Update on Angel and Rena

So, the start of putting Angel in with Rena was a rough one for sure. I did not want Rena to be alone, and I am pretty sure Angel came out of that clutch of eggs Rena did. Angel also used to live over in the barn over by the coop where Rena is, so I thought that would work out well. It was a rough go for a while, but they seem to be doing better, and they are getting along better. Now, better as in Rena is not trying to beat up Angel anymore. They do not seem to interact together much, but they are not fighting anymore. They can be in the same area and not be mad about it. I am hopeful they start to be friends, especially with some cold weather coming in. I guess time will tell. 

Ursula Update

I freaked myself out and went ahead and called the vet after the first day of Ursula not acting right. I had talked to a coworker, and he mentioned she might be constipated. I have never heard of a cat being constipated, but illnesses are never out of the realm of possibilities. I called the vet to see if I could get something for her and the vet said they had something there, so I before I went home, I went to get it. By the time I got home, Ursula met me at the door like she normally does trying to get outside. I did give her a dose of the stuff the vet gave me that night, just in case, but she seemed fine with no other issues. I guess she actually took care of it herself or the stomach started feeling better. 

Noma

Oh Noma, that poor old donkey. She is just not feeling herself. That girl is laying down more. I know she has always been that way, but she seems to be laying down more and more. I know she is tired. I know she is old. I just want her to be okay. I love that old girl. I do realize she is on the downhill part of life, but I want her to at least be comfortable while she is here. 

Combs

I had noticed the hens were having lighter combs lately. I decided to check to see if there was a worm situation. I gave all the hens some wormer to see if the combs would brighten up and it did seem to work. It did not take too long for it to work. That makes me be able to relax a little. The hens are getting older, so I know those things happen, but I hate to see it. 

Ursula

Well, Ursula has been acting sick. She has me nervous. She is separating herself from me and Oreo. She is going back and forth to the litter box all the time. Poor girl looks so miserable. I am not sure what is going on with her. The only experience I have with something like this is when Bubba had a UTI, but this seems different. I cannot put my finger on it, but Ursula is miserable. I may call the vet to see what to do for her. 

Mineral

Ted has not been himself lately. The weather has been crazy though, up and down. Ronnie finally got some mineral for all the goats and the sheep. Ted has been eating that mineral like crazy. I am guessing he really needed that. He does seem a little happier. I am hoping it helps him to feel better. It might take the weather getting back to one thing for him to feel better, but we will see. Bill is acting fine and he is the one that is normally sick this time of year. 

Favorite Time

My favorite time of night is sunset. I love to see that sun set. I am not sure why, but I just love the colors in the sky. Apparently, the donkeys and goats like the sunset, too. On a normal day, they will walk out into the pasture at sunset and eat a bit and then they come back into the barn when it starts getting dark. They look so small and like I am on a safari or something when I look out at them. They look happy out there and that makes me happy. I could sit and watch them for hours. Do the things you enjoy. 

Onyx and the Wind

I watched Onyx struggling in the wind. She was trying to hide behind everything she could find. Poor girl. She has places to get into if she would get into them. She was hiding behind the steps to stay out of that wind. The Texas wind is unforgiving, too. I have never been in any wind like the wind in West Texas. I hate when the weather is so windy and cold that the animals act like they are struggling. I have to remind myself that each of them has a place to go to get out of the wind and be warmer if they choose to. 

The Chicken and the Cat

I watched Olga and Athena playing. I just sat back and watched them. They were going circles around each other like they were playing. Athena ended up in the crate and Olga was looking in at her like she had just stopped in the middle of their game. I love to be able to see all the animals getting along and being together on the property. That is what this place is all about. 

Loving Pigs

I had an evening where I was able to sit down and hang out with the pigs. I do not ever what them to not remember that I give belly rubs and give them plenty of love. I was able to pet every one of the pigs in that pen. Brutus and Darla wanted belly rubs, so they got some. Russ was hesitant, like always. Bacon Bit did not want belly rubs, but she did come over for me to pet her a little. I had to go to Patsy to pet her. Pork Chop allowed me to pet him, too, which is very rare. It was a nice evening for all of us. Pigs are so loving. They do my heart some good. 

Crate

I had never seen Athena in one of the crates in the shop. I did finally see her in the crate. I guess she was cold and decided that is where she wanted to be, so she just crawled in and stayed there. She does not like to be messed with, so I left her alone. I was glad to see she was getting in the crate since it is January, and it is cold outside. I at least know she knows how to stay warm when she wants to be. 

Ginger

Ginger has turned out to be a lot like Gidget was. I sure do miss Gidget, and I wish I knew what had happened to her. Regardless, she is gone. Every day, Ginger comes over to me and sits down at my feet waiting for me to pick her up and cuddle with her. I find it so sweet that she wants me to love on her. I have never had an affection chicken, so I did not know they could be. This girl is, though. She is just looking for love.

 

Eggs

These chickens are wild with where all they are laying their eggs. Let me tell you what, there is never any telling where in the world I will find some eggs. One of the things I know I will have to do in the evenings is have an egg hunt. It is entertaining to see some of the places they decide to lay those eggs. Sometimes I wonder what goes through their minds when they lay one in some random place. 

Home

Ronnie and I were out watching the animals. We do that from time to time. Slow down and really take in what is around us. It has taken me a long time, but looking out and watching all these animals, this is home. I never thought I would say that about West Texas, but it has become my home. Yes, there are times in the year I absolutely hate, but I did in Arkansas, too. The summers here are not any better than the summers there, so that is about the same. I just love our land and the animals we have living on it and being able to take care of them. West Texas has become home. 

Saverine

I walked out by the pasture and Saverine came to me. She does not do that too often, but on this day she did. She turned so her behind was close to me. She wanted to me to scratch her back and her behind. She knew exactly what she wanted and how she could get it. I sure do love that horse. Saverine does not let anyone pet her, so I felt special in that moment with her coming to me. She got what she wanted though, that is what is important. 

Yeller Cuddles

Yeller has got to be the sweetest cat I have ever had. He is so cuddly and loving. He was not that way in the beginning, but he is now. He knows he is loved and he is safe here. Every day I try to give him love and cuddles. It helps me, too. Animals have this way of having unconditional love for their humans, so I sure do try to show these guys love and attention. Yeller is one of those who allows me to love on him. Share your love out in the world, everyone is looking to be loved. 

Oh Raven

Raven has learned to go in and out of the back of the shop where the other chickens go in and out. She is eating the chicken feed in one area, the cat food, and the chicken feed in another area. She is definitely getting around to all the food places. She is also starting to get bigger than the other chickens. I know who she is for sure since she is bigger than everyone else. I do believe she is laying a bunch of double yoke eggs, too. I do not know that for sure, but I do think it is her laying those huge eggs. I am not sure how to break her from her starting those bad habits. She sure is a pretty hen, though. 

Straw

Those pigs sure to get into that straw and throw it around everywhere. I am trying to kick it back into the shelters for them so they still have some. Those pigs know what they are doing. They are so smart it is unreal. I will keep putting the straw back in and Ronnie will keep buying more to make sure they are warm. I love to watch them in the straw. 

Extra Feed

I do not give the donkeys and goats in the pasture extra feed too often. When it starts to get cold or the weather is already cold, I give them some extra food on occasion. I did that very thing not long ago. Let me tell you, those guys were so happy. They also decided to fight over it, too. When the feed got low, Red decided to kick the rest of them out of the way to eat the end of the food. I know they all got some, so that is what is important. They have plenty of food out in the pasture. I will still give them extra on occasion, but I may need to spread it out more. 

Feeding All the Birds

It is winter time, even though the temperatures had not been bad. I am feeding the chickens twice a day so they have something to eat. In the summer it will be less because there are other things for them to eat. Regardless, they are getting fed a lot of food. However, when I throw out the feed, I think I am feeding all the birds around. There are hundreds of birds that hang around here. I know they just want food, too. I am glad I can help them, too. The chickens do not seem to mind sharing. It is quite the attraction to watch in the mornings. 

Sheep Jealousy

Ted is still not acting himself. I do not know what is going on. I do notice it more when the weather is changing, so I am sure that is what is wrong with him. I am hoping anyway. We have also changed their diet and he is mad about that. I was loving on him and petting his head. Bill got jealous and head butted me through the gate, I almost fell. I had to laugh about it though. I guess sheep jealousy is a big deal. They are fun to be around. I never know what they are going to do. They both love to have some petting and attention. 

Pasture Donkeys

As I was out in the pasture, I was able to love on the donkeys. Each of them, except for Pete came over to get some attention. It amazes me how different their personalities are. Red is such a leader, he shows he is in charge with his attitude and the way he walks. Pete is the shy, quiet type who does not want any attention. He does want attention, but he is too scared to accept the attention. Pedro is somewhat of a bully, but he is my baby. He just wants all my attention. Ned is just a happy boy with his smiles and brays. Each of these guys have been through so much, but they are all happy here. They are all so different, but they are bonded together and there is no separating them again. I love hanging out with them. 

Rainbow Cloud

As I was out feeding and watering, I had been having a rough day. I looked up and saw a rainbow cloud. I do understand that the cloud I am referring to is only reflecting light off of the sun, but I still like to see them. The rainbow cloud usually gives me hope and makes me feel better about whatever it is I am dealing with. That is God talking to me, I know that, too. Those clouds are pretty, especially standing on the farm where you can see it better without the busy city in the background also. Bad days do happen, but there is hope at the end of them if you look for it. 

Weather

The cold weather is moving in. It may only be here for a week, but we have to be prepared. Most of the animals cuddle up in their shelters. The pigs do, too, but I always feel like they need a little extra help since pigs are unable to regulate their temperatures on their own. Ronnie usually has to get straw several times in the winter months, but the pigs love it and it makes me worry less. These days we just throw in the flecks of straw, and the pigs spread it the way they want it. As long as they have the straw in their shelters, which they do have 3 shelters to stay out of the wind, they do pretty well. 

Alex

If you remember, Ronnie took Alex to the vet a month ago or so. The feed and hay got changed to help him lose some weight. He is looking better. He is up moving around more. Alex is still slow, but he is up and moving around, so to me that is progress. He still lets me pet on him and love on him, so that is good, too. I am glad he is starting to feel better. 

Onyx and the Trailer

I was watching out the window at Onyx. I saw her get up on the wheel cover of the trailer. She then stretched to get her arms up onto the window portion of the trailer and then she jumped inside the trailer. I just stood there with my mouth opened. I do wonder how she gets out of there, but it is probably the same way. I knew she used to get in there and sleep, it looks like she still does. I had never seen her do that. I was surprised and honestly a little impressed. She is protected in there, nothing can get her, so if that is where she wants to be, she can be there

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Update on Rena and Angel

The update is not a great one. I really thought Rena and Angel would start to get along faster. It has been about a week. Rena has stopped pecking on Angel, but Angel still tries to stay away from her. I cannot blame her really. Rena can be really mean. It is starting to get a little better. They have not killed each other yet, so that is a plus. I did see Angel up on top of the laying boxes and Rena was in the laying boxes. They were close to each other but could not see each other. I laughed about that. They will figure it out. It looks like it may take longer than I thought it would. 

Ginger

I have decided I have domesticated these chicks too much. They come running when they hear my voice. They will allow me to pick them up and cuddle with them. They will follow me where I go. It is the weirdest thing. It is only weird though because none of the other chickens we have raised have ever done those things, except Wheezy. Ginger has decided she likes me enough she will almost purr on my shoulder when I pick her up for cuddles. It is such an experience. I am grateful I was able to tame them as much as I have. I may not tame the next bunch as much though. 

Ursula's Adventures

I need to write a book about Ursula and her adventures. Sometimes I forget she was a stray when I found her, so she was living outside. When she first got to the farm, she was an outside cat, so she knows her way around. Every day when I get home, she feels like she needs to go outside. Normally all she does is scratch on a log and roll in the dirt and then she is good to go back in the house. That is the normal thing. Sometimes Ursula decides to be wild and free. She will chase a chicken or two, which has backfired because a whole bunch of them will chase her back. She tries to be friends with the other cats. Oddly enough, the only one who will play with her is Athena and she is the meanest one. Not long ago I had to chase her and grab her before she ran into the donkey pasture. That girl is a mess some days. Ursula just needs an adventure a day. Once she goes outside for a few minutes and then comes back in, she stops crying at the door. I have never had a cat do that. Ursula is a unique one for sure.