Friday, August 18, 2017

Peter Quill, Star-Lord


Today we got a rooster. Not just any rooster - Quill, aka Peter Quill, Star-Lord. I saw his photo on a facebook page. I see all kinds of roosters - no one wants roosters, everyone has extras. I've seen some stunning ones - free to a good home. But this one.... I kept returning to his photo. His owners typically process their roos (eat them), but this one was special. They hoped he might be a she, and noticed that this particular chicken was a sweetheart. By they time they realized she was a he, they had fallen in love. And how do you eat a chicken that you love? Answer.... you don't. You try to rehome him. It struck me that this was something out of the ordinary - a family who processes their roosters trying to help this one guy find a home. He must be extraordinary. We messaged back and forth a bit - I liked their answers and started feeling a bit excited. Then I got sick and totally dropped the ball, hoping he would find a home with someone soon.

Then they reposted that photo, along with a note that they still hoped to find him a home, but couldn't keep him much longer. A few more questions.... then I dragged my sick self out of bed and went off with the girls to go visit this unusual rooster. We prayed before we left - God please give us some sort of sign that we should take him. If not, give us the strength to leave him behind. Well. As soon as I picked him up I knew - he indeed was one of a kind. No struggling, he let me turn him on his back and rub his tummy! In fact, he fell asleep as I held him. Both girls fell in love at once.



And Quill came home.

At first we put him in a rubbermaid cage that we had made. He shrieked and let out a sad crow, so we moved him to a large grow out coop and run. And boy was he thrilled - he lay right down and took a dust bath. For 35 minutes. And I watched him for all 35 minutes.


I actually sat with him for 2 hours. He loves to be held, doesn't struggle when you pet him, and chuckles and clucks to himself nonstop. And when he eats - he eats a bit and calls out to the hens! They can't come in while he's in quarantine, but he calls them never the less. Quill is truly a wonder to behold. The colors - blue greys, brilliant oranges, rich reds - shine on his body. Stunningly beautiful creation.


We are going to love this guy well.
Welcome home Quill.



Friday, August 4, 2017

My Martha

June 1, 2015 - August 4, 2017

Fly high baby girl
and wait for me.

Martha was a character right from the first - for a while we even thought she was a rooster. She just looked and acted so differently from the other 24 chicks that had arrived in the mail to start our great chicken adventure. 
 Always looking right back atcha!
 Interactive and unafraid from day one!
 And always so trusting.
 We called these feathers "Martha's fairy wings."
 Such a personality.
 And always always Mama's baby.
Brave Martha was the first to explore the new coop.
And who could resist such a cute bum?
 One of my favorite photos of Martha really shows her intense personality.
 And another bum photo, because she just had a great one.
 One of my favorite things to do, sitting out in the chicken yard with Martha perched on my arm. She would sit on my lap, but also adored just perching. I loved to feel her feet holding on while she got her balance.
 Always cleaning those fluffy toes!
So  many wonderful mornings with my soft tweedle dee on my lap. Martha would follow me everywhere, making distinct high pitched "Tweedle deedle dee?" inquiries about everything I did. 
Always ready for a treat.
Martha followed me during all my chicken chores, checking everything over very carefully! 
 One of her favorite sunbathing spots - the goat stall!
 Hitching a ride on a warm back.
Martha even stayed in my pottery studio for a brief time as she recovered from an impacted crop. 
Always ready for a snuggle, especially on a cold day. 
A (thankfully) brief but memorable period of baldness, when a more aggressive chicken plucked poor Martha's head feathers. 
Ah, the five month saga of bandaging Martha's feet daily due to a case of bumblefoot that just wouldn't heal. Until finally, it did!
 Lap babies.
Martha discovered a new love - free ranging!
Who could resist this face?
 This girl really loved free ranging more than anything. I'm so glad she had so much happiness, and that we got to share in her life.
My all time favorite photobomber. 
I love you Martha.