Happy chickens and wildflowers of summer

Happy chickens lay happy eggs.

It's true.

As spring folds over into summer, our chickens are producing a bounty of eggs daily. They happily free range the mornings away, scratching in the dirt, foraging for weeds and fresh, succulent grasses and arguing over bugs and worms.

It's a fact that free range chickens produce eggs that are better for people: they contain 4 to 6 times greater amounts of vitamin D, are lower in cholesterol and higher in Omega 3 fats (the "good" fats that lower cholesterol), and have 2/3 more vitamin A, 3 times more vitamin E and 7 times more beta carotene than store-bought, factory farmed eggs. (For the full article where this information came from, click here.)

Whew! Pretty impressive little creatures, those lovely ladies.

Other hallmarks of summer abound. Memorial Day weekend. The opening of the beach near the Ranch. Baseball games. The campground near the Ranch filling up with RVs.

And wildflowers. 

The surrounding woods and grasslands around the Ranch are full of wildflowers.

This coming Memorial Day weekend, celebrate the beginning of summer. Before you know it, summertime will be "come and gone, my oh my."

Here at the Ranch, we have some quiet reasons to celebrate too. We are celebrating our 500th post and the beginning of our seventh year of blogging!

Thanks for reading!

Diamond dog...chickens???

 

Yes, it's true. I have a real love of chickens. And here on the Ranch, spring means adding to our chicken populous.

Elise aka "The Chicken Whisperer" is our designated chicken tamer. She has the Midas Touch when it comes to chickens.

 

We took an entire day last week to travel to Polk, Ohio in Amish Country to Meyer Hatchery  for eight new babies. Meyer Hatchery is one of Elise's favorite places. There is nothing quite like playing with a bunch of day-old chicks!

This is Fifi, the Salmon Faverolle. These chicks are rare in that they have five toes (chickens normally have four) and feathers on their feet!

Last year's chicks are now beautiful hens that provide a bounty of eggs daily on the Ranch. I call them "The Ladies." After being safely in our dark barn all winter, they have enjoyed free ranging on these sunny spring days, grazing on grasses and weeds - which provide the best eggs.

One of our Golden Lakenvelder ladies sunning herself

Some people say chickens and sled dogs can't live on the same property. I think with proper enclosures and supervision, it is possible. The chickens do keep a watchful eye out, though.

Reggae, Sophie's Polish Crested is ever vigilant

Our chickens have become like pets here. Who knew chickens could be so loving and calm! I used to be afraid of birds. Now I look so forward to my time with the ladies!

Lola, one of our Golden Buff's, likes to perch on my forearm for a visit

The favorite thing that the Ladies like best is when I throw fresh sunflower and other seeds down for a treat for them. They're spoiled chickens!

Happy Easter from our chicks!