"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." – Casablanca

Yesterday Rodi and I took a trip to pick up a couple of round hay bales.  What we didn't know is that we would be coming home with a new addition to the flock.  I was going to post a good picture this morning but it is raining outside. *sigh*  I promise to put one up this week.  Our newest feathered friend is Humphrey.  Yes another rooster.  What were we thinking?  We were thinking this kind old man selling us this hay loves his chickens, and is giving us a gift. We couldn't possibly tell the man we didn't need another rooster, it would have crushed him.  He walked us around showing us all of his birds, and he has a lot of them.  He told us about the mixes he was happy with and plans for new ones.  He also had some giant roosters.  Okay maybe not giant, but compared to Bogart they were huge.  I couldn't even imagine the nightmare that could lead to if I were to be chased around the yard by a rooster that size. I am pretty sure my broom would not even phase a rooster of that size.

Rodi thought we had an out when he asked me, in front of the gentleman, if I was going to hold Humphrey on my lap for the ride home.  Keep in mind this is a 30-45 min drive.  

I replied with a sigh and an "Oh?"

The man didn't even bat an eye.  He had us follow him into the barn, where he pulled out a square of tarp and HE ROLLED HUMPHREY UP!  I couldn't believe it.

"Here's looking at you, kid" – Casablanca

This was how he rode, all the way home.  I held him, and we chatted.  I had on my Chicken Mgr. sweatshirt so I told him who I was and that my title included roosters.  He is now well aware of all the rules he is expected to follow.  Once the tough talk was done we danced and sang a bit.  Well, we already looked odd to those pulling up next to us, why not put on a real show?

Lillie Bunny was not impressed with Humphrey's arrival.  She had to move out of her beloved tractor so Humphrey could move in.  Since Bogart wants nothing to do with Sophie (the last little bantam hen), we moved her into the tractor with Humphrey (also a bantam).  I am hoping it is the start of something beautiful.  

Miracles in progress

Not just my brave hat, but my boots too. 

Climbing up into that loft is not one of my favorite things to do.  Turns out my fear of heights is nothing compared to my fear of walking through the pasture with a bale of hay in my hands.  The animals know what hay looks like.  They know it is their food during the winter months.  They love to walk beside the hay as the farmhand (that would be me today), finds the best place to serve the meal in the pasture.  We have a bale ring we can put the hay in, but right now we prefer to put several small patches of hay out in the pasture to give equal eating opportunities and to minimize "the drop zone" effect (you know one massive area of future compost material).  We have a few animals that think they should eat until they are personally stuffed, before anyone else should be able to enjoy even a morsel.  Making these small piles really helps everyone to get a fair share of hay.

Today I hadn't even walked through the gate to the pasture where the animals were mingling when I was spotted by Gypsy.

Gypsy is Rodi's horse and she loves that man.  She will follow him anywhere.  She terrifies me, and she knows it.

I took a deep breath and kept walking.  I walked as if I wasn't scared.  I walked as if I didn't have a care in the world.  I was just there to put out the hay and that is a simple thing to do (in my dreams).  Gypsy tried to take a sample of the hay as I passed by.  I just told her "no", and kept walking.  Soon all the animals were coming towards me.  My herd of cows looked ready to pounce.  Tonka with his bullish ways started using his horns to push the other cows out of his way and to the back of the line.  Even with all this commotion going on all I could think about were Gypsy and Rosebud and how they were following closely behind.  Gypsy snorted and I swear I almost lost my breakfast.  I put the hay down and began to break it apart into sections. I grabbed the first section and walked it across the pasture a bit.  When I looked to see who was following me I was dismayed but not surprised, to find all the animals over munching on the main block that was still waiting for me to distribute it into several areas.  This would mean I was going to have to go back over there, bend down to pick up more hay, and not be trampled by the cows and most importantly the horses.  In their minds I would be stealing their food, I am quite sure.  Certain death was in store for me, I just knew it.  I remembered I had on my brave hat and confidently went in for the hay.

SUCCESS!

I didn't die, and I even found it easier to breathe than I had expected.  I was able to go back to the now smaller original bale several times.  I was almost giddy looking at the animals as they all found their way to their own little piles of hay.  I did that.  I made them happy.  Way to go me!  

As I started to walk away I noticed Gypsy was following me.  Eeeekkkk!  Was she ushering me out of her pasture?  I turned around, tried my best to wipe the fear out of my eyes, and asked her what she wanted.  Then.... she brushed her nose on my jacket.  I wasn't sure what to do so I gave her nose a little rub.  Turns out she was okay with that.  She turned and went back to her pile of hay.  I started to walk back to the barn when I noticed Carley J in the yard no longer tending to the bunnies and chickens.  She had stopped in her tracks to watch such a rare sight, her mother in the pasture with the horses.  So excited about what had just happened, she actually told me she was proud.  My heart melted just a little.  Okay a lot.

I decided we needed proof of my adventures.  I handed her my phone and told her to snap a few pictures.  Then I did the unthinkable... I walked back towards the pasture, back towards Gypsy.  Gypsy saw me and decided to meet me halfway. 

I am still fearful of these beautiful creatures, so it is not yet a miracle.

More like a miracle in progress.

Update from the Nursery

Our little trio

As you can see the one in the middle isn't filling out quite as much as the other two.  The good news is that we witnessed this cutie pie nursing on Lillie two different times today.  *smile*

And look who decided to open their eyes today!

Another one ready to view the world through open eyes.

You can't really tell in this picture, but even the lil' one is peeking out at us.

All in all today has been a good day in the nursery.  Hopefully they just get better and better.

*Egg Report.... ZERO eggs today.  It is okay though, I am still on cloud nine with yesterday's eggciting day!