Winter

Winter

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Just Chickens

This is part of the flowerbed we have been working on, I really enjoy this part of my house. The quiet porch is what it is called and it is what is outside the office.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the hydrangeas will be blooming in 26 days.  They all have nice little flowers growing.
My third bantam hatched her eggs on Sunday. I now have seven chicks. Last night I wanted my husband to see them and we walked out to the coop and I had a feeling yesterday morning that the snake was back under the chicken feeder but I just couldn't make myself lift it up to see. I asked my husband if he would do it and he told me that if there was a snake under it he was going to catch it and relocate it to a gopher hole in the front yard.
Sure enough, he lifted it and there it was, he quickly grabbed it and set the feeder down and left the back yard. That snake was more than happy to go down the gopher hole. Now at least it is out of the chicken coop. I just hope it doesn't have any family.

Here are a few of them. The Mom's were upset I was in there with my camera so I was disturbing them so much I couldn't get a decent shot. The interesting story I have today is about my two Mlle Fleur hens. They are mother and daughter. The daughter who has never gone broody before went broody first. She got her clutch of eggs and was as happy as a clam. About two weeks into the sitting on eggs, her mother beat the heck out of her and made her leave her nest then the mother took over the eggs. I felt so sorry for the daughter so I just took some of her eggs and moved them to another nest box. She sat on those and left her mother to the other nest of eggs.
The mother's eggs hatched first. A few days later the daughter's eggs hatched. Now in the coop, all of the chicks that hatched follow the daughter. All I can think of is maybe when the chicks were in the eggs they grew used to the daughters sounds. I don't know, but it reminds me of that verse that is in John 10:27
" My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." In this case chicks. The mother hen has always been a chick stealer. I am so glad that the little hen has all of her chicks now.

 Don't these look like wedding bells? I think they are so pretty. I have never had much luck growing foxglove. I am so glad these decided this year that they would bloom.

I hope you have a great Wednesday. I hope to get a bit of hooking today. Just 10 minutes. Hooking is so good for my brain. There is just something about wool that calms my spirit.

Have a great day,
~Kim~

24 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

glad the little chickies are popping up! so cute.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Hey Kim,

First of all, that little quiet porch is perfect. I love that spot! You have a beautiful flower bed and it does look peaceful there.

Love the foxglove. Glad it bloomed for you this year and it does look like wedding bells!

The chickens are so cute....guess what! We're getting chickens. I need a chicken 101 course! lol!

Have a great day!
Tammy

must love junk said...

Your flowers are so gorgeous! (I LOVE hydrangeas!) The little chicks are so sweet-I'm glad they're back with their mama, too :)
Susan

Alica said...

I'm happy that the daughter got all of her babies back! I'll bet she's a good mother to those chicks!
Your flowers look beautiful!

Meg said...

Oh I'm so glad you posted more pictures! They are just so cute. Poor little mama, I can't believe she got beat up. Reminds me of some people we know, thinking that the children can't do it as well as they can... heh. ;)

Dog Trot Farm said...

Oh that wonderful porch of your's, and look at those beautiful flowers, I am so impressed with all your hard work...Emilie must be so pleased that everyone is pitching in for her special day...26 days, you will have a married daughter and I a one year old grandson, where does the time go? I am thankful I rarely encounter a snake, or a spider for that matter, I'm a big "chicken". Hope you post pictures of Em's shower, I bet it was simply lovely...Thinking of you...

Julia said...

Your flowers are just so inviting to sit on the porch. There's nothing like flowers for me to make my spirit soar. They are so pretty and delicate and full of divine inspiration. I'm at my best in the sight of flowers.

Oh the snake on the other hand gives me the shivers. I'm not fond of snakes.
I used to be brave when I was a young girl, but my mom was terrified of snakes and she would get weak in the knees. I haven't encountered a big snake in a long time. I saw a small baby snake by the house about 5 or 6 years ago and I took a small stick and pushed it in a pail and threw it over the river bank. I didn't want to kill it but I didn't want it near my house.

Have a great Wednesday.
Hugs,
JB

Mary Ann said...

Love your mille fleurs! I keep them too, but have had boys, boys, boys... so am not breeding this year. Yours are lovely.

Nellie said...

I love hearing about the chickens! And - the flowers are going to be gorgeous for you! xo Nellie

Empty Nester said...

Dang it. Now I don't want chickens anymore. Because snakes hang near them. I can NOT tolerate those nasty things. You flowers are lovely. Our local CSA is hosting their annual plant sell on Saturday- veggies and flowers--Molly and I are going up to take advantage. I can't wait!

Gail said...

I may be telling a tale but I think fox glove blooms the second year.

Great for the chicks.

I love your quiet porch.

Primitive Stars said...

Wow, what a beautiful garden and porch, looks so pretty.....cute little chicks popping up, Blessings Francine.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Love your quiet porch- looks like a wonderful spot for an afternoon with a good book and glass of sweet tea!

Rugs and Pugs said...

The flowers outside the quiet porch look lovely. I hope your hydrangeas bloom on schedule.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Miss Debbie said...

Beautiful flowers and beautiful story about the chicks.I am so glad you got some chicks...I know you were doubtful. They are so sweet!

Pom Pom said...

Your flowers are looking GREAT! Oh, the chicks are so perfect, too!
I think the reason I was SO pooped yesterday is that I forgot to have a cup of coffee at lunchtime! Ooops! It's a blue sky day today! Yay!

Ruby and Arthur said...

Yikes, I hate snakes! Glad your hubby was there. The chicks are so cute. I love foxglove too and had good luck growing a pink one last year. Jean

Beth said...

Your flower bed is gorgeous!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Just a fun post...scripture so true, chickens..well you just know how to make them come to life for us readers...flowers, beautiful, your yard will be so wonderful for the wedding

Willow said...

Flowers budding, chickens hatching ...Snake relocated ...what more could you ask for :))

Kessie said...

At least you didn't have to catch the snake yourself! I'm glad the chicks followed the mama. Your flowers will totally be blooming in time, especially as the weather warms up.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I'm happy for the daughter. She must be an excellent mother. With the warm weather in CA. your flowers will be putting on a show for sure.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Oh, that quiet porch ... I wish I had a quiet porch like that.

I think I would have asked hubby to deal with that snake in a more permanent way ... I don't like snakes to begin with, and the thought of him (or his kin) returning to the coop would be reason enough to make sure that it didn't happen. ;-)

I love those foxglove "wedding bells" ... so pretty!

GretchenJoanna said...

I am so happy about your foxgloves! I would think it a challenge to grow them there. I have a second one coming soon, it appears, and I can't remember if it is going to be the same color as the first - so I am waiting with bated breath. :-)

You certainly are busy with the wedding, and chicks, and of course, all the usual things. So glad you still have time to blog.