Changes in attitudes......

Well, we are averaging about 2 eggs a day from our laying ladies. I suspect we will be getting more soon. We have noticed some behavioral changes with the chickens lately. Usually chickens are kind of like cats, they are fine with you holding them, its just you need to go get them....and depending on the time of day, that can sometimes be difficult.

Now, if you get close to a few of the chickens and make a sudden move, they will drop to the ground and assume the mating position. This position caught me off guard at first. The chickens will squat with their tail feathers in the air, spread their wings a little bit and not move. So some of the chickens that were once challenging to pick are now easy to get......VERY INTERESTING.

Good for the kids.....

Raising chickens has been a wonderful experience for us. To see them grow from one day old chicks to egg laying hens is amazing. It has also been a learning experience for our children. They are excited every morning to go let the chickens out of their coop and even more excited now that there is an occasional egg in the nest for them to bring inside. Much like a horse or cows, tending to livestock brings you closer to nature. You get to see the sun rise and the sun set. You can feel the cool breeze and hot humidity as you care for your outdoor pets. I am quite sure my children will remember these times their  whole life. I am glad to be a part of it......

At last!!!!!!! An EGG!

That's right! We finally got an egg from one of our chickies! We know exactly which one too. Her name is Misty and she is the Dekalb Aberlink (white, Foghorn-Leghorn looking chicken). She is very friendly and a pleasure to hold. She is very "talkative" when you hold her. We noticed lately that when you reach down to pick her up, she would squat down to the ground and stick her tail in the air. Definitely some sort of mating position. We also noticed her sitting in the nest a few days ago, which none of the chickens has done yet. We knew it was just a matter of time. I went out to check yesterday around 10:00 a.m. and there it was! Funny thing is, I just checked the nest before typing this blog and we have ANOTHER EGG! WooHoo! (Oh yeah, the golf ball is there in hopes of showing them where to lay the eggs....)

Why not go vegetarian

Feeling crappy all the time? No energy? Ready for some new foods? Here is an article I found that hits the nail on the head. There is so much negativity regarding vegetarianism. Even if you don't do it for the animal rights reasons, maybe you could do it for the health benefits. See below:



By Neal Barnard

Q: After experimenting with vegetarian eating for a while, I'm ready to go full-time. What's the best way?

A: There's never been a better time to switch to a totally meatless diet. Grocery stores and restaurants have more meatless products and more types of fruits and veggies than ever. And once you've started, you'll almost certainly feel better, shed unwanted pounds and improve your health. But if simply taking the first step seems daunting, here's a way to make it easy.

1. Think of three dishes you already eat regularly that happen to be vegetarian—perhaps spaghetti marinara, vegetable stir-fry, bean burritos, lentil soup, vegetable stew, hummus with pita bread.
2. Think of three meals you like that could easily be made meatless. A meat-filled lasagna transforms into a spinach lasagna. Beef fajitas effortlessly become vegetable fajitas filled with saut�ed peppers, onions, beans, rice and guacamole. Chicken curry readily converts to a hearty vegetarian curry.
3. Select a few new vegetarian dishes you'd like to try. Browse the recipes at vegetariantimes.com, and experiment. Try stuffed winter squash, black bean enchiladas, eggplant manicotti, pan-grilled portobellos, avocado sushi, grilled polenta with asparagus smothered in spicy tomato sauce—you name it. Once you've found three new main dishes you like, you're set. You now have nine meals that you enjoy and that happen to be vegetarian and healthful. That's more than enough to keep you going for a while.

Q: Is it better to go cold turkey or ease into it? Will my body react to the change in my diet? Will it even "rebel" by craving meat?

A: Some people prefer to change their diets gradually. However, just as jumping into a swimming pool lets you get used to the water faster than easing in inch by inch, jumping into a new diet helps your taste buds adjust faster. If you have ever switched from whole milk to nonfat, you know that the lighter variety tastes odd at first. But within a week or two, you totally adapt—and wouldn't go back. The same is true when you lighten your whole diet. If meat cravings hit—which happens to about one in 10 people—it helps to have a ready supply of meat substitutes on hand, such as soy "sausages" and veggie "cold cuts." If you get a little gassy from the extra beans that are part of most vegetarians' diets, just reduce the amount for a while. Try different kinds, too—smaller beans such as lentils or black beans are easier to digest. Then work your way up to the larger beans, such as pintos and great Northern beans. Also, be sure beans are well-cooked. Ditto for cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage or Brussels sprouts. Like beans, they can give you a little intestinal challenge at first, particularly if they're lightly cooked or raw.

Q: When will I see the health benefits of a vegetarian diet?

A: Making a complete switch also makes the health rewards come faster. Specifically:

• You should begin to see a little weight loss within the first week or so. Even without counting calories, it's common to lose about one pound per week until you approach your ideal weight and reach a plateau. To help things along, keep oily foods—french fries, peanut butter, salad dressings—to a minimum.
• Cholesterol levels usually improve over eight to 10 weeks. Many people on cholesterol-lowering drugs will be able to reduce their doses or even eliminate their medicine within that time, but let your doctor guide you. Be sure to include foods in your diet that are high in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber, such as oatmeal at breakfast, beans at lunch and barley at dinner.
• High blood pressure improves gradually, with significant results apparent in about six weeks. The effects (which are partly due to the potassium in vegetables and fruits) can really add up: Even back in 1984, three-quarters of people taking high blood pressure medications in a Scandinavian study were able to discontinue their drugs within one year of adopting a vegetarian diet.

And there are other benefits. People who are bothered by constipation usually see it clear up within a day or two. People with type 2 diabetes watch their blood sugar levels improve dramatically. And almost everyone reports feeling lighter and healthier overall. There's nothing to lose.

Article by Neal Barnard from Vegetarian Times, January 2005.
Copyright © Vegetarian Times.

Good Night....Sleep Tight

Have I ever mentioned how easy chickens are to tend to? With 6 chickens, I can get by with just feeding feed to them and watering them once every other day. Of course, I spoil mine with a "chicken salad" every morning and an occasional left over or two after our dinners on the patio.

Here is the cool thing. Chickens put themselves to bed! It is amazing to watch. They will wander all around the yard aimlessly searching for their next snack, but shortly after the sun goes down, everyone of them head back to the coop. Sometimes if you look away, you will miss it and wonder..."where did the chickens go?" Upon their retreat, I always shut the coop door to keep predators out. It is fun to listen to them chatting with each other in a manner you don't hear that often during the day. It's almost like they are saying "Good night...Sleep tight."

Away

Well, I have started a new business venture. I purchased a local sign and apparel company and been desperately trying to make a smooth transition as the new owner. Lots of catching up to do and mistakes to be made. I find myself working 12 hour days and not even realizing it. I also go to school Full Time and teach gymnastics a few times a week and weekends. Yeah, I am a bit busy. What really bums me out the most is how much darker it gets earlier. By the time I get home, my Chickie Friends are already on their roost ready for a cool nights sleep. I go out and tend to their needs even when it is dark. They are pretty calm at night and I can usually do my chores without any of them getting off their perch. Oh well, Gotta get up early tomorrow. Have a good night!

Fall is in the Air...and crunchy leaves are on the ground!

Our backyard experience is becoming even more enjoyable as the oppressive heat leaves us again. As the leaves start to pile up, it is even more fun to watch the chickens frolic and play in them. Well, I doubt they are playing, but rather looking for their next meal. They really seem to fit in among the fall colors. I am definitely missing some good photo opportunities here. Blue Skies, Bright Leaves, Cool Breezes and Cackling Chickens. Life is Good!