Brrrrrrrr now we know it’s November. As we closed the big cedar barn doors last night, there was a very perceptible nip in the air.. The stars twinkling in a very clear sky sent us scurrying for the various hosepipes which are as yet not winterised and with a sinking feeling we realised we had not brought wood up for the wood stove. It was a cold night. Memories of childhood came back….Mum ( bless her heart) always was frugal and we were raised to put another sweater (jumper for my English readers) on, rather than another log on the fire. Carla uncomplainingly donned her puffy coat, but looked decidedly uncomfortable in a Californian kind of way. Greg forgot to bottle the “rocket fuel” home made rhubarb wine ( which would surely have warmed) and the pork roast pulled out of the freezer last night is still frozen.
This morning it is still dark, Greg miraculously managed to put together enough wood to start the fire, Bran the Border Collie is stretched out under my feet, I have a hot mug of tea, it’s all good and we are ready for another day.
The young Aruaicana and Rhode Island Red chicks have been a rebellious bunch ever since we got them as 3 day old chicks. Most little birds scatter when big people feet land amongst them…not this lot, they assault anything that moves. Entering and leaving the chick coop has not been easy. The little vultures are housed in what was the original Chicken house and aside from the fact that the walls are now decidedly on a lean, the door has followed the tilt of the wall and the hook and eye (tight security) on the leaning door no longer connected. The “steps into the leaning hutch with the leaning door and the faulty catch are decidedly rustic. Without too close examination ( about 50 years of chicken occupation makes it a little less than pleasant) I believe the steps are made of two four by fours balanced on a couple of logs. Things have never been made easy getting in and out of the leaning shack. The door opens outward which necessitates squeezing out of the half opened door and balancing on one leg whilst trying to shoo the mutinous chicks from absconding out of the escape hatch. In the evening, attempting to preserve the meagre basket of eggs donated by the senior hens in the adjoining hutch is invariably an issue as the quickly growing chicks execute their newest breakout plot, clearly it was time to persuade them the error of their ways !
At three o’clock in the morning, I had a brainwave ! (I know, couldn’t I have found something better to muse on in the early hours of the morning) A curtain !! Simple, why didn’t I think of that before ? And so it came to be…Carla and I went to work, we sliced up a sheet of black plastic and broke the staple gun but the curtain went up. The good news is, it really worked, the bad news is,….. apparently it doesn’t any more. Back to the 3am drawing board.
The chicks have been less than impressed by the addition of a door to the chick playpen and the chicks that so badly wanted out….apparently now want to stay firmly IN. Time for a pro active approach to mutinous chick mentality and mandatory “out side time” was imposed. Carla and I rounded up the reprobates and each and every feathered butt was “persuaded” to evacuate through the peep hole chick door and stay there until they recognised the value and consequences of freedom.
Just want to take a moment to ask you to pray for Jessica, so challenged by medical issues, so brave and currently so sick. Our best wishes and Prayers Jessica.
Well, time to close. Take care, keep safe and warm, M
This morning it is still dark, Greg miraculously managed to put together enough wood to start the fire, Bran the Border Collie is stretched out under my feet, I have a hot mug of tea, it’s all good and we are ready for another day.
The young Aruaicana and Rhode Island Red chicks have been a rebellious bunch ever since we got them as 3 day old chicks. Most little birds scatter when big people feet land amongst them…not this lot, they assault anything that moves. Entering and leaving the chick coop has not been easy. The little vultures are housed in what was the original Chicken house and aside from the fact that the walls are now decidedly on a lean, the door has followed the tilt of the wall and the hook and eye (tight security) on the leaning door no longer connected. The “steps into the leaning hutch with the leaning door and the faulty catch are decidedly rustic. Without too close examination ( about 50 years of chicken occupation makes it a little less than pleasant) I believe the steps are made of two four by fours balanced on a couple of logs. Things have never been made easy getting in and out of the leaning shack. The door opens outward which necessitates squeezing out of the half opened door and balancing on one leg whilst trying to shoo the mutinous chicks from absconding out of the escape hatch. In the evening, attempting to preserve the meagre basket of eggs donated by the senior hens in the adjoining hutch is invariably an issue as the quickly growing chicks execute their newest breakout plot, clearly it was time to persuade them the error of their ways !
At three o’clock in the morning, I had a brainwave ! (I know, couldn’t I have found something better to muse on in the early hours of the morning) A curtain !! Simple, why didn’t I think of that before ? And so it came to be…Carla and I went to work, we sliced up a sheet of black plastic and broke the staple gun but the curtain went up. The good news is, it really worked, the bad news is,….. apparently it doesn’t any more. Back to the 3am drawing board.
The chicks have been less than impressed by the addition of a door to the chick playpen and the chicks that so badly wanted out….apparently now want to stay firmly IN. Time for a pro active approach to mutinous chick mentality and mandatory “out side time” was imposed. Carla and I rounded up the reprobates and each and every feathered butt was “persuaded” to evacuate through the peep hole chick door and stay there until they recognised the value and consequences of freedom.
Just want to take a moment to ask you to pray for Jessica, so challenged by medical issues, so brave and currently so sick. Our best wishes and Prayers Jessica.
Well, time to close. Take care, keep safe and warm, M
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