Update on Animals at Edwards Ranch

I've had several of you ask about the pullets that we acquired in the spring. Among all the varieties of breeds, we had two varieties that only was available in 'straight run' which means they don't sex the babies so you could get a mix of females and males aka roosters! Well, we got mostly roosters in that gamble. Roosters are protective of the flock but they can be very rough with the hens which is stressful for the flock so I prefer hens only in my Dot House.

But those roos are gorgeous as you can see here from the pictures where they are currently in 'Rooster Jail' apart from the pullets. Those boys are competitive so it would be mighty risky if we put them where they will compete to create their own flocks from the mass of pullets. So they are in a separate pen waiting to be sold.

Here are some of the roos for you to see...

In the foreground, a magnificent Blue

Andalusian rooster and in the rear you

see several French Black Copper Marans

both of which are rare breeds. The

picture doesn't do justice to their unusual

feather coloring. The feathers of the Blue

Andalusian rooster is considered a fine

material for tying artificial flies for fishing.

Another rare rooster is the Blue

Laced Wyandotte in the center of the

picture. Their feathers are so beautiful.

These are French Black Copper

Marans --- notice their feathery

legs and silky colorful feathers.
The hens of this breed lay the
dark chocolate brown eggs.

A Blue Andalusian pullet

An Araucana aka Easter Egg chicken 

who gives us the beautiful blue

or green eggs. These are one

of my favorite breeds.

A Silver Spangled Hamburg sitting on

the nest roost along with some Black

Australorps and Black Giants.

A few of the pullets we plan to keep;

the others will be sold. Are you interested

in a colorful chicken or a set of three, a

rare rooster and 2 matching hens? Just

email or call me if you are!!

The white with black necklace is a

Columbian Wyandotte, there is a

Partridge Rock in front and a couple

Araucanas. We're getting 20+ eggs
per day at this time so they are just
beginning to lay and those numbers
will just go up. We need to sell some
of  these girls quick.

And then there is our beautiful sweet

dog, Buddy

Buddy cornered a porcupine the other night and ended up with several quills on his lips and nose! It was a painful lesson. I had never seen a live porcupine nor removed quills before so it was quite the experience and one I hope to not repeat. I'm sure Buddy would agree!

Buddy guarding the front of the house

The guineas eating bugs on their

regular route around the house. We
only have six remaining but haven't
lost one in a long time. The baby
didn't survive but there is always next
year.

I hope you enjoyed the update!

Best,

Delores

A Midwestern Riff on Autumn

The last day of color on our trees because strong winds are on their way which will blow the last of the leaves away. We don't have the vivid colors of New England but we have our soft riff on autumn in gold...

The river down the hill from our ranch...

Looking down onto the river valley...

An intriguing driveway...

Along the road...

Indian Hills area, full of native Bur Oaks...

A lone tree in all its glory...

Bur Oak leaves

The grasses and plants provide
rich color and movement to the
autumn landscape

The prairie is not showy but it holds subtle beauty for those who take the time to see it. I love the change of seasons and feel I am in rhythm with each of them now in the country on the prairie. I encourage you to take time to enjoy nature where you live.