Babies and Bunnies

Just to prove I'm not totally fixated on birds, I'm including some rabbit photos.

A hen with her duckling. Because one can't have enough ducks, and hens make better parents. Even if it is frustrating when your chick won't perch.

A hen and her chick. Because the duck eggs didn't hatch, and she snuck a couple of her eggs in when I wasn't looking.

Bunny kits. Until today they've been completely covered (it was very warm today). 

Momma bunny.

Pappa bunny.

Soon to be momma bunny.

My does all have nest boxes, but none have used them. This girl loves her cardboard box. She's just stuffed it with pulled fur.

Duck, Duck, Duck, Hen

The Chicken Gang

Cat vs. Bantam

The single kitten remaining from the first litter wanted some attention. I took a moment out from feeding to wait for her to come and play. A bantam rooster was scratching around nearby.

 

The rooster came strutting over, objecting to the cat's presence in his territory.

Kitty changed directions. Rooster followed.

Mayhem ensued.

Rooster leaves, victorious.

Kitty retreats to safety behind the fence.

The interesting pecking order of life on the farm.

The Snow Continues...

The quad doubles as a portable feeder. Note the chickens taking shelter under the shelf. Everyone loves hay.

The first surprise - a tree came down across the road. Fortunately there is just enough room between the trees for the quad to sneak through - even with a load of hay.

A small tree down across the electric fence. Other trees down in the background.

And yet more trees overwhelmed by the heavy snow. We've had an accumulation of 6-10 inches, and it is now above freezing (but still snowing). The snow sticks to everything and weighs a ton.

One of the Alpaca expressing his displeasure.

A Snowy Day

The snows did come, making the world soft, muted and even more beautiful than usual. I spent the morning watching the beauty, sipping coffee. I fed everyone well last night so I could take my time.

Fences need checking because our snow is so wet it often breaks branches or builds up and grounds out the fence. The chickens are, as always in the snow, not amused.

Northwest November

Temporary safe harbor

Charlie and Friends

Not everyone is enjoying the water.

While I was looking out at yet more rain thinking more gloomy thoughts, I caught an unexpected movement. My determined hen has hatched out one of the many eggs she's been sitting on.

Looking out on the big new world!

Mom and Chicks

Chickens Just Want To Share

A half-dozen chickens were sunning on the stump when I put hay in for the Alpacas. They immediately headed down.

"Do you think there's grain hidden in that hay?"

"Probably. Let's look over here."

In Bed For the Night

Bursting With Babies

I adore my Sebright-cross bantams. And who wouldn't? This little hen is just bursting with newly-hatched chicks, too many to completely cover, at least when they are curious.

Her nest was just outside the dog area, just out of nose reach. Safe from the dogs, and the dogs kept her safe from the world.

Tired of the Rain

Even the geese seem to have had enough wetness

The chickens have no question about it.

But the goat is so disgusted with the turn in the weather she decided to get into the van to eat. You know that if I wanted her there she'd never load.

The Odd Couple

One of the things I love about having "natural" chickens is that the roosters often pick hens to pair up with and protect. This is the strangest pairing I've had - One of my tiny Sebright bantam hens and a big standard 'roo.

They've been hanging out together for at least a month. I see them all over the property. He's always on alert, protecting his hen.

This isn't furthering my goal of getting purebred Sebrights.

Finding Spring

Nothing says "It's Spring!" like baby chickens. My friend in Hawai'i was getting chicks today, and I was so excited for her. "Be sure to post pictures!" I said. I love chicks.

Then as I was heading out for the afternoon feeding I heard a suspicious peeping sound. Sure enough, one of my little Sebright crosses had hatched out four chicks. They are so adorable, and she is very protective of them.

I think it's too early for chicks here in the Pacific Northwest, but who am I to argue with a hen? They are now safely sequestered in a giant dog crate, with lots of shavings to help keep them warm. I know the hen will do her best.

Be sure to check out the other farm blogs listed in Farm Friends Friday!

Still Seeking Spring

These little plants - in full bloom - have colonized the area outside the hay barns where I buy my hay. 

Sunshine! My chickens always make me feel sunny and happy, which is what Spring is about, right?

The Black What?

I've been changing the shavings in my aviary, and every day there are piles of new shavings around the bag. I've found this puzzling. Why would chickens be attracted to a bag of new shavings? No food there.

Today I turned around while changing waters, and was startled to see a black mop-looking thing lying in the bag. What the heck?

It then started to move. As it moved it morphed into a hen.

She stood, pecked through the shavings to loosen up another level, and resumed bathing.

I guess if your choices are snow, mud or shavings, shavings seem like a delightful bath material. I'll have to bring in a box of dry dirt or sand for them. There isn't any of that outside these days.

Birds!

I love my geese. They love life, and lead interesting lives (something to be learned there).

The geese got half way down the drive, then decided to come back up.

What do you think caused this pattern? There are a few of these spots, surrounded by goose prints in a circle. I've no idea what they are doing.

Who, us?

The Peacocks LOVE my vehicles. Here one is admiring that beautiful bird in the bumper.

The Rooster Mob sheltering under the wind-moved shelter.

Another Raven pic!