Welcome to the weekend view.
Pumpkins and pretties
Fluffy and fabulousness on repeat over here – I shared a little video of this sweet girl on instagram last week and got lots of questions so thought I would share a bit more about her. I mentioned that we adopted a few silkie hens a couple of months ago- this cutie is one of them. She is about 5 years old and we adopted her and another hen that looks just like her at the same house. I guess they both lived in a wire bottom cage full time before so she has been learning how to navigate walking on uneven pea gravel and grass. We think she may also be blind in one eye- she doesn’t seem to see very well and tends to stay close to the barn most of the time. When we first brought her home – she would freak out a bit every time we picked her up but she has gotten used to being picked up and cuddled and moved around the yard now and seems pretty happy as she wanders.
Something you might not know is that when you bring new birds to an existing flock- you need to keep them separate for about a month to make sure that they don’t have any diseases that can affect the other birds. We kept the 6 adopted hens separate for that first month- but unfortunately, once they were mixed with our flock of birds- all of our birds started coming down with a respiratory infection. So one of the adopted hens seems to have had something that we didn’t notice. We treated the entire group with antibiotics and thankfully they all seem to be okay though there are a few with lingering congestion.
We realized the hard way why so many chicken owners decide to keep a closed flock- meaning they don’t add any older birds. We named the tiniest adopted fluffy white girl ‘Tink’ because she was so small. What we didn’t know was that she was so small because she had mites for probably several months before we adopted her and she was anemic. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive even with being fed with a dropper and treated for the anemia and mites. Though some things have been hard, we are glad that we were able to adopt these birds and give them a home – they seem to really enjoy exploring and learning new things and are all so sweet.
A grown up ‘baby’
This guy right here loves to be held and cuddled. He loves to be cuddled while laying on his back with his feet all stretched out. haha. He is full of personality and is such a sweet boy. And he definitely needs a spa day after playing in the dirt haha.
Kev
Since it seems to be all about the animals today- in goat news- this little guy right here is a stinker. Which of course you already know- he is a goat and goats are stinkers. I think I mentioned before that he learned how to open the gate on his own and has taken great pleasure in the fact that he was letting himself out whenever he wanted to. We have since added extra locks that he hasn’t been able to figure out how to get around Yet. I say yet because – again- he is a goat and goats are stinkers and masters of escaping.
Garden Roses & Pumpkins
Because, it is pumpkin season and these roses are still blooming away. I clipped these the other day and brought them in to enjoy. These are mostly All Dressed Up roses which have done incredibly well this year in spite of the crazy heat.
Praying Mantis
Before clipping roses- I have to get my hide and seek game on for a bit because this little guy has been living on one of the roses bushes for several weeks. I almost didn’t see him one day while cutting- so now, I spend a few minutes and find him ahead of time to make sure he is safe and sound away from where I am clipping. They are pretty hard to see and blend in so well. And just this afternoon- I noticed that there is a second mantis on an another rose bush here as well-so definitely going to have be giving them a thorough look before gathering roses this week.
I guess it really is kind of the creature edition of the weekend view this week – even with the blooms. haha.
Wandering
Looking for beautiful autumn centerpiece ideas? I am in love with these!
These Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies are talking to me. They look SO GOOD.
Love this post all about ideas for decorating a dough bowl– so pretty!
Coming your way this week
The antique mirror reveal, simple ideas for autumn – including 5 minute decor, the most delicious breakfast sandwich that is so easy to make and customize and more.
Diana says
I love these Silkies they are the cutest little things ever. Every time you show them in pics I just smile. So thank you and goats are unruly little things, but mostly sweet. I can’t wait until we start “peeking” at Christmas things. Hint……
Aussie Jo says
Bloody awesome with great picturesj
kathleen says
Awe!!! Your animals are adorable!! Each and everyone of them!! Of course your decorating and plants are over the top as well!! I have a question…..are praying mantis bad for plants??
Courtney says
I think they are considered to be beneficial mostly! I am not sure where these ones came from -but I think that some gardeners release them into their gardens to help with insects.
Jan says
Absolutely adorabLe ..
Including the cows.
The roses are beautiful!
Jan
Michele M. says
Love your critters. This was such a sweet post – a nice break from decor, ya know?
you truly live an enchanted life, courtney.
Hope you have a wonderful week. Enjoy the full harvest moon, and autumn. ♥
Linda F. says
I am new to your blog and I love the special things you post. Bless you for taking care of birds, goats, flowers and all things beautiful and our world.
Karen says
Thank you so much for adopting! absolutely love this post!