chicken lady

I had a pretty great week. I needed one after the tragedy here at the farm.

I heard Spring peepers, I saw two robins land in the field, and some of the perenials are starting to pop their green heads. Spring, is always has that feeling of anticipating Christmas as a child for me. It is like our Mother is ready to give us her gifts again. She is very good like that. Perfect even.

So this weekend, cold crop seeds were bought, plans to erect my greenhouse asap, and tentative plans for the building of breeding pens were discussed.

It is never, ever boring here. Never.

My friend, (that I bought Izzy the Great Pyrenees from) brought over her bunny who was having problems with his digestion. He had wool block. I worked on him for a couple hours. and got him clean,. I gave him lots of hay, and electrolytes. He cleared right up in a couple days. When she dropped him off her 3 daughters came and ooh-ed and ah-ed over the baby rabbits, chicks, ducks, geese, dogs turkeys, and Earl.I forgot how young girls can fire off questions like rapid machine gun fire. I also forgot how loudly they can squeal. There is nothing better than to see pure delight like that. The littlest one got to hold little yellow fuzzy day old chicks. When she was done she just let go and the chick from a standing position, so I showed her how to lower her hands first before she let go. She did, and I praise her. She did this twenty more times, twenty more praises. I now can advertise "hand dropped raised chicks"

I sold some Black Copper Marans to a lady who answered my add. She came an promptly paid me full price for my chicks. She mentioned she had a flock of 2011 Lakenvelders that she would like to sell. I really wanted to, but money is tight right now and she wanted a fair price for fifteen birds. Let's say the same price as the grocery bill for a family of five. I told her I would spread the word for her. Meanwhile, I stewed on the fact of getting these rare chickens here, 2011 models, a full flock, gorgeous, with two beautiful roosters. I told her if I sold a rabbit or two, I might be able to buy half her flock. I really wanted them.

After a while, I got a message from a breeder in Arkansas. He wanted a particular rabbit. No, he wanted more. and could I send him a list of what was available. Let's just say he was thrilled at the list, and took off driving that Friday night. Not too long after I got off the phone with him. He was impressed by my English Angoras. The wool density, the body type, and the face and ear set. We agreed on a price, he left shortly after, driving all night and meeting me at 1 pm on Saturday.

I couldn't be happier. My babies were going to a climate controlled rabbitry. Heated, air conditioned, and there is even internet access. he came ready with carriers, drinking cups and we chatted and I said good-bye to my babies, one at a time. I was so happy they were to be with him and his partner. I saw the love at first site, as I handed over my black tort. It is always a joyful moment when people see their rabbit for the first time. No matter how old, male or female, there is the moment of "Oh. Oh, Wow!" It is like all the love I put into them gets sent back out three fold. I whispered a good-bye, love you, have a wonderful life to each, exchanged papers, and off they went.

I just took a big breath when I finished the last paragraph. The kind of breath that when you pull the air in, then out again, it feels like it is feeding your soul, as well as your body. I miss them, I am happy for them, It all feels right. It reminds me that I am on the right path, which helps me body mind and spirit. I love those breaths. I have taken many this week.

So of course I immediately called the lady with the Lakenvelders and said I would buy her whole flock. We set it up for Sunday morning. I asked if that was ok, if I she would be at church, and no, she would not be at church. I secretly liked her already. Everybody goes to church here, except me, oddball me, black sheep me.

I soon get a messaged from my friend again, the friend with the rabbit I have, and first Mom to Izzie, my dog. It seems she bought a baby lamb, but after bringing it home, realized that, she, being pregnant, should not be caring for a baby lamb. I guess they can have the same nasty things that are found in kitty litter, and a couple of other things dangerous to a pregnant woman. She asked if I wanted him. How in the world do I say no to that?

black sheep

How to Read Signs and Omens in Everyday Life Great book.

His name is Charlie, because as Sophia let him suck on her fingers, she started quoting this little video. The name stuck. So we do out best to do an English accent when we talk to Charlie.

I am told Charlie is a baby Sulfolk. He is a bottle baby, 10 days old. His mother died, then his twin sister died. Charlie is an orphan. He is so sweet. Follows us around and waked me up to be fed in the middle of the night. Yes, he is in the house. :-) He is a baby!

So, it was time to study, very quickly about lamb care.

Next up, was the trip to the lady with the chickens. She lives an hour or so from me, on wonderful mountain roads, along streams, then rivers, then up to her farm A big farm. I liked her instantly. She has blue-kote splattered on her plaid coat. I was wearing almost the same coat, complete with the blue coat spatters.

She had a wonderful set up. I mean the deluxe coop townhouse set up. We went coop to coop. I ooh-ed and ah-ed. I was just like those little girls who came to my farm, but not as loud. And we talked. She is a small lady, pretty, even in her farm clothes, about 9 years older than me.We were instant friends. Her husband holds a government position. She is ex CIA, and a Bail Bond-Woman. No kidding. We talked about how difficult teens are to raise, we talked chickens and she gave me a good drink recipe. We talked about our kids, and her grandkids, and we talked about our love for the lives we have chosen.

Oh and her chickens. She had a heated building for the brooders, then some freestanding coops, the lovely townhouse coop with all the bells and whistles. She talked to her hens, and so did I. Rusty went and pet her dogs while we traveled to yet another coop. I could have talked to her all day, but it was cold, and spitting snow.

We loaded up the 15 Lakenvelders, then 3 light Brahmas, 19 hatching eggs, one Silkie chick and five Lakenvelder chicks, did the math, and exchanged the paper. Then we made a deal for me to bring my BC Maran Rooster Woodpile, to service her BC Maran hens, and I would get some eggs from them, or something else. We will meet again.

the new flock on the block
the lakenvelders

I just got done giving Charlie his bottle. I will need help from my British friends for new phrases or words I can use when talking to Charlie at three in the morning.

I can't wait until daylight to go see my new flock and see if they have left me any Spring gifts.

Life is good. I can say I am recovered. Beyond that. I am stronger and wiser. I am a chicken lady, but not a lady who is chicken. I jumped back in, after licking my wounds, I am so glad I did. A reminder to never give up. If I do, I will miss all of the good stuff, just waiting for me.

Big breath. Want to take one with me and let all the life in? It is going to be OK. Promise.

~crow

I went to visit my bloggy friend Eden and felt like some sychronicty was happening so I came back and joined in to be a part of: Eden's: