Relocating

You might recall this blond hen. Just a few weeks ago she took up residence in the far-right nest box (see her here). She had six blue-green eggs under her and she gave it the good fight, stuck to the nest, and didn't let any other hens lay there once she had her clutch.

Just today, in fact, at lunch I mentioned to Judith that I was going to have to remove the eggs before one broke and stank up the barn. She asked "doesn't the hen know the eggs are no good?" and I kind of laughed and said "you know the expression 'bird brain'?"

I spoke too soon!

When I went into the barn after work today, this is what I saw:


Yup, now she's in the far-left box. She abandoned the six blue-green eggs on and is now setting on two fresh ones. I don't think Egglebert is fond of the Ameraucanas, who lay the blue-green eggs, so tomorrow I'm going to add in any brown eggs I find. Hopefully that will up our chances of success!

And doesn't it just figure -- if she hatches the new clutch, the peeps will appear just before our huge Labor Day art fair! She seems to be a very responsible hen, I'm sure she'll take good care of her babies, but I'll miss their first steps!!!

Guest poster: Oskar

As I enter my sunset years, on the occasion of my eleventh birthday, I have just a few comments. I'm not a dog of many words, preferring actions that demonstrate my thoughts and beliefs.

I believe that everyone should greet the day with a bold walk, absorbing the activities of the night before in deep breaths, stretching the limbs in long strides. A cheery demeanor before breakfast is a happy day in the making.

I believe that each bowl of suppertime contains a life force to be savored while it's devoured. I've never met a suppertime I did not enjoy, nor should you. Food is fuel, not only for the body but for the spirit.

I believe that each of us should indulge our curiosity every day. I examine the grass where a mouse ran, listen to the chickens from outside the barn, observe the cows in the barn across the street. I wonder how their days are, what they are pursuing on their travels, who gives them their suppertime. Using my imagination opens my world, and it will open yours, too.

And finally, I believe that if one lives each day to the fullest, one will enjoy a deep, untroubled sleep each night.

Eleven years ago tonight my sister Charlotte and I were born. Our eight other siblings came in the morning of August 7th. Our mom Leila and Dad Beau have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, having lived happy lives with their people Veronique, Coleen and George. Now I share my life with Johanna, my niece Ulani, the cats Luke and Abe, and the other critters here at Busy Solitude Farm.

We start our days with bold walks and delicious suppertimes, spend our days exploring, and wind down each evening for good nights' sleeps. Life is good.

Ed. note: Oskar and I have always celebrated his birthday on August 6, perhaps just to irk my sister Melissa, who shares his day. His birth certificate says August 7 because the majority of his siblings came then. We'll be having a special walk this morning, and extra treats.

Barn Life -- The Wild Side

Sure, there are chickens and ducks in the barn, but let's not forget the freeloading Barn Swallows! Every summer a beautiful pair of swallows muds up its nest and raises at least two rounds of these colorful babies.

When they first hatch, it's only the peeping that alerts me to their presence. Then as a week or so goes by, little beaks peek over the edge of the nest, always open to await an insect deposit from mom or dad. The traffic in and out of the barn during this time rivals I-94, zooming up and down the twilight highway to snatch up mosquitos and other bugs. (Would that I had 100 times as many swallows, they might possibly make a dent in the biting population!)

The most magical moment with swallows is fledge day. After observing them for a few years I can notice the morning when it seems all the neighborhood swallows are swooping around my yard. It's a natural demonstration of the idea that it takes a village to raise a child -- they all gather around to show the babies what to do, and to keep them safe while they learn. Each baby steps up to the edge of the nest, clearly concerned about what happens next, then with the urging of the adults takes the first plunge out into the world. First they fly low circles close to the barn, getting the feel of the wind in the wings. Gradually they swoop lower and soar higher, diving and racing and I expect getting luscious beaksful of squishy bugs.

Swallow flight school lasts for a few days, and then one day I'll enter the barn to silence. I don't know where they go when they leave the nest, but as summer winds down I have the promise that they'll return in the spring and do it all again!

Ed. note: I'd hoped to have a couple shots of the family flight, but they are not cooperating this morning. If I get one I'll addend it!

Guest poster: Ulani

C'mon! C'mon! C'mon! You're always posting about the chickens and stupid ducks. The only good duck is a stuffed duck -- everybody knows that! What is the deal with you anyway?

Why don't you post about all the great stuff we find on our walks? The delicious cat poop by the farm of the cows! Oskar and I both love that, I'm sure others would, too, if you would just share! The squashed frog I rolled in this morning was delightful! Don't you think your friends would like to live vicariously along with me? What about the day at Moocows and Horsies up the road when all those baby cows were out in the pen with their mommies and they started running around? That was one of the most exciting days of my life! Did that show up on your stupid blog? NO! I think people would get excited about that, too. C'mon, give 'em a chance!

Just last night was an exciting episode I see nothing about here. When we went outside and that black dog was in the backyard, looking at your precious chickens? Boy, if you had just opened the gate me and Oskar would have chased him right through the corn. I almost climbed over the fence, didn't you see me?

I think you have some poultry-loving disease. I could make your stupid blog a lot more interesting for people who care about the right things. Just let me write a column. C'mon, give me a chance.

Respectfully submitted,

U La La Ulani de Guerande

Ed. note: I will give your request due consideration and get back to you. JH

Overcrowding

The yellow hen has gone broody. They're the best setters, the Buff Orpingtons. On Friday she just stuck to the box and hasn't moved. What happens is the other hens decide to lay their eggs beneath the one who's setting so they don't have to do it themselves. Here you see two lazy Ameraucana hens pushing their way in to leave more babysitting work for the yellow girl!

Indeed, when I came home from work I reached under her and discovered one small brown egg and two greens from the Ameraucana. I marked each egg and will leave up to six underneath her. Any more I'll take away so she can just stick to business and not be overworked by trying to cover a dozen or more eggs.

With any luck, there will be baby peeps in three weeks or so! Stay tuned!