And Then There Were Six

We lost another chicken last night. Apparently Pookie went to bed outside of the coop. When Dave went out to tuck them in (read-shut the coop door), he couldn't find Pookie. After returning with a head lamp he found her. I don't know what likes to eat chickens around here. The last chicken that got eaten was almost completely devoured. This time not so much. Maybe Dave scared the predator from it's prey. Who knows! I am thinking that is was a possum, raccoon or a weasel. I hope that it had a good meal and doesn't return.

Poor Pookie. She had always not quite belonged. After a brief hawk attack a couple of weeks ago in which a few tail feathers were lost, I thought that she was sticking closer to the gang. I guess not. We'll miss you Pookie! The girls already do. I awoke to them calling and cackling together this morning. It sounded like they were having church, but in a testifying chicken sort of a way.

It is never easy to lose a chicken, but somehow the pain is a bit less with each one that passes. I can't beat myself up with "what ifs". Surprisingly there are many. They are chickens. They live in nature. We don't want to keep them cooped up all of the time. That is the point of free range! This might be the price that we pay every now and then. We won't stop keeping chickens. We love them too much. Their eggs are delicious and their ways relaxing. To watch them peck and scratch is a lot of fun. When they fight to eat out my hand, I am always awed.

Rest in peace Pookie. We'll see you where the grass is always greener.

The Girls

I can never get enough of my girls and I finally got a couple of closer pics. They are a bit camera shy, so I gave them some spoiled milk and rice. They do like it, but not quite as much as homemade tomato soup! They had the pleasure of eating the soup when Dave couldn't finish his bowl. Here they are...

Hasn't Pickle grown!! She is in the forefront here. She is so cute and the Girls really so love her. Edith is the black chicken on the left. She is starting to show some shades of green sheen on her feathers. So pretty!

Jemima, left, Atta Girl, right

Daisy, they grey quacker and Pickle in the background

Here is Pickle showing up the girls in front of the camera. She was strutting her stuff.

I just peeked out to check on them and they are in my tomatoes. It is definitely a favorite spot for them. Yesterday I looked out and thought that I saw them all under a bush. I was trying to find Pickle when I realized that there was another bird outside with them. It was bigger than Pickle but smaller than The Girls. I stepped outside for a closer look. A young hawk was sitting outside with them!!!! It didn't seem to be bothering them. I am thinking that their conversation went something like this:

Hawk: Hey Ladies!

The Girls: Hey....

Hawk: There anything good to eat around here?

The Girls: Yeah, but look out for the rats. We killed one this week.

Hawk: Rats?!?! I am definitely at the right place!

The Girls: Just don't pay attention to us, there is plenty for everyone, except rats.

It flew off when I walked toward them. Or should I say that it glided away. Literally. It was beautiful. I have seen it since apparently hunting small rodents. I hope that it catches the chipmunks so that I don't have to! You are welcome here Hawk. Just don't get a taste for chicken!

The Babies

Everyone has been wanting to see the new girls. They were babies to us when you put them beside our girls. Here they are. Pickle is on the left and Lemon is on the right.

This is just before we put them into their new home.

Dave really does love the chickens. Can't you see it?

Our girls were not sure what to do with the little ones. They shunned them and pecked them, but not hard. I can't blame the girls. In one day we took away the six boys, who were hard to catch, and added two little ones. They seemed to tolerate each other after a day or so.

Sadly, we lost Lemon last Saturday. I think that she was sick when got her. The stress of the move plus picking up some illness did it for her. We loved you Lemon!!

That day the girls adopted Pickle. Edith literally rounded Pickle up into the group. Atta Girl slept with her for a couple of nights before she started sleeping on the top roost with everyone else. They share their treats with her. They love Pickle and so do we. We are so glad and proud of them.

Pickle has grown in the last two weeks. I treated all of the girls with some medication just in case what Lemon had they all had. The combo of the meds, a good home and some good food seem to be working wonders on her. And apparently I just grow huge chickens. I need to get another picture of all the girls together. They are so fun! once the mosquitoes are gone I will be out there all of the time just watching them. Want to join me?

Let Them Eat Cake!

The chickens love being outside. They are starting to really explore the yard. Here is Trace followed by Edith, Xena, Hunca Munca, Daisy, Elroy, and Hyacinth.

Jemima and Trace pecking away. This is the good life!

I fought to keep them out of my tomatoes for a long time. One day I decided to let them have their cake and eat it too. They seem to be addicted and strangely attracted to my tomato plants. I have a hard time keeping them away. It is mostly because of these two instigators~ Elroy and Trace. Here they are having almost eaten a whole green tomato.

Here is the view from above. Another fellow has joined them. Mind you, they have to jump up and down to reach this tomato. They don't mind. Bring on the challenge! After devouring this one they have been jumping trying to get one that is even higher up the vine. Oh, my! What have I done?

Most everyone sticks together. These girls and boys are hanging out eating my squash and enjoying the shade from their leaves.

What naughty chickens! I still shoo them away. I try anyway. I can't blame them for liking the good stuff. I might have to fence in my veggies. I don't want to. We'll see how long I can take it.

Stay tuned..... they move into the coop soon!

Chickens are Legal in Roswell!

Hooray! Chickens are legal in Roswell! My newfound chicken loving friend Andrew has been in this battle for a while. The judge is officially ruling next week, but we already know the verdict. Check out the article in the AJC. Andrew has been a great help in my chicken hatching and raising experience, lending me the egg turner, sharing knowledge, and currently helping me nurse my sick chicky and treating my others. Whew! Way to go Andrew! I am off to celebrate with the chicken loving folks.

I will have more updates later today. Wuella is hanging in there. I am trying to increase her feedings per day to increase strength. It is not unlike a newborn baby, trying to feed her every two hours. So far she is still fighting.

Stay tuned...