"I'm so ticked off I'm molting..."

Contrary to the famous words of Iago from Aladdin, birds do not molt out of anger.  We continue to learn new things every day about farm-life.  Molting appears to be a normal part of the chicken's cycle.  The other day we noticed a lot of white feathers in the chicken fence, which from experience causes us to panic and do a head count. All 14 girls were accounted for, but the one Colombian looked rather rough.  She looked as though someone had been plucking her bum.  After research, it appears that around 1 year old, all chickens molt.  This process helps to create a fresh coat of feathers and during this time they also stop laying eggs while their reproductive tract rejuvenates.  (This explains to lack of egg laying lately).  During molting, chickens need extra protein to help with these processes, so each morning the girls have been getting a cup of sunflower seeds, much to their delight.  Nothing makes one smile more than a half-naked chicken.  Here are some humorous photos.  

Green eggs and turkey.

This Sunday marked a very exciting milestone:  Our first green egg!!!!

We also said goodbye to our dominant Tom on Sunday as well.  He was HUGE and there was no way he was going to make it until Thanksgiving and still fit into an oven.  We may have to process the other male prior to Thanksgiving as well.  Who knew that turkeys grew so fast!

Teresa the entrepreneur

Over the weekend marked the grand opening of Teresa's pumpkin stand.  Sales for the weekend totaled $39.00 and included the sale of 6 large pumpkins and 31 gourds!!  Teresa is now VERY excited for next fall and already has plans to expand the pumpkin patch.

You say potato, I say potahto...

Over Labor Day weekend, we had help from the lovely Burdine Clan digging out our red potatoes.  The final harvest weighed in at 105 pounds total!  This past Saturday, we dug the remaining bed of potatoes (which consisted of 4 different types of white potatoes).  While we didn't weigh the crop, we are positive we won't run out of potatoes until 2052!!!  If you come to visit, be prepared to eat a lot of potato dishes (breakfast potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, potato soup...etc.)

And in the spirit of Adleigh: 

"Knock, knock"  

Who's there?

"Potato"

Potato who?

"Aren't you glad I didn't say potato?"

Three-month-old giants.

Behold, the "baby" turkeys.

Two hens a wandering...

Teresa arrived home today to find not only 1 chicken out of the fence, but TWO!  

Chicken #1:  

As in daily tradition, the buff orpington is out munching on grass when Teresa arrives home.  Once Teresa exits her car, the hen runs over from wherever she is in the yard, clucking with delight.  The routine continues as she follows Teresa back into the barn in usual fashion, and when the coop door is opened, she hops right back inside.  Now, onto chicken number two.  

Chicken #2:

The red araucana was also out today munching on grass and bugs, however, she is not trained in the proper ways of returning to the coop.  So for 10 minutes, Teresa chased her around the yard, after which time the chicken panicked and tried to run through the fence (twice), before flying back over the top of it.  If the madness continues, someone will get her wings clipped!

Big zucchini, little egg

 Apparently we've been grossly neglecting the garden.  Saturday morning I went out to check on things and found this 14" monster zucchini!  I think even Piper is unsure of what to make of the large vegetable.

This morning I was crazy excited (as chicken owners can get) when I went into the coop and saw one of our chicks in the laying box.  I slowly backed out as to not disturb her and below is the result!  Behold, the first pullet egg of the season!!!  Well done, we will henceforth call you a hen.