Alligator Morning

 Mark and I had the "oh nooooo" moment earlier today when we looked out the window to see an alligator relaxing on our beach.  Note the pleasant smile...

He stayed long enough for me to take a photo of him and a video, then launched back into the water.  We haven't seen him in a few hours so we are HOPING he left.

The video below captures the dramatic (and extremely fast) launch back into the pond. 

 

MEET "PUFFY DOO"

Her full name is "Puffy Doo", can you guess why we named her this?

This bird weighs about 1.5 pounds. Her size is all feathers. Underneath there is a very small little chicken. She has a very sweet personality and will sit in your lap if you pet her gently.

Puffy is a silkie bantam, she has blue skin and five toes per foot. 

HERE'S RAVEN

He's big (no he's not), he's fat (under 2 pounds), he's the king of Flock-1. It's Raven!

Flock-1: Raven with his ladies, see how small Dutchess is?

 

Flock-1 babies

MARK AND BLACKIE

We love wearing chickens, it's what we do "out here" on the farm. Here's Mark and Blackie out for a walk. See how happy she is?

Blackie is a female bantam Cochin chicken, she weighs about 1.25 pounds

FIRST EGG

AUGUST 3, 2021

White egg is from Dutchess, aka "Skunk"

White egg is #1, standard brown chicken egg for reference

Our smallest and most unique chicken, Dutchess, was the first of our chickens to lay an egg. We estimated August 2nd would be when they were capable and she delivered.

The day started with her running back and forth by the door to Castle 1. There was lots of singing too although it sounded a bit more like laughter. All the chickens were talking and making similar sounds as the fated moment approached.

We happened to be out in the yard and had flock1 and flock2 out for playtime. Dutchess retreated into their coop and after more singing proudly emerged. 

Mary checked the coop and retrieved the egg for this photo op. After that we were conflicted about what to do, we finally decided to put it back in the coop.

UPDATE - AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

The chickens showed no interest in incubating the egg(s) so we brought them in. Fresh eggs are protected by a special coating, they can sit out on the kitchen counter for a month without spoiling.

HERE'S DUTCHESS

Glamour shots of our little over-achiever. Her personality is massive even though she weighs less than a pound.

Flock-1 Babies (for reference)

THE "I JUST LAID AN EGG" SONG

CRANK UP THE VOLUME

Apparently it is a thing chickens do when eggs get laid, they all join in and sing this little song. Watch Dutchess emerge from the coop and let out a series of triumphant squeaks, she's got the highest voice, the one that sounds like a squeeze toy :-)