Things I like to compost

1.  fruit and veggie scraps
2.  leaves
3.  dryer lint
4.  hair/fur (human/cat)
5.  egg shells
6.  dried out lawn clippings
7.  weeds from garden
8.  coffee grinds and filters
9.  used tea bags
10.  napkins/paper towels
11. old cotton socks
12.  wool yarn ends

Stuck Inside.

It is a beautiful day and I'm stuck inside with a nose dripping like a faucet.  Seriously, it's a little scary--I'm sure I'm inches away from severe dehydration at this point.  I always thought people were sort of wimpy when they didn't go out because of allergies but I take it all back. I understand now.
On an unrelated note, my cat who is locked in the basement (so he eats more slowly and doesn't throw up) is trying to get out of the cat door right now with the force of a full grown man, make that two grown men.  What in the world!?!  I wish I had a video.  Really, it's only been like a half hour, kitty!

GROWING AND GROWING!

Chicken Coop Nearly Finished

Whew!  Coop nearly finished.  All that is needed are 2 latches, 1 roosting pole, and flowers for the window box.  Coop constructed from damaged lumber pack from Lowe's (plywood, all the framing wood and we have LOTS leftover), free pallet wood, leftover shingles and tar paper, $10 window from thrift store, and $10 roll of discounted fencing!  What a fun, thrifty project (prob cost around $150 total) and I love how it turned out.  The chicks went out for about 20 minutes into the run and they seemed to love it!  They are really trying out their wings and vying for the spot at the top of the pecking order.  I got my sneaker pooped on too.  Big day out for the girls!

Crazy Mom/Not Dead Chicks

As a newbie to raising chickens, I have observed a few things about my chicks that I wasn't prepared for by reading the care manuals.   Chick behavior can tend to be alarming to a new chicken mom, for sure!  For the first week I was constantly "pretty sure" that my chicks were knocking at death's door--but in the end they were only doing what chicks do.

   The first thing I noticed that concerned me and I wasn't prepared for is that chicks fall asleep and look really dead.  They might just wobble drunkenly and then drop over--or worse, you might find them sprawled all out with their little, teeny heads lulled to the side (very dead looking).  Luckily, just before I finished planning the  poor chicken's memorial service I checked to see if she was still breathing.  Whew! just sleeping--no need for alarm.  Cancel the bagpipe player!

     The second thing I learned is that just because a tiny piece of a bird poo gets stuck to their hiney does not mean that they are pasted up.  I think my poor chicks endured a lot of unnecessary butt cleanings because I was convinced they were pasted up and near death.  Just keep checking to make sure that they are not building up droppings--a lot of times the other birds will take care of this poo for you or else the droppings are, in fact, not covering their vent at all.  Cancel the flower arrangements!

     Also, some chicks are just naturally smaller and some days a chick will sleep more than the others (for the time that you are watching them).    Every once and a while a chick just does something weird--like list to the side.  It's probably not an avian stroke--they might just be scratching their wing on the the  pole they are roosting on.  (Sheepish grin, my husband was absolutely right when he said "You're a little crazy--the chicks are fine")

     In the end, I must admit I'm not in control of whether they live or die.  I can care for them the best I know how and must leave the rest up to the one who made them.  He knows better than me, that's for sure!   He decides how long they will be with me.  I'm so thankful for the fact that they are healthy and happy (I'm pretty sure they're happy--I know I'm happy)! 

First Chicks Arrive!

The post office called at 1:00 on Wednesday afternoon and I nearly fainted because I knew what would be waiting for me!  I had been planning, dreaming, waiting for this day for months.  The brooder light was on and warming up my brooder (storage container) to a toasty 95 degrees.  We hopped in the truck and were on on way!  Opening the door to the post office we were greeted by the sound of chirps.  I shakily signed for my peeping package and walked back to the truck.  I had to take a peek!  They were so cute.  When we brought them home I dipped each little beak into the water to "teach" them how to drink.  They tilt their little heads back and drink the much needed water.  I count my chicks...1,2,3,4,5,6.......7.  SEVEN!  They sent an extra chick.  I try not to dwell long about why the company did this--they just wanted to send me an extra, right!?!  All chicks seem happy and healthy.   What a blessing!