chicken feathers

pet blessing

I have a lot to catch up on, I know.  Before I get to that, I just have to share today's event.

Our kids go to a Catholic school and one of their activities is a yearly pet blessing.  Families are welcome to bring their pets to the playground where we sing a few songs, listen to a few scriptures, the pets are blessed by the priest and then we pack up our assorted furry creatures and head home.  While we've been at this school for a few years now, this was my first pet blessing attendance.  At the kids' request I brought a chicken.  

Yes, a chicken.

Anna asked that I bring Rudy.  To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure who Rudy was so when it came time to load up the lady I had Rhett come out with me and point her out.  He told me in a very serious and somewhat warning voice, "Rudy is verrrrry fast!"  Dang it, he was right!  After he watched me chase her around the coop a few times he said, "Mr. Easy to Catch is slower."  He pointed her out to me and dang it, he was right!  I grabbed her, plopped her into the cage and waddled my way to the van.  I had to flip the back seats down to get the cage to fit and as I was sliding the CHICKEN INTO MY CAR I couldn't help but laugh.  If I wasn't a mom before, I certainly was now.  Who else stuffs poultry into their minivan to go to a pet blessing?  A mom whose kid with wide, pleading eyes asked me to, that's who.

So now Mr. Easy to Catch (who is a Ms., by the way) has been blessed.  I'm expecting double eggs from her now.

The poulet transport.

chickies

We have new family members!  We recently added 6 chicks to our zoo.  These puffballs are replacing the late Skippy, Marley, and Auntie Katie.  The original trio's demise was swift and gorey due to a move to a unsecured coop at the new house combined with a hungry raccoon.  It was a nasty affair. 

But, hope springs eternal this time of year so off to the feed store we went to procure our new brood.  They currently reside in a wire cage in our dining room, entertaining us with their peeps and pecking and flapping around.  They are also equipped with an excellent alarm system.  I can tell within seconds if Rhett has picked the lock and is diving for chicks.  The shrill peeeeeeeeps give him away every time. 

As the chicks add bulk daily, Russell is feeling strong motivation to build their new coop.  The site is leveled, plans are drawn and supplies purchased.  We just need to finish building a few more raised beds...and will all this help he should be done in no time!

Raised bed construction

The idea for the coop is pretty swell.  The coop will be on the lower level - the mezzanine, if you will.  And the upper level or penthouse will be a fort for the small non-feathered members of our family.  The kids have been very interested in the planning part of this project and have offered many of their own ideas.  Here's a couple:

Anna

Grant

I have a feeling the reality of the project will be a bit disappointing.