Yes, I've received another letter from Bernard's wild cousin, Barney. He is dealing cards on a riverboat on the Mississippi. He's had an unfortunate incident as a result of some time he spent in the back of an 18-wheeler sleeper. I'm thinking it's time to take up a donation for the Barney Patrimony Defense Fund.
Of course Barney is always welcome here at the Cottonwood, where he could spend his time with some REAL chicks.
Barney, Barney, Barney.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Okay, lots of updates in single post
I absolutely can't believe it's been 4 months since my last post. So many new and exciting happenings. Where should I start??
The weather has been a bit screwy this winter, snow then hot, then snow, then hot-- well, you get the picture. What's that annoying saying, "if you don't like the weather in __insert geographic location here___ then just wait 5 minutes!"
Lots of new critters-- 2 ducks, 3 new geese, 3 new turkeys, but no partridge in our pear tree yet.
The ducks were are rescue from a college kid in Santa Fe. They are a mallard and a Muscovy hen, with another Buff American goose. I named the Muscovy Anne, as she is very dainty and well-behaved.
The goose is Bridgette and the mallard we initially named Maurice, as he is a suave little talker who keeps his two females happy. However, we had no idea how "Maurice" would fit in with our other 5 geese-- Squanto, Mr. Joshua, Yvette, Susie and Snarky. Well, we needn't have worried about the health of Maurice. As soon as he got into the pen he began chasing and attacking the ganders and trying to chase the geese into his little harem. Well, we had to change his name. We decided he was much more of a Jean-Claude Van Duck. Yes, he continues to live up to his name.
Our turkey population, too, has exploded. We brought in a White Midget Tom to keep Thelma and Louise company. He is a very sweet and friendly bird who came from a home with 5 toms. He was at the bottom of the pecking order there, so they needed to find him a new home. He is still a bit pecked on looking but has gained confidence as the biggest fowl in the hen-way.
About 3 weeks ago we received our last (and that means last for a while. I've finally got my hands full!) additions-- two turkeys so emaciated and featherless that we weren't sure of their gender or breed until about a week ago. We believe we have a tom-- Sniraga and hen-- Nettie, of the bronze breasted variety. They are both incredibly friendly birds who protect me from Bernard when I come into the pen to feed them in the morning. They are bulking up nicely and very pleasant to the other birds in the run (except Bernard, who deserves it).
The flowers are starting to bloom and we finally had a bit of rain this morning and I can HEAR the weeds slurping it down. The blossoms are out on the plum, pear, apple, peach, apricot and cherry trees. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no heavy frosts for a bit & hopefully the fruit can set.
The work on the barn progresses slowly, and we are just about to finish the poultry room and move all the chickens and turkeys over for a few months to give their current run a chance to recover from all the grazing. I will miss getting to look out the front window and see my girls, but they will enjoy unlimited access to 2 acres of grass and bugs!
Pictures of everyone to follow shortly....
The weather has been a bit screwy this winter, snow then hot, then snow, then hot-- well, you get the picture. What's that annoying saying, "if you don't like the weather in __insert geographic location here___ then just wait 5 minutes!"
Lots of new critters-- 2 ducks, 3 new geese, 3 new turkeys, but no partridge in our pear tree yet.
The ducks were are rescue from a college kid in Santa Fe. They are a mallard and a Muscovy hen, with another Buff American goose. I named the Muscovy Anne, as she is very dainty and well-behaved.
The goose is Bridgette and the mallard we initially named Maurice, as he is a suave little talker who keeps his two females happy. However, we had no idea how "Maurice" would fit in with our other 5 geese-- Squanto, Mr. Joshua, Yvette, Susie and Snarky. Well, we needn't have worried about the health of Maurice. As soon as he got into the pen he began chasing and attacking the ganders and trying to chase the geese into his little harem. Well, we had to change his name. We decided he was much more of a Jean-Claude Van Duck. Yes, he continues to live up to his name.
Our turkey population, too, has exploded. We brought in a White Midget Tom to keep Thelma and Louise company. He is a very sweet and friendly bird who came from a home with 5 toms. He was at the bottom of the pecking order there, so they needed to find him a new home. He is still a bit pecked on looking but has gained confidence as the biggest fowl in the hen-way.
About 3 weeks ago we received our last (and that means last for a while. I've finally got my hands full!) additions-- two turkeys so emaciated and featherless that we weren't sure of their gender or breed until about a week ago. We believe we have a tom-- Sniraga and hen-- Nettie, of the bronze breasted variety. They are both incredibly friendly birds who protect me from Bernard when I come into the pen to feed them in the morning. They are bulking up nicely and very pleasant to the other birds in the run (except Bernard, who deserves it).
The flowers are starting to bloom and we finally had a bit of rain this morning and I can HEAR the weeds slurping it down. The blossoms are out on the plum, pear, apple, peach, apricot and cherry trees. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no heavy frosts for a bit & hopefully the fruit can set.
The work on the barn progresses slowly, and we are just about to finish the poultry room and move all the chickens and turkeys over for a few months to give their current run a chance to recover from all the grazing. I will miss getting to look out the front window and see my girls, but they will enjoy unlimited access to 2 acres of grass and bugs!
Pictures of everyone to follow shortly....
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