Birds on the Brain

Cadence and I did the Farmers Market on Saturday--and a very cold, windy day it was. Cadence wore not one but two winter down jackets, mittens, hat and a scarf. Nevertheless, business was good and we sold out of everything except the 3 beautiful bags of nettles Sara had harvested. We couldn't convince anyone that they are tasty, nutritious and do not sting when they are cooked. (All true!)
Cadence was expecting her second batch of 100 assorted heavy-body chicks to arrive Monday. On the way home from Market she noted that last time the chicks were supposed to arrive on a Monday they got here the Saturday before, so there was a distinct possibility we would have to deal with chicks when we got home. We were so tired from baking until the wee hours of the morning and getting up a few hours later for market that we just wanted to take a little nap and we hope-hope-hoped the chicks would not arrive early.
No such luck. We arrived home to a phone message from the post office that our chicks were in. Cadece had already cleaned and disinfected the stall, but we rushed around finishing setting up the wading pools and heat lamps and then Cadence drove to the post office to pick them up. We felt like old pros unpacking the chicks this time, dipping their beaks into the water to give them their first drink. They look so very tiny compared to the first batch that is now 4 weeks old, living outside in the chicken tractors.

In other bird news, the goslings have grown so much! They are surprisingly affectionate and love to snuggle into your lap.

The duckling-exotic chicken trio is rather obnoxious to the goslings. Perhaps they will regret their rudeness when the goslings grow up and tower over them and can effortlessly kick their little duck butts.