Saturday, November 17, 2012

What's happening?

I wondered, after one hen was chilling in her nesting box for days on end what was going on.
Every time I carried her out to eat or drink yellow foot (who's feet aren't yellow any more) would have a go at her. It brought new meaning to peeking order for me. Man, they can be vicious!

My poor jumpy who has always been the bossy one was taking it on her chin and putting up with the abuse. Cowering and shy, so unlike her.

After a week, she wouldn't eat or drink. Under her belly was also now bare, like a *plucked chicken.....

She would lay an egg (sometimes) and sit on it, always possessive, never leaving it.

When someone got near she would double in size, spreading her feathers trying to look scary but no, she actually just looked so beautiful!


Upon reading, goggling and my mother I discovered she was in fact broody.

Q: What does the word " broody " mean?
A: When a hen is broody, that means she wants to hatch her eggs. A breed known as broody has hens that often, individually go broody, and they may not even need eggs to set on to be broody--they may go broody in a nest with no eggs. Further, if there are eggs in the nest, if there is not a rooster in your flock, your hens will not know that their eggs won't be fertile. Your hen will seem to be in a sort of bad temper while she broods, she may pluck out her breast feathers so she can be closer to the eggs, and she may even screech a warning at any birds or people who come near her nest! 




The answer?
Put her in a cat cage, somewhere safe but in a draft. A wee bit uncomfortable so she won't feel like laying an egg. Hay, water and food and leave her there for three days. She will get over her broody-ness, get her personality back and get on with it with the others.

We are on day two of having a chicken at our front door, one day to go......

Interesting stuff!




*Bad joke

Sunday, November 11, 2012

...and I've been busy with this!

If you haven't heard, I have started my own business and this is another good reason I have not had time for my writing, sob sob....

I have started a business in Social Media Management, setting up and overseeing pages for business who don't know how or are too busy to network and keep up with Internet marketing.

likedmedia/facebook.com



It is keeping me well busy and there has been a big response! 

I took the plunge and even though I have only just started, decided to enter the local papers comp, Woman in Business and got to the Top 5!!

It closes on Wed and I have a way to go to get first, but any votes from my blogging friends would be so appreciated! 

Even if I don't win, I am so stoked to have gone this far with no client base and the amazing support I have got from all my family and friends. I have been very touched! 


Thank you!

Here is the link if you have a spare sec, it is simple and quick, thanks so much! 


http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/polls/2012/11/08/top-five-women-work/



Love Pip x

I am still here!

Hey,

Wow, it has been so long! I can't even catch up with my reading list as I am so far behind now. It has just been a bit of a break time for me I think. Too busy yes, but also I needed to stop writing about everything for a while and just live the moment... no pics, no stories, nothing but grabbing the time for what it is.

And it has been amazing.

Not running for the camera at a hysterically funny moment, just laughing on the floor too..

Not juggling a camera on a bike, over the hills as I try to capture the moment...

Not trying to think of something new to write when I just need to sleep, or spend time with the hubby...


It has been nice. But I have missed it!

So I will re-introduce myself with a loving list I think and a "Hi! How you been!?" xxx

This is speaking volumes to me at the mo! 



Goooooood food, dates with the husband...


Being dorks and living it up (for a night), finding our youth by having a night away!

MUMFORD AND SONS CONCERT!!!!!!!



Riding around Mission Bay after finally watching other and wishing it was us!


Notes from Miss 5, (actually I want to go to school) after saying she was too tired but then heard something fun was happening....



Family time



The joy of watching kids feed lambs!

Yummiest drink out




Passions that show at a young age



Gosh.........

I could post 100 loves to catch you up on what's been happening in my world, so much to be thankful for!

But, bed and a good book is calling so I am going to listen to that, nite all x