Saturday, June 8, 2013

So Long............


For those of you that have followed my chicken adventures, I have bad news and I have good news.

First the bad news.

My last surviving chicken is going to a new home today.

I love chickens but can not endure seeing another one killed.

If, ever, in the future I get more chickens, I will blog again !

The good news is that I will start a new adventure and a new blog.

Growing up Grandma, at http://gracefulgrandma.blogspot.com

Don't know how many grandmas read blogs but I will give it a try.

There are all kinds of mommy blogs, but where is the advice for the "re-moms" ?? *

I shall prove myself worthy, I hope, and let you know how it is going.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings.




*copyrighted word.

Monday, June 3, 2013

CLD


Was it fate that I called Gracie a freak of nature one day and the next day "nature" takes notice of her and destroys her?

It looks like a fox targeted her and since she couldn't run well or fly at all, she had no escape.

I can't tell you, gentle reader, how sad this makes me.

She had so many struggles and fought back like a trouper to beat every single one.

And then a stinking fox, in broad daylight, with my front door open and the dogs and cats running in and out, has the gall to make her a meal.

It is senseless.

The other chickens are fine. but they are just chickens.

At least today.

Gracie was that one chicken exception that makes caring for chickens NOT a chore.

I am overwhelmed with 'Chicken Loss Despair'.


Dadgummitt......




RIP sweet bird.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Frankenchicken............It Lives !!...................

While on vacation, I left my assorted animals in the capable care of family and friends.
It was a lovely vacation with no stress or worries about home and all the care a small city farm requires.

While on vacation, however, I did learn to worry about freaks of nature !!!!
Take for example.......GLOW IN THE DARK ROACHES they were developed in Florida!
Who thought that was a good idea?
Dark bodied roaches aren't terrifying enough??
Now I can see them crawling towards me on the wall in the middle of the night ??!.
Thanks science !

Did I ever worry that genetically modified food would/could rush towards me and demand sustenance ?
I ignorantly thought we are talking corn or wheat, not livestock !
Well it seems that I have been growing and caring for my very own genetically modified freak of nature !!
Her name is GRACIE.
Thanks science !



My helpful son called one night to let me know that she had grown quite large.
So large in fact that she had trouble getting in and out of her coop !
Well she IS a meat chicken.
Bred to grow fast, die young and be stupid in the mean time.
They rarely live past 2 or 3 months.
They grow so fast that their legs break or sprain under the stress of rapid growth OR they have heart attacks !
Their bodies just can't take it.
Old age is just not in the crystal ball for them.
PLUS they have tiny wings and few feathers.
Thanks science !

I rescued a Frankenchicken !!
A bird put together by science.

She likes being alive it seems and except for the bolts in her neck, her large heavy feet, awkward walk and a love of violin music she is doing quite well !
I kid.
She likes guitar music !!

Yes, my friends, while they rarely live long enough to lay eggs, Gracie is quite productive !

But by being a mutant, she never ceases to amaze me.

Day 1...Small, almost round egg.
Day 2...A bit bigger. more egg like.
Day 3...Nothing.
Day 4...Monster egg !!!

(see egg on left!!!)
Day 5...Normal egg.
Day 6...Shell-less egg !!!

(weirdest thing ever!!)

Since then I have gotten normal eggs from her, but boy did she have trouble getting started !!

So I ask myself........
What the heidi-ho is the 'meat' from these chickens doing to us/me/you ???
I shudder to think.
Thanks science !



“Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein


So thank-you once again for reading my blog.
Vacation is over and I am back at the farm again !
I would adore it if you would follow me or leave a comment !!!