Backyard Chickens, Family, Cats, Cattle, Barns, Downton, and Democrats

Ah, look at those beautiful chickens!!!

Last week, as I mentioned in a previous post, we visited our son's family in south central Minnesota. It was snowy, blowy, and cold, but fortunately the roads were not snow-packed and slippery, as they so often are in the wintertime.

They live right in the center of a little town, and are allowed to have chickens in their backyard. So, they've built a pen and a coop and enjoy the company of these beautiful chickens. The goldish ones are Buff Orpingtons and the black and white ones are Wyandottes, I think. Our son has wanted chickens for a long time, and it's fun to see the whole family getting in on the project.

Upper left: Granddaughter, dressed for the Minnesota weather
Upper Middle: Chicken pen
Upper Right: Son, having gathered the moment's chicken production
Lower left: Chicken Run
Lower Middle: Nesting Box
Lower Right: Eggs waiting to be used at breakfast

Christmastime brought a new addition to their family - Bingley, the kitten. As you can see in the collage below, he gets plenty of attention. I also took a photo of their black cat, Peter, but all you can see are two green eyes.

That kitten sees everyone as a tree-climbing opportunity and it's quite a shock to suddenly find yourself being clawed by a cat as he scampers up your leg to get to your shoulders. (See granddaughter, lower right.)

Jazzie, a pretty good traveler

and glad to see the family

 Grandkids, all fans of Bingley

 A sweet morning moment with Grandpa

Bingley, on his best behavior

He's practiced that innocent look.

Peter, the older, more civilized cat

Barn in cold, flat, south central Minnesota

It was fun to spend time with the family, and I hope we can go back there soon!

Pink Barns on Highway 212

Remember this barn from a previous post?

Same farm. Same color. No idea why.
(photo taken in January of 2014)

Many horses

I hope they like pink.

Mr. C. and I have a pen out back (18' x 71', originally built as a dog pen on the rare occasion - like never - that we would go away for a day and leave the dogs in the pen. We tried it ONCE. The dogs were in the exact same spot when we returned as when we had left, which was right next to the gate. After that, we kept the dogs in the house and were never gone for a whole day or got a dog sitter.)  Anyway, it's the perfect spot for a chicken coop.

So how many of you have ever raised chickens? Got any good advice or tips of what to do and what not to do and maybe which chickens are your favorites?  I'd love to hear!  I have been waffling (seems appropriate, doesn't it, considering the egg-laying feature) on chickens for a few years now.

And I always love looking at the Murray McMurray chicken catalog, which just came a few days ago.

***

Downton Abbey or Democrats?

Did you watch the Democrat debate last night, or Downton Abbey? I couldn't imagine why they'd put it on at the same time as Downton Abbey (I bet it wasn't Sanders' or O'Malley's idea), but I watched Downton Abbey until it was over and then watched the remaining hour of the debate. 

Two questions:

1. There was so much about Downton Abbey that I loved last night. My favorite parts had to do with Edith and with Tom. Did you watch it? What did you think?

Sybbie and Tom

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2.  Why was Hillary Clinton given so much more air time than O'Malley and Sanders? Or did it just seem like it?  Did you watch it? What did you think?

USA TODAY

 

Linked to Judith's MOSAIC MONDAY

and TREASURE BOX TUESDAY 
and Stephanie's ROSES OF INSPIRATION

and Theresa's GOOD FENCES 

and Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and Tom's BARN COLLECTIVE

 

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