Little Chickies AND Ducklings!!!

We had some surprises on the farm this week. Not only did the weather hit about 90 degrees after a ceremonial Northwest rain during the 4th of July fireworks, but ducklings and baby chicks hatched!!!

Annie came across the chicken sitting on her nest in the tayeberries a few weeks back while she was weeding. We thought she was just brooding on unfertilized eggs; didn't think anything would come of it. In fact, I think we all completely forgot about it!! Then two days ago when Annie went to go check on the chickens midday, there were 11 chicks lined up with the momma hen trying to get inside the pasture with all the other hens!! Annie rounded them right up. It only took a handful of grain to take the momma hen's attention away from her chicks. You would think she'd be a bit more attentive to her babies, BUT food comes first!!! Now they are in our nursery pen inside the chicken coup, safe from any predators... especially those damn ravens. If you thought chickens were messy, you've never seen baby chicks!!! The water tray and feeder need cleaning constantly. Can't wait 'til they grow up and clean up after themselves..... YEAH RIGHT!! They get better services than our paying guests!!! An all inclusive package indeed!!!

A few days earlier, underneath the Chickebago (our reinvented camper trailer chicken coup), four ducklings hatched. Unfortunately, one did not make it through the night. The cute little critters are in another nursery pen in the new chicken coup. They're already growing up fast and learning quickly from their mommy. We've got a little pool for them to start splashing in and in this heat it's hard to keep them out!!! The ducklings are a mix. About 5 or 6 years ago we bought two breeds. You'd have to ask Shana the names. I think one was Peking (yes... the one you find on the menu at Asian restaurants, but not our intention!!). The other had a tuft on its head. Over the years they've bred with each other and the occasional Mallard whose flown through. So now, as you can imagine, they are all mixed markings!! Some colorful flare and quacks for the barnyard. We're still waiting to see what the deal is with Meredith, one of our geese. She's been guarding her nest furiously as have her male geese companions. However, we don't know if she's actually got an egg under her. Shana ventured in and fished around and didn't feel anything. Fingers crossed we'll get some goslings, but time is running out.

Now... its too early to tell, but we are really hoping for some hens and female ducks out of this batch!! Too many roosters and males on a farm is just trouble and there ain't no two ways around it!! Our group of surprise summer chicks from last year had 7 roosters to 3 hens!!! So much for a 50/50 chance and ratio. This year we're feeling lucky about our chances and that the numbers will swing in our favor Otherwise... it's the Little Mr. Big's (Mr. Big is our rooster) that will be making our dogs some very happy puppies. Don't get the wrong idea!! It's life on the farm. Our chickens have got the best life and any little rooster is no different. 17 acres of pasture to range, custom milled board and batten fir chicken coup, bugs to eat, water to bathe in, dust to ruffle in, you name it. I recently finished Micheal Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma and how he overcomes killing your food and coming to terms with life and death on a farm is so interesting. Reading a Bay Area urbanite's in depth account of the experience gives a whole new perspective. Again, let me assure you, rooster or no rooster.... we LOVE all of our chickens!! Now.... back to work or rather SLEEP!! Its 2 AM!!!

Animals are Our Family

Its been a very taxing week emotionally here on the farm. Other than being just super busy with vacation guests over the 4th of July weekend and kicking off of the summer season, we got terrible news on the farm. One of our Tennessee Walking Horses, Strider, is holding on to his life. The vet came out last Thursday and handed us the heavy news. Strider has a 50/50 chance at beating his fight with a severe laminitic episode that began about 3 weeks ago. Laminits is a hoof disease that effects cattle and horses. We thought we caught it early enough and took him off the pasture, but Strider kept declining. Even the vet was surprised with Strider's severe condition and his physical reaction.

Right now Strider is on a 6" bed of sand, getting constant attention from us and all his medications. We are just hoping for the best. He doesn't seem as depressed anymore, which is a great sign. However, only time will tell and its so difficult to see him in such pain and discomfort. He's an older horse at 23 and this is his first case of laminitis. We've had Strider for 13 years and only hope he'll be with us for another 10.

It is really bringing to light what defines a farm. I am beginning to think you can't have a "real" farm without animals (no, a few backyard chickens don't count). There is something more to farming than riding around in a tractor, tilling rows, and pulling weeds form crops. That's just an excessively large scale garden and of course that is grueling work. But just recount Old MacDonald's menagerie to literally hear whats on a "real" farm. The sounds, smells, and gifts they offer. The emotional and physical pain and joy you share with animals is priceless, especially horses. There really is an indescribably bond. The communication and connection is truly deep. Not something you can pick up with rows of potatoes or beets, which don't make any sounds at all.