Additions ....

We have a new puppy (7 weeks old). She is a collie/spaniel mix-coloring like a border collie. She's from the local shelter so we don't have an exact pedigree. However, neither collies nor spaniels are bird dogs, so hopefully this will work out well for us (and for our neighbors). Of course she cried off and on all night, we kept her in a crate in the house for her first night here. Fortunately I am a sound sleeper-unfortunately Mrs. Curley is not....

We also ordered our new chickens last night. We ordered a straight run of Barred Rocks which we will raise for both eggs and meat and try to perpetuate if possible. And we are getting some Buff Orpintons (hens only) mostly for egg production. These latter are supposed to be good setters, so we are counting on perpetuating the egg flock. I figure we will get at least one or two roosters in the 'hens only' batch.

Neither breed was our first choice, we wanted White Rocks and Partridge Rocks-but one was sold out and the other's availability didn't fit our schedule.

We want to raise the puppy with the chickens, so there is not a problem there. Also we want eggs in the late winter-early spring, so we have to start now.

The kids are going to have a small fresh egg business, selling eggs for about $150-$2.00 a dozen as they are available. They won't have too many dozens to sell each week, but it will be a tangible contribution to the family economy-besides they'll get to keep part of the profits.

We have a week and a half to get the chicken coops back in order. Doors need fixing, fences reinforcements, and protection from 'critters' needs some reinforcement also. I know what I'll be doing this weekend ....

Mrs. Curley wants to get some pot belly pigs soon also. But that is a little ways off.

Oremus pro invicem!