Chicken Update

This post is a little behind, but a couple of weeks ago, we were working to finish the chicken pen and then let the chickens out of the house. I snapped a selfie with Cinder and Smokey, who were soooo helpful with the process. (Actually, they were sooooo curious about the birds)

The weather was a little chilly and it was sprinkling. This was the chickens' first time out from the heat lamp. We were cutting a hole in the chicken house for their door, but we needed to keep them rounded up together. So they were smooshed into the dog crate - keeping warm and safe.

Here's Daddy, starting the hole for their door.

These silly goons were somewhat helpful, but mainly running around for fun.

In any of these animal pen/housing projects, we always revel in "the release"....the time we let them go into their new environment. We were excited to see how they responded. It's supposed to be a happy moment for everyone! We wondered who would be the first to enter their new space.

However...

As much as we waited, and as much as they each started out the door, none of them would actually come out!

And then the next day, after they braved the door and ladder and had fun being out all day, none of them would go back into the house at night! They just huddled together. (Well, they do have a brain the size of a pea, so it might take a little time for them to learn.)

After a few days of adjusting, but they are now in the proper routine -- out during the day, in the house at night.

A couple of the chickens are very friendly. We have one we call MissKiss, who was the first to let me pick her up. This one (above) is called Cupcake. Turns out she is the only Sex-Linked chicken, so she's a one-of-a-kind in our flock. She's always the first to come running to me, and she loves to be picked up and snuggled. She sings to me!

Daddy says this is the end where the frosting comes from. Eeeww!

Elbow Progress

We were coming upon the time to remove the cast, so we took a picture to record how colorful it was, with well-wishes from lots of friends.

The nurse used a special saw, so Miri wore the "headphones."

She was very apprehensive about this appointment, because she knew the pins would be coming out.

The bottom half of the cast was to be saved to make a splint for continued support for a couple more weeks, so it had to be removed in a special way.

And when it was off, we headed to the X-ray department. (There were pieces of plastic on the the tips of the pins.)

She knew the drill by this point, so she automatically put her arm into the needed positions.

After the X-rays, we went back to the treatment room. The process of pulling the pins was really, well, painful. It was short, but not easy. Aleaha took pictures, but we decided not to post those. Above is a perspective on the pins themselves, as shown next to Aleaha's hand. Ick, huh? Pretty gnarly.

Here's Miri getting placed back into the cast as a splint. 

She's a trooper, for sure. The goal at this point has been to take her arm out of the splint once a day, under close parental supervision, so that she can do a few "extracises" (as she and Aleaha both say). She needs to work on straightening the elbow and turning her wrist appropriately. She can do the turning, but not so much on the straightening. We might have to go to physical therapy to help that part along.

The Anatomy of a Horse Roll, Part 4, By Shorty

Just lay down and take a load off your feet. Do this daily. The other rigamarole is not necessary. It's all about relaxing, not exersion. 

Don't let those young bucks fool you.

The Anatomy of a Horse Roll, Part 3, By Arby

The best time to roll will be indicated by watching others in your herd. Let them signal if it's a good time. This is part of letting your elders feel like they have an important role to play in the social structure. They will like you more and probably let you steal some of their snacks later. And it's good for blaming them if things go wrong.

Get into it with gusto. Show them you know how to do this. Lots of wriggling will help get at the center of your backfat, where you really need that itch scratched. 

Try not to get high-centered and stuck in that position. It would be embarrassing. 

Coming out of a roll, it's essential to give a few high bucks. Aim for the dog, if it suits you. This one likes to play, so this is a very fair thing to do.

Run a little, to get the farts out. Snort too. Trust me on this, you will feel a lot better.

Get after your herd mates, to ensure they have done their jobs right.

And if you happen to come across a spot there one of them has rolled, well, my friends, this is golden! You should heed their wisdom (again, because it makes them feel special, and they just might know a thing or two).

Down like an elephant...

Onto your side...

Legs up.

Squirm around a little to get your head downhill, like the old man was doing.

But remember, when you come out of this, you need to do it with gusto!

Ideally you will get the attention of those around you.

Toss yourself around like you mean it!

Do watch for obstacles, like fences and people. They often get in your way, but it is your responsibility to be aware. Trust me on this one. There are natural consequences you just don't want to deal with.

Only after these essential steps is it advisable to begin eating.

Remember this order for a perfect roll - because it's so much more than just the roll: 

1) Run like something is chasing you; 

2) Roll; 

3) Buck as hard/high as you can 

(makes for great visual effects and is really a form of stretching, not unlike yoga); 

4) Snort a little to assert yourself;

5) Make sure your herdmates haven't ignored your display of strength; 

6) Join in the eating.

The Anatomy of a Horse Roll, Part 2, By Jake

Sniff out a good spot, but don't take too much time. This one has a bit of an incline, but that can be used to your advantage if you position your tired, old, bony body just right.

Get into the position.

Note my gentle kicking and head tossing, while keeping my body aligned downhill. This uses gravity to your benefit. You want a little "slide" effect here, for friction of the grass on your fur.

Get yourself back up. This will be the most challenging part. It helps to grunt a little.

A successful roll will be indicated by a nice carpet of fur left behind.

Proceed to the next task, which is eating.

The Anatomy of a Horse Roll, Part 1, By Quigly

After a little running around, you find a spot, plant yourself, and get all 4 feet in the air. You might or might not go all the way over. That is not required.

Then you give a good shake.

That's it!

It's Spring, when an old horse's thoughts turn to...

Pastures! Wide open, lovely, green, lush space! With grass to boot! It's time to frolic and play and roll and run!!

I need more exclamation points!!!

Right out the gate, there was a thunderous run up the hillside. All four got into it (but I was managing a gate and couldn't run fast enough up the hill to catch their initial antics.)

By the time I got up the hill, I thought things would have slowed. But no, three of them were still at it.  I had to wave them off. Silly boys.

Note how Shorty knows the ultimate goal - eating. He exerted himself enough to get up the hill. Why use up calories unnecessarily? He's so smart that way. Mr. Efficient.

But the other three kept at it, just because they were having fun!

Love this!