I'm molting

not melting,

I'm molting.

Lately I have been collecting mini sized eggs from my hens. Not only that, but only one or two eggs a day (compared to an average of seven awhile back). I actually had to buy white eggs from the store to keep up with my family's breakfast order, which kinda freaked the kids out. "Mom, what's the matter with this egg, it's white?!"

I thought my chickens might be sick, but turns out they need a "reset" time. It's called "molting." It's normal for chickens to stop laying eggs for a bit this time of year. They put all that egg-makin' energy into rejuvenating their feathers and bodies. Less daylight and colder weather tell them it's time.

Maybe it's the time change, the cold weather, the shorter days, but it feels like I'm taking that big deep breath before hunkering down for winter too. Time to wind down from harvest, and step into the snowboots.

Just molting.

rent a daddy

What was the mama goat's favorite t.v. show?....The Nanny

What do you call a goat that's floating on the water?...Billy Bob So right now we are renting a "billy goat" (I use quotes because the word billy is sometimes frowned on in the goat community) We're hoping he will get frisky with our goat girls and in 5 months...voila...kids. One sniff of our rent-a-daddy and you would understand why we rent instead of own. PeeeeUuuuuu!! I gag when I'm out doing chores and the wind comes at me just right. Bucks have a really strong smell that helps send the does into heat. One of the reasons they stink so much is that they pee on their own goatees....the ladies must dig it...yuck again. I was lucky enough to witness it within 5 minutes of our goats introductions.

Last year we did purchase a buck, Tuffy, from a very kind neighbor. We got a deal on him because he was recovering from a dog attack. He was one sad sight, but we were assured he could "do the job." Well, he killed over mid winter, poor guy. "At least he went out well," we thought. Five months later I was expecting kids. Apparently Tuffy did NOT get the job done. Shucks.

...and a few more lame goat jokes for the road:

What do you call a goat that isn't moving...Billy Idle

What do you call a goat that lip-syncs?...Billy Vanilli.

What do you call a goat that is a professional comedian?...Billy the Kid

written by a disgruntled mother

Remember the story of the little red hen? Now that I'm a parent, something is very obvious!...

mama hen: "oh look at all this work that needs to be done for dinner tonight. Who will help me plan dinner?"

children: "not I"..."not I"... "I've got homework"

mama hen: "who will help me set the table?"

children: "not I"..."not I"... "I've got stuff to do"

mama hen: "who will help me peel these potatoes"

children: "not I"..."not I"... "not me either, mom"

When the delicious dinner aroma spreads throughout the house you can guess who starts showing up for the meal. Suddenly all the un-interested, "busy" or otherwise occupied parties are happy to volunteer assistance...as taste testers!

...So back to what is now so obvious to me. This story was written by a disgruntled mother! One who was only trying to teach her children the value of hard work and probably never had the heart to send her moochy slackers to their room when they would not chip in. Perhaps by threatening them with this story that mother did get a little bit of payback while she slaved solo over the hot stove.