Back to regular programming
Jul 31st, 2007 by Laura
Reintegration to the real world is always hard. But today is something worth celebrating. Today is Mike and I’s third wedding anniversary. Three years ago we exchanged vows and finally made it official. It was a great weekend on Whidbey Island and a beautiful day at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.
We didn’t do anything too special to celebrate tonight. Just had a delicious simple dinner, shared a bottle of the now “vintage” pear cider we toasted with on our wedding day and enjoyed a quiet night at home. The past week on vacation was celebration enough.
Returning to our regular programming, all of the girls are showing signs of leg mites again. So tonight they all got the feet dipped in mineral oil. And we’ll do it again each of the next two nights, then again 2 weeks from now. Hopefully that will buy us a reprieve for at least a few months.
The other two chicks finally have names. The white bantam chick is Lola, because she’s a showy girl. The reddish chick, who’s turning out to be a beautiful bird, is named Maisie. The two banty chicks are still pretty tiny. Maisie is a BIG girl - already at least 2/3 of Agnes’ size. I’ll get some pictures later this week of all three.
And Lucy is trying to go broody. I’m fighting her on it, locking them out of the roost box for most of the day to keep her off the nest. Last thing I need is another broody hen. We’re all full up here at the Urban Hennery.
Love your blog! The name is cool, too.
Have you ever tried diatomaceous earth for mite control on your chickens? It is a natural product which dessicates the mites (and fleas on dogs and in bedding, too) that you can add to the chicken’s dust bath. Just get food grade or organic grade - pool grade has added chemicals.
I have a friend who puts a small amount in the chicken’s dust bath and sprinkles it in the bedding/litter - keeps most pests away. And, since it is food grade, you and the chickens can eat it safely.
Thanks Stephani! I keep meaning to buy some DE, but my biggest issue is that they’re not consistent in where they take their dust baths. They’ll dig a hole pretty much anywhere every other day. We haven’t had any problems with skin mites or lice, just the leg mites.
It’s all Pru’s fault as it turns out she had them when I got her, but since she was only 6 weeks old it wasn’t obvious yet. And since all but two of my birds have feathered feet, they’re next to impossible to get rid of. Oh well. Next flock I’m getting all clean legged birds!
Bummer! A friend of mine who has a rather large flock has had problems as well. Most of her birds have feathered feet as well.
What a wonderful portrait of you two in the lighthouse. I am very familiar with that site. Whidbey is such a great place to be. Happy Anniversary!
What a great blog of the vacation. and of course my favorite picture from your wedding. Can’t believe that it’s been 3 years! and the pics are priceless from the boat with the dogs. Has the magazine article come out yet?
Hey Laura and Mike!!!
Great picture from the wedding…..!!!
I liked your travelog of the trip from Seattle to Ely, Minnesota and back!!!
We sure enjoyed having you there!!
I’m glad the boat has found a good home.
Guess your mom and I will need to take a vacation in Washington so I can see/use the boat!!! Maybe in September.
Happy Anniversary!!