Carwyn O'Cat and Rhys MacKitten Tales

Haley

     In September 2020, I lost my black cat, Haley. She was my last indoor cat, and was 13 plus years old, when I had to make the decision to help her cross the Rainbow Bridge, a gut wrenching and heart breaking decision. She had lost weight very quickly - in less than two weeks time. In the end, a tumor was found in her belly area...

    Having friends in the animal rescue world, I knew of a buff colored momma cat, who had been found under a bush with her three newborn orange tabby kittens. I wanted one of these orange tabby kittens. They were in foster, but would not be available until early December. 

    I thought I could wait that long, because I have dogs who give me their love, but I was wrong. Having gone to Misty Eyes Animal Rescue to get a "kitten fix" - means to love and hold kittens, but not taking one home, I left fighting tears on the long drive home. There was a black kitten that was extremely loving, just like Haley had been, but I just wasn't ready to do a black cat at that time.    

    Orange tabby cats, especially males are considered the most loveable cats, per something I'd read, and then confirmed with a vet. Black cats were a close second, per this same vet and the one who helped ease Haley's suffering. Plus, I'd had two male orange tabby cats, each having some white on them. They were the most loveable cats, along with Haley, I'd ever had. Sadly, the creatures who love unconditionally, so easily, have the shortest lifespans compared to humans who cannot get the unconditional love thing figured out. With this knowledge and experience, I wanted to adopt an orange tabby kitten. An intense search began for an orange tabby kitten via various animal rescue groups, humane societies, and by watching Petfinder and Adoptapet. 

Remi who became Carwyn 2022

    One early morning in October 2021, a little 3 month old orange tabby kitten, with circle stripes on his sides, was found on a porch without his momma and without any siblings. He went to a humane society, and was named Remi. I saw his post on Petfinder, and went to visit him. When I  opened his cage door, he climbed right into my arms, purring his little heart out. I was hooked. Remi became Carwyn, which is Welsh and means blessed love.

    The first night home, Carwyn showed his rascally side. He climbed onto the Guinea Pigs' cage and was reaching through the square holes, trying to get them. From the cage, he spotted the fish aquarium, and was studying to see how he could jump from the Guinea pig cage to the aquarium top. He waded through the dogs' water dish, flipped water out of his water dish, and jumped into my bowl of popcorn, flipping popcorn everywhere. The Chihuahuas liked this, as they got treats.

    Carwyn's rascally side was more than I'd ever seen in a kitten. He needed a playmate of his own kind, but would I be "thrown into the backseat," so to speak as far as importance? I wanted to be number one in Carwyn's world, so it meant I was jealous, as a volunteer with Misty Eyes Animal Rescue pointed out. It was an ah-haa moment, as I had never thought of it that way. 

    I decided if I was going to adopted another kitten, then it would be one with special needs - a blind kitten, as I'd had blind animals before. In March, I contacted animal rescue friends associated with specific rescues or a humane society, to ask them to contact me if they got a blind kitten. (Every year, towards the end of March, kitten season begins, as it is called, because so many cats are never fixed, so I knew lots of kittens would be entering this world.)

    Twice blind kittens became available, but sadly one died before it was even old enough to be fixed, and the other was adopted prior to my being able to go out of state in order to adopt him. It is said that the third time is the charm, and I believe it is in this case.

    After searching Petfinder's special needs kittens for weeks, and a week after saying a specific prayer that I could find an orange tabby kitten or a black one (yes, I was ready for a black kitten), a light buff orange tabby kitten, named Gregory appeared, having been loved and cared for by Fostering Felines in Ohio. His picture showed sutures holding the left eyelids closed. The other eye had already been removed and closed in an emergency surgery when he was just 4 weeks old. His bio said he was a lover and climber, and that he needed to have a playmate. (His eyes were removed, because of severe damage done from infection, which also caused him to be in extreme pain.)

    Emails were sent back and forth for days. Then, the one I'd been hoping for arrived - I was approved to adopt Gregory. On June 9th, his sutures would be removed, and with a friend as co-pilot/navigator, I drove to Fostering Felines in Ohio to officially adopt Gregory, who became Rhys, which is, also, Welsh and means love, adore.

Gregory who became Rhys 2022

    I have been blessed with this tiny, yet might exemplar! Carwyn and Rhys are best buddies, and the greatest news of all - I'm number one in both their lives, as they both love to snuggle on my lap, and so much more!

Many more tales from Carwyn and Rhys will be coming.

Click the below links to go to each website:

Fostering Felines

Misty Eyes Animal Rescue

Pippin O'Chi, Therapy Dog has Retired...

    

    Pippin O'Chi and I were a therapy dog team. She was/is the most loving little dog who just wanted/wants to give all the love she can to anyone willing to accept it. As a team, we wanted to help children, and wanted to promote reading and inspire children to read more. Pippin loves to snuggle with anyone, and loves children. Boy, oh, boy, she sure got/gets excited when she sees the pet carrier out.

    I have retired her due to two things the therapy group I had worked and paid to get therapy training through, did; things I feel were extremely wrong. I have removed their name in the "About Me" section. After I let this group know my feelings about these wrong - in my opinion, they have NOT even tried to contact me, but they were more than willing to take my money for the course work.

    What did they do? First, in their training courses, they stated how important it was that we, as the human side of the team, were to advocate for our animals and keep them safe. This was repeated multiple times. I have no problem with that at all, but this therapy animal group has a "Do as I say, not as I do" way of doing things!

    Pippin was rejected by her mother at birth, never even getting any of the colostrum milk, which is so important to the immune system. She has little fur. Is her lack of fur caused from not receiving the colotrum milk or genetics, I do not know. Her fur is thin on her upper side. She has zero fur underneath. Fur on animals is the equivalent to us humans wearing clothes in order to keep warm in colder months, or to keep the sun from burning our skin in warmer months. Pippin needs to wear clothing in the cold months, in order to keep warm. She actually burns more calories trying to stay warm, even with clothes on. This increase in calorie burning requires that she eat more, in order to compensate, but there have been times that her blood sugar still dropped, causing her to have a seizure. (Each time any being has a seizure, a little bit of damage is done to the brain.) When I tried to "ADVOCATE" for Pippin to wear a coat or sweatshirt while doing therapy work, stating all the above, this therapy animal group, who hammered home that we should advocate for our animals, would not budge an inch on their "rules" that animals were not to wear clothing. Even when I stated that we were NEVER ever going to go into a healthcare facility, and that the situation affected Pippin's health, they, in my opinion, showed they did not give a darn, and "rules were rules." Funny thing is that every human, in a therapy animal team, wears clothes...go figure!

    Pippin misses going out to visit other humans. She still gets excited when she sees the pet carrier, even when I have it out to take a kitten to the vet. 

    Our country has fallen into dark times with those who feel they have the right to dictate this or that, regardless of the harms their dictating causes. Too bad this therapy animal group has fallen into this same thinking, and is so blinded, in so many ways...THEIR LOSS!!

Baby Woodpecker Saved

Every once in awhile in life, an opportunity to do something to better the world presents itself to you. With that, you have a decision to make - to take action or to turn away and do nothing. It's truely a choice.

On Sunday, early evening, I was trying to finish up some outdoor chores. While walking towards my mini barn to get my lopers, something came crashing out of a maple tree about five feet from me. I saw the flash of black out of the corner of my eye. 

Being a curious person, I had to see what it was. To my surprise, a critter started moving away from me, fast, across the ground. It was some kind of baby woodpecker. It couldn't take flight, which means it was vulnerable to predators. 

With gloves already on, I slowly started trying to get close to this baby. Despite its small size, it was quick. Each time I got close, it moved further ahead, and then it dodged left towards the weedy ravine. I had to move fast if I was going to help this baby. Instead of taking the same path towards the ravine, I kept moving straight to get past where the baby had stopped. Then, I climbed through the fence, and dropped down below the level of the bird. I was able to walk straight and then up to capture the baby. 

The baby woodpecker was a fisty little thing. If it had had teeth, it would have nailed me. Instead it hit my gloved hands with its long beak. I shushed, trying to calm it. I knew what it was thinking, not literally, but it thought a huge monster had it. Its little life probably flashed before its eyes, thinking it was going to be eaten, but not today, not by this human. I was going to take this opportunity to help it, and by doing so the world would be that much better, that much more positive, in these "world on fire" times.

Important info: Myth - "you should never put a baby bird back into a nest, because the momma will smell your human scent and reject caring for the baby." Having been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who took many classes dealing with the care of various animals and birds, I knew this myth. I also knew that the best place for that baby was back in its nest. Unfortunately, the maple tree it came crashing out of is super tall. It has more height than width, because it is in a heavily wooded area - trees close together get more height than a tree in an open yard, which spreads out in width. I couldn't even see a nest. Nor would it even be safe to try to climb this tree - the closes branch to the ground was an extension ladder's height away. Not a safe option for this human.

I contacted a licensed wildlife rehabber I knew. No answer. Left a message. I called a friend, whose husband is a DNR officer to find another contact. Two more wildlife rehabilitators were contacted. That was three in all, with the third telling me to keep it in a box inside over night and turn it loose in the morning - "The mom and dad should come feed it while it's on the ground. They stay on the ground for a couple of days before they are able to fly." and "It might be a downy woodpecker."

Humm. My previous wildlife rehab training states that - no private person should be in possession of wildlife and that it is a crime. Basically, if you are not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a DNR officer, you shouldn't have a wild creature in your possession. I let me friend, whose hubby is a DNR office, know what I'd been told - to be safe on this issue. Thank you J.B.

Despite a day that was predicted to be full of rain throughout, we lucked out. Early Monday morning, I put the box with the little woodpecker on the ground beside the maple tree it crashed out of. The baby came out, scooted to my woodpile, and hopped up towards the top of the pile, then sat. I took one last look, said a prayer that its parents would come take care of it and that it would live to have its own little family, and then walked away. 

God knows its fate, but I did my part to help. Did I do something huge to make the world a better place? No, but to that baby woodpecker I did something huge, because I chose to take action, to step in, and by doing so, helped save its life. (I did check throughout the day, but never saw it or heard it moving around.)

GUINEA PIGS 101 CRASH COURSE and CAVY BABIES - KOKO & NUTMEG

                                                                                            

    What do you do when the world is on fire or seems like it is going crazy in various ways, to include all the political crap and lies - literally (and I am entitled to my opinion), people unable to get along - which is a lack of respect, acceptance, morals and values, a society where only certain people are allowed to speak their OPINION, but others are bashed/mistreated if they disagree - another example of lack of morals, values and respect, AND a pandemic that has increased isolation? (Yes, that was a major run-on sentence, with more than one conjunction!) All the world’s negativity is a pandemic within itself! Basically, this all contributes to stress and even anxiety in many. 

We, humans, are actually “pack” animals in need of LOVING families and friends, which provides a positive support system to deal with these hurdles in life. Having someone or something to give love to and to receive love from can have tremendous positive affects to our whole being. In my case, I opened my heart up to a couple of baby Guinea pigs I named Koko & Nutmeg. 

First, I did months of research, which helped take my mind off the “mad world on fire events.” It also backed up my belief in knowing how to properly care for an animal prior to getting said animal. This is something I did before getting my chickens, which I’ve written about on my blog. What have I learned?

Here’s my Guinea pigs 101 crash course: Guinea pigs are also called Cavia Porcellus, and cavies. They aren’t actually pigs, but are a rodent (gnawing animal, with continuous growing incisors - two top and two bottom front teeth) found in South America, in the grasslands and mountain slopes of the central Andes mountains. They weigh from 1 to 3.5lb., live 3-8 years, can be 8 to 16 inches long, and are diurnal (active in the day) and also crepuscular (mostly active at dawn & dusk). They are prey animals, so they have a great sense of smell and hearing, which can help protect them. They are very social and a herd animal. They also sleep with their eyes open.

In my opinion, the Guinea pig “cool fact" is that they only have 4 toes on their front feet, and 3 toes on their back feet, which makes their feet really cute.

A female Guinea pig’s gestation period is approximately 58 - 72 days. Babies are called “pups” and are born precocious - fully furred with eyes and ears open, and teeth erupted, and able to walk. Pups are able to eat regular food within hours of being born, but also nurse from their mother for 3 weeks, sometimes longer if they are smaller, because of being from a larger litter. Average age for weaning is 3 weeks. 

Guinea pigs are considered adults at 6 months of age. Sadly, despite not being adult size, a female can become pregnant at just 1 month old, which can be life threatening to her and the babies.

Guinea pigs have been domestic pets for many hundreds of years. That being said, it doesn’t mean that all the care requirements for these little creatures have been properly meant - a sad fact within the pet shop industry of today. Better information is available in today’s technological world, which provides the information on proper care needs via the internet and youtube videos.

Most people have heard of puppy mills - the unscrupulous breeding of pure breed dogs, just for the sake of making money, without regard to the health and well being of the dogs or puppies. These dogs are kept in deplorable conditions, with their puppies sold to the general public and to pet stores for re-sale to the public. These puppies come from poor genetic breeding, and come with health issues and poor social skills. Sometimes this same thing happens with full breed cats. 

In the U.S., various animal groups, like Best Friends Animal Society, the ASPCA, humane societies, and lots of animal rescues groups have worked tirelessly to educate the general public about puppy mills and over-population within the humane societies and animal controls. This has helped, but not all puppy mills have been shut-down.

Sadly, what most people do not know is this same “mill breeding” situation happens with pocket pets, which are then sold in the pet stores. This means sick animals are then sold to the public. With Guinea pigs, there are warehouses with rows of cages with Guinea pigs being bred, and rebred, just to “crank out” as many babies/pups as possible. These breeding animals and pups are not even fed or cared for properly.

An incorrect fact - the pet store industry likes to tout is that Guinea pigs are low maintenance and an “easy” pet for people/kids. The truth is no animal is low maintenance or “easy,” because each creature has its own needs and requirements for health and happiness, just like us humans. Pet stores also like to sell very small cages, which are not even close to being humane. There is one cage sold in some pet stores, which meets the minimum requirements - a Midwest cage. When it come to proper space for a pet, I like to think and tell others this - how would you like to live in a small bathroom (6ft. by 8ft.) for the rest of your life? 

My research on Guinea pig care: 

1) Cage requirements are a minimum of 8 square feet for a Guinea pig. (I made a 2X5 C&C cage, with stand and 2 lids - because I have dogs and a cat. C&C means cubes and coroplast. Coroplast is used in the sign industry for temporary signage. It is a plastic corrugated sheet.)

My C&C cage with 2 Lids
©Photo by Tracey R. Simmons-Danz

2) Since Guinea pigs are social herd animals, they should not be kept alone. They need at least one other piggy for company, because you, as their human, will not/cannot be there all the time for them, and they can become depressed and die at a younger age. (You, also, need to keep them in same sex, so that you do not cause unwanted breeding.)

3) They need a constant source of quality hay - Timothy for adults, and alfalfa (higher in calcium for growing bones) for pups up to 6 months. (Some adult piggies do better on orchard grass hay.) Because their front incisors continue to grow, they need the hay to chewing/gnaw on, not only for nutrition, but also to keep the teeth worn down to proper length.

4) A clean source of water is needed at all times, with water bottle or dish kept clean.

Another view of my 2x5 C&C cage on a stand
©Photo by Tracey R. Simmons-Danz

5) Quality hay pellets are needed. (They do not need all the fillers or coloring that many pellet producers put in, which can be unhealthy.)

6) Certain veggies and limited fruits (because of sugar content) are needed.

7) Daily cage cleaning is required, as Guinea pigs can get respiratory and foot problems. 

8) You need to find a vet who has experience with Guinea pig care.

Here is my getting Guinea pigs story: When it came to me getting Guinea pigs, I wanted quality bred piggy babies and wanted the American breed, which has a short, smooth coat. I tried to contact the American Cavy Breeders Association, asking for a contact for a quality breeder of the American cavy breed. Over a few months, I sent emails to 3 different people listed on their websites, and waited for responses. In my mind, a quality bred piggy would have been started out right in life with proper food and care, which leads to better health. (I was/am dealing with health/coat issues with two of my rescue dogs, and EPI in Hope - my deaf dog, who requires enzymes on her food, so I wanted to avoid more problems with badly bred Guinea pigs.) Sadly, when it came to the American Cavy Breeders Association, for whatever reason, not one of the 3 people I contacted via email ever returned an email to me. 

Seeing young Guinea pigs in the pet stores did cause temptations to buy them. In the end, I chose to adopt Guinea pigs from a rescue, because I do not want to be a part of “helping” the “Guinea pig mills.” With a Guinea pig rescue, I believed a pup’s life would, at least, start out with proper food and care.

Going to petfinder.com, I found the color of babies I wanted at a humane society several hours away. I made contact, but it was the weekend. They were adopted before I even got a response. Not meant to be, so on with the search. I found another rescue just a little over two hours away - Kentucky Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue. Although, their website is through facebook, which I do not do, they do have a “chat” button you can click to communicate with them. I liked what I could read on the public part of this rescue’s fb page, so I sent them the very specific information of what I wanted - 2 female babies, American breed, one mostly black with a little white and one mostly brown/reddish or tan with a little white. (Koko and Nutmeg were the names I had picked out for these colorings, and picked out long before looking for babies.) Thinking it might be awhile before I got a response, I was pleasantly surprised when I had one within hours. A picture was sent of four babies, just days old, and not yet posted for adoption. Were they the colors I wanted? Nope, but I wanted them anyway, so I filled out the paperwork and waited for them to be weaned.

On a warm March day, a friend and I made the drive to pick up Koko & Nutmeg. They are little stress relievers, little therapy beings in this world on fire times!! After bringing them home, I felt like I’d miss out on something special for year, but didn’t even know it until I got them. Because they were so little, just 3 weeks and 2 days old, I had to put cardboard all the way to the top of my C&C cage, because I didn’t want to take a chance they could somehow squeeze through the little squares and get out. That means I cannot see them in their cage unless I stood up and look in, but if I did that they would hide. The funny thing is when they got/get a case of the “zoomies,” which happens in the evenings around 7pm, because I can’t see them, I hear their little feet running back and forth, zip, zip, zip…like a heard of tiny little elephants. Lastly, holding them and hearing their little noises brings pure joy. More stories about Koko and Nutmeg will be coming in future post. 

Transported Home!
Just 3 Weeks and 2 Days old.
©Photo by Tracey R. Simmons-Danz

Thanks for reading my long-winded post!!

Now 8 weeks and 5 Days old.
©Photo by Tracey R. Simmons-Danz

Kentucky Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue is based in Louisville, Kentucky, with a mission to not just rescue, but also promote education on Guinea pig care. They also want their piggies to go into non-smoking homes, which I totally agree with 100%. Prior to adopting my two babies, this rescue answered many questions, and even after adopting, they have answered many questions, as I still don’t know everything, despite all my research and youtube video watching to educate myself on Guinea pigs and their care. If you are wanting Guinea pigs, or need a friend for a solitary piggy, and are within a few hours drive of Kentucky Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue, I highly recommend them. They also have various supplies available for purchase.

Kentucky Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue Website

Below are various links to just some of the educational videos I have watched on Youtube and highly recommend before getting Guinea pigs:

Must see videos from LA Guinea Pig Rescue:

Best Cages

Emergency Kits for Guinea Pigs

Things You must Do for Guinea Pigs

Cage Space Needed

Hay Reviews

Guinea Piggles C&C cage building:

Guinea Piggles C&C cage intro

Guinea Piggles C&C cage stand

Guinea Piggles C&C Cage building

Guinea Piggles C&C lid construction

LA Guinea Pig Rescue has a great website with information. In addition, I highly recommend Scotty's Animals Youtube channel and website for information as well.

April Showers Children's Read Aloud

Hello! It has been awhile since I have made a post. I am adding a link to allow you to view a read aloud of children's book author George Shannon. The book is April Showers.

To all the children who have told me that you cannot picture or see a movie in your mind as you read. First of all, I've always known that you've had the ability, but I needed to find a way to help you tap into your ability. I have thought and thought about this statement made to me, and just last week I had a "a-ah" moment that I believe will help you. I want you to know that you can create movies and see pictures in your mind, because you do it whenever you are dreaming while asleep. You may not always remember every dream, but you dream every night. Those dreams are the movies YOUR mind is making. I want to encourage and to help you understand that you do have this amazing ability. You just need to BELIEVE in yourself and your ability! Then, you need to practice by reading, even if it is just a few pages each day. As you read, stop for a moment and make a picture in your mind about something on that last page you just read. Read some more, and make pictures, make them move inside your mind. Each time you read, you'll get better at seeing the things you're reading about in your mind, and before long it will be a movie playing in your mind as you read. In addition, you'll remember more about the book.                                                                                                                        (To parents/guardians/adults - as you see from the above, this video was done without using pictures from the book on purpose. It is to help children, who view this, to learn to make a movie in their minds from the books they are reading. Lots of children struggle with this, and hopefully this will help them see how I pictured it, and therefore created the video for them to see. In addition, I hope to bring smiles and laughter during this difficult time our world is facing with the covid19 situation.)                                                                                                           

Therapy Dog - Pippin O'Chi

This read aloud video features my therapy dog, Pippin O'Chi and her adopted sister, Spritzen Nala O'Chi. Spritzen is the one who dances in the video. Both are from rescues. Pippin has done "Read With Me" a Pet Partners program where therapy animals listen to children read. Spritzen is timid when out in public. She was originally rescued by a loving couple who took her out of a situation where she was living in a crate, never seeing the outdoors, for months. Spritzen's story of my adopting her is on this blog as well. That loving couple had such love that they gave her up, despite the heartache it brought, as they were dealing with a family member's health issues. We've since become friends, because God works in mysterious ways sometimes, and they were led to that blog post.   

                                                                                                               

Spritzen Nala O'Chi

Again, I hope you enjoy this video read aloud, and that it brings many smiles and much laughter. I also hope it helps all children struggling with reading, helping them to want to read. Reading can take you to wondrous places and into many adventures.

Video: April Showers Read Aloud Video








You can find out more about author George Shannon at:
http://www.georgeshannonauthor.com


Music bits were from QUEEN and Brian May was gracious enough to give permission. You can read more about QUEEN at:
https://www.queenonline.com

QUEEN members with websites:
Brian May's website:
http://www.brianmay.com/
Roger Taylor's website:
http://www.rogertaylorofficial.com/
Freddie Mercury's website:
http://www.freddiemercury.com/

Take a Look at Nature's Charm & Critters on Our Small Farm - April 16, 2018

It seems like winter just does not want to release its hold on the Midwest. I don't remember a time with such high winds for so many days, which makes the temps seem lower than they are. Snow has come on several days and then melted within hours. It sure makes for some beautiful pictures. Enjoy...

Easter Egger

Red Star 

Mystic -  the feral black tortie kitty, but I can pet  her.

Sapphire Gem Chicks - New Hybrid "Created" in the Czech Republic

What do you do when it is the middle of winter, and you walk into your local farm store to see a brand new breed of chickens that will look really cool as laying hens? That's what happened on February 1, 2018, when I looked at the intriguing name of "Sapphire Gem" over a brooder full of newly arrived chicks; and then read the description from the Hoover's Hatchery catalog which stated they will have blue and lavender feathers.

I have wanted a lavender colored chicken for awhile, so when I saw these I truly wanted them. I tried three times to leave the store, but kept walking back to look at these Sapphire Gem chicks. I continued to think: It's far too early to get chicks with nearly two more months of winter. In addition, the main caretaker of the chick area didn't know if they would get anymore of the Sapphire Gems. That did it, four Sapphire Gem chicks, along with two Easter Eggers came home with me that day.

The Sapphire Gem was "created" in the Czech Republic; and now Hoover's Hatchery in Rudd, Iowa had them for sell. Since the Sapphire Gems are a new hybrid, I wanted to get more information about them and pass it on to my readers. Luke at Hoover's Hatchery was kind enough to take the time to answer multiple questions about the Sapphire Gems. The following are the questions and answers:

Since the Sapphire Gems are a hybrid, do the males chicks look different than the females? If the males chicks are a different color, what is the chick coloring? Are the adult males different in coloring?

Sapphire gems are similar to a black sex link in that the females will be solid blue/ slate colored at hatch and the males will have a white dot on the head.  As adults the females will be solid blue where the males will have some barring.

How long did it take the breeder(s) to develop the Sapphire Gems (I know this is considered generations, so how many generations)?

I am not sure how long it took them to develop these lines, but they are always constantly being selected each generation.

Was this breed developed just for the increased egg production or a combination of feather coloring and egg production?

This breed is both bred for their coloring and also for superior egg production.

The Sapphire Gem info in your catalog states they will do well in hot weather, is it because they have bigger combs? If so, will they be kind of like Rhode Island Reds, which actually do well in cold weather too, despite their comb size (which can be coated to protect them from frostbite?) Plus, the Andalusian, which is stated as part of their breeding, is considered a cold hardy bird, so I would think some of this would carry over to help the Sapphire Gems in the cold weather?

They should do well in both warm and cold climates.

I have noticed with my Sapphire Gem chicks that they are very friendly compared to any other breed I have had  since 2014? Was this part of the breed creation process, to create friendly chickens for families?

One of the traits they select for in their breeds is docility, they want a calm bird that performs well in all environments.

They say egg layers will typically drop egg production about 20 percent each year, will this be typical of this hybrid?

They will usually lay well for two years and then a yearly decrease in production of 20% after that is probably a good rule to follow.

Is there an explanation why some of the Sapphire Gem pullets are black, while others are the pretty grey color?

They are still trying to finish refining the breeding stock, so there are a couple males in the breeding flock that are blue instead of splash which causes the occasional black chick to show up.  They will still have the same temperament as the others though.

There had been a mix up at Rural King when I bought what was marked as the Sapphire Gem pullet chicks, but they fixed the problem later by giving me the Sapphire Gems I had actually paid extra for. One of the things I was told later, since I was still concerned I didn't have the correct ones because 3 of 4 of mine were so black, was to gently pull out the wing to see a white patch on the feathering. Is there an explanation for why this white patch occurs? It is something I see now without having to pull the wing out on one.

Many black chicks will have white on the ends of the wings when they hatch and before they get their adult plumage, they should grow out of the white feathers.

With the pullet chicks either being a grey or the black, will there be a difference in what they look like as hens, as in some being a darker lavender grey?

(Mine are about 8 weeks old now, so I know two of the black ones have gotten lighter, but not as much as the one grey one has been all along. One black one is still very dark.)

If they are truly black they will feather out with black feathers, but sometimes you can have a very dark gray almost black looking chick that will end up with dark slate colored feathers as adults.

How will these get along with other breeds? I have mine in with 2 Ameraucana Easter Eggers, and 3 Welsummers, and all do fine. I already know some of the pecking order. The Welsummers are at the bottom.

They should get along well with the other breeds.

How did Hoover's Hatchery find out about this new hybrid? 

We ran into the breeder at a poultry trade show.

My thanks to Luke and Hoover Hatchery for providing additional information about the Sapphire Gem hybrid hens!

To order Sapphire Gem chicks go to:
Hoover's Hatchery