New blog

This journal was one transferred over from AOL when they closed their doors and while waiting for the email on how to transfer I had started a new journal so I will continue in that one. For anyone wanting to follow along here is my new link:

http://breakawaycarriejean.blogspot.com/

We got our FIRST Egg!

On October 12 Our Izzy Bear laid her first egg!  It was a perfect little egg and I do have a picture but have down uploaded it yet.  I will later. I have work today at 3 so I'm trying to get all my puter stuff done and than I have to do dishes quick before I leave.  Anyway...the next day she laid a soft shelled one (just had the membrane on it) and the inside was perfect. Than today she laid her second perfect egg!   I'm SO happy!  I can't wait for the others to join in and start laying.  Our big hen stopped laying completely now :(  So we haven't been getting anymore dark eggs from her. 

NEW LINK

OK now that AOL is chasing us out here is my new link for my new/old journal.  I had it already back in 2006 for a weight loss journal.  And moved here because adding pics was easier and things.  SO back I go.  They will transfer my stuff  I HOPE and they say all pictures will also be transfered.  I sure hope so I have a lot of pics and videos that I would like saved here.  I just hope all turns out ok with this move. 

http://breakawaycarriejean.blogspot.com/

When it rains it pours! OVEN

I forgot to add that our oven/stove is not working as of two days ago!  UGH!  It has been acting up for the past month but we were hoping it would last a few more months.  Been eating stuff out of the toaster oven and canned stuff in the microwave. We REALLY miss our home made bread! 
 Not like we want to fork out the money to replace it.  Were trying to figure out a way to pay for our heat the way it is. It's over a grand now to fill our tank.  OH man this full time position could not come at a better time! 

END RANT! 

Where and when will I move?

Well, I have decided to follow everyone else and move to blogger.  I have an old journal there now and I will be moving all my journals there and than just have the one journal rather than four or five.  Well, I'm also going to keep my kitchen journal but that won't be written in every day just when I add a new recipe.   It will be easier for me to keep up.  I will be sure to send everyone the link here before this site closes it's doors :D

LINDA, Did I tell you I had noticed the back side of your card a day after I actually got it.  Oh man, did I laugh!  It was about not sending you postage.  LOL  You are so funny.  Thanks again for those!  

More news...My boss has asked me to move to full time she said she loves my work  and would love to get me on the full time schedule.   After talking with Cory, we have decided I was going to take it.  The money is very good and I get paid vacations, health care (which I don't need but just in case), paid holidays PLUS if you work them you get your normal pay PLUS time and 1/2 on top of that!  Never seen that before!  Plus other benefits I can't remember right now.   And I work any holiday so that will really be nice.  You only get these benefits if you work full time so I decided to do it :D  It will be night hours so grandma will only need to watch Nic for 3 hours a night until Cory gets home.  And Nic is always over there longer than that anyhow so it fine with her.  I just have to figure out what days I want.  I will have every Sunday for sure. 
Now I have to figure out how to find the time for other things like the chickens, house cleaning, Nic, laundry, cooking, and the yard work.  UGH!  I may have to hire a house keeper LOL  ;)  I have really LOVED work...like I said its MUCH harder than the last hotel and more to do but I love the challenge.   Well, I better get going for now.  We have company coming Friday and I just got home from work so I need to get the house cleaned and laundry done.  No more computer time for me today! 

What my neighbor said...clipping wings to save chickens

Well, I talked with my neighbor yesterday and she felt really bad.  These people are great people and their dogs are great dogs and are really friendly but dogs like any other animal have instincts and Zip's instincts took hold of him and he gave chase after the poor babies :(  I don't blame him or the neighbors after all I did invite the dog over several times so it's as much my fault as it is theirs.  I had to tell Zippy yesterday that I would be chasing him away from now on and that makes me sad but I think it's for the best.  They are keeping him (as of right now) but she said she was keeping him tied up.  I told her that we could make a deal and I could keep the chickens in till 2pm and she could let Zip run in the morning and I could let my chickens out for the afternoon till dark.  I hate for the poor dog to be chained 24/7 when my own dogs get to run free.  We are the only close neighbors and between us we have four dogs we have two and she has two.  Her other dog is old and grey and could care less about my chickens.  My dogs are out by my chickens every day and have never harmed them.  Heck they were both in and got after my baby chick and it only had a hurt legs so that's pretty good for a boxer!  
She agreed to pay for my shipment of orpington hatching eggs  I have in, and any food we have into them.  I was happy I didn't have to ask for money from her..she offered :D  I have great neighbors and I want to be as fair as possible. 

Than we had another problem...NALA (you can see her pic on top of the fence on the last entry)...she keeps flying over our 6 foot fence and getting out.  So we had to break down and clip one of her wings last night so she would not be next on the Zippy fun list!  We took her in the house, gave her some treats and I slowly put a towel on her head while hubby held her and I clipped her wing.  Doesn't hurt them at all.  This morning she tried and tried and tried to fly over that fence and could not do it so we succeeded at keeping her in...at least until she molts and grows new back in.  One other made it over several days ago once but has not done it again since so we are waiting to see if we have to clip her wings too. 

Lastly...NEWS...I start work tomorrow :D  I'm happy and excited about it.  I have to learn Oprah (the hotel computer systems) so that should be fun.  I know some of the other systems but this one I never had a chance to use so I have two weeks of training before I start work.  Should be interesting.  Well, better get going but first I'm going to copy and paste this beast because I just lost my last entry! 

Feeling better/pic heavy

Well I have not shared pictures here in a while so I have a bunch now that i want to share along with a "SO LONG" to my dead babies.  One good thing, a lady that I talk to on a chicken forum I visit is going to send me a dozen Orpington eggs to hatch next week.  She has VERY nice orps and it's all I lost.  I'm so happy about that. I can fill up my hen house again.  I just miss my babies so much.  They were addicted to us and SO sweet!  I will let you know when the neighbor calls me back and what she said.  All I want is to have them replaced so if she would just purchase my hatching eggs for 25 bucks I would be happy.   Here we go: OH BTW, I think I'm just going down to ONE journal...can't seem to keep up with having more than that so what I will do is put my chicken stuff at the end for those who would rather not read that than it's at the end and its all good :D  I will start that when I move over to blogspot. 

Here is the latest one I got of Phoenix who was alone until I found his girl Shelby for him.  He was just crying!  Poor thing.  He's just a baby yet he needs his friends to get by. 


This is our main boss Kell Bell and he is turning into a handsome young man don't ya think?  He is in mid crow here.  He's a sweety! 


My blue silkie..I THINK  it's a boy. He's only about 8-9 weeks old yet. 


Here is Beauty and Beast enjoying some free ranging.


Just look at that sweet face!  I love this dog!


Nic goes to school :D  He had tons of fun!


The rest of the bantam crew out freeranging.  Thank god they were not out when Zip was here killing chickens! 


Beast is doing a dance for Beauty but she keeps ignoring him LOL.


Nic being silly...he loves the chickens.


Most of the crew.


Our escape artist! She goes in and out as she pleases. 




OK NOW

IN MEMORY:  I will miss these girls!!!! :( 

LOLA AND LILY (whiter chickens) : Lola has the blue spot on her head.  Lily is more light.  These girls were SO special to me and Lily was going to be shown next fall :(
 



BRITNEY (Buff Orp)


And here the three of them are and Britney has her wing over the black ones (Paris and Nicole)...she always did that. 


And still MIA is Bell our brown sex link: I sure hope she comes home soon! 

Chickens dead! Very heavy heart today :(

Yesterday I left home about 4:30 pm to bring my son to the bus station so he could go back to school and got home at 5:30 to see my husband and father outside in the rain.  Right away I KNEW that wasn't right.  I get out of the car and right away see a chicken Massacre!  My ONLY three orpingtons I had DEAD!  Well, the buff was still partially alive and my husband had to dispatch her   One Brown sex link still missing. My baby polish was missing but I stayed out in the rain for hours looking for her and finally found her!  It was dark and I heard her cheep and recognized it right away.  When she heard and seen me she come running to me.  I tucked her under my jacket and took her home.  She was ok but soaked so I put the heat lamp on in the coop for them to all dry out.   Oh it was SO sad to see.  My splash orps I had so desperately wanted were getting so beautiful and now I have none.  I asked what happened and my dad said it was the neighbors dog.  UGH! Thank god my dad is outside pretty much all the time and he was able to stop him before he killed more!  I love my neighbors and I loved that dog...he really is such a good dog.  I'm very happy he was gone when I got there or I don't know what I would have done out of anger.  I had time to sit and think and I didn't call the neighbors yesterday as I was WAY TOO angry and I don't want to loose the closeness we have with them at all so I'm calling them in a bit here now that I'm calm and had time to think it over.  She is a very reasonable person and I know she will pay for the losses.   She may even get rid of the dog. It was a stray they took in who was found on the road and he keeps getting off his chain when they are at work.  It's nobody's fault really...they do a great job at keeping the dogs home most of the time. And I did always allow the dog in our home when he wanted to come play with out boxer..he would actually "paw" at the door for Max to come out and run with him.  So it's as much my fault as theirs.   And of course it's a dogs instinct to give chase to things like that.  None were bleeding at all they were all internal injuries    You can be SURE that the dog will NO LONGER be allowed here! 

The three chickens that died had "cliques" they hung with.  The four newest ones I had just added were the splashes (the two that were killed)  and the polish and the Golden Phoenix male who are both still alive and I'm just so happy they have each other but they are calling for their Lily and Lola   Poor things!  And then what will Paris and Nicole do without their buff orp Britney    They were together since hatch and where you would see one the other two were always near by.  I am just SOO sad today! 

To top this my little boy was sick all night and had a high fever and throwing up :(  I got NO sleep at all last night. 

Sorry this got so long...just had to talk about it

Lots of pics, big change... and more. Our first predator....

OH I did it again!  I went to move a picture and darned if my WHOLE entry vanished!  WHY O WHY can't you click back and your entry will show up!??????WHY>>>>>>  UGH!  Now I have to start ALL over again. 

Well...I will learn my lesson and remember to copy and paste as my entry gets large!  I WILL REMEMBER!  LOL  HUH Prob not! 

OK so anyway....

I will start with my BIG news.  I'm getting a job again :D  Most of you may remember that I used to work at a hotel at the front desk?  Well, I put my app in to the hotel next door to the one I used to work at.  The one I used to work at got sold and I didn't like the new owners so I left.  I really miss it and we have been slowly going farther and farther in the hole so I really  need to make some money here and pay for my chicken hobby (which I want to expand in the future) WHO KNOWS maybe I will get me some peachicks later!  Not sure of the hours yet or anything but  she called yesterday and told me I have the job...My X boss works there and she gave me a great reference.  The only prob is, they already hired two girls before I applied and she doens't THINK they will work out so when one of them is gone she will call me...prob next week. 

On to our predator  prob...that would be my two dogs!  My lovely (I LOVE THEM I REALLY DO) doggies...did I mention I loved them?  Well, I didn't have the basement door shut tight (maybe Nicci didn't have the door shut tight)  Either way, It was my own fault...I know to check the doors after Nic goes in the house.  And I didn't.  So Max bashed in the top of the Barred rock's babies cage and when I went in the house...prob hours later....both dogs ran upstairs FAST.  I walked in and saw the cage bashed in and the chick gone :(  I found feathers...lots offeathers but no blood,  no bird.  We looked everywhere!  under every bed, even in the toilet, you just never know.   We come to the conclusion that Max had ate her.   Next day we hear Max down there barking...he normall does NOT bark at all.  Look around...yup cubby's here...cats are both here.  What IS he barking at?  Hubby goes down there and says "carrie, Max is awfully interested in the couch"!  I got all excited and we move the couch (we had moved it before to fine nothing)  Nothing again...then we decide to move the book shelf (which is behind the couch...long story) and lo and behold there sits Lucky!  Pick her up and she has a very sore foot and missing feathers but other than that she is good.  No blood anywhere~!  A few days later her one foot is green from bruising but she walks on it better.  She and her silkie friend I added with her later then find a new home :D  They love them and she emailed me a few times now saying they are fine and happy :D

YEsterday I added my 10 week old chicks to the wild hen house/run area for the first time.  I have some video of that and lots of pics of the new girls/one boy additions.  Here are a few of the hens to start: 

These girls are now 17 weeks old!  Isn't that crazy!?  It doesn't seem like I have had chickens for 17 weeks already. 

Here is Izzy.  She will be one of the first girls to lay...she is a red sex link and she has a really red comb and waddles so she is getting close ;) I can't wait! 


Here are three girls...from front to back...Maya (Easter Egger) Izzy again (sex link) and than Olivia (barred rock) You can see we are next to TWO apple trees LOL 


Next we have the old girl Angel (Welsummer hen)  I got her from a friend and she was bare backed when I got her from her rooster overmating her.  Here is a before and after shot of her:




And then we have the new crew who are just 10 weeks old.  There is Lily (splash Orpington) Lola (splash orp mixed), Shelby (Polish WCB) and Phoenix (Golden Phoenix)  They are all so sweet!  The others did pick at them but I stood gaurd with a stick and protected them while they were out.  I have them in when I'm not out there. I just don't trust the big crew yet! 

Here is Phoenix my Golden Phoenix Roo I hatched out from Kelly's eggs :D


Here is the four of them sticking together:





Here is one of the newest additions who are only 6 weeks old...(Silkie's)  did not name them YET!


Well, I'm going to go upload that video so I can share it with you.

Wait till U hear this! Video/pics of new cage PLUS more

OMG I just had a TON of stuff written in  here and I accidentally pressed back rather then a different tab I had open!  LOST IT ALL!  UGH!  Time to copy and past again!  LOL  OK let see what I can remember here...

First of all  I have something interesting to tell you all but first I want to share some pics of my new pen I made BY MYSELF...ONLY ME...NOT EVEN KIDDING!  From the measuring to the cutting to the putting it all together and adding fencing...I did it!  BY MYSELF!  I'm proud can ya tell??!!  LOL 
Kelly, if it were not for you I would not have even attempted this. I seen what you can do and that is what got me to try it.  Your my hero!  :D  Now if you wouldn't have gone and got peachicks!!! Now I'm going to want some!!! LOL 

OK here is my cage that I made...BY MYSELF :D  The top is not connected yet, I ran out of hinges so it's just sitting on there right now.  I decided to make a door BY MYSELF! 

The new bantam cochins are enjoying eating the grass.  I don't have a bottom in it because I want to use it for forage.  It has a bottom that can easily be screwed in though in case I need it.


Nic likes it too :D  It's about 4 foot X 3 foot


Here is Steele checking out his look a likes.  See the size difference...the bantams are pretty much full grown...they are about 6 months old now.  Steele has still got growing to do....he is much younger than they are.  He is a giant cochin.


Here is a closer one of the bantam cochins (Beauty and Beast) his name really does not fit him LOL  He's so calm and gentle and loving.  She beats him up sometimes.   They are getting along good now tho :D  Thank goodness! 


And another of my big boy Steele.   He's waiting around for me to pick him up and put him on the roost.  All the other hens are roosting already.  He's such a sweet heart!  I just LOVE him.  I think I say that every post ;)  Kelly thanks SO much for giving me those eggs.  I have a comedian (Serama) and a Sweet Sweet couple out of the deal!  Not to mention my beautiful golden phoenix who is getting nicer by the day :D 


Some of the crew I got after putting Steele to bed...you can see steele at the bottom of pic.


And the other 1/2


And Queen Angel the welsummer hen.  She is just the BOSS of the crew.  She is the oldest and my only egg layer at this time.  She is laying almost every day now :D  You can tell its bedtime...look at how huge her crop is!  She ate alot!  They were out ALL day today. 


Ok, now for the exciting news I wanted to share with you.   I told you Max got out by the chickens yesterday right?  Well, I decided to take him out again this time with me there watching him.  I took him near the chickens who were out free ranging and let him go...he took off and I yelled at  him to get back here.  He listened and came to me! SHOCK!  So then I took him closer to the chickens and let him loose while STILL being VERY close.  He didn't do a THING to them!  Didn't chase them didn't even go sniff them.  He was SO good!  I am so excited about all this.  I eventually want to trust him to be out there by them and be able to leave them alone.  I didn't have my camera and it was thundering just getting ready to rain so I didn't get a pic but I will tomorrow :D 

Now for the video.  Every wonder what it's like putting chickens to bed?  Well here is what it is like EVERY night for me.  Miss Queen Angel has to pitch a fit and be sure she gets her 2 feet on both sides of her before she can settle down!  LOL  She sometimes has to be reminded to be nice to her roomy's.  She's so sweet and we love her but sometimes she can be evil!   She has never hurt them badly so I'm not worried.  It's just a "move out of my territory" peck.  When you hear a little screaming it's because the one chicken to the left of Angel is trying to get UNDER the other's wing lol  They still act like babies sometimes.  It's so cute.  The Serama acts like a big guy with a swelled head LOL  My FIL calls him cock of the walk and says he sure is a cute little shit!  Everyone loves him around her except for the hens when he grabs onto their tails and won't let them go!  He has been trying to mate them for ever now but does not succeed!  Poor boy!  He then goes to bed with his head  held low :(  He stays out with the hens all day and then goes in his own coop at night because he tortures them in the morning before I can open the door up!  LOL  I have to get a video of him mating his stuffed toy!  NOTE TO SELF!  LOL  You guys would die laughing! I'm going to work on that.  Hubby got to see it finally. OK video time!



 

I made a cage by myself today!

It took me half the day but boy it looks nice. I took pics and will post them tomorrow...I have to get to bed today.  Have to get up at 3am to drive Stefan to school!  I have to go with him in the morning to get his schedule and pay his fees.  I should be back home about 2ish.  Will update then :D   I will show pics of my cage I built :D 

Max got out by the chickens!!!!!!!Door was left open!

 Our boxer (Max) who is one yr old and loaded with energy got out by my chickens this morning...we always keep him IN the house while the  hens are free ranging and this morning my son looked out the window and seen him running in circles by the chickens and yells "THE DOG IS OUT"  I run downstairs, as did he (our main floor is upstairs) and we threw on our shoes and out the door we ran.  Yelled for Max and here he comes running with foam in his mouth and panting like a crazy dog!   I didn't even want to go see what he did.  I have 15 chickens freeranging...so we walked down there and started counting...all 15 were there all 15 were FINE!  WHEW! I think he was just having fun playing with them and chasing them around.  My only laying hen laid an egg minutes after!  LOL  This is a dog that plays with a hot dog before he sits down and SLOWLY eat it.  He's a strange dog.

Oh man did that make me sick to my stomach! 

Check out my new chickens! :D

Ok so if you read the last entry you know that I have six new chickens :D  I have a pair of bantam cochins which are REALLY pretty...here they are.  Kelly, these guys are named Beauty and Beast :D  Love it!  This is the male  These pictures don't even do them justice.  They look even better in real life.  This guys is SO nice and just a sweet  heart.  He was getting a little ruffed up by the female so I put them in seperate cages for now.  We had to travel over an hour each way to get them and he sat on my lap all the way home...his butt was in a plasitc bag tho ;)  Boy did I get some funny looks.  Then I lost my phone in the parking lot there and we had to go all the way back to pick it up!  UGH! 



Here is Beauty...she is just beautiful!  And I think she will get better...she is 5-6 months old now and I KNOW she will be nice to her boyfriend soon :D 





And here are my silkies!  I finally got silkies!  :D 
I have a dark blue and three white/splash




And here is what the other hens think of the silkies: On the top row we have (from left to right)  Olivia, Violet,  Zoe, Bell and Nala and on the bottom row we have Izzy, and Lacey.  If we are in the garage they will always come in there and spend time with us. 


And here is what we seeing in our garage a few days ago!  I forgot to post these.  This bigger snake was carring a small snake.  UGH They left VERY fast out of my garage.  They only eat grass...so no worry for the chickens at least.