It's been awhile since The Graves Census Bureau has determined a recent population on Little Elm Creek Rd. In Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution, it mandates a census to be taken every 10 years, and is conducted in years ending in zero. In Australia, the census is taken every 5 years. Here on the Graves Farm, a census is typically taken whenever I want to tally out what I have going on around here. Just to get my mind right.
Feathered Friends
Our barn is not as full as I'd thought it would be with close to 80 chickens now in Cluckingham. With this many chickens, I've lost the ability to remember everyones names, and somehow the girlz don't seem to mind this less personal situation. Most all of my girlz have names, but many of the newer ones were not given names yet. With time. We have older hens and young pullets (to be hens) who are both in the Not-Laying category. Then we have the Tweeners who are between the pullets and old girlz who do fall into the Laying category. Seemingly, we have one of two situations going on: 1) We have more non-laying then laying hens, or 2) many of our laying hens aren't laying due to the cold, molting, not feeling their best, or just not feeling like laying eggs right now. Either way, for the number of chickens I have vs the amount of eggs I'm getting is a stark contrast. Before winter, I was getting 3 dozen eggs a day at times, and since winter and molting season hit, I'm down to getting 1-ish dozen a day. This would not be an issue for me egg-cept my egg customers still desire to buy more eggs than I have (at this time). You know the Egg Fridge is up at the front of the property now and I have more people who like the idea of just pulling over and grabbing eggs out of the fridge. Correct me if I'm right, but it sounds like I need more chickens. I don't see how that could even be wrong, as supply and demand is a real thing. After all, this is a real business now. People want their fresh eggs. I'm just a girl, selling eggs, who needs more chickens. Did I mention the barn does not even seem very full of chickens?
One does not simply stop buying chickens. You gotta wake up early to understand my logic, I know. For now, I'll try to wait until spring arrives and decide how many if I need more chickens. Well, I always need more chickens, but if I will get more. That's what I meant to say. After all, what chickens cannot cure, there is no cure for.
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| This chicken feeder help us control waste of feed. |
Let's go with chicken population 77 for the moment.
Paul Sweet Paul
Poor Paul. He was once free ranging, but for the meantime, he's in restriction from the girlz. You see, he came into heat and since there was no girl turkey around, he decided the chickens were looking pretty good. This is perfect scenario for bad things to happen. Kind of like when you're watching Ozark, and Marty is once again putting someone in his crematorium at his funeral home. That's what happens when a turkey mates with a chicken. Unless the chicken can get away, it won't survive.
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| He does very well with the cold. |
Paul is living his bachelor turkey life with a north wind break fence, a crate with straw, his usual sawhorse that he loves to roost on, and not 1, but 2 mirrors so he can oogle over himself as often as he pleases. He's obsessed with mirrors and throughly enjoys looking at how good he looks on any given hour of the day.
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| I literally beg him to go in here. |
What's interesting about Paul the Turkey is that he thinks it's okay to roost out in the open on his sawhorse when it's super cold/windy. I know he loves that sawhorse, but come on. It's cold out. We have had a talk with him, and he's now willing to go into the crate and get out of the wind and cold, but only when it's super cold out. We agreed on that compromise.
1 total here (just to help me keep track and add it all up at the end)
Red capes
I know it's been said that we all wear red capes, but the guard dogs are the real deal around here. They in fact wear their invisible red capes every night. Levi and Whisper are the reason why everyone is alive and they take their jobs very seriously.
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| Levi, oversee-er of all things farm animal |
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| Whisper, watchful and waiting quietly |
We could not have the farm animals we have without them. They patrol the parameter each and every night without fail while all the farm animals sleep peacefully. As an update on Whisper: it took a little over a week for her to bounce back. Her bites have all healed and we were blessed that they did not get infected. She has a couple of missing nuggets out of the tips of one ear, but overall she's healing well. Whisper did lay on her bed in the barn for close to a week, as I imagine her body was sore all over. You may remember she had the TPLO surgery with a plate and screws in her back left leg, so that was tender for a while as well. She's getting back up more and more, as it just took some time for her to heal not only physically, but emotionally as well, as it seemed she was feeling a bit down. Her little spark is coming back and I'm so happy to see her okay again, and getting back in the swing of things.
The guard pups, on the other hand, are still just pups at heart.
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| Penny and Dutch's love language is ear biting |
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| Mostly Penny biting Dutch's ears |
Penny is showing wonderful progress in the guarding department and is bonding well with Levi and Whisper. She watches them closely, and wants so desperately to be accepted by them. The bonding process is happening, but it takes time. Dutch, on the other hand, well, let's just say that he's not quite as assertive as Penny. He's more on the level of Winston (our most senior doggo).
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| Dutch and Winston enjoy the more calm things in life |
Dutch and Winston get along famously and Dutch is in fact is an old soul. Dutch likes Winston's slow moving speed, his gentle nature and calming presence.
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| Dutchy Boy |
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| Penny always helps me check for eggs |
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| Still checking for eggs |
Winston, along with the sheep, have been in the front pasture lately so that the sheep can eat the fresh forbes and grass there. It saves us hay by doing so, and they might as well eat what the ground has to offer. There's shelter up front for them as well, so everyone is happy.
5 total here
Wait, I can't forget The Littles (inside doggos).
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| The Littles |
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| Maybe showing off her tummy freckles. |
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| Sugar has no trouble relaxing on a soft blanket. |
These 2 little girls are best friends who argue like sisters. Maybe is turning 11 coming up in April and Sugar just turned 5. We adopted Sugar as an adult, and although Maybe has tried to show her how to be sweet and social, how to ask for treats and pets when out in the world, and that other people (besides mom and dad) are okay, Sugar is skeptical. David says it best, "Sugar is a little whack-a-doodle". And since Sugar does not allow pets or to be touched or picked up by others, she's like a cute toy that everyone who comes to the farm wants to pet or hold and all she does is run away from them. (** there have been only a couple of soft-souled people who Sugar did let get close to her though!) Kids always think it's a game of chase-the-cute-little-dog while Sugar is terrified, running away. Awwwhh, the joys of an adopted dog.
Make that 7 total
Throuple
I know you think I’m talking about David, I and Sugar. But instead, the new kid in town, Washington, has decided he enjoys both Sugar and Maybe. This new throuple is still forming their boundaries, play rules and closeness levels.
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| They are doing surprisingly well. |
Wash is protective of his house and is not a fan of Sugar being in it, yet they bop noses, and each desire to play with the other. Everyone is getting along better these days since The Littles have learned that Wash actually lives here and is not dinner.
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| Bunny snugs 💙 |
David loves his cuddles with Wash, as do I. He's very friendly and enjoys being petted. But he's still 110% rabbit because if there's a blanket around he's the first to dig in it and do rabbit things with material. It's just what he does. He feels very comfortable with jumping on the couch or chair and coming up to us to ask for love and pets. We were told he is potty trained and I will say that in his cage, he's 99.5% potty trained to go in his litter box. It's great! But when he's out running around the house, we are still working on how to navigate the pooping things because he did have an accident or two. It's not every time he's out that he has an accident, so hopefully we'll figure out what to do to help that. It's not been a huge problem because Maybe or Sugar nibble up the tasty treats ("smarty pills") he leaves behind. I know, that's gross. Having a clean-up crew is nice though. Side note: he doesn't poop alot at any given time, so that's also a plus. We are still learning about this rabbit situation. I’m still surprised that there's a rabbit living in the house.
Total 1 here
I'm feline happy
Wow, it's been awhile since we've talked about our furry, clawsome cattitudes. We have been very stable in regards to our Cat Community. We have 6 total "barn" cats: June Bug, Finn, Smokey, Kitty, July and Blackie. They all came to us from either other people not wanting them any longer, or we found them abandoned, or they just show up on our property as strays. Either way, we love them dearly and they are family. They all do a wonderful job of keeping the mice, snakes and rats away. They do not do a good job with opossums though. Nor do I expect them to, as opossums are stinky and mean. I digress. These wonderful cats range in age from unknown age to 8 years old, each with their own personality. Finn and June Bug are so so sweet and if not for the sheriff in town, I'd let them in the house. Kitty is just Kitty. She's in a category of her own: Love me, don't love me, wait love me. Blackie is a stray who was feral that is now forever asking for pets. July is what I consider "head cat" in charge, yet Smokey fights with him sometimes for the title. They are both somewhat aloof and have other things to do besides pacify me.
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| June Bug and Finn (calico) |
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| The rare pic of Blackie. Love his long coat. |
Since we have a doggie door into the laundry room, 4 of the 6 cats will come in from the cold to sleep in there. (The laundry room is closed off to the rest of the house). And since everyone gets along for the most part, we are sitting tight with these 6 wonderful cats. Smokey is the most rude to not only the other cats, but to me as well (Not to David. Smokey loves David). Overall though, they get it ironed out and everyone understands what's what around here. I've learned I'm not allowed to pet Smokey (his rule) and I'm okay with that. I would buy him a cat sweater that says "I'm not for everyone" but I'd never get it on him. Blackie lives in the barn up on a shelf just for him. July prefers the garage, but is usually anywhere he desires to be. I can typically find July just sitting out in the pasture guarding the sheep. I’ve never seen a guard cat before apparently he fills the role well. The other 4 cats enjoy the laundry room life when the temperature outside does not feel comfortable to them.
6 total here
Mini Me
Who knew that Dora, our blind in one eye, old mini horse mare would turn out to be almost dog-like in nature. She loves a good pet (on her terms) and would literally follow me around everywhere if she could. She's like a shadow that's always there when you turn around. Quiet, gentle and loving - and right behind you.
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| I can't ever imagine them apart |
Then there's Hope, our Shetland Pony whose slightly larger than petite Dora. Hope was a rescue who was abused previously and has come along way with us. She's a kind soul who wants to trust us SO badly. She tries so hard. I secretly hope that one day Hope will be as tame as Dora, and I believe it can happen, but she needs a few more years with us. We'll continue to show her love, halter her, brush her, and let her see that life can be wonderful. We've come so far, but I desire to push her limits of trust even further. Let me love you, Hope. I see she wants more too, but she's been hurt too bad in her former life. Hope and I have many moments of soft conversations and staring into each others eyes. And there's plenty more of those to come.
These two mares are also best friends who can't stand to be separated from one another. They insist on always being able to see each other, even when in their stalls. I don't think that's asking too much.
2 total here
Sheepishly Me
Ah, yes, and then there's my sheep, my heart. We ended up getting them back after we settled back home last year from our time at MD Anderson in Houston. I was thrilled!
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| Always happy to see us 💜 |
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| Grace with her adult daughter, Brooklyn |
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| The ever famous Belle |
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| LuLu with her adult daughter, Willow Daughter and granddaughter of Belle |
Words cannot explain the love I have for these precious girls: Grace, Brooklyn, Belle, Lulu and Willow. I can't imagine life without them and am so glad they are home with us forever. Yes, we talked about breeding them again. For now though, we just enjoy them and find them entertaining, even funny at times. Their own little HERd has elements of things we will never understand like their sensitivity, the amount of love that pours out of them, how they look through their rectangle eyes into mine while I wonder what they are thinking. They are such docile creatures who are unlike any other animal we have. Belle loves when I stroke her face. Willow, too. It's a connection that I never imaged having with a sheep. I've known them all since Day 1. They are the frosting on the cake. Yes, they are spoiled, no doubt. I wouldn't have it any other way. Can you believe Belle is 5 years old? Somebody stop time, please.
5 total here
Here piggie piggie
What has happened to me and where did Cyndi go? I actually have pigs and absolutely love it. Maggie ("Mag Pie") and Prissy are so bonded with each other that I've never seen anything like it. They are always within ear shot of one another and if they get too far away from each other, they squeal and squeal until they know they are okay. They sleep together so closely that they are practically sleeping on one another.
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| Prissy (watch your fingers around her) |
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| Getting ready for beddie bye |
They allow chickens to sleep with them, I mean after all, they are sleeping in one of the chicken coops in the bottom level. The munch up their straw in tiny pieces to make it nice and soft for their nest they make themselves, and sleep in. Maggie is laid back while Prissy is fiesty. They sometimes chase the sheep for fun.
They have access to all of the property and can run surprisingly fast. They scare easily, and are like little children running back home if a noise is too scary. They love all the other farm animals and are very social. Even the guard pups play with them at times all while the piggies are squealing (talking) to them. It's fun to watch.
They are smart and will come when you call their names. They know the ducks at the pond will not eat all their food and they are happy to do so instead. They are utterly and completely food motivated. They are always happy to see you and make all the pig noises that you hear about. They oink and they squeal, and are fully capable of telling you just what they need. They teach me to be happy all the time as they certainly are. They live life in the moment and if they could say words, I imagine them saying something like, "Isn't it a great day to be alive?!"
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| I never knew pigs could be such close friends |
They were the farm animal that completed our farm. We needed piggies. I love it that they can go everywhere as their curiosity takes them here, there and back here again. I never knew in the story book that when the piggies went to market that they never came home. Mag Pie and Prissy are not "go to the market" kind of piggies. Even though I haven't gotten their dresses on completely yet, I'm not giving up just yet on that.
2 total here
Duck It
Lastly, down at the pond are 7 ducks of all kinds. We have had our share of duck incidents around here over the years. I'm happy to say that these 7 ducks are a tight-knit group and thriving well. They wake up at the quack of dawn and I can actually hear them up at the house. And it's the tiniest ducks that are the quackest. Yes, we feed them once a day, typically chicken feed or scratch and they also eat things in the earth and from the pond.
Surprisingly, they do not have names and I don't know why. 3 of them are technically ones we bought, and the others were gifted to us from friends who no longer wanted them. So I'm not really sure what kind they all are really, as they are different breeds but they all get along just fine. Oddly, even though we have some that are females, we are yet to find eggs from them. Maybe in the spring? My thought on that is that the guard dogs would find them before we do and eat the eggs. They too love fresh eggs I suppose.
7 total here
Tally please
Let me count now, that's 77 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 7 (carry the 3) = 108
Population on the Graves Farm? 108
Every now and again, I like to see where we are at on things like this. We have found a cruising altitude here on the Graves Farm and many of our animals are life long farm animals with us. Our relationships change over time, and we grow closer to the animals - and they with us. They've settled into their lives so well, that it's hard to imagine them not being here. They know the routines of the day and of the night. More importantly, they teach me life lessons on a daily basis. Like a class each day. Somedays it's about patience, or how to find peace, or when to approach and when to let things just be. They teach me it's my own breathe and energy that determines action. They have taught me how to pour my love through my hands and fingers into them with a soft touch on their face or just with our eyes locking. They teach me daily how to enjoy the day even on the hard, cold days. And at the end of each day, as I close down the barn for the night and turn on their nightlight, I think to myself 'class dismissed'. Until tomorrow, when I come turn the lights on again and another class begins. It's my never ending education through farm animals. The 10 year old me is so happy she could cry. This is what me living my most authentic self looks like. What's even more amazing than that is my husband who understands these desires and feeds my soul with acceptance and love. So much love. Valentines Day is coming up and that being our anniversary will bring us 31 years of life together. And this year, we'll celebrate at home. That's all I want. Here with the 108 sweet souls who love us. 💕
Cyndi
Cancer updates: I had my first blood drain (phlebotomy) of the new year a couple of weeks ago, and will go again in March for another one. I'm feeling pretty good these days. And David goes to MD Anderson for his PET scan and MRI in a couple of weeks. He's been stretched out to 3-4 months now for his follow ups, rather than every 2-3 months. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. 😃
