I tried to get out to take some photographs this morning before risking my camera melting in the heat. We have been blessed with a few mild days, but today Mother Nature promises to turn on the blast furnace and let it go for a few days.
I did a rehoming of chickens yesterday to make way for my new breeds. In the process, some of the laying hens and pullets were moved to different coops. I always watch carefully after integrating birds because fighting and pecking can be a problem. This time things have gone smoothly. The girls in the layer’s coop are getting along nicely now that Judge Judy was moved OUT!
Here my homely little olive egger exits the nest box after laying a pretty green egg.
I recently switched from shavings in the nest boxes to rice hulls. I am so pleased with it! There are fewer broken eggs and the rice hulls don’t stick to the shell as much as the shavings do. Any that stick, come right off.
Another olive egger taking her time and enjoying the sunshine.
The only Isbar I kept, a little splash girl who lays pretty green spotted eggs.
Judge Judy and one of the Icelandic girls.
She’s a pretty thing, right?
Judge Judy has ruled the layer’s coop for months and her bullying resulted in her demotion. I moved her to a coop with a rooster to keep her in line. She had been so mean to the layer girls that many were missing feathers. Isi does a good job at keeping her in check. Plus, they have been together for years and seem to like each other.
It looks like The Clash of the Titans.
Somebody pecked Isi’a comb but it was before Judge Judy moved back in. It is healing nicely though.
The drought wreaked havoc on my little apple tree. I hope the tree itself can be saved. Michael has been giving it some deep soakings.
Jack and Diane, happy together as always.
I hope the blackberries survive the heat and lack of water. I hope Jack and Diane leave some for me this year!
Crazy Loca
Loca and Stuart taking advantage of a broken water hose.
I just love the colors of the eggs we are getting these days. I sell the eggs to the local feed store and they re-sell them to other customers. They love the color assortments I bring in. I love this old colander for collecting eggs. I even like the flea market tag too much to remove it!
I didn’t venture much farther than the areas next to the house today because it was already too hot for me to be out there. I did get brave and take my new camera out with me to play around with it. I am nervous having it outside around dirt and emus. The best break from the heat was this nice iced coffee I made with my morning coffee that had gone cold. A little ice, a splash of cream and a straw was all I needed!