For years I have suffered feelings of inadequacy over not being able to artificially incubate eggs. After all, a bird with a brain the size of a walnut could do with ease, what I could not do with fancy incubators, thermometers and technology. Every year, I would valiantly make the effort with poor success. Then, this morning, it hit me. The chicken was made for one purpose and one purpose only, to produce offspring. She has absolutely nothing else in the world to do. No housework, no errands, no books to read or computers to occupy her. All she has to do is sit on her eggs and be happy. I think I learned something here. Do one thing at a time and do it well.
All my books on Buddhism have tried to teach me this, but it took a simple hen to make me see.
Chicken and incubator dilemma solved
Hmmmm: I think I'd really have to question the Author of those books...LOL...It is amazing what the fowl kingdom can teach us though if were willing to become the students and really observe the teachers...Hay
God has created us all with a purpose and when we find ours we are happy indeed.
I washed my white rooster a few nights ago. I dried him partly with the hair dryer, so I was looking at him carefully. Do you realize what magnificient creatures they are? The silkie is dark skinned, to me looks dark gray, and here were all these feathers coming out like fine needlework. One small part of his wing was bare like a piece of leather, and the outside edge looked like it was carefully spaced and stitched to put on each individual feather. Absolute perfection!
No human being can sew that well. A master craftsman no doubt put that chicken together. :) I was in awe.
This message was edited Feb 18, 2011 7:47 PM
Indeed!!!
Do you often wash your chickens?
No. I thought he had mites on his head. He was the one I bought last year that was infected.
I did wash them for the show last Sept. Hope I get to go again this year.
I washed 1 of my roos when he got beat up bad. His head was all crusty and his eyes swollen shut. I put him in the shower and let the warm water run on him and soak him. Then I was able to get his eyes cleaned. He was also full of sandy dirt. He has since gotten himself beat up again and I am afraid he is permanently blind and I am going to have to kill him. His genetics did him in. I hate it too. He is a favorite of mine. I have been feeding him by hand.
Just curious as to what genetics you think did him in? Sometimes learning isn't very much fun. I hope his health turns around for the better.
Cajun: Don't say kill him...UGHhhh. Say put him down. :o) I know it's the same it's just that word takes the breath out of me...LOL
Hay, you're such a SOFTY! You crack me up!
Oh wow Cajun.. I'm sorry to hear that... I hope you give him time to heal, just in case he hasn't lost all of his sight.
I'm so sorry.. that is so hard.. :(
I'm really hoping Annie you won't tall anyone else. My wife often tells me the same thing. I'm so glad she doesn't frequent this forum and expose me. I can do what I have to do, but for the most part I am a softie...The last ten years has turned me into mush...LOL...I don't know what happened...Hay
Hay, you didn't know it was stamped on your forehead?
Oh shucks Annie, I wondered what that was I was always trying to wash away. I thought it was some kind of birthmark...LOL
Nope, and the stamp is what I love most about you. You are always so kind and helpful and can make me laugh so hard. You're a good man, Hay.
Awwww
Hay, it is what it is. :(
Annie, he is a game cock and all he knows to do is fight and never quit.
ZZ, it has been nearly 3 weeks now. I got one of his eyes open but it is gone. The other is still encased in a swollen knot. He is learning how to eat from the bottom of his cage but he will have to remain in his small little cage alone for the rest of his life and that is really no life.
Darn... I'm sorry to hear that Cajun... So sad.
I'm so sorry CajuninKY, that's so sad. Hard as it is at least you are doing what is best for him.
I still have not put Scar down. He is living in the house and has quit his crowing. He is eating and drinking well and either he is a very fast learner or he may have just a bit of sight left. I still have not figured out which. I have been calling him Bartimaus (sp?). He seems happy enough and he is not a bother so I am giving him every chance.
That's neat cajuninKy. Glad to hear he is doing better. You must like him a lot to go out of your way for him.
I still want one of those big ugly O'Shamo roosters. Don't ask me why, I have no idea.
I guess his biggest fault is why I like him so much. He is so game he just doesn't know what quit means.