“The Daily” is a look at our week here at Yellow Birch Hobby Farm. You can keep up with our photos here and more by “Liking” our Facebook page!

Two weeks after losing our cockerel “Aramis” to a predator, this week we had to say another good-bye. Lola, our Red Pyle Old English Game hen had to be put down due to a recurring prolapsed vent which ultimately led to cannibalism by the other chickens. Oftentimes when a chicken suffers from a prolapsed vent, it will happen again. Sometimes you can successfully continue to reverse it, but other times you cannot. I discovered her Thursday morning and had to make a decision. It was a heart-wrenching decision, but I could not allow her to suffer.

Lola was my personal favorite of the flock; always the first to jump on your lap should you have a snack. A dainty, sweet little thing who was the apple of Rusty’s {our B.B. Red Old English Game rooster} eye. She is dearly missed 🙁

But as it goes sometimes, with an end often comes a new beginning. For us, that new beginning came the very day we let Lola go. Our 5-month old Quail Antwerp Belgian/B.B. Red Old English Game cross “Ruby” laid her very first egg! It was quite small, even for a bantam, but it was sweet and made me so proud :).

After suffering some single-digit temperatures and snow, we suddenly saw 30’s and even up to 43 degrees! I had been keeping the chickens cooped up, but decided to let them out into the duck run (which is attached to the coop) to get some fresh air and play. Almost immediately, Aramis’ two brothers and sister made their escape- flying to the top of the coop where they spent a good couple of hours. The boys were crowing like crazy!

If you’ve ever watched a group of roosters crowing, you might notice how they often take turns- one, then the other. These brothers patiently waited their turns- never taking two in a row :).

I was THRILLED to have captured this handsome male grouse on both camera and video as he did his best to impress his Intended. She watched {and so did I!} as he danced and scooted and showed off his amazing talents and colors.

I had witnessed this same pair about a month ago while walking my oldest son out to the bus stop early in the morning. The grouse on the property are very tame, and though I do love to both hunt and eat grouse, I won’t hunt them here. They are a joy to have around- and to be given a second chance to capture this beautiful and entertaining spectacle makes it well worth it! 

Thank-you for visiting and checking out what went on this week 🙂 Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook!

See you next time!