathers.

Still a wee bit o color in the old oak trees.

However, from the exposed bare limbs on the rest of the trees you can tell November is here.

I love country...

Especially when the latest "hot gossip around the water cooler" is found here...

And when your projected goals are reasonable and earns quite the accolades just by producing one egg a day...

You know you are cock of the walk by how many tail feathers you have...

and at the end of the day you all cuddle up for the night together, the nit pecking, scratching our your living and climbing your way up the roost...

all forgotten for a peaceful night sleep knowing a job well done!

Ain't it a beautiful sight!

I'm so proud of my girls, if you look close you can see the difference between the year old plus hens' eggs and this springs peeps' eggs. Can you believe they are laying already! The eggs will get larger as they continue to lay, but I am so tickled with them all!

Pretty soon I will hang out my shingle:

Fresh Eggs

for

$ale

Update on One Cackle Way...

It's been awhile since I posted on the peeps. All has been well in the hen house at One Cackle Way. The fortress has been exactly that, no murdering marauding raccoons here! The pecking order has been established, eggs are laid daily and a lot of growing has been going on. You may remember the peeps like this...

Then there was the move into the chicken coop "play" pen...

Then they graduated to the er "luxury suite"....at least that must be what they thought because this is what we saw next...

Nope, not dead! Dirt baths! (Chicken version of a mud treatment at a spa I guess!) Every single one of the 25 chicks as soon as they hit the floor started rolling, covering themselves with dust and dug a little hole in the dirt floor! I have raised chickens for most of my life, and have seen chickens dust themselves, but not en masse!

My hubby the one with a very dry sense of humor said: "Hey there sweetheart, um what kind of chickens did you say you ordered? Prairie chickens?" To which I replied "evidently!"

In this photo the chicks finally worked up enough nerve to venture into the chicken yard or as we call it the "Garden of Clucks" or the "Boulevard of Scratch & Peck".

Which brings us to the present day...

As you can see they are gaining in size on the one year old Rhode Island Red Hens.

Can you tell the roosters from the hens? There are four roosters that made it. ( One was DOA which isn't bad considering they arrive through the mail at one day old!) Give up? Maybe the next photo will help...

I really like their colors in the sun and the pattern of their feathers. Now maybe someone can help me out with this next one. This was our odd ball chick. It is very skittish. I have no clue whether it is a hen or rooster, or what kind it is. It kind of puts me in mind of an Araucana hen (spelling?). But I am not for sure. It has blue legs and a spot by its ear that is blue also...

Please leave a comment if you have any idea at all, it will be greatly appreciated! :D

Inside One Cackle Way...

All is not quiet in the hen house...there are some new kids on the block...and they are making themselves known and at home!

They sure have gotten big since this was taken.

My Dad had made me this nesting box last year that I never got a chance to use after the Big Chicken Massacre. The hens are definitely making use of it this year. On an average they are giving me 35 eggs a week!

The hubby and I are off to the bike trail for a ride together. We used to do this when the kids were younger, but when they hit the teen age years when it was more cool to be seen in a car then on a bike we kind of got out of practise. I started back up last year and this year hubby is going too! It will be fun and I am taking the camera too!

In the garden...

Just some quick pics to show that April Showers really does bring May flowers...

and rubarb...

and strawberries...

more chores....

of course the hens are just delighted with all this recycling and going green...

I just love this weather!