Daily observations of my simple life.

One little chick:

Saturday morning I went out to feed the chickens and peacocks and checked the little nest. There was an empty eggshell. Lifting the hen I found one little chick, black with a yellow spot. I think it is an aracana so if it is a girl it will lay green or blue eggs. My little hen Missy who I got at the swap meet last spring has layed a beautiful medium sized green egg every day since I got her. More than enough eggs for me. I guess that's why I always stick extra eggs under my little silkies whenever they get broody.

Last winter when I had feed delivered I found the delivery guy quite interesting. He lived on 160 acres in the mountains and was a real independent sort. We got to talking about International Scouts and chickens. He liked my Scout I have parked out close to the front of my property. My son brought it over to me and I had him park it like that because it seems in the desert everyone has to have at least 3 or 4 old cars parked on their property. My Scout makes me a respectable desert dweller. Sooo--- the delivery fellow and I talked Scouts and chickens . He has many of both. I asked if he had any chickens to sell as I only had a rooster and two hens. The hens didn't lay so they were just pets. He said, "Would you take silkies?"  I guess because they are so broody and set all the time, people don't want them or something, but I said, " Sure." A week later I came home from town and found 6 little fluffy chickens in my pen. Two roosters and 4 hens. Don't know exactly how many chickens I have now but they just keep settin. I've given chickens to my neighbor too.  My chickens are free range. I love seeing them busy darting about and scratching. The silkies are so cute and fluffy.

After I saw the little chick I went into the house with some chicken scratch and ground it in my coffee grinder. I took two lids and put mash in one and water in another and took it out to the chicken box, which happens to be a small dog carrier. Now mama can teach her chick to eat. Wonder if I will have anymore hatch?

I hadn't gone to the mountains the night before because the air was so balmy with wispy breezes. I thought of sleeping in my camper and I thought of the huge bull who was wandering the area last time I was up there. Ah, I'll just sleep here on the veranda under the stars.

My neighbor called and so we went out to eat breakfast and go to the swap meet. The chit chat was nice and later at the swap meet it was fun winding our way from booth to booth. I bought some paint for my tall fence. $20 for 5 gal. to start the undercoat. Plan to paint a mountain mural on after so I can look at more mountains. There was an artist there who was making Indian and animal wall hangings out of metal. They were painted and had a special glaze on them that made them look like they were fired. Really beautiful and so reasonable. I bought two. Sigh. I have a hard time hanging on to my money at the swapmeet, for sure.

After I got home the couple who contacted me through freecycle showed up to pick up the dryer. So glad to be getting stuff out of my garage. They had come over 50 miles to pick up the dryer. They were hoping to find a rural place to live and admired the chickens and the peacocks. I showed them the chic.

I just got inside the door when my daughter called and said, "We're having a barbeque, come on up" So I did. I used that drive to take the fireplace set to the lady who wanted it on freecycle. More stuff out of the garage.

Had barbequed chicken and visited with the family and then headed home after a busy long day. Slept outside again so balmy, full moon, like day out. By morning it was getting cold so came in to sleep inside.

Couldn't see if there were any more chicks this morning when I went out to feed. I guess I will have to lift her up with a stick to see what's under her. Saw the little black chick, peep, peep, peep.

Posted by: cactusandquail at 16:59 | link | comments (1)

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#1  10 September 2004 - 01:26

 

Liked reading about your life in the desert.

Mine is yet to start, still working on details before I can move.

Wayne WA2YNE

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