Final Surgery

On Tuesday I have my final surgery.

Unlike the others, this one will be short and sweet. Day surgery only, I should be in and out of surgery within a couple of hours and home in the country again before the end of the day.

The country is where the action is happening. Two weeks ago we purchased three-day-old chicks from a guy in Wilmot. Rob picked up eight Rhode Island Reds, six Barred Plymouth Rocks, a silver-laced and a gold-laced Wyandotte. We originally were going to purchase a dozen Chanteclers, a heritage breed developed right here in Canada, but it didn't work out. The lady wasn't at her home when we arrived, nor had she provided directions to her barn (where she was).

The chicks will grow into our layers and so far they have provided lots of entertainment. We have nick-named the flock the "Tick Disposal Unit." The wood ticks are quiet prevalent right now. Every time we walk through the fields we come back with at least one on us. Cole usually has several on him as well. Two more adventurous chicks will come right up to the edge of the cage to peck a tick from the tip of a finger.

Holding a worm out for them starts a foot race from one end of the dog crate to the other as they engage in a game of keep away, until the worm is gobbled.

We'll pick up two dozen meat birds from the Co-op in mid-June. At which point we'll put the first flock out to pasture. Then their fun and games will have prepared them for foraging for wild food.