Happy Halloween from the flock and Merlin and Maezee!

Nine chicken eggs and four duck eggs.  Today three of the ducks laid their eggs under the yucca plant next to the coop, one laid hers inside under the shovel that leans against the east wall.

One of the Welsh Harlequins suffered a broken blood feather today.  Blood feather!  I know, right?  Well, I'm having to assume that she and a Rogue Red went at it today and the geese were too late or sleeping on the job.  I herded little Miss WH into the coop and caught her to have a better look.  Her wing had quite a bit of blood on it before I filled the water pans and pools.  After she took a few dips, she didn't look nearly as bad, but I still wanted a look.  I actually found the broken feather still caught up in her other feathers.  No more bleeding could be seen as I ruffled through her wing feathers.  I hope she'll be okay tonight.  They can bleed to death from a blood feather that's not taken care of properly.  You're supposed to pull them when they're broken.  Alas, either the Red pulled it for her or she pulled it herself?  I don't know.  This is a day to day, learn as you go, life full of feathers lessons for me.

It's official.  Maezee Mae has taken the Alpha position.  Merlin waited for her to come through the door several times today.  Maybe he's being a gentleman, but I think it's more like Maezee's being Alpha.  She was also napping on top of the picnic table again today.  Another prime spot she's picked for herself.  Merlin ever so sweet, just looks up at me and smiles.

A flurry of feathers at opening time, 'round about 6:45am.  Four duck eggs!  One right in the middle of the yard and one under the tall grass, two in the coop.  Someone is getting sneaky.  Seven chicken eggs.  The hens are using more of the boxes every day.  Kind of cool.  I guess they wanted to break from a boring routine of laying in box #1 and box #10.

After seeing the rooster crowing video on Facebook, I went and thanked Chester for not being that annoying.  I carried the egg basket around the rest of the yard looking for more hidden duck eggs, and Chester was right behind me all the way, with his hens, and a few ducks, and he was talking the whole time.  I'm sure they were more than disappointed when they realized I only had their eggs in the basket and not more feed.  They're getting scraps and leftovers tomorrow, so that'll make up for it.

If you've been here to see the flock, you know how the geese can talk fairly loud. They answer every "hello."  However, at closing time when they go in I quietly say "night night" and they mimic me with a very quiet "honk honk."

A Rogue Red went free ranging with the California Chick today.  I'm not sure which Red it was, but she didn't wander far from the north fence.  She's not as brave as the CA Chick, yet.

It seems that Maezee is taking her Alpha spot at bedtime.  Whenever Merlin tries to lay in the corner on the blankets, his usual spot, she nudges him out and he goes and lays in front of the freezer.  He and Maggie used to have their favorite spots and Maggie's was under the table we have out there.  I tried to get him to lay under there tonight and he looked sideways at Maezee, seen the look on her face, and he went back to being in front of the freezer.  She also gathered all the toys that were on the porch and is hording them next to her.  Winds of Change.  Merlin does not mind.

Seven chicken eggs, if you don't count the two that Merlin and Maezee ate fresh from the coop.  They always insist on looking in the basket and smelling.  Three duck eggs.  I don't give them the duck eggs. I claim those myself, being head overseer of chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs 'round here, I get choice.

We had a great day running all the yards today.  I trust Maezee to stick close to Merlin, and so now they can go in the front yard without my constant supervision.

Judy stopped by with great news about Jewel Weed.  I'm not sure if they kept her name or gave her a new one, but report is that they absolutely LOVE her.  I knew they would, and she's doing great.  There are no coincidences or mistakes, just what IS and this was a great what IS!

Three duck eggs and six chicken eggs. The chickens are starting to use other boxes besides the favorites.  So, I'm thinking perhaps it's the newest ones that are using box #3 and box #6.  At least this way they aren't clucking for half an hour at the hen that's sitting in their favorite box #1 or box #10.  One of the black sexlink hens will get up on the round platform and cluck louder and louder until the laying hen finally either gives in or lays her egg.  I've seen the impatient ones give up and move to another box.  That'd be my choice.

I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up my order and a man sitting outside saw that I was carrying empty egg cartons.  He asked me if I needed more, I declined but went over to talk to him.  He talked my legs and ears off, and picked my brain fairly hard.  I came away with a lot of info on his family's genealogy and that his grandma used to put cayenne in her chicken feed.  He wasn't sure why, thought maybe it kept them warm. He told me in great detail how she went about doing that.  I'll spare you and myself that detail.  I came home and researched it.  Two fold.  Cayenne is a dewormer and egg laying booster! Jack pot!  I got on Amazon and put an order in for 5#'s worth.  I'm hoping to see good results in a few weeks time, but some say less time than that!

Sam and I took Merlin and Maezee to the back of the farm to the woods today to run.  Merlin hadn't ever been back that far.  I'm not sure why we've never taken him.  I suppose because we never left Maggie behind, and off lead Maggie was a runner!  I mean as in, run and keep on running!  Like to the next county type of run.  Bless her soul.

Anyway!  Merlin and Maezee had a great time running, chasing, and creek drinking.  A great day.

The top news story tonight is that I had to re-home Jewel Weed.  Like the articles all said, it's rare that once they start fighting because of Littermate Syndrome, most have to re-homed.

It's a neat story how she ended up where she is, though.  I had taken Maezee Mae to see my mom at Knollwood today, and the hair dresser there, Mary, loved her and said her son wanted an Aussie because he just recently had to put his Sheltie of 15 years down.

Then when I got home with a muzzle to try and see if that would keep them from fighting/biting, and didn't work, I messaged Sandy, where Maezee and Jewel came from, and she gave me a name and I was blown away!!!  It was Mary from Knollwood, rather her husband.  SYNCHRONICITY!!!!!  I love it!  I cried most of the time they were here, but that couldn't be helped.  Jewel acted like she had known Mary and her son for forever.  It was perfect!

Seven chicken eggs, four duck eggs.

Maezee and Merlin aren't acting like anyone is missing, so they must know it was to be.  Apparently, dogs know about synchronicity.

I had a glass of wine to calm my nerves.  Another happy ending.

Ten chicken eggs and three duck eggs.  I'm not sure if I've told this little funny yet, if so, sorry, but here it is again.  There's a Rogue Red and one of the Welsh Harlequin drakes that have a fight at least once a day.  The RR gets her neck feathers all twisted up and starts to flog the WH drake, and he arches his neck and wiggles his tail real fast, they chase each other around for a bit and then call a truce.  I'm not sure there's ever a winner, but today one of the geese had had her fill of it and she broke it up, sent RR and WH running in the opposite directions.

I'm finding I'm spreading myself a little thin with chores and things that need done before winter, like bringing in the plants.  Still didn't get those plants in today!  Dang it!  Tomorrow.  Between making sure Maezee goes out before an accident.  Letting her get play time in with her sister, on opposite sides of the fence, and with Merlin, too.....wow..... It's not been easy, but it's very rewarding.

Today Maezee went with Sam and me to check out what the loggers had logged.  Maezee is very cautious, but when getting back into the truck today she did her best to jump up in.  I gave her a little push, she was so happy.  She also had fun and we had a good laugh at how she runs as fast as she can in that big open space to you when you call her.  She always looks like her rear end is going to pass her front end, but all shows up in the right order.

If it doesn't rain too much, I'll take Jewel and Merlin together to the back in the next few days.  The weekend is suppose to be nice.

I picked tomatoes today, even from the late row had eight nice ones!

Fed the flock a lot of butternut squash today.  The seeds are supposed to be a natural de-wormer.  I hope so, because I'm out of nasturtiums.  10 Chicken eggs, and 4 duck eggs.  I let Maezee into the garden without checking for chickens.  She got a hold of a Rogue Red's tail, and I got a hold of Maezee's tail, and that gave the RR time to fly to the top of the fence and back over to her own yard.  Chester gave her hell for being in the garden, as usual.  She ran to the coop.  Maybe he gave her a time out, too.

Today was take the pups to the woods day.  I took Maezee first and she did very well.  She got a drink from the creek, barked at an invisible thing on the hill at Turkey Run, and she ran through the big Sycamore leaves as fast as she could.  She wasn't thrilled with the truck ride, so she sat next to me as close as she could get without being directly on my lap.  On the way back she was a little more relaxed.  She didn't want to jump back into the truck, so I gave her a lift up.  Maybe next time.  It's a tall truck.

I took Jewel after Maezee.  Jewel was a whole different story.  Just as good, but in a robust way.  She didn't just drink from the creek, she jumped in, and then jumped out just as quick.  She went everywhere she smelled Maezee had been.  When it was time to head back, I patted the truck seat and she jumped in the truck like she had done it a million times.  She rode with her head out the passenger side for a bit, but she ended up riding over my shoulders looking out the drivers window most of the way.  I think she'd drive if I let her.

I think I can take Merlin next time, and they'll be fine.  I just hate to leave one by herself while we go.  But until I'm sure they aren't going to fight, then this is the way.  I'm way more okay with it than I thought I'd be because I'm seeing their true personalities now where as before only a tiny bit was coming out with their constant playing with each other or chasing Merlin.  They pay attention so much better apart, it's amazing!

Tonight at bedtime Maezee did not want to go in the kennel.  First time.  She went over to the corner where Jewel has been sleeping.  I think it's best to keep her in her own space at night instead of bringing her in with us.  I don't want her to be totally alienated from her pack.

I didn't get the eggs again today, but this morning there were 14 chicken eggs and 6 duck eggs from the last two days.

As for the Littermate Syndrome, neither Maezee nor Jewel seem to be showing any anxiety about being apart.   Maezee sometimes will grab a sock or a shoe, but when I give her her "toy" aka deer antler, she's satisfied with that. And Maezee hasn't had any accidents in the house, and she goes one or two every time I take her outside. Jewel is keeping Merlin busy and visa versa.

Gathered up some green tomatoes today and had fried green tomatoes per request by Mr Dean.

Too much going on today to gather eggs.  At closing time the ducks chests were almost dragging the ground.  Apples and squash, I'd say.

You've not lived until you see a flock of chickens running across a walnut covered yard.  A chicken obstacle course.  I wish they'd scratch them into a pile for me.

I had Maezee with me all day and I can't believe what a difference a day makes.  Her personality has always been calm, attentive, and shy but willing to wiggle over to get petted.  Sometimes with a little dribble when it's Sam or one of the male visitors.  Not today!  She had several chances to wiggle shy dribble and not once did that happen! She did her usual wiggle sideways up to Sam, but no dribble! So, I'm seeing that it may have been more tense than I realized.  I really thought she'd sit at the back door and whine.  Not once.  When I ran the vacuum she went to the porch and got in her kennel.  She knows her safe place.

She laid on my lap for a two hour nap, too. She kept my hands warm.

I let Merlin into the front yard with Maezee for a good romp, and then I went out back to play with Jewel. She was happy to see me for about 60 seconds, then she wanted Merlin back.  Well!  I never!

I'm glad they are happier. Maezee and Jewel meet noses at the fences and did ok the first few times, then while Maezee and I were in the garden for a third time they growled and lunged at each other at the fence.  It's an open woven wire.  But later, at the wooden fence they were licking each others noses.  What?  Only they know for sure, but I'm not taking any chances.

Apples are ready and I'm over loaded with them.  I made up three bags ready for pies, then my hands and elbows gave out.  JoAnn posted a good looking apple butter recipe for a slow cooker, so that's probably next.  I think I have the ingredients.

Picked seven more Black Krim tomatoes for the window sill.

That's it for flock, pack, and garden!

Six chicken eggs and three duck eggs.  I went to Jacksonville today and so I'm not sure what went on in the yard while I was gone.  I saw a turkey buzzard flying over when I got back home and was putting away groceries and looked out the kitchen window.  I was under the assumption that they only eat dead stuff, but Sam said they'll eat live stuff, too, so I went out to shoo it away, but by the time I got out there I think the geese had made enough noise that it had flown about 1/4 mile north.  I love those geese.

If you've been following along about the sister saga on Facebook you'll know most of this next part of the day.  The last couple of days Maezee and Jewel have been fighting.  I mean vicious I'm gonna kill you kind of fighting.  After reading for about the last hour, yes, two bitches will fight to the death.  Even sisters!  Or especially sisters!  Interesting and scary, because if looks could kill...  Jewel had blood on her neck, but I didn't find a wound, so maybe Maezee bit her own lip or lost a tooth and that's where it came from.  They did that a few weeks ago with some other baby teeth, but they were only play fighting then.

SO, after educating myself on this Littermate Syndrome, we'll see how it goes.  I have to admit, we've been doing it all wrong, namely me, since I mess with them more than Sam does.  It's human nature to treat everyone equal. In the pack that's just not the case.  I knew this!  Damn it!! We watch Cesar every Saturday morning.  So, anyway, yes I'm guilty of giving them both the same amount of attention.  Well, this undermines the alpha status.  I'm pretty sure Jewel is the alpha to Maezee.  Maezee is so calm and sweet, it's hard not to go to her first, and Jewel has noticed.  And she's so sweet about getting brushed first.....ah ha, because she's alpha she knows it's her position to get brushed first!  So Maezee has noticed that I treat her the same as I treat Jewel, or she would be thinking she should fight for this position.  Are ya following me?

We had put Jewel in the cage tonight, even though Maezee goes in willingly, while Jewel has to be dragged in there the last week or so.  They've no doubt hit an age milestone and this started the whole thing.  Teenage years, 6 months.  I've only had trouble with one dog that challenged me during his teen years and that was Shadow, our first Rott.  He was six months old, just like these girls.  He did not challenge me again.  Wink.

So, here we are.  I'm going to start separating them a few times a day so that they don't become more dependent on each other, and they can't see the attention being paid to the other, either.  I've read siblings will bond so closely that they pay no attention to us human's.  I've had a little more trouble training them when they are together, but not nearly as much trouble as I've been reading about.  They do listen most of the time if they aren't in the middle of something super interesting.  Currently, that'd be tearing each others throats out.  This bonding thing can keep them from learning good social skills, especially if they aren't introduced to other dogs or humans.  I think there's enough socializing with Merlin and with all the people we have coming in and out around here.  They are both very good with human's and Merlin has taught them respect of him when they play fight.  I just wish he had stepped in today.  There was a time I thought he was going to and that's when I remembered the water hose!  Yep, they both got soaked.  It took a lot longer than I thought it would to get them to let go of one another with full force of super cold water being sprayed in their faces.  Tough little bitches.  That's not all bad.

The other problem with Jewel being out with Merlin is she's a little pack rat and she loves to get into stuff she's not supposed to.  We may try separating the cage with the divider that came with it, too.  So many options!  I just want to do the things that will cause the least amount of stress and anxiety for us and them.  

Meanwhile, Merlin is all up in my face wanting to do anything he can to stay in my good graces.  Poor kid, he's not even in trouble, but he doesn't want to be left out, either.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Opening time was we're off to the races!  They do love breakfast!  Seven chicken eggs and three duck eggs, unless you count the chicken egg that was on the floor with the duck eggs.  Then the count would be different.

This morning the wind was blowing so hard the chickens stayed in the coop after breakfast until almost noon.  Doesn't seem to bother the geese or ducks so much.

At closing time all the ducks were still out, but old Merlin, he's got his way with the Frisbee, herding them in.

I watched Maezee and Jewel chase leaves for quite a while today.  They have a little bit of kitten in them.  Very pawsy.

Maezee is getting more jealous of Jewel and the fight is on when I'm trying to brush her or pet her if Jewel is within sight.  So we're taking charge and putting an end to it when she does that.  Jewel doesn't help matters with her sitting so calmly and just staring at Maezee.  It's hard to keep the assertive alpha energy going, that Cesar Millan teaches, when they are so cute and vicious at the same time.  Play fighting is normal and they do that, but this is downright ferocious.

Tonight when it happened we just let it happen.  Then I came in on the computer and Googled what Cesar would do.  I instigated an event by petting Maezee, and sure enough she got all bitchy at Jewel!  But she responded to me doing as Cesar would do, too, so that's good. Jewel's response is to go alpha and put her head over Maezee's neck.  However, I want to be in control of this in case it turns into something different.  Maezee listens better than Jewel, so I'm glad it's not the other way around! ;)  Merlin seems to think it's aimed at me and so he comes over and tries to get up and kiss and hug me afterwards.  Sweet.

At bed time they both went in their cage and got their treats with no commotion.    

Opening time is a flurry of feathers and feet, every morning, never fails.  I really do need to video all that action one of these days.

Nine chicken eggs and three duck eggs.  The coop was mucked out today double fast with the help of Mr. Dean and his big tractor.  Always greatly appreciated!  And after we got the old out, I put new bedding in and added feed sacks to the walls.  I think California Chick liked this new addition.  She came in and supervised for a bit.  I hope they all appreciate the new freshness and bright colors.  It beats painting!

After watching the debates tonight, I'm doing a write in for my Red Hen Emily and California Chick as her running mate.  Emily would be a great president, and California Chick would add some flare.  Chester could be campaign manager and PR, he's good at keeping everyone in line and intervenes when there's a disagreement between parties.  He's organized and prompt.  He's the man behind the women.  I like that.  And he respects the Warrior Goddess in them all.

I think Jewel is going through her teenager stage.  She's decided she wants to sleep in Merlin's spot the last few days. And before she was going to bed so smoothly...ah...Maezee is taking notes.  Not good.

At closing time, Merlin went to the yard with me and only the ducks and geese were left to go in.  I gave him the signal and he went straight at it.  It took maybe a whole 30 seconds for those ducks and geese to high tail it through the big red door.

I'm a slacker.  Didn't collect the eggs today other than 3 duck eggs I found when I went to turn over the bedding.  But, I saw hens in and out of the coop all day, so I'm betting between 7-10 chicken eggs.

The flock is loving the squash!  And especially the seeds.  I just read that the seeds are good for deworming them naturally.  So is nasturtium, but mine are dying down.  I'll give them the nasturtium after the squash is gone.

California Chick stayed in the yard all day.  I think she's liking the extra stuff like squash.  I've noticed why it is that she likes to roam...the others run her off from the feed, so she roams the yard, and the grass is always greener ya know.

The drakes are chasing the hens ducks like crazy!  I never dreamed they would be so aggressive.  But it's funny to watch them try to run after each other.  Run waddling, not graceful.

The pups are still all fluff from their bath yesterday. I didn't let them into the garden today for obvious reasons.  And when they come in the house they have to check out the tub, so funny.  Merlin checks it out, too, but he hates baths.

I picked a few red tomatoes today.  The Black Krim are really taking off it seems and the frost will probably get them soon.

When it cools off a bit more I'll be starting on putting up the feed sacks inside the coop.  Probably the next time I muck it out.

Changed my mind, Emily.  But it's gonna be short.

7 Chicken eggs, 3 duck eggs.  Everyone was sweet as pie today.  California stayed in.  Everyone stayed grounded and didn't blow away.

I gave Maezee and Jewel baths after they played and rolled in the garden dirt, which as cow poo in it.  Pee U!  Jewel is going to be curly!!  Maezee has waves.  Merlin escaped the dreaded bath because he didn't roll in it.

All done.

Ten chicken eggs and four duck eggs!  Good girls!  The bright red combed California Chick escaped over into the east side neighbors weed patch today.  I lured her back to our yard with a bucket of feed.  I then herded her into the coop and caught her with Merlin's blanket.  She's fast!  I've heard most California chicks are.  Anyway, we came into the house and I cut her right wing feathers.  Wasn't 2 hours and she was flying back out, but she came right back a few minutes later.  I think she was just showing off.  She can still fly up to the 3rd row from the top in the fence.  Maybe if she gets bigger she won't be able to fit through those squares as easy, but I'm not sure she's going to get much bigger.  She's a great laying hen, averaging one a day!  So, I hope she's smart enough to escape a hawk or cat.  They'll start getting more hungry as winter nears.  Sam said to tie a weight to her feet, might have to try that.

I've been saving feed sacks because my egg hatching friend Gail gave me the idea when I stopped at her house and they were laying them down as a weed barrier.  I mentioned to Sam why I was saving them, because they are such good strong sacks.  His idea was the line the walls of the coop with them.  AH HA!  A great way to keep the winter winds at a slow roar and I think they will look cool!  Better than painting every few years.

The Pack was mostly on their own today as I took pictures at the back of the farm of the fall colors, then stayed inside mostly to keep from getting bitten by those tiny black speck of a bug that was out there today.  They're worst than sweat bees!

As for garden news, not much to tell.  I made a tomato and cucumber salad for supper with fresh, I like that word, fresh, tomatoes and cucumbers with ACV and balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a little bit of Italian seasoning.  Put curry chicken on top and called it a good job.  Sam thought it was weird.  Maybe it was, but it was good all the same.

Seven chicken eggs and four duck eggs!  They are really loving box #1 in the top row.  I think it's the California's that started this new trend.  Go figure, it always starts in California.  Two of the duck eggs were green/blue and two were cream colored.  So, without having seen them sitting, I'm not really sure who the cream colored ones belong to.  It makes no difference, they all taste good.  I should be up and running full speed again on my eggs in a few week if this keeps up.

When Jaime and I got back from the Pike County Color drive we went out and I threw some feed at them.  I then went and picked up one of the Welsh Harlequin's because it's head seems to be getting darker the last couple of days just like the other one. Yep, sure enough, I saw some dark green on it's face.  Hummmm......they were born two days apart....so now I'll change the story to two hen WH's and two drake WH's.  Lets keep it this way.

Maezee took to Jaime like she'd known her all her life.  I've not seen her do that before!  She's usually much more shy.  Merlin and Jewel.....well, were Merlin and Jewel.  What can I say?  They are two peas in a pod.

Sam picked apples yesterday and the girls had fun taking the buckets off the patio out into the yard and scattering apples every place.  'Course ya want to think Jewel right off the bat, right?  Nope, I witnessed Maezee taking the very first one and taking a bite out of it.  I threw that one to the chicken yard.  Same with the squash, Maezee loves her fruits and veggies.

Three chicken eggs in top box #1, four chicken eggs in middle box #1, and two chicken eggs in middle box #10!  NINE chicken eggs today!  I think they're on the mend from this molt.  Three duck eggs, two were under the nesting boxes, mallards, under box #10.  Right where Mrs Mallard used to lay hers.  The other one was cream colored, could be Indian Runner, could be Welsh Harlequin, right in the middle of the floor.

Speaking of which, one of the Welsh's copped a little attitude with one of the Red hens today.  I've never seen anything like this out of any of the ducks!  She was chasing the hen, with her neck arched, and her wing feathers swung backwards behind her.  She sounded like she was cussing, too!  That Red hen ran straight to Chester, and the Welsh made a sharp turn back to her family.  Quite amazing since the Red's are the aggressive hens and the Welsh's are the tamest.  Makes me wonder what it was all about.

Merlin has a new Frisbee and it lights up.  Maezee was determined to swipe it and she eventually got what she wanted, while Jewel stood by and observed.

Nothing from the garden today.  I'm sure there's more tomatoes and potatoes, for another day.

Five chicken eggs and two duck eggs.  At closing time I saw all of the Welsh Harlequin ducks go under the roosting deck, so it may actually be one of them laying, too! Welsh, Mallards, Indian Runners OH MY!

At opening time I feed them a bucket of chicken feed.  Lately I've been sprinkling it along an old sidewalk that's hidden under the grass that lead to the old outhouse they used back in the olden days.  It won't be long and all this pecking will have that whole sidewalk uncovered!  Super cool!

I should probably do an opening time every night, too, along with the closing time antics.  It's a crazy train when they fly out of that coop in the mornings!

The pups personalities are so so different from one another.  Jewel isn't afraid to go after anything, and listens so so.  Maezee is shy and listens to everything you say and how you say it.  She's a sit and wait kind of dog, too.  If someone comes in the drive, she runs to the back door and sits until Merlin and Jewel have it figured out.  When I let them out of their cage to go outside, Maezee will sit in front of the door until I open it.  Jewel is bitin' at the bit to get out or in!  She's also hilarious, and I think she knows it.  Merlin started out like Jewel is now.  I'm sure she's going to be his mini me for life.  Maezee is going to be a real sweet heart, just like Maggie was.  Well, unless you surprise her or piss her off.  Then she'll bark to let you know she's watching you.  That's my pack.

Seven chicken eggs and four duck eggs!  I hadn't looked hard enough to find Miss Mallard's eggs on last Friday, so today I decided to be brave and feel around in the nest she had covered so well.  BINGO!  However, I've still not found anymore of the Miss Indian Runner eggs.  She's either quit or is hiding them in the yard somewhere.

I'm doing the news a little early tonight because it's Monday and that means The Voice is on and I'm hooked, and the new show Timeless right after. So right before The Voice comes on I go out and do closing time.  If anything worth telling about happens, rest assured, I'll edit the post.

I cut several squash in half today and fed them to the flock.  They are nothing but shells of squash skin scattered about the yard, now.  Maybe in the spring I'll have volunteers coming up all over the yard, if you get my drift.  They're heirloom squash, so it's cool.

As soon as I get the comb, Jewel runs and gets up on the picnic table to be the first in line.  Merlin gets his Frisbee and stands as close as he can, hitting me with it, and growling to play, jealous.  He eventually gives up as Jewel gets into it, lays down belly side up and her eyes roll to the back of her head.  Then, generally, Merlin gets up when I pat Jewel and say, "All done!"  He turns himself around to where ever he wants the attention paid.  While he's getting his, Maezee hops up and waits in line.  Most of the time, patiently, but if she's in a hurry for hers, she will help with Merlin's ears, so she thinks.  Aussie hair is harder to comb when it's wet and curly.

Five chicken eggs and FOUR duck eggs!! Yay!!  They've hit a milestone and are old enough to lay!!!

That's pretty much all as far as the flock goes.

The only news on the pack today is that Maezee is the queen of the cow hooves.  She had all three most of the day.

Five chicken eggs, yay, zero duck eggs.  She must have found a new hiding place.  Maybe in one of the dusting holes, but today most of them had a hen inside.  They want to get their bath before the rain muddy's up the holes.

It's not safe walking around the walnut tree.  I'm surprised none of the flock have been clobbered.  I'm betting this is why the story Chicken Little was written!  

Judy brought the pack cow hooves.  Oh....my....gosh!!!  The teasing and chasing was on!  

I bragged too soon.  ZERO eggs today!

One of the California Chicks decided to try the dog yard today.  Sam saved her.  I'm sure she was thankful.  She stayed way to the north the rest of the day and when I went to see about eggs she even followed me into the coop.  She may have learned a lesson, because she generally doesn't follow me anywhere unless I have a feed bucket in my hands.

Mowed the yard and the flock loves it when we do because it stirs up the bugs.  However, today I was mowing more feathers than grass.

It was a lazy dog day filled with puppy antics and walking through cob webs.

Oh my stars!!! SIX chicken eggs today!!! One in box #1, one in box #6 and four in box #10!  No duck egg, at least not one I could find.  I walked the whole yard with nearly all the flock following me, talking the whole time, them not me, and still didn't find a duck egg.

As soon as the Leghorn Sisters start to lay again, we'll be half there!

The majority of the garden was tilled and the poo spread over it today by Mr Dean.  Left the cucumbers and tomatoes and peppers, they are still all producing and blooming!  I noticed one of the California Chicks out there after it was done, pecking around at the newly found chicken snack.  I hope she didn't eat too many worms, we need those.

The Pack aka Merlin, Maezee, and Jewel, were brushed and sponge bathed.  I didn't have the energy to give them a total bath.  Blankets were washed and Jewel seemed to be the only one that noticed that.

FOUR chicken eggs today and one duck egg.  SO, there's two more hens that have decided to get with it.  They laid two eggs in box #1 and two eggs in box #10.  They all looked different, so it's definitely two more hens.

I was so tickled about my hens laying those eggs that I shared them with Merlin, Maezee, and Jewel.

Tonight at closing time, only the ducks were left to put up.  I cleaned out all the laying boxes today and put fresh bedding down.  The hens knew this already because they are so nosy and they came in to see what I was up to.  SO, they wanted to make sure they got a prime spot, no doubts!

The garden is far enough along now that we've been letting the pack in there to run.  Merlin, Maezee, and Jewel have just about made a race track out of it.  They love the tomato obstacle course!  Poor little Maezee runs as fast as her little legs will take her, and Jewel still catches her tail.

Merlin, always the Frisbee.  But, he has started putting his own style to his catches!  He rears straight up like a horse and BAM catches that thing.  Most of the time.

2 chicken eggs and 1 duck egg today, unless you count the 8 dozen that Jessie has brought me in the last couple of days!  Wow!!  I love the barter system.  Judy has been keeping me in eggs the last few weeks, and I've been swapping cucumbers.  I imagine she's turned into one by now.  ;)

At closing time I invited Merlin out with me.  He has to take his Frisbee with him to round up the flock.  However, tonight one of the California Chicks decided to do a wild little chick dance with him when he tried to herd her towards the coop.  Ain't gonna boss no California Chick in her own back yard, dog!  Merlin dropped his Frisbee and proceeded to make circles around her 5 or 6 times.  I broke it up before it got nasty.  I'm not sure how good Merlin would look with a pirate patch on one eye.

Everyone was going in quite well except the Welsh's.  They were bedded down under the Walnut tree.  I told Merlin to "get the babies" and Maezee lit up like a Christmas tree!  She started whining or talking or whatever it was....She wanted to "get the babies" as she knows from early on what "get the chicken" meant to help me catch one.  Well, the girls have gotten too big to "get the chicken" now without hurting them.  So that game is over.

Anyway, Merlin did a fine job of getting the babies in, and the babies know I mean them when I say, "Come on babies."  Just didn't realize birds were so smart until I raised them from tiny.

Maezee and Jewel have turned into some version of Game of Thrones.  They both want to be the Queen.  Most recently I've noticed that they're getting a little rougher.  I'm not sure what's happening, but they are each getting some fighting blood on themselves.  I check them over and can't find the source of where it's coming from.

When Shadow, our first Rott, was a couple of months old and we brought him home, he had a hole in one of his ears.  It was from fighting with a sibling.  It wouldn't heal.  I tried everything. So finally old Doc Hopkins clipped it and sewed it up, and he was good as new a couple weeks later.

With Maezee and Jewel I can't find the wound.  So, I'm thinking it might be loose teeth.... There's a first for everything.

THREE DUCK EGGS!!  One chicken egg, and it belongs to Lucky Red.  When I went to check for eggs today, Lucky Red was sitting on a few flakes of straw that I stored under the roosting poles/poop deck.  No eggs in box 10, peculiar.  So, when I went back later, sure enough, I could see from the door an egg over there.  But when I got closer, and picked up Lucky's egg, there were three Indian Duck eggs with it!  YAY!!!  Am I crazy to be excited about finding three duck eggs?  Probably so.  It's the simple things.  I just thought maybe she had stopped laying them.  Nope, she started hiding them!

I fed the flock left over soup tonight.  I could watch chickens eat and play with their food for quite some time.  They steal from each other and take off running with it.  It's a free for all food fight!  The left over soup was my aunt Edith's Cabbage Soup recipe.  Very good and a little peppery.  They must not mind the pepper.  Chester watches his hens get their fill, then he'll have his turn.  Old fashioned kind of guy.

Today Sam shucked some corn while I was gone getting my hair cut, and he threw it to the chickens.  The ducks absolutely love the silks!   There's still a few butternut squash out there to pick up.  I'm thinking squash pie.

The girls are back in the cage tonight.  They are still too curious and rug hungry to leave that many hours at a time, yet.  Our neighbor, Gail, noticed tonight when we went for an out front yard spin how fast they are growing.  They sure are, and trying new things everyday!  Maezee found her grown up voice today and so she tried it out on everything that moved or made a sound, like the 6pm train running through Schutz Mill.  Surely she's heard that before, but with her new found bark, three times fast, she had to alert everyone about that train.  Jewel is still just barking the one bark at a time, but probably not for long now.

2 chicken eggs 0 duck eggs.  The little red door was super busy today with hens running, literally, in and out of the coop.  I thought surely I'd find more than the usual 2 eggs.  Nope. One egg in box ten and one egg half way between the gate and the coop on the ground!  I guess she just couldn't make it there in time.  Closing time was a breeze.  This sun setting sooner thing is doing me some good!

More fun in the front yard today with Merlin and the girls.  They definitely know what, "Wanna go out FRONT?" means now.  They race for the front door or the outside gate that leads to the front yard.  It's rough out front.  You have to run faster and turn shorter and roll harder out front.  I don't know why.

Today they all took their naps on the porch.  Someone took a butternut squash from the table and someone took a pair of Sam's sunglasses and had them on the floor, but no harm done.  No names will be mentioned, Jewel or Maezee.  Everyone, including Merlin, looked guilty when I opened the door.

Before we went for closing time I sneaked out to see who was napping where.  Maezee was under the table on Merlin's blanket, Merlin was on the rug, and Jewel was in the cage with her deer antler.  SO, tonight is a trial run of how well they do on the porch out of their cage.  As long as there are no accidents, then it's probably a go.  I've puppy proofed it best as I can.  I'm hoping they can't get the frig open.  My wine is in there and Sam's beer, otherwise everything is safe.  Maezee likes her beer.

2 chicken eggs. 0 duck eggs.

Sometimes it's about how these events in the yard make me feel.  Watching a Leghorn run wickyjawed across the yard, only to do a 180 and head right back to where she was, for no apparent reason, makes me laugh. If you've never seen a Leghorn run, you're missing out.  Add it to your bucket list.  The ducks hear me laugh at the Leghorns, and they do their version.  The geese won't be out done and they honk their song.

Sometimes it's about watching the rainbows in the water hose spray while the ducks and geese drink from the wind.  Sometimes it's about watching them paddle across the yard so graceful and sweet, with their necks stretched out to guard their younger friends.

Sometimes it's about the way Maezee gently puts her foot on Merlin's Frisbee and gives him a kiss.  Sometimes it's about Merlin giving that Frisbee up to Jewel during their tug of war, when he knows he could keep it.

Sometimes it's just that swing.  Those flowers.  The sound of the tractor coming in.  The Owl hoot.

Sweet easy closing time tonight.  1 chicken egg 1 duck egg.  Seriously?  I'm getting eggs from a friend, Judy, thank you so much, because of this molt stuff?  And they don't even look like they're in full molt yet!  I better have eggs by Thanksgiving for chicken and noodles, or else!  (I'm sure that'll scare them back into laying.)

I took Jewel and Maezee on their first 4 wheeler ride today.  Jewel was a natural.  However, when we got back to the yard and came close to the fence and she could see Merlin and Maezee she went WILD!  I drove on over to the barn to get her away from them.  And on our way, on the lead, to the house she was acting like a maniac, going to eat those two dogs up!  Then...then she gets to the gate and nose to nose, could smell and see that it was Merlin and Maezee.  She was a little embarrassed, to say the least, and tried to make up for her ferociousness by giving them both kisses.

Maezee was a little more nervous out of the yard and on her lead, but on the 4 wheeler she almost fell asleep on the way back, and I was in 3rd gear, unlike Jewel's ride in 2nd.  I need a basket for them to fit in, it was a little hard for me to hold them on in front of me.

Today we also showed them the front yard for the first time, again, since I brought them home.  They are still too small to go out there and leave them, they can get through the fence.  But I bet in another 2 months they'll be big enough to let 'em run.  I'm pretty sure Jewel will be, she's quite a bit bigger than Maezee.

Another bushel of cucumbers today and no end in sight.

One duck egg, zero chicken eggs.  However, there was some action in the yard today...maybe there are eggs coming around the bend!  Lucky was all over the yard today, strutting her purple and bright red feathers.  She seems to be doing just fine, and even did the rooster dance with Chester before closing time.

One of the California Chicks, I'll call her rogue CA, had to fly out of the yard to the bin yard today to check out Sam's haul in of fresh hay.  I'da bet money she was going to fly to the top of those bales, craning her neck to get a better look,  but she didn't.  Just looked them over really good, just like the poo pile in the garden.  She's so nosy and truly free range!

Pete, the Indian Runner, is still after one of the mallards. I'm not worried about it like I was when Mr Mallard was after Elta aka Elmer.  The mallard ducklings are twice as big as the Indian's, so I don't think she/he will come up lame, she/he just stands up and the Indian falls off.  Oh my.....I'll try to keep this rated PG.

Lazy day in the Dog Pen.  They are really enjoying the breeze and cooler weather.  At bedtime Maezee wants to sleep under the table instead of in the cage.  Well....not quite yet, missy.  Maybe if I puppy proof the porch in the next few days, we'll try it.

Picking more cucumbers in the morning.  I'm almost afraid of what I'll find.

1 chicken egg, 0 duck eggs.  Everyone was happy staying on their own side of the fence today.  Not naming any names, Lucky Rogue Red.  She was cautious about staying away from the fence all together.  Even at feeding time she stayed far north.

Closing time must have went well.  I was at a birthday party for my bff Jaime when Sam called to let me know the flock was put up, so I stayed for cake and brought him home a piece.  Thanks, Sam!  Great food and great people.  It's so nice getting out on a Friday night and getting home in time to relax before bed.  All those years with the bands, they were fun, but now that we're in our 'fall' years....well, it's just so  nice not getting in at 4am.

I stopped for 2 very nice, very young doe's on the way home.  Right in front of Amanda Rhoades house on the prairie!  They just meandered pretty as you please, no hurry at all, right into my path.  I thanked them and headed west.

I was greeted at the door by Merlin, happy to see me, then he smelled Lily and Moses on my hands.  WHAT?  More dogs?  Sorry, Merlin, I couldn't help myself.   Jaime and Casey's black labs.  Such beautiful dogs!!!  I let the girls and Merlin out, then in, so Jewel could run through the house like her ass is on fire to steal a shoe or a kleenix.  What a character!  Maezee was all wiggles and actin' shy.  Merlin with Frisbee will travel.

2 chicken eggs and 1 duck egg today.  There was a little bit of excitement in the yard today when a Rogue Red went rogue to the dog side of the yard.  She goes to the garden every day, but I think her flight pattern got screwed up somehow today and she landed on the west instead of the east, kind of like Aunt Clara on Bewitched.  So, if she's going to be like Aunt Clara, and can't control herself, it may not end well someday.  I tried to patch her up best that I could with purple and red wound spray.  She probably could have used some stitches....  Her new name is Lucky!

Just when I thought molting would be coming to an end, the yard is full of feathers again.  A lot of fluffy white ones.  I'll be very happy when the Leghorns start to lay again because they have nice big eggs.

Sam hauled some cow poo to the garden from the pasture today, so it'll be another good year next year, fingers crossed.  Maybe that's why Lucky Red got confused!  Hummm.... ya never know.

Easy closing time, most everyone but the ducks were in already. I threw the Frisbee for Merlin for a bit while the girls ate what Sam dropped today.

2 nice chicken eggs and 2 nice cream colored duck eggs today.  I suspect that I missed the one duck egg yesterday because she had it buried deep in the straw.  I Googled what color eggs that Indian Runner's have and what color Mallard's have.  Both have cream colored and also 2 other colors.  That being said, I still think it's the Indian Runner hen, Hailey Sue, because she's at least 2 months older than my Mallard ducklings.

At closing time Merlin was a huge help as always.  He ran circles around 2 Rogue Red's until they got the hint.  Welsh's went in last, as usual.  When I stuck my head in to say "goodnight" I saw a mouse run across the back wall.  The Welsh's saw it, too, but didn't chase it.  I wish a hen would have seen it, mostly likely she would have chased after it for a bedtime snack.  I'd rather see them in the coop than in the house.  But this is a farm, and if wishes were horses.....

I picked about a bushel more cucumbers today.  I looked at the butternut squash, too.  The vines are still alive and there's new growth, so I'm going to wait.  Some look ready, some don't.  I have green tomatoes galore on the old plants and the new.  Waiting for red.

No eggs today, but there was some frisky business going on in the yard today.  The Indian Runner drake, Pete, decided to get wiggy with one of the young mallard hens.  I can't tell them apart anymore, so not naming names.  And actually, I wouldn't want any loose woman rumors starting about one of the sweet mallards anyway.  

While Pete was trying his best, along came Elmer for a ménage à trois.  This is when the geese became interested and started pinching Elmer.  I couldn't stand it any longer with that poor hen trapped, so they all got the garden hose.  The geese had a good laugh over it and all was soon forgotten.

The rest of the day was unremarkable, of course.  

Good news today, we got 2 chicken eggs in box 10, and I'm pretty sure a duck egg from the Indian Runner hen.  I found one yesterday in a nice neat little round bed of straw on the floor next to the nesting boxes.  Mrs Mallard used that spot sometimes, too.  It's a little more secluded.  SO, this is so exciting!  It wasn't any bigger than my chicken eggs, but it's cream colored and oblong.  No one else before the new ducklings or chicks have laid eggs this color or shape.  As she gets older, I imagine her eggs will get a little bigger.  They aren't very big ducks, not like the mallards.

A friend of mine gave me 2 ladders that she had made and suggested I put them in the coop.  Sure enough, one of the California chicks jumped up there the first night.  So cute.  Those girls will try anything first!  They're the ones that like the swing, too.  And the garden.

Mrs Owl made an appearance this morning.  I let the pups out at 6am and Owl was over in the west lot past the barn hooting to her hearts content.  About 7am I was standing at the kitchen window when I saw her fly east to those woods to bed down.  I'm glad she didn't decide to swoop in on the flock and have a late dinner.  I'm hoping she nabbed a mouse or rat from the storage bins or barn through the night and was good enough.

Nothing of great value happened at closing time.  Everyone was ready for bed, including the pups and Merlin.

1 chicken egg.  As I was walking the yard this evening before closing time, as I often do, to look over the flock, I noticed a black sexlink hen that has grown spurs!  I had to come inside just to Google that.  I thought only roosters grew spurs.  Nope, come to find out, some hens do, too.  I picked her up to take pictures but she was camera shy and I'm not good at holding a hen under one arm while I'm trying to hold the camera in the other hand.  I did get pictures of her while she was still on the ground, but those aren't as fun.  It always amazes me how soft their feathers are, and she didn't mind being petted.

Merlin, Maezee, and Jewel love to come inside to get held, scout out what's in Merlin's food bowl, and run through the house as fast as they can, a few times, today was no different.  Jewel always has to grab and run.  Today she wasn't coming back to the kitchen in her normal time, so I came looking, to find her trying to get up on the bed.  I see what's in store for the cold winter nights.  3 dog nights.

I skipped the garden today.  I'm sure there's more cucumbers waiting.  However, I picked 2 black krim tomatoes from a volunteer that came up in the nasturtiums.  BLT's for breakfast.

Good night owl.

This is my first attempt at this blogging thing.  I've been posting my Chicken Coop Duck House Dog Pen Garden News on Facebook for the last few months.  A few friends have suggested a book or a Facebook page in addition, and now a blog page suggestion from my cousin Martha.  Oh...my...the pressure is on now!

I was a slacker today.  I didn't check my egg count, but with the molt happening I'm sure it was par for the course, Zero!  I have 22 chickens, but not all of them are old enough to molt or lay eggs.  18 of them were laying in the spring and early summer. In the last month, nothing.  Nadda.  Zip.  Well, an occasional 1 or 2 in box 10, but that's pretty much it.  I was getting anywhere from 12-16 eggs a day before molt set in.

One of the California Chicks jumped up in the swing under the maple tree today, but I wasn't fast enough with the camera.

The whole flock seemed to enjoy the rain today, but especially the ducks.  They were still out past time to close the little red door.  But as soon as they saw Merlin headed their way, they went in nicely.

I took pictures of the flock and the puppies today.  The puppies are growing so fast!!!  And Jewel is gonna be a big girl.  Although Maezee, she's the alpha.  Merlin?  He just loves his life, and he should.

That's it for my first attempt at blogging.  This might be too much like work, but we'll see how it goes.