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Here A Chick; There A Chick

My conversation with Mountain Man the other night.

“You know every where I walk, there are a bunch of birds.”

“I noticed.” (More Mountain Man Yankee speak.)

It didn’t seem like there were so many this summer when they were locked up in their Poultry Palace run due to a resident fox but now that the fox has moved on and the birds are free ranging again, it’s hard not to notice them.

The other day I was sitting in our bedroom and I heard “knock, knock, knock.” The dogs started raising a racket and I went to answer the door but no one was there. As soon as I sat down again, “knock, knock, knock.” This time, I looked out the bathroom window and what did I find? Seven naughty geese pecking at the house. If you’ve had geese, then you’ll know that they try to taste everything. And I guess the taste of Mountain Man’s wood must be delicious because they’ve taken up residence by our house.

In the field by Mountain Man’s log splitting station, turkeys and guineas roam. When I look at them I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing they are my very own hatchlings I’ve known since they were eggs. (It’s okay, I know I’m kind of strange about my animals.)

But I don’t think Mountain Man would be too thrilled to see my guineas taking over the wood splitting station he just built.

Lift the branches of any shurb and you’ll find my Cochin chickens. These birds are HUGE. They actually come up to my knees. Another thing I’ve learned about Cochins is that they are a tight knit group. You’ll always find them together and they wouldn’t be caught dead hanging out with the other chickens.

They also like to nest under the pines.

Some birds still prefer hanging out at the Poultry Palace like these two Nekkid Necks and a Speckled Sussex.

The new hens are starting to lay eggs. What are we going to do with so many eggs? Share them with friends, neighbors and the Food Bank.

One of my favorite birds is my peacock. These are incredibly friendly and inquisitive birds. He’s starting to develop more green in his plumage. (I don’t know it’s a he but I’m hoping.)

And when I rattle the treat jar (dried worms), he comes running.

I could go on showing you more pictures of birds all over the place and really, it’s kind of incredible seeing these birds out enjoying life and interacting with them. Even more incredible is that at sunset, they all head to the barn. I guess chickens really do come home to roost.

Are you wondering what Mountain Man thinks about my feathered friends? When he takes Lilly, our German Shepherd, out with him to do farm chores, he always tells her “Those are your Mother’s birds. They’re part of the family now.”

Thanks one and all for visiting us. We appreciate the time you spend on Red Pine Mountain. Enjoy your weekend!