Be Ye Separate

Wonders never cease!

Blessings!

   Well, it seems that wonders never cease and God's provision still staggers me:P

   About two weeks ago we noticed that another one of our hens was missing. Not having caught that rascally racoon yet we assumed the worst. She was a favorite Silver Laced Wyandotte. Knowing that this coon was still around we have been very diligent about keeping the rest of the hens locked up tight at night, taking headcounts (or beak counts:P) and making sure that everyone is accounted for.

   This morning, while Miss Mary-Ann was making her usual rounds to check on the littlest animals after the big chores are finished, she came flying in the back door. I was "indisposed" (sitting on the pot) when she comes dashing into the hall calling something about the Wyandotte and quick as a flash she and Miss Sarah are outside again.

   Gathering myself up and making myself presentable enough to dazzle the goats and chickens:P I get outside to see what the excitement is all about. Well, well, well. Our wayward hen was back! Not eaten at all and what do you know?...she brought company!:P

   I THOUGHT I had heard Miss Mary-Ann's ravings but wasn't sure what she meant. After all our duck has been hatching out chicks and ducklings lately so who knew! Yep...Our miss Wyandotte mystery hen had brought 15 babies with her! No wait...(counting again) 17! Still not sure how many because she won't let them all out from under her so it's quite possible she's hiding more beneath her feathery backside:P

   About 15 minutes later Miss Sarah comes in with a not so good looking chick. It's head was tilted to the side, it couldn't stand, it wasn't able to move it's head without flipping itself literally over on it's back. Sad little thing. I told her we would have to drown it. She insisted that she keep track of it for a little while first to be sure. Knowing full well she was going to have to give up and let it go I agreed but told her that the baby wouldn't live and we were going to have to drown it by the end of the day since I refuse to allow any of the animals to suffer.

   Guess what?...We have an orphaned baby chick that doesn't show any signs of EVER having been upside down or backward:P It's absolutely perfect! God has showered a tremendous blessing on us as usual. And as usual I am amazed:)

   Now I won't have to put in that order for the 2 dozen baby chicks for our fall order so we can have spring layers! Saving us nearly 70 dollars in chicks and shipping costs! We don't have babies in the house cuz there's a momma to take care of them! So no heat lamps, no noise, no dust and no smell! God is amazing! And we have nearly 2 dozen babies that will be laying in spring:) Provided they are all little hens in training:P I'm assuming that God is amazing enough to pull that one off for us too:) Any little roosters will end up in the freezer so I'm really praying hard that at least 80% if them are hens:)

   I will take some pictures tomorrow if momma is willing to let us that close. Right now she's so protective that it was hard enough trying to count them from across the yard:P

   She was unprotected for so long and with new babies I was worried that the coon would soon find them and they would all be gone! Sooooo, the girls and I took the hen fencing down so we could pull the chicken tractor out, put the fencing back up and dragged it over to the momma hen. She was out in the yard having a nice time just scratching, pecking and protecting her babies so we just lifted the tractor over the top of her and her babies and now we can rest tonight knowing that nothing will get them:)

   Miss Mary-Ann and Miss Sarah put some straw in so she could make a nest for her and her babies, filled the portable waterer and feeders (one for momma and one for the babies with organic starter feed) and they seem quite content now:)

   The little orphan? It thinks Sarah is it's mommy:P Between that and the duckling thinking Mary-Ann is it's mommy we have quite the petting zoo these days:)

   Will wonders never cease?

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

Untitled Comment

{ 05:05, Monday, September 1, 2008 } { Posted by Amanda }

What a blessing! We had 4 eggs hatch a month ago. We lost 2 of them 2 weeks ago when an ugly snake decided to make a dinner of them :-(

I pray they will be the layers you need!

Blessings,
Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

AMEN!

{ 06:09, Wednesday, September 3, 2008 } { Posted by countrymouse }

Oh Sister Lori that is wonderful news in deed! I am so happy for you all. We have lost atleast 6 chickens last week due to coons, but have the chickens locked up tight at night now for sure! :-)
Love,
Carrie

Hens

{ 17:24, Thursday, September 11, 2008 } { Posted by tilly1211 }

Sister Lori, I just loved this post, thank you.

yours, Tracylea

Abundant Blessings!

{ 18:09, Saturday, September 13, 2008 } { Posted by Deutschmum }

SisterLori,
What a wonderful surprise! I pray that they will be good layers for you as well! Thanks for sharing the praise.