Birds Birds Birds

Chickens are about the easiest animal to care for.  Throw them some food, make sure they have water and a safe place to sleep and tada.....EGGS!  Ok, there is the occassional coop cleaning, but even that is useful in the garden. 

This is our forth summer living the good ole' country life.  One piece of advice offered to us over and over was, "Take it slow".  So, we did.  We started with a couple rabbits and a few birds, and gradually grew from there.  This year, we have had an explosion of animals, from sheep to birds and in between. We will get to all that another time.  Until then, let me introduce you to the birds:

 

 

Meet the laying hens. They are two years old. Twenty special gals provide eggs and great entertainment.  If you want to know where to find the "chicks" head on over to the pine shrubs.  They'll be there dust-bathing and basking in the sun.

Next, head on over to the chicken coop and meet our next generation little layers.  Five Reds.  Notice how they perch on the box.  They are very agile and light.  On the other hand, the Cornish Crosses sit on the ground and eat, eat, eat.  These "frankenbirds" are bred for fast growing.  Our job is to provide them yummy food, lots of water and fresh air and grass.  They will live a happy short life here in the chicken coop. Then fill our freezer for a year of backyard bird.

These little fellows are only a few days apart.  The meat bird is bigger, fatter, does not have a lot of feathers on it's stomach and has huge feet.  The little layer perches, runs around and chases bugs. Both are neat birds, and fun to raise.

We must include the natives.  This little finch crashed into the barn window and knocked herself silly.  It took her awhile to get her bearings, but she was soon back to doing what little birds do.  Meanwhile, we got to check her out and examine her beautiful feathers. This time of year, fledglings flap around all over the yard. The children feel it is their important job to protect them from kitties and dogs.

Last, but not least, we have the goslings.  Four Ebdem goslings will be raised as Hannah's 4H project.  We drove to Ridgeway Hatchery in LaRue.  It was a neat experience going into the old building seeing boxes of hatchlings everywhere.  We listened to the peeps and got to peek into some of the boxes.  Before leaving, the lovely ladies offered each of the children candy and allowed them to peek at a box full of pheasants.  It was a long drive, but well worth the bit of happy learning. I highly recommend Rideway Hatchery for all your hatchery needs :) http://ridgwayhatchery.com/

Say "cheese" little gosling.

Totally unrelated, Garder snakes are a fun find in the spring.  Just please do not put them down in the house. Ignore the hospital band around Samuel's wrist.  It is from speech therapy.