This Spring Is For The Birds
After enduring what felt like an endless winter that slowly festered into an equally long chilly spring, Jessen moral was a bit on the low side. Brooks was out guiding fishermen through snow banks while I was busy scheming. At night I dreamed up several "fun" scenarios that finished out as we were all smiles and laughter. We had talked about chickens for a long time. The kids and I had perused the farm and garden stores for years peering at the adorable little chicks. Mentally picking out the perfect ones. We hadn't jumped on board just yet as we always had a way of talking ourselves out of it (We'll have to build a coop and little yard...what about our bird dogs that will always want to kill them...etc). Well, this time, I threw all reason right out the window. What other than adorable little chicks could bring a spark of light to the long gloomy days?
On the day in question, Brooks had arrived home early...a little too early (by about 30 min). It was about a 30 degree day, snow banks piled high by the edges of the river, ice bergs passing by periodically.
A little earlier that the afternoon I had been at the feed store with Logan picking up dog food, hovering over the adorable little balls of fuzz. The lady told us all we really needed to get started was a large container, a heat lamp and food. GAME ON! We rushed out with our set up items and thought to go back for the birds later. We would have a fun surprise for Brooks when he came home!
Brooks got home just as we were running to the car to pick out our quarry. I'm not sure if he was as completely excited as we were, with our eventual four ducks, four chickens and a turkey. Especially since they were to be in the guest bedroom in our house at the time. I explained to Brooks that it was only temporary, they were simply too little and it was too cold in the garage. His concern, the smell and noise, which didn't turn out to be too bad, at first. As the days passed the smell seemed to amplify, even with several daily cleanings. We even popped the ducks in the bathtub, which also failed to impress Brooks one evening he thought he'd go for a quick soak to warm up from a chilly day.
Eventually they did make it out to the garage, then out to the back yard where they happily wandered around. Don't worry, they have their own separate yard to call their own. Logan and Pride built a lovely little coop.
All in all I think it's been a good experience. There have been a few trials involved. Our original turkey didn't make it beyond the first couple of days. It turned out that most all of the others he arrived with died as well. The store offered us a new turkey, we picked out two. One of the two immediately took a bad turn. He didn't seem to know how to eat or drink. So we nursed him to health, meanwhile the other suddenly died. We did pick up a few more chickens to accompany the lonely, sickly turkey. With his chicken buddies he thrived. He taught the chickens to perch like a turkey. Eventually all birds found their way to the back yard.
We added more chicken wire around our bird fortress, in hopes to protect our remaining flock.
Life finds a way to carry on, the ducks, chickens and turkey grew and thrived. Comically chasing each other around the yard. The little turkey fast becoming a favorite as well.
Pride deemed him Norbert. Norbert loved being held...goofy little bird.
Having bird dogs does have it's hazards, Norbert was next. Followed by a naughty chicken we called Boris, where shortly after all the birds had their wings trimmed.
Since then, we have been without further incident. We have added a few quail and a few baby turkeys to our flock.
Brooks asked a few days ago how I feel about our bird endeavors. I feel like it has been a positive experience for the most part, despite the sadness. All in all, I think all emotions bring growth and balance in life. We need to feel real, raw emotions to break through the shell we become through our everyday tedium. Life is a fragile little thing.
Rest in Peace Norbert
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