Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Chick Pick'n

It felt like a normal morning.
Time outside with the dogs...
chatting on my Etsy Forum,
posting here yesterday.

And then it changed.
Georgia popped by and we were chatting.
As she went to leave I suggested she peek
in on the chicks...in the tub...in the garage...
with their momma.

Then it seemed kind of dark for them so 
I suggested that we should carry the tub
out back so they could enjoy some sunshine.

After getting the tub outside and onto a 
table I began to worry that some 
predator might be able to move the 
screen and get into the tub.

That led to a decision to see if I could catch
and move the rooster who lived in the 
side of our chicken house where we wanted to 
put the momma and chicks.

I began the process on my own.
Georgia, who had gone to her house
came back out to ask a question and 
got into more than she bargained for.
I cannot tell you how often this happens
to the dear woman.
Being near me is a bit like being near
a hurricane.  
Scary, really.

So there we were.
I had climbed into the chicken yard...
in my bare feet, in a long skirt.
Turns out chickens are short and the 
spiders have spread webs all across
the top of the chicken wire.
Uggh!

But after I got over that.....
I began cornering the rooster.
He was pretty fast and kept 
getting away from me.

Finally he went into the coop
where after two tries
Georgia nabbed him.

She held him capably while 
I climbed back out of the pen.
You have no idea what a feat this was.
The door to this pen is high.
Not to the ground.
You literally have to climb up and over,
through a very small door.
I'm not small.
But, I did it!
((insert cheeky grin here))

I then opened the other coop and
my city raised Mother in Law
put that rooster in as if she had been 
doing it her whole life.
(If you don't count the screams from both of us)

Oh, how funny.
But this meant that we just had one hen 
who is sitting on a pile of eggs left on this 
side of the coop.

Perfect.

Time to move the Momma and her babies
into their new home.

We opened the wire top
carefully...
but even so one of the chicks
popped out and was chased under the coops
by my very helpful pup, Bandit.

There was no time to waste,
we had to get the rest into the coop.
So there I was "Chick Pick'n!"
when Georgia remembered she was supposed to 
be at an appointment.
She ran off....

So, after moving the remaining seven 
chicks into the coop with momma
I waited and waited for number eight to pop
back out from under the coop so I could give
him back to his momma.

He didn't show up.
I tried not to panic.
The Momma was clucking and clucking.
She was worried, 
I just knew it.

After a while I looked in and thought there
seemed to be a lot of chicks in there.
Lo and behold they were ALL there!
Eight little chicks
happy as could be.

That is one benefit and danger to them 
being so stinkin' tiny.
That little bugger found a bitty hole and 
returned to his momma all on his own.

Want to meet the chicken family?
Here they are....

Love that medicated chick mash!

O.k. Momma, what will we learn today?

I wouldn't mess with us!

I love breakfast!

Momma mentor....

Always on the go!


So, there you have it.
A snapshot of the craziness that
I call life. I embrace it.
Love it. Would get so bored any
other way!

17 comments:

Tracy said...

Too bad you didn't have video of the entire ordeal...I'd love to watch! Teehee!

Vee said...

You told that so well that I'm a little worried about you. Are you always so impetuous? Ha! The chicken family looks very happy and soon there'll be eggs all over the place? Is that the plan?

Becky K. said...

Tracy...a video would likely make us some money...but alas...it was all a bit too fly by the seat of my pants. Yes, Vee, I do tend to go with the flow...a bit too much.

We were pleased to have all of the chicks survive this time around. Last year we lost too many to the rooster's meanness so we took them out as soon as they hatched and let this broody hen raise them. Much better.

We do enjoy the eggs most of the year. We've not been eating them lately, though....do NOT enjoy surprises in our eggs.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

You are crazy - but fun! hee hee!

Your chickies are so cute! Glad you got them moved!

Deanna

Anonymous said...

Hilarious!! (Thanks for the laugh!) Those pics are just too cute!

Melissa G said...

Good job! They are so cute!
What kind of chickens are they? Geoff and I would like to get chickens some time but I feel so clueless about them.

Becky K. said...

We have silkies. They are known by the feathers on their legs and feet. So very cute!

Sue Runyon said...

Great story. We'd really like to have some hens, but have to wait until we settle down somewhere.

sammysgrammy said...

sounds like one of those serials that leave you on the edge of your seat...........can't wait for the next installment.

Theresa said...

What a sweet post! I was raised on a farm and it took me back to those days when I was a little girl! Chickies everywhere!

Have a blessed day my friend, loving life here too!

krafterskorner said...

Cute! I would love to have chickens someday. For now we buy free range fresh eggs from a local farmer.

Tricia said...

What fun!! Love the chickie pictures...they are way too cute!! btw...don't think I'd appreciate surprises in my egg either.

PJ @ Planned in Pencil said...

LOL, the visual I have from this is fantastic! Love you Hurricane Becky!

Barb said...

Well, Becky, you are original!! Guess that is one of the things I like about you. You are YOU!

You need to write professionally. You are very good.

Barb ♥

Becky K. said...

Barb, I could just run right down to FL and hug you for that compliment!

Elena said...

Wow, what an adventure!! The chick are just adorable!

Kelly said...

You are so funny! Never a dull moment with you around and laughter is the best medicine and always makes people feel good, that's why it's so great to be around you.

By the way, is Beau back now that Georgia is?