Wild Winds Homestead : September 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Quick Family Update

Kiersta lost her job at overstock.com, then her unemployment, so they moved in here while they regroup. Actually Kiersta (22), Nick and the Maximus (the sweet 3 month old) moved into Taylor's room shortly after he left for Basic Training in Oklahoma. Esperanza (3) and Alexandrea (1) moved in to Clarissa's room. Taylor (19) is doing well at Basic and can't wait to get home, I know he loves and misses us but don't be fooled he is missing Brandy R.! Martina (17) has alot to do this year and has started having migraines so we are off to a specialist. Kielee (15) is going to school at Cyprus this year, so far so good! Faith (14) is having a great time at Matheson Jr. High and the Granite technical institute, she is taking bio-ag and pre-engineering. Carter (13 on Friday) is enjoying life at Alianza Academy, uniforms are great, science and math are even better. Gabrielle (12) is also attending Alianza, she loves it, too. I think they like the idea of very little homework, and so do I. Clarissa (4) is the only one of her friends not starting kindergarten, so we are taking ballet. Wesley (2) slows everything down, he is never in a hurry and he has plenty of time to get where he wants to go. I find myself walking with him and wondering why I was hurrying in the first place. Ryan is working hard and playing a little, he enjoys his job! I am helping with West Bench Photography and love that I am learning lots of things.

Our late chickens

Lucy the Red Star, died of natural cause of old age. We will miss her. She had the best personality!

Roni the Rhode Island Red-She was eaten, she would not stop eating eggs, we tried many things to stop her but in the end she was eating 3 eggs a day so we ate her.

Sophie the Red Star- She was egg bound, we tried to save her in vain.

Phil the Faverolle-Her death is still a mystery.

Blackbird the Black Australorp-She was injured and then several other chicken pecked out her flesh around the injury. We separated her and she eventually healed but did not walk very good. She spent most of her time just sitting in the lay box. She was put out of her misery.

Pickles the Barred Rock-She seemed to have some kind of a stroke, she stood for many hours in the same place and stared off into space. She would not eat and only drank for my husband. After a week she was kindly put out of her misery.

Willow, the Leghorn, is no more, she got in the dog pen and was played with to death.

Chicken who stopped by

Mabel the Mottled Java- She came to us from a neighbor, she would allow their other chicken in the coop. She was at the bottom of our pecking order until the new chickens arrived. She would hop the 3 foot fence and not allow the new chickens to eat their own food. She moved to the Jenie Hansen coop in West Haven! She does well there.

Ruby and Rhoda the Rhode Island Reds- Bought from a neighbor. They pecked the flesh out of Blackbird and were aggressive with several of the other hens. They found a new home with a daughter's friend. They do better there at the bottom of the pecking order.