Bringing Home the Ladies: The Original Flock

I bought my flock home on July 25, 2015. Seven chickens total, I acquired my flock (for the low price of $50 for 7 chickens) from a lady I had met at an Elk Foundation dinner. We had struck up a conversation and the topic of chickens surfaced, as it always does among chicken people, and months later (after the coop was constructed - see future post!) I was making the hour drive to her house with a car full of boxes to pick up my chickens!

Six hens was the deal, and I expected Ameraucanas, which she only had two mixes of, but I left with a bonus pullet - a little production red.  Two of the chickens were at least three years old and the rest had been born 2-3 months ago. I did not mind the age difference. The chickens all knew each other and some were bonded to each other so it all worked out. I was SO excited - I was finally a chicken keeper! Dream fulfilled! WooHoo!

Setting the Routine

The day-to-day care was pretty breezy since I had spent an entire year researching and a couple months building the coop and run (this was not a priority for my husband). The coop has wonderful access doors and keeping it clean was great as I used a few inches of sand over linoleum flooring as the base. No odor, easy to remove waste, a great setup - still use it now, a year later.

When I first brought them home, it was pretty dark outside and about 9:30pm, so there was just enough light for me to see what I was doing without a flashlight. One by one I took the three or four boxes from the car, through the yard, down the hill to the coop and set each gently on the ground. When all the boxes were together, I opened the big coop door (I LOVE the access doors to the coop - they are huge), and then slowly and as quietly as possible, lifted the travel-weary chickens from the box to the roost. One by one I held them up until their feet gripped the roost securely and I knew that they would not fall. Because I was moving, the whole moving in operation, from boxes in the car to seven chickens roosting, took about ten minutes. I locked the door and to bed I went, SO excited to see them in the morning! 

I kept the flock in the coop (door locked, no run access) for seven days. The purpose of this is so that they know where home is and there is no confusion about where they live. My coop is extremely well-ventilated, so they were as cool as could be in the July heat. Water and food were in the coop, too, 24/7 so they were very content together.

The day that I decided to let them out into the run was a great one! My coop has a bottom drop door with a ladder to accommodate the large (south-southeast-facing) window that I found on Freecycle.org. One by one they made their way carefully down the ladder. The whole process took about ten minutes as they were afraid to leave the coop. From that very first evening out, the entire flock went in the coop at dusk on their own and they have ever since.

From Day 1 I have loved being a chicken keeper. Through loss and cold weather, I still enjoy my flock and hope that chickens will stay a part of my life for many years to come.

I Love Roosters

We will be moving south. Within 10-15 years, the only salt I will need will be for margaritas, not sidewalks or driveways, nor roads, where it eats away at our cars. I am looking forward to EVERYTHING about the move, except one thing: I cannot take my roosters. Our southern house is right on the water, which is wonderful, but being on the water means having close neighbors. Close neighbors means no roosters (insert sad face and heavy sigh here).

When I first planned my Chickendom, roosters were not part of the equation. I did not want them, had no idea why anyone would (unless you wanted chicks), and article after article bashed the very THOUGHT of having a rooster. I was happily tending my flock of seven ladies. Add a rooster and stir the pot? "No way," thought I. Wow, was I led astray.

A month later, I was offered two Columbian Cochin Bantam roosters from a breeder. She no longer needed them as other breeds were more sought after. I had absolutely NO idea what a Columbian Cochin was, except the "bantam" part - I knew that "bantam" meant a mini chicken. I never wanted bantams as they lay little eggs and I wanted big eggs to sell and use, right? The breeder really wanted her two roosters to stay together as they were a bonded pair. That was sweet of her, but roosters were roosters so being bantams, bonded, whatever, it didn't matter. Roosters were evil - some famous blog people say that all the time so it must be true. And all that crowing! Who would want THAT?!

Included with the offer from the breeder was a photo of the boys together. Eight inches tall, feathered legs and feet that you can't even see until they are walking or running? Running? These little dudes run? Done deal - I was in.

I live in the country now so neighbors are not an issue - the only potential problem was my husband. While everything I would ever want in a man, he has no use for my Chickendom, so I just informed him of my decision, watched the facial reaction, smiled to myself that it wasn't worse, and happily went on with my plan (boohaha).

The day that I brought the boys to the yard was a joyous one. Their owner took my box, disappeared out a back door, and arrived with a heavier box, all closed up, with the cutest little noises coming out of it. I would not actually see them in person until we got home. Oh, how I wanted to wiggle my nose and be home! My in-laws went with me to pick them up and we were an excited bunch!

Ironically, my husband named them - Vincent and Jules, from Pulp Fiction fame. The boys instantaneously won the hearts of everyone who met them. They were protective of the flock, alerted the girls to food, predators and bedtime. They were a team, with one on one side of the ladies and the other on the other side, always facing out, eyes constantly scanning the yard. Watching them come running, with their feathered feet and puffy chests, was the highlight of every day. In no time, I could differentiate who was crowing. I was in love.

                                   

One early morning in October, a fox stole away my sweet Vincent. 

I cried about it for two days and moped for three more. Vincent was, by far, my favorite chicken. When you told him how handsome he was, he would spin in slow circles as if to prove your point. He ate gently from my hand and was, in general, a lovebug. Jules moped, too, as his best buddy was gone, but after a few days, he picked up the slack and became Head Honcho. It was about that time that one of my pullets showed HIS true colors - Maggie became Marvin. Marvin was a juvenile standard sized rooster, not yet full grown, of course, but grown enough to be much bigger than Jules, and a bully. He bullied Jules and the hens and me and anyone else who came in the yard. Still, I debated endlessly with myself on whether or not to keep him.

Jules has stood between the hens and a raccoon, the hens and an owl, the hens and a hawk, and the hens and strangers. He is fearless and will readily sacrifice himself for them, as did his brother. Well, the day I looked out the window and saw Jules on his back and Marvin on top attacking him, I was human lightening out the door. Marvin had a new home ASAP. I ended up giving him to a family of four and they give me photo updates. He loves them so much that he sleeps on the porch railing by their door! Still I wondered if had I acted too soon. Would Marvin have calmed down with time? Either way, he is happy now, and that is what really matters to me.

I have another rooster now that I hatched from my Lucy (Rhode Island Red) and Marvin, just because I wanted the experience of hatching and raising chicks. I did not know if Marvin or Jules was the father until the chicks hatched. I only hatched two and got a male and female, back in October 2015. The female looks just like Marvin - black with gray legs, a bit smaller in size. The male looks a lot like Marvin's dad, a pure Ameraucana. I named the rooster Tallahassee (Zombieland fans will like that name) and the girl turned out to be Little Sister. I know that there is great debate over naming chickens, which I just do not understand. I am not part of the debate, nor will I debate with anyone about it. Start your own blog and share your views there. I would not argue with you there, either. To each their own. I simply cannot imagine having an animal and calling it, "the gray one."

 Tallahasse on his birthday.

 Tallahassee and Little Sister at one month.

Tallahassee and Little Sister at five months.

Tallahassee had a flopping comb at one month and started to try crowing at three months old. I figured I was about to have my hands full. Sure enough. Once he and his sister were big enough to be out with the flock, I let them out of the nursery coop when I let the flock out. Everyone had ample time to see each other up close for the previous month. Instant scuffle of the boys, mildly torn wattles and peck marks, but no major damage. Several successful shared yard times after that, I made the mistake of asking my husband to let everyone out. I was working late and it was a beautiful day. I felt bad that they were all stuck in their respective runs. When I got home from work, I found Jules with vertically cut half of his right wattle all but ripped off, blood all over his chin, neck and chest. Lots of first aid care in the bathroom and five days later, the bottom part of the wattle, and the torn part turned black and shriveled and then fell off. The irony of the whole rooster attack situation? Though Tallahassee is over twice his size, Jules is the aggressor. Here is Jules after the attack in which half of his right wattle was ripped almost off:

Now, here I am in a tough position. I have a five month old rooster doing damage to my beloved little Columbian Cochin Bantam rooster. For the past week, I have them taking turns in the yard. Not ideal, but no bloodshed! By now I was hoping that they would all be in the big coop together, living in harmony. I need the nursery coop for the four chicks I just hatched (all Jules' babies - another future post). Do I wait and hope that with age comes wisdom? Will Tallahassee come to realize that he has nothing to fear in little Jules and chill out? Or will he kill him if given the chance? How long do I have to wait to know this? Or should I just find a flock that needs a rooster and take him there?

With all of these questions and the occasional drama, wouldn't you think that I would agree with all of those anti-rooster bloggers? Not a chance. My main advice is have ONE rooster or more than two. If you have two roosters, like I do now, you might come home to a bloody mess like I did and I do not wish that on anyone. Jules and Vincent were like loving brothers. They never squabbled or disagreed. They were a team. I believe that I have two roosters in the brooder so that may offset the 'duel' feeling between my two current adult roosters.

Roosters are handsome, active, loud and bold. They crow whenever they want and sometimes for no apparent reason other than to impress themselves. A rooster is a gorgeous, chivalrous being that just wants to protect, mate, (dust) bathe with his lady and show the girls where good food is. Who wouldn't want a guy like that around?

Makeover Complete: Welcome to Blue Sky and Blooms!

Change is GOOD

Me and some of my flock, September 2015

Hi, there! It's been quite some time since my last post, so let me get you up to speed: we moved in September 2014 to the house and beautiful land where I grew up, and we are loving it! Fifteen years in town was enough for a lifetime and now I have wonderful neighbors - far away! Days that we hear other people are rare. It is more likely that I will hear a horse than voices. I cannot begin to express how happy that makes me!

Since moving, we have built a brand new kitchen, and painted all but two rooms. We cleared out almost 40 years of stuff in the basement. There is much that was left behind, but we will get to it in time. Right now, I am enjoying daily happiness with my man, a closer commute to work, long walks on dirt roads with my dog, Molly (Molly McSassyPants) and BWF (Best Walking Friend) and her dog, Koko (a.k.a. Cocoa Puffs). Oh, and let's not forget that a lifetime goal was achieved this summer: I now have chickens! Currently, my flock has nine members and I will tell you all about each of them very soon.

Other activities that I have been enjoying in the country:

• Gardening has been a joy and a learning experience as I grew things this year that I never attempted to before such as apple trees, sunflowers and pumpkins. 
• I teach my chicken class, which I have called "Cluck-Curious" and I do crafty classes like jewelry design, acrylic painting and rubber stamping. 
• Crafty Night happens once a month when five friends and I complete projects with the help of food and fine beverages. An upcoming post will be showcasing our projects so that you can see what a monthly Craft Night looks like, should you want to partake! 

My next step is to make a "Blue Sky and Blooms" sign for next to the road, in front of the house. Stay tuned!

Bird Seed Ornaments: Attempt #1

On Friday night I decided to make birdseed ornaments, using cookie cutters as forms, as a gift to some friends this year. I hopped on Pinterest and looked around for a recipe. Here's the one I decided to use as I found it in several places:

3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 tbsp. corn syrup
4 cups birdseed

The recipe stated to mix it all up and press firmly into molds, being sure to use a straw to poke holes in them. Sure. Simple. mmhmmm...

Mistake#1:  I didn't have corn syrup, so I searched for a substitute online and made simple syrup. NOT equivalent. I am assuming this is why The Issue occurred, but I cannot be sure.

Mistake #2:  I used my hands. The recipe also stated that the ornaments would have to 'set' for several hours. I read this to mean that I had some time before the Knox gelatin 'set.' Thinking this, I mixed it with my hands, which worked AWESOME and the mixture was perfect in 30 seconds. The problem? The seeds would not come off my hands - had to stop and wash with dish soap for about 5 minutes.

Mistake #3:  I had such a mess because I used my hands and the mixture was setting so quickly that I grabbed a small bundt cake/mold pan, sprayed it quick and filled it up with the remaining seed mixture. The next day, the seed would not come out without help of a knife and it all broke in half. Use lots of cooking spray if you use a mold.

Here's what I had at around 11:30 pm...

I was pretty happy, even with the seedy hands. I had remembered to line the sheet with wax paper and didn't really have much wasted seed, besides what I had to wash down the drain due to my hand-mixing fiasco.

So, following instructions, I put them outside in the freezing temps to 'set' overnight - this was said to give the best results and, of course, I wanted only the best results.

The Issue: Next day, the first one (I chose a round one) popped right out of the mold and I was thrilled! I tied a wide ribbon through and hung it on the display on the front porch. Literally 3 seconds later, it broke.

Not wanting all of my ornaments to break at the hanging point, I decided to just leave the cookie cutters intact and hang them, cookie cutter and all. Here is what I have on my front porch 2 days later:


A fat squirrel hauled away both sections of the busted bundt seed wreath and has not yet destroyed the rest of my work. I never got to give away my seed ornaments (from this batch, anyway) because I did not want to lose my few tin cookie cutters.

I need to go buy some corn syrup to give this another proper try, but I have to say that I love the look of the cookie cutters left on - gives a little sparkle.

You are supposed to keep these ornaments out of the rain as that will break down all of the stuff that keeps them stuck together. This display is on the south side of my front porch, so it's as protected an area as I have available. I lay the broken circle ornament on the pine boughs. Birds really don't care about 'best results.' We can certainly take a lesson from them. An offering is an offering, no matter how small or imperfect.

UPDATE: Day 3 - the squirrel took all of these, including my cookie cutters - I got home after dark & found only one. Thanks, rodent.

Back in the Saddle!

Hi, there! It's been quite a year, let me tell you! I've had three surgeries, the first of which was last November (2011) and then one in March ('12) and one in April ('12). Though I tried to get back to being my DIY girl self, it has been over a year since I have been able to do much along those enjoyable lines due to residual and new pain and staying afloat with my work. Well, I am happy to say that things are slowly and steadily changing for the better! Thank goodness I have a wonderful family and a few awesome friends that have helped me through it all. I almost feel like myself again.

Here's a ten minute project that I did tonight. Tired of losing my to-do list on my desk (under other papers and pads), I created this little beauty:

I took out the unwanted photograph and used the frame's cardboard oval to cut out the proper shape of paper. I wrote, "Today:" on top, and re-framed it all. When I put it on my desk tomorrow, I'll tie on a cute ribbon (to the top of stand portion) which I will tie around a fine point dry erase marker. No more paper (or lost marker), no more buried to-do list, and a happier, more productive me!

Frame your to-do list and share your results!

Tips for this project:

Pick a frame that isn't too small and isn't too heavy - this one held a 5x7 and is made of thin metal - the glass is the heaviest part. You could replace glass with plexi, but the point here is to save-reuse-share, so I kept my glass intact.You could also put in a piece of clear acrylic from some left-over packaging that you have around the house - clear boxes, etc.

There are some cork projects that I will soon be sharing with you, too.

Because I am so proud, I want to share that my class and me wrote personal messages in 1,364 Christmas cards that were sent to Holiday Mail for Heroes this year. Last year our number was almost 700 and the year before that 588, so I could not be happier for their volunteerism for such a wonderful cause! Please watch the video and get  involved next year! Here's a picture from our half-way point:

3 Hours, 2 Days, 1 Store

$50 plus 50 miles R/T.

Worthington, Columbia, Brooks Brothers, Coldwater Creek - the list goes on! I spent about 90 minutes in the Salvation Army two Wednesdays in a row and the photos tell the story! The top photo was a $23.00 day and the second was a $26.00 day.

For $23.00, I brought home three tanks - cream cable, an ocean blue knit, and a ribbed brown, a long-sleeve (with tags still on) white dress shirt, a linen short sleeve top, a coral shirred dressy top, a dri-weave zip top polo, my new favorite summer pajamas (mid-century modern house, push-lawn mower and FLAMINGO-print bottoms, I mean come ON!) and a pretty bowl, MADE IN THE USA, that cost me $1.99, listed on eBay for $25. I was thrilled and had everything washed and in my closet by dinner time!

The following week I hauled in this $26.00 score: brown dress chinos, a sweater tank, 3 versatile scarves, two skorts in aqua & denim, pink plaid shorts, a fun embroidered skirt, an aqua tank, purple linen 3/4 sleeve shirt and my find of the day - a french cuff Brooks Brothers wrinkle-free dress shirt for $2.50.

What did $50 buy you on your last shopping trip?

Plant Sharing

Here we are in the middle of summer and the garden centers at your local home improvement stores are packed with people, money pouring from their wallets. Now, for the Annuals Set of people, it is what it is, but for perennial lovers? Don't buy, share!

When I first started gardening, I actually had to BUY hosta - the plant you can divide into 6-10 plants every 2 or 3 years. None of my friends gardened, so there I was. Buying hosta, (head shaking).

Finally met some local gardeners and we started giving plants to each other. I still remember my friend Sandy helping me unload all of the plants I had brought her, and that she gave me a back-seat-full of cone flowers. I was smiling the whole way home as I saw them in my rear-view blowing in the breeze of the open windows...

After my joyous afternoon, I decided to expand the sharing and started a Garden Share group page on facebook. I love seeing a new member request pop up and I feel so much hope that the new member will actually participate in the group by at least posting some photos of his/her garden. My garden has grown from the gifts of people in the group and their gardens have grown because of me. The photo above includes (l-r) hairy onions from one friend and foxglove from another.

So before you go out and spend your hard-earned money, take a few minutes to look up the local garden groups in your area. Many have scheduled meetings, but you might just get lucky and find a Garden Share site like mine online, so get growing!