The Pecking Order

I was searching for Milford the other day.

The oldest of my roosters, was no where to be found in the chicken yard.

You might remember Milford, our cream colored "Red Star" rooster...

who owns the biggest set of spurs on any rooster ever!

We're talking Guinness Book of World Record sized spurs.

He came to live on the farm 5 years ago when a batch of chicks

had a surprise listed on the shipping manifest.

It read, "5 Red Star roosters added for warmth."

Enter Milford, Milton, Milroy, Millard and George.

Over the years, they all met their demise one way or another...

except Milford.

I looked high and low, and finally found the old boy in the local coffee shop...

the run in shed that we use as extra shelter in the goat yard.

He was there with a bevy of hens just chatting it up and gossiping,

as hens (and some roosters) are prone to do.

I couldn't help but notice that Milford had a little dried blood on his chest.

Sadly, roosters are very confrontational with each other and Old Milford is

definitely at the bottom of the pecking order.

I am sure he had a run-in with this fellow...

"Fish" is the last remaining leghorn rooster who came to live on the farm a couple of summers ago...

gifted to us by our friends Maggie and Macy who raised them up from

just-hatched chicks.

At the present time, we are finally down to a manageable number of roosters

and Fish has appointed himself king.

So, while Fish is busy overseeing all of the activities of the hens,

Milford hangs out in the coffee shop, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible.

Testosterone...

it might just be what is wrong with the world today.

[winking] [even Hubbs agrees!]

While I was in the goat yard tracking down Milford,

I stopped to chat with Star.

Star is one of my Nigerian Dwarf Goats...

that I have had forever.

She is ancient and

has her share of problems... but just keeps on keeping on.

She's a sweetheart!

Our weather has turned colder again.

Winter has returned.

My sourdough starter is progressing... I see evidence of yeast and lactobacillus

starting to work.   So, I keep feeding it daily (actually now, twice daily)...

and hopefully in a few days I will have starter with which I can bake.

Stay tuned.

I baked and decorated cookies yesterday.

I have wanted to try to make these and am happy with the result.

I know... too pretty to eat.............Nah!