Animals

                        The Saga of the Strange Rooster

I looked out the window Monday afternoon to see a red chicken coming out of the woods and trying to get into our garden where our chickens were scratching in the dirt for bugs. I did a head count to make sure ours were all there. Yes, 12 hens and the rooster. Then I went around to check on this new one.

A Rhode Island Red Rooster that looked like a young one. I have no idea where he came from as the closest 3 houses don't have chickens and are at least 1/4 mile away. We corralled him and opened the gate, so he ran in. Ours let him feed and even go in the chicken yard for a drink, but they wouldn't let him roost with them.

The next day I found him outside the fence again trying to get in and opened the gate for him again. It's so much easier with our chickens who aren't afraid of me and let me just pick them up. Poor thing kept just throwing himself against the fence to get in. Chickens aren't the smartest of animals but so much fun to watch-they are just like in the cartoons.

Last night he wouldn't go in the chicken yard but went on the roof instead and then up on the shed roof. We have to close them in at night because of coyotes, hawks, owls, bobcats, and such that love good, fat chickens. This morning he's in the garden, so he's still OK. I hope he adjusts to our flock, but I do have a possible home for him, if no one else claims him.

I'm including the photos of our chickens. The rooster is a Plymouth Rock. There are 5 Buff Orpingtons-the golden ones-5 Rhode Island Reds, and 2 Sex Links. They are all big hens and good egg layers.

Calendar Girls

Here is my interpretation of the February photo. It is done on hand painted tissue paper and appliqued in Ultrasuede. The link to the group is on the side bar.

Look who came to visit. There were 3 of them, but the time I found the camera and went outside, the first two were in the woods. I love living out here.