Morning Chores and Our New Calf

Today as I do my morning chores, Viv is following me around with a new camera she got me.   

 I feed the the chickens first thing and start with their layer feed.

 Then I get them some scratch.

 It starts out their day with a treat.

 When I opened the nest box to collect the eggs, this hen wished me good morning!

 There were two eggs in the nest next to hers, and she is probably sitting on at least one more.

 I collect the eggs in grandmas basket.  When the weather is better she likies to gather them herself.

 Next I get some grain for "Pickles" our cow.

 I let her have some so she likes to see me coming. While she is distracted, I work with "Patches", her calf.

Some times "Patches" doesn't like being caught. I keep a halter on him and he drags a rope around all day. It helps him get used to the halter and makes it easier. One of the reasons he doesn't like me today is that I made him a steer yesterday.

 After I caught him, he resisted me more than he has been doing. He was a week old Sunday.

 Notice here the rope is slack and he is letting me rub and scratch him.

 Two or three times a day I take "Harry" for a walk around the property. He is getting to where he expects it and reminds me during the day.

 We usually take the same route but sometimes we reverse it.

 He checks out the perimeter of the property, especially on the west side as he is here.

 Sometimes, if it has come, we pick up the mail.  He stops at the road and lets me cross alone to the mailbox. I think he is trained enough to not cross or go out on to the road. Most dogs in this neighborhood end their mortality on the road which is a dangerous highway. Earlier in the morning I go down and get the paper, the Everett Herald."

 Then I  fill the bird feeders and put out corn for the Blue Jays.

It's only a matter of minutes and the "Seller Jay" is already at the corn. In a few more minutes the corn will be gone. I don't usually replace it more that once or twice a day.

 Some time after these chores are done I will go out and throw down some hay for the cow. I quite enjoy my animals. Isn't this a fun way to start the day?