Chicken Addiction

Let me start off with the very true statement = Chicken Math is 100% a real thing.  I always say to Nick, that to me, raising baby chickens seems like it might be like child birth – without the excruciating pain, of course. It seems like such an amazing idea to bring them home with their fuzzy bodies and their lil peepers – peep peep peeping. A few weeks pass, fuzz fades and THEN you want to jump off a bridge. They start getting bigger, and dirtier and smellier.  Of course, by the time you put them outside in the coop, you forget the smells and poop. And that’s why ….. you end up getting new babies- every …single…. year.

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The love of my life – Birdie. She’s as sweet as she looks!

It’s a never ending cycle of love, annoyance, aggravation, and relief.

 

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One of our new Buff Orpingtons- look at those teeny tiny tail feathers!

 

Prior to my new, fancy coop being built and much to the chagrin of my nostrils, I always kept my chicks in my dining room for about 2 – 3 months. Now, thankfully, we have a grow out pen: right in the coop. That makes it easier on the nose and the transition for the chicks.

Is it all worth it? Stinky smells and all? Absolutely.  Im sure any chicken owner would tell you the same thing:

Big Reg! King of the Farm.

All that hard work and stinky smells are a thing of the past the first time your have your very first fresh egg.

This year Nick built me a new run/coop where everyone can be safe and stretch out. We’ve also added 7 more pullets to the flock! Two Silver Spangled Hamburg’s, a Colombian Wyandotte, A Silver Laced Wyandotte, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Ancona and a White Conchin! What a crew!

Overall, chicken keeping continues to amaze and entertain me. The girls (and Reggie, of course) bring so much to our family. We have so many laughs – I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

7 Things You May or May Not Know About Me

Q: Why did you choose the number 7, Susan?

A: Because it seemed like a nice number between 5-10 that wasn’t 6,8,9.

 

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  1. I’m a devout Catholic. My faith is my number 1 priority. So much so that I had considered entering the convent intermittently between the ages of 14-25.
  2. I used to hate cooking, but now I love it. I love feeding my boyfriend all sorts of different foods. He’s a great sport about it too, and never complains.  He may have even gained a few pounds here and there 🤔
  3. I’m divorced (WHAT !?! you just said you’re a devout Catholic, Susan!) . My first marriage didn’t work out so well.  It bothers me because I am such a devout Catholic, but alas – things happen. We’re still good friends and can share a laugh or two. I think it’s fair to say that we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and our relationships with others. I wouldn’t have traded that experience for the world.
  4. I don’t teach anymore.  I taught for 14 years and really enjoyed working with kids. Unfortunately, I got really sick unexpectedly and was told I’m just not well enough to work anymore. 😦
  5. My mom is my very best friend.  My mom are 38 years apart and are super close.  She is my support, my reality check, my comedian, my rock and I couldn’t ask for a better mother.
  6. I am a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  I gave up doing what I loved more than anything in the world – riding and showing horses: to practice martial arts. I can’t lie – it was very challenging for an 11 year old girl to spar with boys much bigger than me, do one armed knuckle pushups and break boards with a round house kick.  But my dad was so proud sending and watching me kick butt every week  that I just couldn’t give it up!  It turns out I’m pretty tough and even broke some concrete bricks with my hands AT 13 !!!
  7. I am a Reiki One (Shoden). That basically means that I am a First Degree Student of Reiki.  Reiki is the practice of using hands to channel energy into other living beings.  EVEN PLANTS! I am firm believer of the healing power of energy and after getting opened and aligned with Reiki energy – I found that I was able to make a huge difference in the quality of life for my pets, friends and family. I can even do it to myself – which helps with a lot for my chronic illnesses.  Anytime you’re around and want some healing all you have to do is ask!! I love to practice ❤

7 Things You May or May Not Know About Me

Q: Why did you choose the number 7, Susan?

A: Because it seemed like a nice number between 5-10 that wasn’t 6,8,9.


  1.  I used to Reenact the Civil War. During college my best friend and I thought it would be an awesome way to spend super hot summers. Nothing like 9 layers of wool to get you through summers down South.
  2. I’m not afraid of any insects. I love all buggies – in fact I’m mildly obsessed with picking them up. Some of my students have even nicknamed me “The Wasp Whisperer”.
  3. Our house came with a goat.  Sugar – our baby girl – came with our house when we bought it. Her gentleness and affection started our affinity for goats. Though she’s gone – our love for 4 legged ruminants carries on.
  4. I’ve taught every grade K-8 except for 4th grade. AND I’ve only been teaching 10 years.
  5. I love to “do” laundry.  But I hate to put it away.  Nick claims that’s not really doing laundry – but there is something about the machine getting all sudsy, hanging clothes out on the line and smelling fresh laundry that makes my heart go a-flutter.
  6. I was never stung by a bee – until I was 30. Then I accidentally walked into an underground hive and was stung by 25 yellow jackets. In the middle of the woods. Alone.  3 days later – I was stung by a black hornet in the middle of the night.
  7. I love the Helen Kane and Jelly Roll Morton stations on Pandora. BOOP OOP A DOOP!

 

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What are some crazy things about you?! Everyone has their quirks and the writer in me loves to hear about them!