Deaf Dog Hope, A.K.A. Egg Thief

My egg basket with eggs from organically feed chickens.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons December 2016

Sometimes you get into auto pilot when doing things, not thinking about what consequences may occur because of your lack of attention to details. This happened recently after I gathered chicken eggs. I put the egg basket with six eggs on top of the chickens' feed bin, which sits on the porch. Then, I went in to let Hope out to run and play. I got sidetracked and forgot to bring the eggs in. I was not thinking about the eggs being at Hope's level, or that Hope is guilty of counter-surfing, always looking for food to steal after her bout with being sick and underweight for three months before being diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

(The EPI diagnoses is treatable. It means Hope has to have enzymes put on her food. The food has to soak for at least twenty minutes before she can eat it. The enzymes, which are ground up pig pancreases, helps Hope's body digest the food, rather than going through her undigested and coming out in the form of smelly diarrhea.)

A short time later, I realized I needed to bring the eggs inside and get them into the refrigerator. I stepped outside to see an empty egg basket. There wasn't an egg or any tiny bits of egg shell left. These eggs were from my organically feed chicken, and that organic food cost more, about three times more than conventionally food.

Aarrrrgghh!!!! There was no enzymes on those eggs to help Hope digest them. Heaven for bid, my mind began to spin and relive those three months of none stop diarrhea and extremely foul gas which affected Hope, but which I had to clean up and smell.

First, I sent out an urgent text messages to friends, who I knew would pray for Hope. Then, I quickly got Hope's dog food ready, with enzymes soaking on them. I thought that if she ate her food with the enzymes, that maybe it would help her digest the eggs and shells.

Deaf Dog Hope with her sign of shame.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons December 2016

After twenty minutes, Hope ate her food. Then, I let her stay outside longer, since the weather was decent. When the diarrhea came, and I knew it would, I wanted her to be outside. My plan worked out, no diarrhea inside the house.

The problem came later that night, while I was trying, repeat trying to sleep. Hope slept fine in her create beside the bed, but I lay awake as she let off SBDs, silent but deadly gas. At about 2am, I let Hope outside to do her duty, just in case she had anymore diarrhea. When I let her inside, as she was going up the stairs in front of me, the SBDs were no more. It was gag a maggot, blow your hair back, in your face, eyes watering, loud toots all the way up the stairs.

Did I surivive? Yes! The moral of this story is: I will keep the chicken eggs out of Hope's reach.

Take a Look at Nature's Charm and Critters on Our Farm - December 18th - 24th, 2016

 Temperatures have dropped below zero in the Midwest. Ice arrived, making roads extremely dangerous, but making the landscape beautiful. We stayed home in the warmth of the woodstove. The molting hens are getting new feathers, while Spritzen O'Chi got a new coat. She is never excited about having her picture taken. An early Christmas present arrived in the form of a cute Christmas chicken decoration. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Beehive & Chickens Ready for Winter?

My apologies for missing my post. I have been under the weather for nearly two months. Lots of various respiratory problems going around among adults and children in the area. The worse being pneumonia with pleurisy, which I am recovering from.

Hive closed up for the winter.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons
November 2016

Let's update the farm news. First, my beehive has been shut up for the winter. The bees didn't have the food stores or population needed after having the chemical over-spray kill off a large number of worker bees in late summer.

The queen did her best to increase the population, along with my efforts to keep the girls fed. I used a thick sugar water mixture all through September up to mid November when the temps were suppose to drop below freezing. At this point, the mixture, in glass jars, had to be removed to keep them from freezing and breaking. I did add a candy board, which is a supplemental feed for winter use.

It will take a miracle for this hive to survive the winter, but God still does miracles. Time will tell.

The chickens were laying well, but have decreased some with the lack of light. The older girls (Wyandottes) are either molting or have finished molting. I feel so bad for the two girls who are still molting, with temps dropping below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Golden Laced Wyandotte Hen Molting.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons
December 2016

 I have wrapped the north and west ends of the chicken run with tarps. I used to use twine to tie the tarps to the fencing, which was time consuming and cold on the fingers. Then, I started using wire zip-ties, which I believe is the best way to attach the tarps. (Wire cutters work well in the spring to cut the zip-ties.)

The two Wyandotte girls who are still molting have access to being inside their house, but seem to prefer being outside most of the time. At night after shutting their small door, I always go around to the big door to check, by flashlight, that all are accounted for. The molting girls either climb into a nest box for warmth, or huddle beside the other girls.

Before the light fades away in the late afternoon, I give the chickens some kind of treat to help them stay warmer throughout the night. The various treats I give included: oatmeal, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and more. All feed and treats are organic.

Red oak providing warmth.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons
December 2016

The woodstove is keeping our house nice and toasty. I am thankful for this warmth, as it is cheaper than propane or electric heat. Carrying in wood is a free chance at getting exercise.

Stay warm and have a wonderful Christmas!!