May is International Respect for Chickens Month

 Somehow, I came across a website and learned that the entire month of May is International Respect for Chickens Month.

May 4th is INTERNATIONAL RESPECT FOR CHICKENS DAY, an annual project launched by United Poultry Concerns in 2005 to celebrate chickens throughout the world and protest the bleakness of their lives in farming operations.

I have had three backyard chickens for two years and some of my most relaxing moments have been sitting outdoors spending relaxing hours watching their antics and enjoying their endearing personalities.

Unfortunately, I have a sad story to tell about my sweet girls who became very sick last month. A couple of weeks after we got Lucy, our newest hen, my original three (Olga, Oogna, and Orla) stopped laying eggs and then had a significant decrease in appetite. Electrolytes did not help and respiratory issues soon followed. They did not respond to vitamins or any of the other remedies I tried after consulting websites and chicken forums. More severe symptoms followed and I tried antibiotics to no avail. Symptoms pointed to Merek's disease.

I read that it was best to cull the flock, but I just couldn't do it and agonized over it for two weeks. Each day I thought they would go naturally and prepared myself every morning when I got up and each afternoon when I got home from work.

Although they were not eating or drinking, they kept hanging on with no quality of life. I don't know if it would have made a difference but I felt gulity that I did not isolate the first sick bird immediately (due to lack of experience). 

Some friends were willing to find someone who would put an end to their suffering. I felt that I had to take responsibility for my chickens, so I ended up doing something that I never thought I could do. :(

What I have learned is that a contagious animal is a threat to your whole flock and must be removed. If you are going to get the animal proper medical treatment to restore it’s health, you must do so in complete isolation from the other birds.
The decision to keep a particular animal or not has to be one that you have put a lot of thought into and you must be sure of your decision.
Do what is best for the animal, do what is best for you.

Sitting by a sunny window...

When spring is dancing among the hills, one should not stay in a little dark corner.
--Kahil Gibran--

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  ~Proverb

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
~Robert Frost

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.  The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.  ~Henry Van Dyke

First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus -
Crocus.  ~Lilja Rogers

Discover Wild New Hampshire Day!

Bring the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H.

"People in New Hampshire care deeply about wildlife and conserving their environment.," says Judy Silverberg, the wildlife education supervisor at Fish and Game. "Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, is a fun chance to explore the many ways you can get involved in outdoor recreation, conserving wildlife and natural places and protecting the environment.”

This day of family fun features live animals, retriever dogs, trained falcons, archery, casting, nature talks, hybrid vehicles, exhibitors from environmental, outdoor, and conservation groups from around the state. 

Admission is free.

 Sounds like fun!

For more information

visit http://www.wildnh.com/.

NH Chicken Swaps - May 2011

There are more Chicken swaps happening in May...

MILFORD TRACTOR SUPPLY
191 ELM ST
MILFORD NH
MAY 7
9AM TO 1 PM

TILTON HILLSIDE MEADOW AGWAY

360 EAST MAIN ST

TILTON NH

MAY 8

10 AM TO 2 PM

MERRIMACK TRACTOR SUPPLY

515 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY

MERRIMACK NH

MAY 14

9 AM TO 1 PM

GRIFFINBROOK LTD
174 RAYMOND RD
CANDIA NH
MAY 15
10 TO 2PM

TILTON TRACTOR SUPPLY

630 WEST MAIN ST

TILTON NH

MAY 21

9AMTO1PM

CHICHESTER TRACTOR SUPPLY

307 DOVER RD  RT4

CHICHESTER NH

MAY 28
9AM TO1 PM

Thought of the day...

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

-John Burroughs 

How the week went...

Well, I wrenched my back last weekend and was out of commission for a few days. Boy, do I have a new appreciation for people who suffer from chronic back pain! I am happy to say I am feeling a little better each day...this weekend was beautiful and I was finally able to get around a bit and enjoy some time outdoors.

The snow was melting and our little brook was swelling.

The first crocus' are coming up.

...and the rhubarb.

I wanted to get up early this morning and look for wildlife. We grabbed some coffee and headed out to Twin Mountain.

...oh, yeah...plenty of frost heaves!

We saw three beautiful deer but they took off before I could get my camera out. Then we saw this guy...

Twin Mountain Moose

This huge hawk was sitting in a tree until it saw me...ooops!

on our way home we saw this guy...

Tom Turkey...

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Earth Day Everyday

When I think about our current environmental challenges I often feel like this...

 However, I am optimistic enough to believe that people still have the ability to affect change.

The first Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970 to bring about a better understanding of the affect we have on our planet, and calling us to take action to make positive environmental changes in our communities. Earth Day gives those people who have not taken part in recycling, repurposing, or reducing their carbon footprint the opportunity to make some important changes. 

We have made some significant lifestyle changes in our home such as eating food grown close to home, gardening, putting in a pellet stove, switching to compact flourscent lights, washing laundry in cold water and hanging clothes out to dry, along with recycling and composting as much as we possibly can. 
Because Earth Day is approaching, I started thinking about something additional we could do this year.

It might sound cliche, but this year for Earth day we are going to plant a tree.
Reasons why we should plant trees all over the world are...

•One tree, in its average 50-year lifetime, can clean up $62,000 of air pollution.

•Trees give us oxygen to breathe.  We give trees carbon dioxide, which they thrive upon.

•Trees recycle water, prevent soil erosion and provide homes for animals.

•Trees remove air pollution by lowering air temperature through respiration and by retaining particulates.

•Cities without trees are 'heat islands'. 100 million additional mature trees would save $2 billion per year in energy costs (National Arbor Day Foundation).

•A windbreak can lower home heating bills 10 - 20% and shade trees planted east and west of your home can cut cooling costs 15% - 35%.

How are you celebrating Earth Day this year...or every day? I would love to hear...
Happy Earth Day!
Ruta