On the road

I am going out of town for the weekend to stay with my sister, who is having surgery on her back.

My very capable friends Elizabeth, Bonnie and Beth will watch over Busy Solitude Farm while I'm away. 

See you soon!

Cecil B.

Cecil B. DeMille stopped by this morning to direct the sunrise.  Sure 'preciate it!

Everyone knows it's windy!

High wind warnings today.  No risk of this one blowing away, as floozy as she looks!

Oskar stared the wind down and won!

In the barn, Godzilla hen relaxed with her two babies.  I am fascinated by the white one -- have not had any white chickens, so I am puzzled by her genetics.  (I call them all "her" until they prove me wrong!)

And now, announcing...

I bought another set of chicks and ducks!  One chick survived the Godzilla massacre, so I got her three chick buddies...

...and two more Indian runner ducklings!  There is such a personality difference between chicks and ducklings.  The ducks are much more inquisitive about me.  They waddle over and look me in the eye as if to ask "do you have a plan for me?"  The chicks' curiosity is usually overwhelmed by their caution.

As the winds whooshed in today, they brought suddenly warmer temperatures.  I got home and checked the barn thermometer -- it read 106 over the babies!  So I rushed out to open their kennel wrappings some and let fresh air in.  The four chicks were huddled in one corner out of the worst heat.  But where were the ducklings?

Oh no!

I peered all over and finally found them.

They have moved to the back of the cardboard box, totally out of the heat rays.  Smart duckies! 

And that's the update from this windy day at Busy Solitude Farm!

Morning has Broken, 3

Sunday, April 25, 7:30 am

Bad judgment

After work I visited in the barn with the newbies.  They were out and about, having some exercise and food.

All seemed well as they bellied up to the bar.  But a dark secret loomed just ahead of them.

After supper I went to visit.  I discovered two ducks and two chicks dead in the pen.  The only explanation is that Mama Hen decided they were intruders.  I did not see the second two chicks and hope that she's accepted them.

I feel so guilty for assuming that the hen would accept all these babies into her care.  I let my amusement go before my generally cautious barn sense.  I showed bad judgment, and the babies paid with their short lives.

It's Ulani's birthday today, but my celebration is done.