Caterpillar check
The monarch butterfly caterpillars have grown a lot. See how big? I jiggled the plant and startled one. I think they’ll turn into chrysalises in about two weeks. There were four at first, but somehow we’re down to two. Will these two make it? Good luck!
Gin-chan’s feathers
This is Gin-chan, extremely cranky right now and in the middle of growing new feathers. Let me touch you — “No, no, no!” I thought the feathers on Gin-chan’s head were gone for good, but they’re growing back. Yay! (What are you sneezing about? Are you okay?)
The head feathers are back, which is great, but the rest are still molting (shedding and regrowing), so Gin-chan looks very strange right now — like a quail. And takes it out on everyone else, too. Don’t pick on Kinako, poor thing! Gin-chan, you look so tiny. I hope those feathers grow in soon.
Grey turns four
This is Grey, from our egg-laying team. She used to be number two in the pecking order, but I’ve lost track of where she stands now. Look at her legs — so fluffy, magnificent! Her birthday is October 1st, and she safely turned four this year.
Grey is our fluffy lavender-colored Cochin — a Cochin bantam, the smaller version. What are those feet? Are you wearing hakama (wide traditional Japanese trousers)? If mud gets stuck in the foot feathers they can get inflamed, so I trim them every year, and they’ve grown back beautifully. Time to trim them again.
Around the yard
Poppy 2 has grown in lovely new feathers — and I went and spilled mash (soft feed) all over her back. She’s acting like nothing happened. Sorry! Your feathers were so pretty. Why are you so bouncy?
Oops, here’s Lincoln, coming to complain. You’re huge, Lincoln!
This is Jack, our rooster. Ever since he was little, he’s had a single black feather sticking out on his left leg. Still taking good care of it today? It doesn’t mean anything, but there it is. Funny, right, Balloon? It never falls out and never goes away. It’s just always there. No punchline!
Jack has gotten pretty good at calling all the hens together, but their reactions are still lukewarm. He’s a funny guy, isn’t he, Peanut? Thanks for spending a relaxed little while with us. See you next time!