Monday, June 8, 2009

Kitten-sittin'!!


Guillaume (dressed in orange) and Scylla (the pretty girl in dark colors) are the kitties of the house. They are absolutely the sweetest, most awesome kitten siblings in Oakland! They love each other to pieces!









These two looove recess! I've noticed there seems to be a midnight energy spurt - weeee! The furries like to chase each other from room to room, soft paws sliding across the hardwood floor (no socks required). They are very into jumping on top of one another and somersaulting in unison and they don't seem to tire of venturing into new, dark nooks and crannies of the house (wedged between records on the shelf or squished behind a delicate punch bowl, for example).
I heart this video clip!





The little ones have gotten bigger in the past 3 1/2 weeks. They are healthy, active kittens who eat organic pumpkin as a treat! They are of course curious about everything and have been keeping busy - skillful MacGyvering open the screen door in the bedroom I'm staying in, ripping paper bags to shreds, batting a runaway blueberry around with their paws...there's never a dull moment around here! And when they want to snuggle and chill out with you - well, the cute is turned WAY on!

Here are a bunch of pics of the dynamic feline duo:


This screen is in the way!






I had to break this party up!



purdy kitties




Missing her mama Maureen...






Exhausted after a long day!





Kittie detectives spy a moth!




Wait, which way did he go?







On your mark, get set...





GO!







I think Guillaume wants to wear a kitty-beret to greet his mama when she returns from Paris!












He's smiling but he misses his dad, Cody.











Scylla and the blueberry!


Purr, purr...ooooh - a camera strap to play with!

We've been having a great time together, but I know they have missed their parents a lot and can't wait to see them!

The Great Rat Caper!


I had an encounter with the famed mystery rat tonight!!! At dusk as I closed the small chicken door for the night, the little grey guy bolted out through the door passing ever-so-closely to my toes and exiting very quickly out into the garden area. My brain needed a few seconds to figure out what had just happened, after which a healthy dose of giggles ensued. : )

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Chick-Chat...

The girls take a break and gather around the water cooler to gossip about the latest happenings...




The chickens will also eat right out of my hand!

After I collect the eggs for the day...

...I then go upstairs into the kitchen, write the date on each egg, and put them in an egg carton. They sell for $3 a carton around tha 'hood.

What sign is your chicken?


Astrological Signs of the ZodiEgg
(Chicken Horoscopes)

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18):
Chickens born under the sign of Aquarius are strong independent spirits longing to break free from traditional conventions and restrictions and the status quo. They are innovative and idealistic always replacing old outdated thinking with fresh perspectives. They are strongly driven to oppose social injustice and oppression. They are always experimenting to discover their own identity. They will cross the road because it is forbidden to do so and by doing so it will be easier for others to do so in the future.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20):
Pisces chickens are dreamy and sensitive. They are blessed with deep intuition and a wealth of emotion. Pisces are romantic, creative and full of love with a potential for great happiness and lasting joy. Their imagination is so strong that it frequently merges with fantasy. They usually cross the road because they had a vision telling them that this is the means to the happiness they are striving to achieve.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19):
Chickens born under the sign of Aries are natural leaders possessing a pioneering determined spirit, who wish to make their mark on the world. They cross the road to assert themselves and seek action, daring and adventure.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20):
Taurus chickens are strong willed and have a down to earth attitude toward life. They are overly interested in material things and have a real need for security. They feel unsettled unless comfortable. They will cross the road only if there is more security on the other side or to obtain material possessions.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20):
They are highly restless and are always seeking a wide variety of contrasting experiences. They cross the road because they are curious and to avoid the boredom of their mundane existence.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22):
While having a tough shell-like exterior, Cancer chickens are very sensitive and vulnerable. They have very delicate emotions, and are always attuned to their environment and the feelings of those around them. They have a constant and urgent need to feel safe and always act defensively. They will only cross the road when there is danger to themselves or others on this side.

LEO (July 20 to August 22):
Leo chickens are majestic and proud with personalities that need to shine, and greet opportunities with fervor and vitality. They always need to be in charge. They will cross the road with great enthusiasm for the opportunity to escape a normal, humdrum existence.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22):
Virgos are practical and adaptable. They have a strong desire to succeed, are very discriminating and tend to be critical of others. They strive for perfection. They are very poultriatarian and will usually cross the road for the good of other chickens and because it is the proper or correct thing to do.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22):
Libra chickens are thoughtful and sensitive, and are always seeking balance and harmony. They need the respect and love of other chickens more than any other group. They think carefully before making any decision. Libra chickens are prone to stop in the middle of the road to try to decide which way to go, making the crossing a considerable risk to themselves and others.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21):
Scorpios have a depth and intensity of their emotions that gives them a strong inner power. They are creatures of passion whose focused desires assist them in achieving their aims. They can be ruthlessly self-critical in their quest for truth. They are uncompromising, and stick to any commitment they have made. They cross because they promised to do so.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 to December 21):
These chickens are restless and visionary. They love to explore new horizons and see life as a journey full of adventure. They greet every new experience with a warm heart, a ready smile and an open mind. They cross the road because of a passion to see more of the world and a spirit which longs to be free.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19):
Capricorns are very ambitious and are always striving to reach the top of the coop. They are tenacious in planning every step to achieve their goals, and leave themselves little time to relax before looking for new peaks to climb. They cross the road they must to achieve the success they feel should be theirs.

Kinda makes me not want to eat an egg this morning...

Today as I greeted the chickens I noticed something, well, a bit odd with Georgette.

It was...Chicken Egg Butt.









Was this normal walking-around egg-laying procedure?
Did Georgette need help?
Was I, the inexperienced chicken sitter, to aide in the birth of this egg?


I'm happy to report that both hen and egg are doing just fine and, although not connected at the butt any longer, neither party is suffering from separation anxiety.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Breaking News!! Why did the chicken cross the road?

Finally, an answer to the age old question 'why did the chicken cross the road?' KXLY's Sally Showman explains...


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Barnyard musings...

(**note: some of the photos and/or videos in this and future chicken blog posts were taken during the previous week, hence you might see our friend Ethel in them...sorry for any confusion or sadness that this might cause...)





Each time I visit the chickens, I first change into the proper 'chicken shoes' before heading over to the coop...

...this morning I accidentally forgot and went down to the coop in my flip-flops. It wasn't until a chicken started pecking at my shiny painted big toe that I realized my faux pas.


(almost live) chicken cam!



This chicken thing is all so new to me, but after over a week and a half here now with the girls, I still am amazed that each hen is so, well, PRETTY! Beautiful, unique feather markings...beautiful, unique eggs...who knew?!






Some of the chickens have really distinct personalities. It's so cool! A few of these sweet girls like to have their back scratched from a human friend every now and then too!



I'm told sunflower seeds are like crack for chickens!




As soon as the sun sets, the chicky-poos head into their little chicken house all on their own (hopefully sans rat) and I'm told that they always sleep in the same order on their perch! To me, that's pretty amazing. This was a shot taken right at their bedtime.


Nighty-night, chickens!