2006-Sep-7
More egg-ventures!
Posted in City Chickens
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More adventures (or shall we say 'egg-ventures'?) in chicken ownership.... Yesterday afternoon, Brannan retrieved a farm fresh egg from the nest
and was walking toward the house when the inside-but-think-he's-an-outside-kitty
made a break for freedom. Brannan spun, rolled, and slid making a dive for the
newly freed cat, and in the process egged himself real good!
 Shoes, socks,
shorts, knees, and of course one very gooey hand. It was pretty amusing! After he got over the shock, he had to
run and proudly show daddy what a mess he had made all over himself.  And a couple days
ago, I got brave and let all three chickens loose (remember I live in the middle
of town!). Up until then, I had only let Josa loose, and she would stay fairly
close since the other two were still in the tractor. Apparently, since the two
Reds could wander freely about the yard, she became much more confident and
disappeared from the yard entirely. I had been keeping an eye on them all day,
but she somehow slipped away when I wasn't paying attention. I looked
everywhere I could think of and couldn't find her. I kept checking every so
often to see if she had returned, but she was gone for hours. Finally, late in
the afternoon, a couple houses down the alley in back, I hear "Bark! bark!
bark!" from our neighbor's Jack Russell. Immediately followed by a very concerned,
"Bawk! Bock! Bock! Baawwwwkkkkk!!!" Immediately followed by a shocked female
voice exclaiming, "It's a CHICKEN!!" I cautiously poked my head
out back just in time to see one terrified chicken fleeing at top speed back
down the alley toward home. Needless to say, one of us has learned a lesson,
maybe both. I have not let all 3 chickens loose again, and Josa stays in the
yard close to her friends in the chicken tractor.
 I know I probably bore everyone with my chicken stories, but they are still exciting to us and I just can't help going on and on about them!  Oh, good news! My mom (with my dad's consent, see my last post) has agreed to be a foster mom to our chickens, at least on a trial basis (I promise I didn't harass my dad!  ). Hopefully that will work out, otherwise I will
need to find a new permanent home for them. They will probably move this weekend, but I'm kind of waiting until the last possible minute since I will miss having them around! :) |
2006-Aug-29
Look what I found!
Posted in City Chickens
I'm back to
(temporarily) being an excited first-time chicken owner. My uneducated, best
guess is that the death of the chicken was from first-time egg laying internal
injuries. The others are doing fine, so I'm happy. Josephine is healing up
real good. She's been loose from morning until dark, so the other two won't
peck at her wound. So, I didn't think she had started laying yet, but I had
been on the lookout for stray eggs just in case. Well, this evening I went
outside and looked in one of her favorite spots, a nice shady, secluded corner
of the house, and what did I find?? Three green eggs! She's been stockpiling
behind my back!!   I swear I checked
that spot the other day... I could see her getting away with one or two from
today or the day before, but wouldn't three eggs be from three different days?
I know checked over the weekend and there was nothing there! Hmmm...
it's a mystery, but an exciting one!
The bad chicken news
is that we sold our house, and I so far I can't find anyone to take them. We
will probaby be in a rental for 6 months to a year, so I'd like to just "loan"
them until we find a permanent place. I was hoping my parents would be willing
to take them, but my dad said no chickens (for certain readers, I'd like to
point out that he built the best chicken tractor ever and he's the
world's greatest dad and if the chickens live over there, the grandkids will, of
course, have to come visit much more often, since they'll need to see
their beloved chickens that they don't want to give to some
stranger, plus we'll be a lot closer, etc... etc... [insert
sad puppy dog eyes and bat eyelashes]) Seriously, I'm just kidding!!
 (I
love you, dad!!) But I really don't
know what I'm going to do with them. LOL
P.S. If anybody in western Washington would like to borrow three sweet, friendly chickens for awhile, I have some that need temporary foster homes!  |
2006-Aug-27
Chicken Heaven
Posted in City Chickens
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Honestly, I was not
prepared to have to explain what happened to the departed chicken. The kids
spent the night at Grandma & Grandpa's last night and went to the fair
today, so they had a busy 24 hours. I was hoping that after the day's
adventure, no one would notice the missing chicken, but after about about an
hour of playing outside tonight, just as we were about to go in, Brannan noticed
that we were short a chicken. I realize that since I had nearly an entire day
from the time I discovered her until the kids came home, I should have thought
about the possibility that they might actually notice. After all, 3 & 4
years old are awfully observant, sometimes too much, to the embarassment of
their parents. Anyway, he completely caught me off guard and I told him that
she was sick and went to chicken heaven. Which led to a long discussion...
including bringing up a recent squirrel incident involving a squirrel that had
apparently been hit by a car. It looked like its back end was paralyzed, but it
was near a berry bush, so the kids assumed that it was sick because it ate "bad
berries". Somehow I managed to avoid the inevitable discussion, but Brannan
remembered it and wondered what happened to the squirrel too. So.... I'm still
not sure I said the right thing. I kind of wish I'd said that she was just gone
or ran away, but that's not the truth, and while they don't necessarily need to
know the entire truth at preschool age, I don't want to outright lie to them
either. But on the other hand, chicken heaven isn't really the truth either.
So, I'm still not sure I said the right thing, but he seems to be satisfied with
the conversation. I guess I'll just have to see if he brings it up
again.
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2006-Aug-27
Sad chicken news
Posted in City Chickens
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Well, the chickens were fun up until yesterday morning. The first thing was I went out to check for eggs and they had smooshed one and were eating it. I was a little disappointed, but I'd heard of that happening. As long as it doesn't become a habit, I think it will be okay. Then, early yesterday afternoon (I didn't work on Friday), I went out to check on them and one of the Araucanas (Josephine... Brannan named her after Joseph's coat of many colors) was all bloody and missing feathers right where her back meets her tailfeathers. The other three kept pecking at her and making it worse. I can't figure out how she got injured other than they were fighting. There's nothing in their pen for them to get hurt on. So, I had no choice but to separate her from the others. Unfortunately, I had nothing to put her in and I live in town and was hesitant to let her loose, but decided that there really wasn't any other option. So I took my chances and let her loose. She stayed really close (20 - 30 ft) to her friends in the tractor. I was afraid that something might get her after dark so I put her back in the pen last night, figuring they'd mostly sleep and leave her alone. When I went out this morning, they were bothering her again, so I let her loose and she hung around all day. So, she seems fine now, but I'll probably let her loose again tomorrow, so her injury can heal without the others pecking at her. But, here's the bad news... today, for no apparent reason that I can tell, the other Araucana up and died!  Nothing stuck out at the time, but looking back over the day, I think that something wasn't quite right. A couple hours after I let Josephine loose, I was out working on the yard and found a green egg in the chicken tractor. It had to have been the other Araucana, since the other two chickens in the pen are Rhode Island Reds and lay brown eggs. It had some blood on it and was out in the open. Since the chickens just started laying this week and this was only our 9th egg so far, I wasn't sure if that was normal or not (both the blood and the fact that she laid it out in the open). The other 8 eggs (6 brown and 2 green, I think the green were both hers, but not sure) were all laid in the "house" part of the tractor where their nest is. Anyway, so I did see her around a little bit throughout the day, but not much. Then right before dark, I went to feed them and put Josephine back in the cage and when the other Araucana didn't come out to eat, I moved the tractor up and over her and found her dead! She looked like she buried her head in the dirt and smothered herself. So, I'm a little concerned since I have no idea why she died. I don't think it's related to sanitation since they get fresh food and water and bedding and their tractor is moved regularly. There's nothing that she could have gotten into and eaten to make her sick. Plus, other than Josephine's physical injury, the other ones seem to be fine. But still why would a chicken just die like that? Maybe she had an internal injury from laying eggs? Or maybe it was related to her pecking the injured chicken... Maybe she got sick from that? (The injury didn't seem that bad.) Maybe she just wasn't feeling well and accidentally killed herself? I know chickens are too bright, but they don't seem dumb enough to kill themselves like that either. (I'm grasping at straws here!) I just don't know, and the fun of raising chickens is momentarily gone. I'm hoping the others will be all right and that there was just something wrong, like an internal defect or something, that caused her to die. If Josephine heals up alright and nobody else gets sick, I guess I'll feel better, but this is definitely not something that I expected to have to deal with.
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2006-Aug-23
A green egg, vaccinations, & missionaries
Posted in City Chickens
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Okay, I admit that I have lots of random things on my mind right now! So I'm limiting myself to three topics! So.... I came home today and found a GREEN EGG!!!!! And the third brown egg in three days! One of the Reds has been laying for three days straight and apparently, one of the Araucanas decided that she needed to get in on the action and decided to produce something too! All four of the eggs so far are noticeably smaller than the store bought eggs, but they are supposed to get bigger (or so I'm told!) How exciting!  Yesterday I took the kids in for their annual exam. Their pediatrician is a kindly older gentleman who is great except that I think he's either getting kick-backs from the vaccine manufacturers or has been to vaccination brainwashing bootcamp (or both). He will gently and kindly, in the most non-confrontational way possible, really, really strongly recommend the entire line-up of vaccinations. Personally, both my husband and I are in the middle when it comes to vaccinating, leaning towards not vaccinating. Meaning, our kids both have the DTP shots, but they were done later than the official government recommendations. In my eyes, tetanus is a reasonable concern, and when Brannan was born (at a free-standing birth center) the hospital that we would have gone to (if we'd need to) had a whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak that very week, so that one was brought home as a reality also. So, they get the DTP shots. I think the doctor's office also managed to talk me into getting Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) shot to Brannan at one point, but since then I've stuck to my guns and said No. But it's still kind of annoying to have to deal with this. The doctor has tried to push the Hepatitis B shot on them since they were newborn. That one really bothers me since you are only at risk because of certain behaviors (same risk factors as AIDS) or if the baby's mother is a carrier or at risk. Other than the mother argument, there is absolutely no reason to be concerned about this at all!! His reasoning for giving the Hep B shot is not to protect them now, but so you won't need to worry about it later on as they become teenagers and adults. That just seems like the silliest logic..... So I'll wait until they're older and might actually be at risk. But even more importantly, if I raise them right, Hepatitis B shouldn't even be a concern at all. Oh, well... This time he was pushing Polio... "I really think it would be a good time to get them started on the Polio vaccine. You don't hear about it in the US, but if you travel outside the country, there are a lot of places where it's still a concern." Okay, I won't argue that, but I'm not leaving the U.S. If we do leave the U.S., we will most definitely reconsider the entire vaccination situation, but as it currently stands, we rarely leave our county, let alone the country. That said I don't want anyone to think I'm anti-vaccinations or criticizing people who do choose to vaccinate. I'm NOT saying that at all! After all, I have all my vaccinations (I think). And my kids have some. I do, however, feel very strongly that this is a decision that each family needs to make on their own (hopefully after researching the pros and cons and prayerful consideration). I mostly just wish the doctors would respect the non- (or mostly non-) vaccintating parents' wishes and stop pestering us! I've researched the subject til my eyes are crossed. I'm informed and I don't want to. End of story. (All that, and Heike did get her DTP booster yesterday and was an all-star! Didn't even bat an eye!) The other thing that I had on my mind was a co-worker friend. He has worked at the same company as me for about the same amount of time (7 years). I don't see him very often any more, except I occasionally go to a weekly Bible study and he's usually there. Anyway, he and his family are relocating to Singapore this weekend. He has the most awesome testimony that I just had to share a little bit. We (the Bible study group at work) have been priviledged to watch everything unfold and it's just truly amazing what an awesome God we serve! About a year ago, he and his wife felt called to become missionaries to China. Basically, they answered, "Yes, Lord" and were willing to lay everything down for Him and go. They went on one or two trips, went to missionary training, and got ready to quit his job, sell their house and go. Their hearts were willing, but God has led them down a slightly different path now. I won't go into details, since it's not my story to tell (and I wouldn't do it justice), but suffice it to say that they are going to Singapore instead (at least for now). He is staying with our company and transferring to a newly opened office in Singapore (he found out about the new office the week that he was going to turn in his resignation). In Singapore, the population is 70% Chinese so they'll be able to learn the language, maybe make brief trips to China, and they will feel more confident about the safety of their kids, ages 3, 5, & 7. And who knows, maybe our company will open an office in China in a couple years and he'll be able to transfer again. It has been truly, truly amazing to watch the Lord directing their steps and to see them so willingly follow where He leads. I just think of them and feel like Wow. Wow, because their hearts are so willing, whether it's to China or to Singapore, which may or may not be a stepping stone to China later on. And Wow, because it's just so amazing to see God's hand and direction in the whole adventure. Things that shouldn't and couldn't happen, have happened. And all in His perfect timing.
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2006-Aug-21
WooHoo! The first egg!!!!
Posted in City Chickens
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The long awaited first egg finally arrived!!!! I went out to move the chicken tractor this evening and opened the door on the house side, not expecting anything, and there it was! A tiny little brown egg. Honestly, from my shock and surprise, you'd have thought I had given up on the idea that my chickens were ever going to produce anything! I think I may have screeched in excitement... I was so excited, you'd have thought I was directly responsible for the egg. But the chickens weren't that impressed, so somebody had to be tripping over themselves in excitement!! I guess that responsibility fell to me. (Remember, this is someone who's never been around chickens, and knows that eggs come from the refrigerator section at the grocery store!) Of course, Murphy's Law states that the chicken(s) will start laying immediately after the owner of said chicken(s) has purchased an 18-count carton of eggs from the grocery store.  Here is the little, tiny first egg and the fresh-from-the-store egg. The store egg looks huge, but it's just normal size. The brown one is just tiny (and cute... can an egg be cute?  ) |
2006-May-31
Pictures of the Chicken Tractor!
Posted in City Chickens
Finally! Here are the promised pictures of our chicken tractor!  The chickens can hide downstairs to keep sheltered from the wind and rain, and the upstairs has two spots for nests. There is a door at either end for easy access.  Now I just have to wait patiently for that first wonderful egg... |
2006-May-8
Stop that chicken!
Posted in City Chickens
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Okay, I came home from work today, and peaked at the girls, and counted... "One, two, three..." And then slightly puzzled, "One, two, three..." And then a little more concerned, "One, two, three..." And then completely panicked, "ONE, TWO, THREE!!! WHERE IS THE FOURTH CHICKEN???????" Then I pause a moment, and hear concerned peeping coming from somewhere in the house, but I can't tell where. I listen closely, and narrow it down to the corner of the living room behind the TV. Since I can't reach back there and the TV, shelf, and speakers are too big to move, I resort to enlisting Blue (our ferocious feline) and scoot him back there to practice his herding instinct, and sure enough out comes Josephine right into Brannan's loving arms (she usually runs in terror from the kids), but apparently he was a better choice than the cat (at least this time). (And don't worry... Really the cat didn't do anything... It was just his mere presence that worked its magic on the concerned little chickie.) The good news is that the chicken tractor is almost, almost done and they will really truly be living outside where they belong very, very soon. Can you tell I'm excited about that? They really were not supposed to be in the house this long!! |
2006-Apr-2
My Great Dilemma
Posted in City Chickens
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OK, there is a major internal battle going on. Myself vs myself. And the battle is over chickens!! To get some or not get some. I really can't decide and it's driving me crazy!!! Like I've mentioned I live in town on a 5000 sq ft lot, surrounded by neighbors on all sides, so I don't really have the ideal location for them, but they are allowed. For several months I've been thinking that when spring rolled around I would like to get maybe three chickens and set up a little spot for them in the backyard. I would love having fresh eggs (I've only ever had store bought!!) and the feeling of accomplishment... I mean the chickens do all the work laying the eggs, but I would be taking care of them. :) But my trouble is... actually several things. (And it is fueled by the fact that every day I have do drive by the co-op's sign that says "CHICKS ARE IN!!!") 1) I work full-time and usually get home around 6 pm. I know they don't take a lot of work, but with the little time that I have at home now, do I really want to take on something extra? These are animals and require daily care. It's not like a home improvement project that I can leave alone for a few days if I need time to do something else. 2) I don't have anywhere to keep them. My husband is indifferent to the idea of having chickens, which means he's okay with me getting some, but it also means that any coop-building would be up to me (see previous note on No Time). However, my parents don't live too far away, so maybe I could ask my dad to come over and help me. He is a former home builder, so I think he'd be a really good person to enlist for help! :) 3) We're thinking about moving... Which leads to two issues. First, if we move, it would probably be to an apartment or something even smaller (trying to lower our bills). This would probably be temporary, but I would still need to find new homes for the chickens. And part B is, it might be a negative mark for potential homeowners to walk into the backyard and see a chicken coop. We could tell them it would be dismantled and removed, but I just don't know. That first impression is important. Also, I could probably find adult chickens, but I'm leaning towards getting chicks (there is a feedstore and a co-op nearby and both have chicks in), but if we do sell our house, what if I went to all the trouble and then had to get rid of them before I even got any eggs??? I guess I could just be positive and think of it as "experience" and file it in the back of my mind for future reference! :) On the other hand, I've spent too much time thinking about someday and realized recently that maybe (hopefully) someday will happen and I'll live in the country and be a stay-at-home mom and see all those dreams happen, but in the meantime I'm in the here-and-now and I need to do what I can to make some of those dreams a reality. On the chance that I work and live here for the rest of my days, I can still make some of those dreams happen. And there are certain memories that I want my kids to have, no matter what.... I want them to remember baking in the kitchen with mommy, home-cooked meals, sitting at the dinner table as a family every night, gardening, going for walks, reading stories every night, etc... So my obsession with chickens is related to that and why it bothers me so much. On the logical, practical side, I just don't think I should. But in my heart, I'm afraid if I don't get them now, will I ever?
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