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| Never far from me, Oyster Cracker |
As I walked across the yard to deliver a cabbage pinata to the girls, I caught Dottie Speckles and Oyster Cracker taking a dust bath together. There they were nuzzling their beaks as the dust and dirt was being tossed high in the air. As I approached, they were so content that they did not budge. Instead, they just rolled over, puffed out their feathers, and began to roll around as if it was an orchestrated show. They would curl and straighten their legs all the while twisting and contorting their bodies into yoga poses for chickens. I could not help but smile.
The Silkies too, continue to be the wonderful broody little ones that they are. It is a constant struggle in their brains from day to day. Shall I be broody? How many days shall I allow it to last? Will I ever get to hatch one of these eggs? I have become content and happy to open the nesting boxes and find one of my little fluff balls growling at me. I lift their featherless chests up, harvest warm toasty eggs from underneath and praise them for being so sweet.
Everyone is laying their eggs in the nesting boxes. The Silkies always let me know when their eggs are coming. They sing their egg songs sometimes so loudly, that I can hear them calling out despite the closed windows of winter. Finally, no one is standing guard at the coop door anymore, regulating who and when one gets to lay their eggs. For a while, it was a job that Sunshine was taking way too seriously!
Harmony has returned to the coop. Between the hanging pinata and the Flock Block, the winter boredom has been busted and the pecking order, for now, is clear. I retrieved seven eggs today; not bad for eight happy chickens in the middle of Winter. It just goes to show you sometimes it is the simple things in life, like love and cabbage on a string, that help us to find happiness.Photo Credits: Tilly’s Nest
10 thoughts on “Love, Happiness and Cabbage on a String”
I just love watching dust baths. I am fortunate that my covered run allows dirt baths all winter long. I haven't figured out how to hang a cabbage from a string – would love to see a photo. I just cut one in half and they peck at it all day. This has been a pretty kind winter here in NH so far. I am loving it!
may we all find a little cabbage on a string in our coops…
I'm going to have to give the cabbage on a string another try. I did this once before and they showed no interest. But this was back when I was over treating. My girls are really so much happier now that they primarily eat their feed. And only get a few seeds or meal worms as a treat.
Although, Coco goes GONZO when I toss treats to the babies.
Your love for those little wonders is so dear, it pinches my heart! 🙂
Have a nice Sunday!
I recently saw you mention cabbage on a string and then I tried it "Hairy Scary week"…they didn't know what to think at first…but they soon ate it up!
They love it.
and…it is a pretty cheap snack for the chickies.
thanks for this great idea.
Pat
Hi Cresca! Thank you for your comment. I can do a post on it if you like.
Thanks for your sweet comments mybabyjohn/Delores and Yael. I am so happy you are on our adventures with us.
Flock Mistress, my girls were terrified of it for the first two days! I finally sprinkled some scratch on top of the cabbage and that was all it took 🙂
Corn in my Coffee-Pot, you are very welcome. I am so happy to hear that your flock enjoys partaking in the cabbage pinata!
What a lovely site! I have only just started blogging and this is the first blog I came across in my blog hunt. I love the chicken pictures especially Tilly the Head Hen, this expression made me laugh. I look forward to following the 'eggxploits'.!
Glad you are here Mrs B! We started blogging in 2010 and are enjoying it so very much. Bloggers are a wonderful community that share so much with their followers and are incredibly helpful too. I think you are going to love blogging.
Hello, this is my first stop by your lovely blog! Your chickens are gorgeous, I love the look on Tilly's face in your sidebar picture. :o)
We keep a variety of critters on our homestead, including chickens. They were the first addition to our barnyard–I almost got chickens when we lived in town, but then we moved to our farm.
Nice to meet you!
Welcome Mooberry Farmwife! Isn't Tilly so funny?! She is such a sweet girl. How fun, I wish I could have more critters. What types of chickens do you keep?