My mornings are spent
chopping, mixing and cooking hen food. Not only am I making the normal amount
of breakfast for hens and sheep, but now I'm also catering for small beeping
and very hungry chicks.
I stick to a base of
cottage cheese, finely chopped and then with added various ingredients,
according to mood and availability. Apples and carrots are very popular, as is
sweet corn and peas. I add some water to the mix, just to be certain that the
chicks don't choke on their food. They also get dry chick feed and various seeds,
also chopped up into smaller bits. I never really learned what food chicks
should eat so I follow the " tried and tested" principal. With our
first small, funny looking bunch I read up on what and when, but they never ate
any of it. Then the experts told me about the magic of cottage cheese and we
were off.
The chicks can now
drink from the hen's water dispenser. The mother hen stands primly by while
they drink, but the little chick-gang quickly jumps into the water and ends up
standing knee deep in their drink. This means that the water must be changed a
few times each day. They do seem to have a lot of fun, while fighting
dehydration.
As I think I told
you, the second nest of eggs was tended to by three hens and as I have not had
time to monitor the comings and goings of the care unit, I completely missed
the fact that the hen who finally claimed the nest was Pippi, Eric's, mother.
As two times before, Pippi left the nest and its eggs, after the first, tiny
chick was born.
I worried about two
mothers in the henhouse at the same time, but once I realised that our old pro
was tending to the baby, all worries vanished. Pippi can stand her ground and
we can all hear her doing so. By her command, we all stand quietly in a row
when Queen Pippi walks past, tiny toddler in tow. She is one of our oldest hens
and knows her place in the pecking order. The first thing she told me when she
became a mother for little Eric was that I was now to give way and behave
myself. It’s only possible that I call the shots because I know the location of
the fridge. Pippi is a practical hen but not really a barrel of laughs, when
she is tending to a small chick. I think this baby will be called Sunny and we must
hope that it's finally a small hen.
Trisha the hen, runs
around like a grouse version of the Queen of Sheba, with five small minions in
tow. As her five are almost a week older than Sunny they are much braver,
wilder and very keen on visiting our dear sheep. Molly greeted them yesterday,
but I stayed close by just to stop Trisha from pecking Molly on the nose. All
went well and I think the chicks agreed that our small flock of sheep are a fun
lot. Trisha had to have a rest after all the excitement as she stresses a lot!
The month of April is
leaving us with snow, slush and still slightly wintry weather. Never have I
been so cold, as these last few weeks! Last night's snowstorm felt like winter
is never planning to leave us, but it was a warm, snug feel in the stable. Mindy,
Mandy, Molly and My stayed indoors as they find getting wet to be highly
irritating. As the radiator is still on in the stable, even I warmed up a
degree or two.
The only one enjoying
the weather is happy, funny Ebba, our very kind dog. Dear husband introduced
Ebba to the idea of grilling meat outside and our dog is now the newest member
of the BBQ-fun club. Apparently, it's the only way forward when it comes to
cooking food. As a vegetarian, I can't really agree but they are happy and at
least the smell of burned meat stayed outside. Ebba thinks vegetarians are a
silly lot but it means more meat for the club members.
The rain has set in
so maybe we can celebrate the first of May, tomorrow, without snow. Ebba can
work on digging her mud bath in the paddock and that way keep her coat glossy
and healthy. Ebba is a Spa kind of dog. Mud baths and paddling around in cold
water. She will soon ask for healthy smoothies too! As long as she is happy,
we'll just keep on drying her after her sessions in the paddock and hope for
summer to arrive soon.
Happy month of May to
everyone and please send us suggestions of names for five fluffy chicks. I'm
all named out.
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