Happy Father's Day

Just a quick post this Sunday because it is Father's Day and lots to do.  But I just had to share with you that chickens do NOT like sprinklers.  My chickens have been exploring more and more of my backyard, which is kinda broken into two main areas.  Anyway, they wandered over to the "other side" this morning, just about the time the sprinklers came on.  Well, they were trapped!  They all huddled over in the veg garden (a no no for sure), but still it seemed way to close to the water, after all, they will melt.  So, the bravest of the brave took flight!  She flew up and onto the wooden umbrella I have set up over my blueberry bushes.  It is covered with BIRD netting for obvious reasons.  Since it is an umbrella, it does move slightly in the breeze and just after these photos she flew up ON THE ROOF of the house!  Since I was shocked, I did not take any pictures of the actual flight and soon after she hopped off the roof where it is low and onto the terraced lawn.  Then they ALL made haste to the safety of the run and the coop and I am sure had many tales to tell one another.

Since I did feel sorry for them, I offered my last night's dinner left-overs from Panda Express, which was, ta da CHICKEN-fried rice.  I know what you are thinking, its wrong, but, they loved it!

Pedicures...hmmm, not something you would think you would read about in a Chicken blog right?  Well, I have learned, the hard way, that chickens think pretty red toenails are....edible!  And, in case you are wondering, yes, it does hurt to get your pinkie toe pecked by a chicken. 

Anyway, yesterday it was 108 degrees here in Northern California and my poor chickens just hid out in the shade and survived.  But today, the temp has dropped almost twenty degrees and they are out and about and running like crazy!  It's as if they are saying, thank goodness its cooler today.    Although the heat was not so great for chickens (or humans for that matter), my bougainvillea vine LOVED the heat and is putting out several blooms...I think it will look great in a month or less!

 and despite the heat, the hydrangea is putting out giant flower heads!

 And, I did learn something new about chickens, besides the ban on red nail polish.  They never go far from each other.  I put out a tray of some feed to try to get a decent picture of one chicken and before I could pick up the camera, they all came running over, knocked over the feed and pushed and shoved to get the best bite, even though its all the same.  And of course, Ms Bossy had to stand tall and tell everyone what to do.

And, just when you think they couldn't get any cuter, they all waddled off together to take a nap in the shade.  And before you ask, no eggs yet!