When asked a few weeks ago, Biscuit requested a refrigerator for her fourth birthday. She's right, her play kitchen doesn't have a fridge.
Mr. H is remedying that situation.
In other news, my favorite chicken, who just happened to be a rooster, now lives with Vladimir and his family. Three hours on craigslist and he had a new home. Biscuit is upset but not as upset as she was about the idea of us eating him. Bye, Apollo!
I very nearly wrote this blog post about my oven. But I decided that would be too boring even given the every day posting around here.
So instead, how 'bout some before and after action?
Chicken coop at 11 am with Biscuit decked out in one of my old shirts as a paint coverall.
work in progress (She was a surprisingly good painter)
And there it is with a first coat of a really odd paint color. I got a $5 oops can of paint (determined not to sink any more money into a chicken coop!). Not sure about the color...
I still need to paint the trim and then maybe the birds will be so pleased they'll lay us an egg already. Freeloaders.
Have I mentioned one has turned out to be a rooster? Of course it's my favorite. The debates about what to do are ongoing.
Started the day making a half rhubarb half cherry clafouti. Fortunately I am the only one in the house who likes custardish desserts so it was all mine. I just polished it off 36 hours later. What? It was mostly eggs and milk. Healthy stuff!
Meanwhile, outside, Biscuit was making mud soup. I forgot how enjoyable it seems to play in some good, sticky mud. The hose kept her entertained so I could work (at work, work, blech) and Mr. H could work on the coop.
See that little ramp and the (closed) door on the left? That's the connection between the fully enclosed coop and nest boxes and perches (on the left) and the chicken wire enclosed outdoor, food area on the right. What to hear something funny? Mr. H installed a self closing door mechanism on the gate into the run area (because he's all McGyver like that) and, yes, I just locked myself into the run this evening. Mr. H was asleep so I had to slide through this little chicken door and into the coop where I could exit through the (fortunately unlocked) door. Just tonight I was explaining how easy it would be (for an idiot) to lock themselves into the run and wouldn't it be funny to lock your spouse or kid in there? HA HA! Time for a piece of string on the gate latch.
So, after admitting my stupidity, let's close with a shot of Mr. H with Amy, his very favorite chicken. For a guy who really, REALLY didn't want chickens (he got a BOAT in trade through our negotiations) he has really taken to these birds.
Hope you had a great weekend and a Monday that didn't involve locking yourself into your own chicken run.
They're getting so big! And so hard to catch! They get to play outside most days and usually hang out under the lemon tree. They're in their box if we can't be here to supervise.
And, clearly, they're outgrowing their box. Yes, that's poop on the floor. Lovely.
Luckily the coop should be done tomorrow and they can move in.
Have I formally introduced these ladies? They were finally all named thanks to our 8 year old, super responsible chicken sitter next door.
From left to right: Apollo (black and white speckles, total nut case, hardest BY FAR to catch every night); Amy (black with white head. This isn't the original Amy, they switched names. She is the easiest, sweetest and and also the boss of the chickens); Petey (mostly orange with a fluffy head, personality tbd); April (brown, hard to see in this photo, super fast but not a wily as Apollo); Sunshine (light yellow, seems to have something wrong with her, she's very, very slow and I'm a bit worried); Lemony and Snicket (indistinguishable gold hens, both typically called Lemony, very fat and soft with crazy feathered feet).
I think I'm finally going to get back into sewing tomorrow. Between business trips, internet outages, lack of inspiration etc I've not got much to show. Yet!
Ever wondered what three week old chicks look like when they are just learning to fly? Here's 55 seconds worth in which you also get to see what a weedy, trashy, already overgrown mess my garden is this year. Despite the mess it has produced several tasty green beans and I am hopeful for tomatoes despite the fact that disease seems be be overtaking several tomato plants. Bummer about the tomato plants but at least the chickens seem to be doing well.
Try not to get motion sick from my terrible video skills.
We interrupt this blog silence for some exciting news... CHICKS!
Ironically, I notice in this photo that they are huddled on top of an ad for whole chicken (only 89 cents a pound).
Our intention was to get six chicks but our friends who ordered didn't count quite right and now we have eight. Apparently our neighborhood has a raccoon problem so extras might be good (so sad).
That brown chicken in the back left with the pouf on her head and the orange around her eyes has been dubbed "Amy" and one of the two dark yellow ones is "Lemony". I'm aiming to call the other dark yellow one "Snicket". Any suggestions for other names? Col. Sanders (as suggested by Mr. H) seems a bit tasteless.
Finally, funniest chick related quote so far:
Me: When the chicks grow up they're going to make eggs for us.
Biscuit (confused): How can they make eggs? Do they have an oven to cook them?
No, the coop won't include an oven but it will be deluxe. Now we just need to finish it in the next few weeks before these ladies move out of doors. Happy Chicken Day to you and yours.
