Posts Tagged ‘chickens’

One thing I miss about those chickens…

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023

Chickens Come Calling – 2016

Yes.  Probably just one. (I definitely wasn’t meant to be a farmer person.) What I miss is that when it gets to be late in the day and I still haven’t written my blog and my mind has gone blank… there were always chicken antics.  Or chicken disasters.  Or chicken arguments.  They were a great source of inspirational (or not) blog material.

Swallow Clean-up Project – 2023

Now…  not so much as a cluck-cluck-cluck to set the computer keys a click-click-clicking. For a few weeks, the barn swallows’ nests on the front and back porches took up a little of the slack.  But, the the front porch trio seem to have fledged and flown without even a by-your-leave.  They were cute while they lasted but they’ve given me a fine mess to clean up — certainly not worth blogging about.  And Mr. and Mrs. on the back porch with their two-story nest have made bird-watching  and bird-blogging impossible.  Clever parents good blog material do not make.

Along The West Fence – July 2023

The garden is coming along but (sh! don’t let the flowers hear me), this year it’s one of those quiet, non-spectacular gardens — not much to really blog about.  Not like Slutvana and Little Red Hen and all the other ladies of the coop.  And certainly not like those cocky, scary roosters.

Do I want another flock?  Just a small one?  Not on your tintype!  I just want to bitch and moan…

 

Mr. Rooster’s Big Adventure

Monday, June 27th, 2022

Clean and Shiny Mr. Rooster On His Big Adventure

Mr. Rooster is a larger-than-life-sized ceramic chicken who has been sitting on our “porch table” since 2011 or so.  I can’t remember exactly how we came to have him but I think, originally, he belonged to our former neighbor Polly Friedlander.

Toward the end of her life, shortly after she had moved to a care facility on Bainbridge Island, her family and friends had an estate sale at her Oysterville House.  I think that’s where I first saw Mr. Rooster.  And, perhaps, he had a twin.  I’m not sure.

I have a vague notion that someone bought Mr. Rooster with Farmer Nyel in mind and, later, gave it to him.  (I also seem to remember that Nanci Main has the twin — but I’m a bit fuzzy on that part, as well.)  Suffice it to say that, over the years, Mr. Rooster has become the “paper weight” for cards and notes and all manner of drop-off items that people need to leave for us, or we for them.

So it was that when a friend recently told me she had “something” she’d leave on my porch table, I replied that I had something for her that I would leave there, also.  I tucked an invitation to Nyel’s Bon Voyage Party into an envelope, put it under Mr. Rooster, and thought nothing more about it.

Safe At Home In, Bow Tie and All

It was later that day that I heard someone out on the porch and came across my friend with Mr. Rooster in her arms.  She was full of apologies and it took a few minutes for me to sort out that when she saw the envelope with her name on it, carefully tucked under Mr. R, she thought I was gifting him to her.

So, she took him home, gave him a shower bath, tossed his “very dusty” ribbon in the trash and THEN opened the envelope to find the invitation.  Only then did the penny drop.  She had brought Mr. Rooster back, all clean-and-shiny, but without his ribbon.  A discussion ensued — she’d bring a fresh ribbon but, no, Nyel had put that old ribbon around Mr. R’s neck and please could he have it back, dust and all?

The next day the ribbon was back around his neck, fresh and crisp, having had a shower bath of its own!  Mr. Rooster has not commented on his adventure … so far.  But, I have definitely been made aware of my years of benign neglect.  I’ll try to do better in the future.  After all, he’s the only backyard chicken I have left.

Renaming Slutvana-for better or for worse?

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022

Just call me “Vanna” now! – 2022 in Seaview

If the oystershell telegraph — actually, in this case, the eggshell telegraph — is correct, Slutvana is undergoing a name change at her new home in Seaview.  It was reported to me recently that she is now being called “Vanna.” I wonder what she thinks about that.  And  will anyone notice that her Slavic roots (she is a Russian Orloff, after all) are no longer hinted at in her name.  You know… the “Slutvana, Svetlana” association.”

Lest you roll your eyes at the very idea of her understanding her name whether it be “Slutvana” or “Vanna,” be assured that chickens do, indeed, recognize their names in “human talk” and actually repeat them to one another — sans vowels!  Or so the experts in fowl language tell us.

Slutvana On The Prowl – 2019 in Oysterville

So, what will the impact of this change be to five-year-old Slutvanna?  So far, I have no data with respect to chickens on this question.  But here’s what one expert said regarding children:  “By the age of two or three, children do have a sense of identity and a name change could send mixed messages The child might ask himself, ‘Do you want to change me?’ Stability is very important for children and changing a name could create a lot of insecurity.”

I guess the big question is, how deeply do chickens ponder such things… or ANYthing, for that matter?  In Slutvana’s mind, was there any sort of connection between her behavior and her name?  Probably not.  So, the lesser question is, will her promiscuous behavior continue once the first part of her name is omitted?  I’m betting it will.  But you never can tell with chickens…

And now… greener grass for Slutvana!

Thursday, June 16th, 2022

The East Door – Where Slutvana waited.

She didn’t really say so — which is out of character for a Russian, even a Russian Orloff — but she was lonely.  Her hen friends had left her, one by one, each the victim of old age, until she was the only coop lady left.  She tried to talk to Farmer Nyel about it — came to the east door several times and waited patiently, looking through the window.  But Farm Nyel was too sick and, though I tried to explain that to Slutvana, she didn’t really want to hear it.

So, day before yesterday I called the local “Chicken Spa” — at least those who know the luxurious life led by Nancy Allen’s chickens refer to her place in those terms.  She came to the rescue right away and though Slutvana put up a little fuss — broke out of her box and headed into the rhododendrons and on down the lane — she soon succumbed to Nancy’s charms and they headed south to Seaview.

The Green, Green Grass of Slutvana’s New Home

“I gave her some ice water (“Spa!” I say!) when we got home,” Nancy told me later.  “She must have been hot in that box.”  She’s been in semi-isolation for a couple of days — seeing and being seen by the other ladies of Nancy’s flock, but not actually co-mingling yet.  Cate stopped by to see her in situ and said she looks great — cocky (if hens can look cocky) as usual.  Or maybe saucy is the operable word, though that may not be the best choice for a chicken, either!

I miss her — when I think of her.  But, truth to tell, right now that’s not as often or as timely as she requires.  I’m sorry to be out of the chicken biz, but there was never any doubt that they were Nyel’s girls, not mine.  One more big piece of my life that must be relegated to wonderful memories.  And perhaps I’ll think about the chicken book that Nyel was hopeful I’d write.  Maybe…  We’ll see.

Full of surprises is our Slutvana!

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Nyel with Slutvana’s (mis-shapen) egg

I read somewhere that common character traits of Russians (the people, that is) are, broadly speaking, generosity, resilience. and strength.  I cannot vouch, however, for those traits in Russian chickens — certainly not in Russian Orloffs and most assuredly not in our Slutvana.  Nor can I assert with any assuranee that Slutvana is a typical Russian Orloff or, for that matter, that Russian Orloffs (being chickens) bear any character resemblance to the Russian people, themselves.

Having said that, I would like to announce that Slutvana surprised the household and, indeed, the entire neighborhood, the other day by laying an egg!  YES!  We could’ve sworn that Slutvana’s egg-laying days were long over.  We haven’t seen one of her distinctive light-brown-oblongish-and-invariably-mishapen-eggs for months.  But last Thursday there one was — plunk in the middle of the north nestbox.  And since Slutvana now has the coop and all chicken accoutrements to herself, there can be no doubt as to the responsible party.

Slutvana Enjoys Her Reward!

Nyel sent her a grand reward — half an ear of corn.  Never mind that we had purchased four ears at Fred Meyer’s and had determined upon trying the first two that they were of ancient vintage — probably kept in cold storage since last summer’s harvest.  We set aside the other two for Slutvana and she laid that egg just in time for the corn to be given as a “thank-you.”

I doubt that she put two and two together, so to speak.  I’m not sure how good chickens are at understanding cause and effect in the first place.  And, even if they do, it’s probably a stretch to connect a half ear of fresh corn with a warm, freshly laid egg.  I did explain it to her, but she was already in corn-on-the-cob-heaven and could have cared less about how that came to be.

I know that because now it’s Wednesday and she has not repeated her performance.  Nor have we produced the other half of that ear of corn.  Maybe today…  One thing we do know: the age of the corn did not matter to Slutvana.  That’s definitely one thing you can tell about chickens (and corn) — it’s all good!

 

Blissful, Solitary Slutvana

Saturday, April 9th, 2022

Slutvana-the-Loner

We’ve probably all known girls like Slutvana.  Aloof.  Totally independent.  A bit pushy when she wants to be.  And the biggest flirt in the crowd.  Do the boys see through her?  See her for what she is? Who knows?  Most of those randy- rooster types don’t put a very fine point on proper behavior.

So, now that Slutvana has no competition in the coop, she seems quite content.  She still dashes out to be the first one to get scratch in the morning.  It takes her a minute or two to realize that there is no longer any competition, but even so she doesn’t linger over the morsels of corn.  Peck-and-gone! Peck-and-gone!  No use taking chances.

Slutvana at Work

It’s hard to tell if she really realizes that it’s just her and me now.  She isn’t kowtowing to me — not yet  When there were more chickens she’d come to me immediately — treats be damned — and “assume the position” in deference to my alpha (apparently male) status.  Never mind that it didn’t get her anywhere.  Those Russian Orloffs are bred to be submissive, apparently.

Slutvana on Patrol (“No new chickens in MY coop!”)

Well… yuck! to that.  And I’m not even tempted to find her a rooster.  We’ve had more than our share of bad luck with roosters.  Several people have offered but I can’t really think that they have either Slutvana or their struttin’ cock-o-the-walk foremost in mind.  I say that because I say, “No thank you regarding the rooster, but we’d gladly give Slutvana to you and your handsome chanticleer.”  So far: end of conversation.

But lest you warm-and-fuzzy chicken lovers worry, as does my friend Nancy, that lone chickens “don’t thrive,” don’t waste your time with Slutvana.  I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts laying again.  You never can tell with chickens, you know. Those backyard fowl can really be quite foul!

 

Goodbye to Little Red Hen

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

Nyel with Little Red Hen, 2012

Last night
Oh so lightly
She was breathing
Nestled among the cedar shavings
On the coop floor.

That she knew
Farmer Nyel was home
I have no doubt.
Chickens know more things
Than you would think.

Nyel and Little Red Hen

Nyel raised her
From a fluffy ball of yellow
And for ten years
They had a special bond,
Little Red Hen and Nyel.

I brought her to the house
So they could say “goodbye.”
Slutvana came, too —
Maybe for treats.

It’s often hard to tell with chickens.

From the O-zones: O’ville & Oz! Days 17/18

Sunday, March 27th, 2022

Little Red Hen – Sunday Morning 3/27/22

If you’d have told me that I’d be writing on this day about…  but wait!  Let me start at the beginning.

When I went down to let the girls out and give them their morning treat, I found Slutvana pacing back and forth along the inside of the chicken wire fence, as usual, clucking noisily: “You’re late!  You’re late! You’re late!”  Little Red Hen, on the other hand was just standing there, beak to fence — not moving, not blinking.  I opened the gate, threw some scratch into the Cypress Garden and off went Slutvana like a shot (as usual.)  Little Red Hen remained, beak to fence — not moving.

I went back to the treat bin and brought her some meal worms (just for her) asking what was the matter and how could I help.   She expressed no interest — not in the meal worms and not in my worried questions.  She didn’t move a muscle or ruffle a feather.  Was she  sick?  Was she missing Farmer Nyel?  As you know, it’s always hard to tell with chickens.

Little Red Hen and Farmer Nyel In Plummier Days

I talked to her for a while, trying to reassure her that Nyel is in a specially designed coop for Farmer people who don’t feel well and that he’s slowly getting better.  I told her maybe he’d even be home by the end of the week…  Still she didn’t move.

So then I did what any good Chicken Farmer’s wife would do… I called Nyel, explained the situation and asked if he would talk to Little Red Hen if I held the phone to her ear.  Which he did when I did.  And that’s the part that never in my wildest dreams would I have anticipated doing…

She did move her eye toward the phone.  Just once.  Then she went back into the land of Catatonia.  Did she hear her beloved Farmer?  I don’t know.  What is her status now?  Again… I don’t know.  I haven’t yet had the courage to go see. I do believe in miracles, even among chickens, and I am surely hoping for one now.  Stay tuned.

Once A Slut, Always A Slut…

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

Perhaps Slutvana thinks I look like this rooster?

I’ve had trouble in the past being mistaken for an alpha male rooster, but only by actual alpha male roosters who were so cocky they didn’t even get that I didn’t have feathers.  Or wattles.  Or a comb.  And since I wasn’t equipped with claws and spurs, I didn’t accept any challenges; I just boxed up my rival(s) and headed for the poultry auction.

But, for the last few days, our Russian Orloff hen has been “assuming the position” and offering herself to me when I go out to greet the girls in the morning.  She even lets Little Red Hen get a head start on the scratch that I scatter, hunkering hopefully by my feet and waiting… FOR WHAT?!?

Click, Clack and the Head Cluck – 2012

It is true that long before Slutvana — in fact it was our first introduction to chickens — we were “adopted” by two stray, very young Leghorn roosters.  They would “work” along side me in the garden;  I think that my red hat must have confused them into thinking I was a relative.  But they never acted as though I were a potential lady friend.

Of course, no one said that Slutvana is the brightest biddy in the coop.  “Can you not see that I have no feathers?” I ask her.  “Do I really LOOK like a rooster?  And just how horny are you, anyway?”

None of my questions seem to make her question her behavior.  Somehow, the boss is the boss is the alpha male.  At least when your name is Slutvana.  And, of course, we named her that for a reason.  She was introduced to the coop as a young pullet when we happened to have two very randy roosters in residence.  (Actually all roosters are randy and should be so named.)  Of all the girls we had then, and there were “quite a many” (as my mom would say), most avoided constant attention from the guys.  But not Slutvana.  Oh no.  Not Slutvana.

Slutvana

Perhaps some of my readers are under the misapprehension that hens need roosters to produce eggs.  That, of course, is not true.  To produce fertilized eggs which can hatch into chicks, yes.  But hens need no help from the male of the species to produce plain old everyday (don’t we wish!) eggs.  I’ve spoken to both Slutvana and Little Red about this since they’ve stopped laying. Somehow, though, I think the Russian Orloff has her wires crossed.  YIKES!

 

True Confessions of a CF*s Wife

Friday, February 18th, 2022

Nyel and Little Red Last Summer

*Chicken Farmer

Much as I hate to admit it, I have recently realized that my chicken duties as the wife of Farmer Nyel have become tiresome, burdensome and some other things, as well.  I place no blame on the Farmer and only a little on the chickens.  Mostly, it’s the time of year and the weather.

Between the autumnal and vernal equinoxes — roughly September 21st to March 21st — when daylight hours are diminished, my  chicken duties come at impossible times — during the busy part of my morning and (would you believe) right during the evening cocktail hour.  If I don’t forget one or the other, I can assure you that my mood is never enhanced by remembering.  Not a good attitude for the wife of a Chicken Farmer who, through no fault of his own, has had to give up his chicken duties.  Especially when it’s raining and his wheelchair tends to mire down in the sog.

Slutvana and LRH Wait On the East Porch

I do succumb to pressure (chicken pressure) and let the girls out to “free range” if the forecast is for under 10% rain.  Not always reliable, but I do feel guilty and they ALWAYS want out of their quarters — even if  a bit reluctantly during those snowy days.

The other part about letting them out is the habit they developed of hanging out on the east porch, waiting for Farmer Nyel to open the door and give them meal worms and other treats.  Nyel (or so he says) felt sorry that I periodically had to brave the sop and bluster and hose off that porch where the chickens waited patiently (and to no avail) day after day.

“They’ll forget about the treats if I don’t show up,” he assured me.  That was before Christmas.  And still they arrive each mid-morning (that I let them out) and there they sit until the cocktail hour…  Which brings me back to Jackie Polzin and her book brood in which she states that chickens have no memory and that by the time a snowflake hits the ground from on high, chickens have forgotten that it’s snowing.  I’m here to tell you  (and Farmer Nyel) that Little Red Hen and Slutvana have remembered for months (at least two) that Farmer Nyel brings treats to the east porch if they wait long enough and leave enough calling cards.

In April 2019

And, finally… it’s the no eggs business that puts me over the edge.  Since mid-May of 2020 when Snowwhite went toes up, the two remaining girls have produced fewer that two dozen  eggs between them and none at all since last July 21st.  They are probably just too old — each of them probably well beyond the five or six year average age for chicken productivity.  Realizing that they are old, as am I, just increases my feelings of guilt.  Perhaps I need to come to grips with the idea of a Long Term Care Facility for Chickens which is, after all, what we seem to have.

Bottom Line:  I’ll be glad when the days are longer and dryer and the girls can reunite with Farmer Nyel.  Then maybe the Chicken Farmer’s Wife will be less grumpy.