Tuesday, March 10, 2015

A few more new kids on the block

Look at these beautiful lilies! (No taste-testing, Emily! Don't worry, I moved them out of her reach after this photo was taken.) They smell divine.


They were a gift from a lovely couple named Arja and Tim. On the weekend, they sent me a very nice email asking if we'd consider taking in their four beloved Plymouth Rock hens.

I didn't need much convincing. Nor did Gordon! So today the girls arrived. Arja is Finnish, so she gave the hens have pretty Finnish names: Nelli, Pulmu, Tilda and Alma. 


Errol Flynn, our gentle Plymouth Rock rooster, wasted no time in getting acquainted with the ladies. He was very polite and gentlemanly!




When Arja and Tim got the girls from the hatchery, their upper beaks were already trimmed. But they do just fine. Aren't they pretty gals?



They are lovely, friendly little birds, just under a year old.


I'm not sure which one this is, but their legs are banded so I will soon get them figured out and remember their names. Anyway, she decided to venture out with Errol Flynn for a little while. He's keeping close tabs on his new lady friend. That white rooster in the background was one of the chicks Charlotte raised last summer. In fact, I think this might be him with his dear departed surrogate mama...


(Sigh... we miss Charlotte.) The rooster needs a name! I have to get on that. 

Anyway, the new girls are a great addition to the flock. Thank you, Arja and Tim, for trusting us with your girls. I got a wonderful information sheet on the hens: what they like to eat, what their favourite treats are,  how they feel about being handled, etc. I will enjoy getting to know them better over the coming weeks! They seem quite content already.

And while I was doing chores today, I crouched down to fill a bowl with scratch feed and Debbie the OSPCA hen jumped up on my back.

Can you see her? She's playing coy.


(I REALLY like the way the iPhone camera erases wrinkles, and smoothes skin!! Ha!)


Peek-a-boo, Debbie, I see you!

You may note that I am not wearing a coat in these photos. It was 10C today with warm sun, and the snow was melting like crazy. I got too hot doing my afternoon chores and had to take my winter jacket off! Considering that it was -30C when we woke up a few days back, this feels pretty darn warm!

It has been a while since the chickens got any air time on the blog, so I'll work on that, and let you know how the four Finnish beauties are doing. :)











16 comments:

  1. Aww, welcome to the pretty little ladies! I can't wait to read more about them. :) I have always wanted chickens, but it has never worked out. Maybe one day.

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  2. They are pretty birds. And, let's keep the warm breezes blowing.

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  3. Ahhh... they are adorable!!

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  4. mmmmhhh, it`s about time to get the old frying pan going.:-)

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  5. At this rate, you're going to be knee-deep in eggs. Those look like some happy hens, though.

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  6. They look very confident already!
    Jane x

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  7. Gorgeous hens. Errol Flynn is probably wondering what he did to deserve this :)

    We are having gorgeous spring weather this week. I hope we've had the end of winter!

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  8. You certainly do your part in taking in unwanted critters. You're going to have to get some help to look after all these critters.

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  9. They look beautiful. Nice outfits! Love Debbie on your head.

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  10. Oh they are pretty ! Yes the weather is wonderful down here to the melt is on big time lol . I saw and heard two Robins today WOOHOO ! . Lovely photos , I am sure all the animals are happy with the warmer weather and lots of sunshine to ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

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  11. Why are the upper beaks trimmed?

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  12. I love the photos of all of your critters. The girls are a gorgeous addition....

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  13. A beautiful gift, both the flowers and the hens ;-)

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  14. The new hens are so pretty! Makes me want another Plymouth Rock. Took a while but I caught up reading your last few posts. So sorry to hear about Charlotte. All of your animals have such a good life. You are just a natural beauty! The flowers are beautiful. I've bought some Stargazer Lilies to plant.

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  15. aw love your new girls ! and the lilies too...the smell is wonderful but I always have to keep them out of reach of the cats....Gail x

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  16. So happy for Arja and Tim girl`s, they will be happy at your place. You seem passion by your work or family.

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!