As I expected, the initial enthusiasm for my blog has abated. We are back to the usual amount of daily visitors. But it's okay. The blog is for the birds and I, and all those who want to join in the fun at any time.
I awoke rather late because I had gone to sleep very late, or early, depending on how you look at it. Let's just say, if it would have been summer, I would have let the chicks out before I went to bed.
I checked my email at 1pm, still in pajamas, and I found a letter from Ursula saying that she had to leave early and could not let the chicks out. Oh no! Had I known, I would have risen sooner. I immediately pulled on my very muddy boots and my coat over my pajamas, and ran out to the chickens, who were bobbing their little heads in front of the window, wondering why they were being held captive. I hurried to let them out. They flooded out the door amid annoyed clucking. I gave them fresh water and cleaned out the house, and picked the straw out of their various seed containers. I let Ise out into total freedom, and then I had to chase after her, but she managed to run into a corner, so I could catch her easily. It still feels so strange to pick her up. The feathers! But they are completely tame and friendly. When I was in their run cleaning out the seed bowl, they walked all around me and I pet them. There was no objection.
It felt good to have the responsibility for the chicks. I gave them an apple and picked fresh grass for them. A lady came by and gave them barley. Nina was the first in the sand/mud bath. I collected 3 eggs. This was also amazing: to pick the eggs up and out of the nest. Their gift every day to us.
Here are today's pics.
The coop and the run from the angle of the garden:
The birds checkin' me out from the corner of their eyes:
Whenever I bring them something, they always look up at me expectantly with their little angry expressions. They are absolutely adorable. Especially Nina with her beak askew.
The side of their "tour bus":
And 1 of today's eggs.
TOJI NO. 11:
