Happy Cataversary

It's hard to believe it's been one year since we rescued our two
(then three) tiny black barn kitties.


They were scrawny with runny eyes...
looking like nobody loved them.

Now, a year later, our two remaining barn kitties
are fully grown and chubby with beautiful silky black coats.


They have become an integral part of life in the barn.
You might remember that it was touch and go for a long time.
I feared they might remain feral forever.


But time (and canned cat food) heals all wounds,
and now these two are just the best additions to the barn.


They love the dogs and take any opportunity to wrap themselves around dog legs.
They are always in the midst of things as we work around the barn.
Picking them up and petting them is no longer a difficult task.


They eagerly soak up all love that is offered... purring their satisfaction in return.

We are still in the midst of cold, clear weather.


It's hard to believe when you look at the above scene,
that it was so cold that the morning's chicken bucket ice did not melt all day...


The chickens have heated buckets inside their coops, but we also keep fresh water outside for
them as well.
They are completely spoiled chickens.
Their nesting boxes get cleaned daily.
(The only thing they deposit there is poop!)
Presently we are using shredded newspaper as it is printed with soy ink 
and compostable.


They have heat lamps to extend their daylight hours and help to warm their coops.
All of this spoiling...
so you would think that they would repay us with copious amounts of eggs.
(We do have over 30 chickens at the present time.)
Yesterday's egg haul:


One measly little egg.
Yes, the hens are spoiled... rotten.
And in turn we get... nothing.


You might remember that 24 of our hens were hatched this past spring
and arrived here at the farm the first week of May.
Normally by this time hens have always begun laying.
Not these girls.
We were worried that perhaps they were laying in the woods rather than in their nesting boxes,
so we have been keeping them inside their yard.
Eggs laid by newbies - zilch!


I keep telling them that they will not get along in life
on just their good looks.
They need a skill or a trade, as well.... and the obvious choice is egg laying!
It's been six months - which is the average time.
Our previous hens always seemed to start laying a little before that time.
These girls?
Freeloaders, the whole lot.
I may have mentioned to them that the stew pot awaits for those who don't
choose a skill or trade.
Just kidding... but don't tell the hens!

Comments

I love those kitties! And hens -- get to work!
Karla said…
I love it when I can start my day with a good belly laugh! Thank you!
This N That said…
A little (lot) lovin' goes a long way..So glad that the black kitties worked out..As for the hens??? Ungrateful for sure..They don't know how lucky they are...
Clarien said…
Love this blog! Glad I found it! Good luck with the egg-hunting. :))
deodar said…
I have three newbies and so far only one is laying. I have been known to mutter 'soup' and 'dumplings'.
Lynne said…
Love the black kittens . . .
Love and loving turns things round.
No more feral . . .