A month of holiday preparations, celebrations, parties, and feasts
has come and gone.
The decorations are safely stowed away for another year.
Back to life (as usual) we go...gladly.
The holidays are fun and full of wonderful times, but there is comfort
in the ebb and flow of every-day-life.
Its return is welcome!
I thought I would bring you up to speed with what has been happening around
the farm this past week or so.
I had noticed last week that Ellie May, one of my leghorn hens was feeling a bit under the weather.
She became very weak and looked as if she were headed for the big
henhouse in the sky.
Fearing that the other hens would peck at her (her comb already showing signs of abuse),
I moved her to the convalescent ward (the feed room in the barn).
A private bed (on top of the hay pile) with plenty of fresh air, feed and water
seemed to rejuvenate her after a few days.
As of yesterday, she was a bit more active and curious about her surroundings.
If she continues to improve, I will move her back with her sisters in the henhouse.
(I am sure she misses the hen parties and endless gossip sessions!)
Apparently, sometime during the daylight hours, a hawk took one of the guineas.
Fear of that nasty hawk has kept the guineas from returning to the barn.
Instead, they began roosting on the roof of the chicken pen.
A severe wind storm drove them indoors one evening,
and since then (much to the hens' chagrin), they have been roosting in the upper chicken house!
This situation reminds me of the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".
If you have seen the movie you will understand when I compare the guineas
to the crazy relatives that arrive for a visit...and STAY!
Sadly, Mr. Wellington has gone missing from the duck pond.
You might remember that his wife, Beulah May, went missing early in December.
(Fowl play is suspected in both cases....most likely the handiwork of the cunning Mr. Fox!)
Now, poor Edith is alone and is slowly finding her place amongst the rest of the ducks on the pond.
In the goat pen, Smoochie has been quite amorous lately...
directing his attention towards Sally.
Notice the look on Sally's face...
I couldn't tell what she was thinking,
but I'm pretty sure I heard her utter "Bug off!" just a moment later.
Smoochie must be confused.
After all, he has been hormone free since earlier last year.
Little Leo is a frequent visitor to the donkey pen,
and stops by for a little socializing.
Over the fence chatting isn't enough, so he slips under...
Daphne is curious...
and goes in for a sniff...
These inter-species relationships are my favorite part of farm life.
I am so pleased with how sociable all of our animals are.
Someone asked over the holidays, "What do you grow on your farm?"
Hubbs replied, "Love."
So true, so true.
Comments
Kathy from Tasmania
I'm also glad the holidays are over and return to the "normal". One thing is I need to change the normal of the evenings. A little more movement of the body is needed after the holiday indulgence!!!
Hugs this fine morning!!!
The heat lamp is probably a big attraction..SO glad Ellie Mae is feeling better..Poor Edith...Now she's one of a kind...