Music Monday - Summertime, and chicken update

It was so hot this weekend, and yesterday that I couldn't bear to be in the west-facing studio much, and I totally forgot to post my Monday entry. This seems apropos...

We're not as record-breaking/heat-advisorying hot today, although it's still warmer than I'd like.

Remind me I said that this weekend when it's supposed to be rainy and chilly yet once again...

In the meantime, the chickens are enjoying the sun and the grazing and the bugs... They're latest devastating discovery? The cucumber patch... drat.

Here would be the camera-shy babies - who are now over 3 months old and beginning to fill out a bit. (In all its ironies... I tried acquiring three distinctly colored hens - but alas. They are turning out remarkably similar in over all color).

I despair of them ever being able to grow tail-feathers however - the evil hens still harange them no end...

(evil hen #1 herself... She may not be long for this world at this rate... At least not long for this yard!)

Music Monday - plus evil chicken update

Loreena  McKennitt has been on my mind of late. This is possibly my very favorite piece of hers....

This depiction of connection to the earth makes me nearly teary...

In my own earth-fowl-connection, things remain very exciting... Possibly too exciting.

 The chicks are now out of their hutch full time, but the integration with the older evil hens is a bit fraught with peril and much squawking. When they are all in the coop together the big girls terrorize the babies (see them all huddling in the corner in the circle on the photo on the right? They spend a great deal of time trying to hide).(Jack the Wonderdog is very solicitous and concerned for the welfare).

So, when the babies' screeching wakes me up early in the morning, I go let the big girls out to range and lock them out of the coop so that the babies can have their day in relative peace.

The one disadvantage to the older hens being out all day is that they find some super-sekrit place to lay their eggs out in the yard. After looking for their hiding spot for a couple of days I decided to ask Jack where the eggs were. Amazing-Wonderdog that he is, he took me right to them (which happened to be tucked behind the bamboo teepee next to the rain barrel. Would never have found them on my own!)

Hopefully integration will happen soon and there will be a happy little flock, else there might be some stewing chickens for dinner....