Chicken Treats

This blog is for Mary because I know she is missing her chickens and for those of you who have never given the chickens their afternoon treat take a look.

As soon as I called them they came running; looked like miniature ostriches  all legs and wings flapping in the afternoon sun. There was just enough room for them to squeeze around the dish and gobble, gobble, gobble, oh that's turkeys, well you get the point.

Stop for a second and check to make sure no one or thing is sneaking up, then .......................

back to stuffing themselves.

Stop again, eat again .................. that's they way they spend their afternoons.

Next time you are stopping by bring a treat for our "girls" Remember they're vegetarians.

They Left the Property

The "Girls" have been bad. Yesterday Nancy knocked on our door to let us know our "Girls" (chickens) were out on the road. That was like calling 911, and we jumped into action. Off in the truck to find the little culprits and herd them back into their pen.

This was their escape route; down our lane and a quick dash across Stringer Drive. Freedom!

Usually we are around and the "Girls" are always in our company or lap.

Now that we are at the cottage they decided to try and find us.

Thanks to Nancy, we soon had them back in their pen.

Tonight they are safely sleeping in their coup. No more vagabonds, only happy chickens staying close to home. Right girls?

Thanks for dropping by and we hope to see you soon.

Chickens in July

Our chickens have adopted us full time. They follow us like our shadows, never leaving our sight. If we go inside here's what happens.

"When are you coming out to play, Mary?"

No, we didn't kill the ladies, they are taking an afternoon siesta, right outside our trailer door.

This could be a problem. Lady Di has her feet inside the trailer. Not the feet on the right, silly, those are mine. Do they look like "chicken" feet? ? ? ? ? ?

Time for a bath; for the ladies, that means a "dust" bath. This is the way they clean themselves. Yes, I know, how can covering oneself in dust be cleaning?

Off site, this is Bancroft looking north up Hasting Street (highway 28) If you are looking for "Tim Hortons" they are at the north end of town, but soon to have a second location on highway 28 coming in to Bancroft from Peterborough.

More Chickens

Last night we were inundated with mosquitoes. It seems the bat population here was killed off this winter and so we have a lot more mosquitoes to endure.

But that isn't all that arrived last night. After supper Yvan brought over two more chickens. Why? Seems these two were having trouble adjusting; so we get them to try to make things better.

They arrived with names and I have decided to keep Big Rosa's name. What's not to love about that name. Suites her well. She is a darker version of Sarah and Queenie. Big Rosa fits right in with the rest of the girls and is always right in the middle of the pack. You'd think she was always here.

This is Charlie. She is one hen pecked lady! Charlie has low self esteem and spent the morning on the run............ away from the others. They would see her across the yard and just pick up and run after her.

Well things calmed down by the afternoon and I noticed that the others were beginning to tolerate Charlie being in amongst them. This scenario so reminds me of the playground at school, where the pecking order is very clear, and some kids are the victim, while others fit in from day one.

Here you can see Big Rosa feeding on the alfalfa along with the other girls. She is the darkest of the three brown hens, at the top of the hill. 

Tomorrow we will see if the improvement continues and how Charlie reacts to being outside all day with the others. Hopefully I will get a picture of 6 happy ladies all together, sunbathing in the dirt. That is one of their favourite activities.

Family Visit

The weather here in Bancroft has been perfect the past few days, high's of 28-29*C, blue skies and cool evenings for sleeping. We were delighted that my sister Annabelle and her husband Jack could visit and enjoy all Bancroft has to offer.

First order of business was to check out our place. Now it isn't everyone who is happy to sit in your driveway, under the shade of the canopy for a visit, but it was better than sitting in our hot trailer; we even ate supper in the driveway. Only a sister would be so gracious with such accommodations.

Time for a stroll and a walk beside the lake to cool off. No, we didn't go for a swim, but we did enjoy the view.

Back at our site the chickens kept us company wherever we went. I believe they are part dog as they follow us around and have to be at our side all the time. No, they don't bark but they sure do like to eat.

They even let Jack pick them up and pet them. Now how many chickens allow a stranger to do that? By the way, I need to check Jack's car, we are short one bird.

Time for supper and Mary had prepared one of her one pot specialties. It was fabulous! Oh, did I mention it was chicken?

Here's the pot and no we didn't raise the chickens you see in the pot. Not sure if we could do that.

Thanks for a great meal Mary ........................

and for a fabulous visit Annabelle and Jack. Next time you come we will do eggs for breakfast; although breakfast at the B&B was lovely. Thanks.

Chicken Update

Chicken update: The girls have been running free around the property. We let them out in the morning when we know we are going to be staying around. What has surprised us is the fact that they stay very close to wherever we are. Here you can see Lady Di enjoying a dirt bath right beside the trailer door. She is the one that preens and fusses about her looks more than the rest. The dirt bath is meant to clear away mites. Perhaps she has more than the rest because of her being white. Mites are attracted to white.

Last year I planted alfalfa and it came back again this year. The girls get in and enjoy a half hour of eating a day. It is very high in minerals and nutritional vitamins. Bring on those healthy eggs girls! Speaking of eggs, we are getting 2 a day. I can live with that. They are sooo delicious. Yesterday I made a Sage Frittata with Charred Tomatoes and Goat Cheese over mixed greens. I don't think I have ever had eggs that good.

Here you can see adventuresome Kate scratching and checking for bugs in amongst the alfalfa. She is very quick, often taking juicy slugs and bugs right out of the mouths of the others. It is really fun to watch the chickens run and flutter over to anything they think they  might be missing out on. We have come to really enjoy the royal ladies. Can't imagine life without them any more.

Make sure to give advance notice when you plan to come. We'll cook you up a mean pan of eggs!

Chickens have Names

We are slowly getting into a routine with the girls. First thing in the morning I fill a bucket with goodies, including berries, veggies scraps and pulp from our morning green drink, oats, flax seed and any other tid bits I can find. The ladies are very excited as the contents spill onto the ground. Each has their favourites they are looking for.

You probably having been wondering if we were going to name the girls. Well certainly! The white and black on the left is Lady Di. The black and brown one on the right is Kate. The lighter brown one is Sarah and the largest, most dominant one is the Queen Mother herself: Elizabeth.  After all, they do get the royal treatment!

This is Sarah. She has decided I need keeping an eye on and follows me everywhere. When I sit in a chair, she places herself right under it. When I go into the trailer, she settles in close by and waits for me.

After many minor adjustments, we think the coop is done!

Hope you can come by and check out the girls. I know they would welcome a visit from you.

Chickens' First Day

Mary collected the "girls" this morning and they quickly adapted to their new home. Once settled we went to town for groceries and all was fine when we returned.

The "girls" arrived in these boxes and were happy to be free and in their new home.

They spent a few minutes exploring and gave their approval to their new digs.

Up close and happy.

Charlotte came over to check things out.

Paul, who also has chickens. also came over.

After a few hours in the "pen" we let them out to see what would happen.

Our first egg. Didn't expect any for a few days.

We will keep you posted as the adventure continues.

Updates

Lots happening in Bancroft these days. As reported earlier, the crew has been doing a fantastic job widening, and improving the sight lines on Coe Islane Lake Road.

Not finished, but the road has been widened and it is much easier to see vehicles approaching.

Wednesday night "concerts in the park" has started again. Every week, different local talent is highlighted, making for an enjoyable evening, and an opportunity to meet some friendly folks from Bancroft.

Back home, progress  is slowly being made on our chicken coop.

All the trim has been repainted and we plan to get another coat of yellow on before the "birds" arrive. That's the roof panels you see on the left, waiting to be installed once the trim paint is dry.

Time to leave the keyboard and get back to work. Thanks for dropping by.