Happy as Clams
All of the birds are happy as clams. As the snow recedes they immediately go to the fresh ground and start scratching away. No doubt there will be a few bare spots in the lawn where they have congregated for the past few weeks.
Thankfully, more and more area are opening up so they can spread out a bit and kick through leaves, which they prefer to grass. They linger much longer outside now that the days are getting warmer, sunnier, and longer. I can’t close up the coop until it’s dark, even then there are often chickens outside the door trying to enjoy the last bit of daylight.
With the spring will also come foxes and other predators. As soon as the snow melts it will be time to put up the electric fences and get them going once again. Until then the chickens will enjoy being 100% free range.
I notice the wild birds are also out and about more. As I gather sap during the day I hear more and more birdsong. It’s a beautiful thing to hear and see animals and birds string in the wild once again.
Are you noticing more birds and wildlife as spring comes?
Filed under Around the Garden, Chickens, Feathered & Furred | Comments (6)
I went out last night to lock up the chickens, at the usual time, and had to herd them in! They were really enjoying the lovely weather. :)
to Yolanda's comment
This is our first year in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s been fun to notice all the different wildlife that is here vs living in Mn the last 20 years- we have lots of bumblebees that are returning as well.
to Jennie's comment
lol…Susy, I just love the photo with the ol’ outhouse! It leads me to ask, just how old is your home or property? I noticed in a recent post the stone walls that you have and was wondering then too.
…Yes, our chickens are lingering about later into the evening now too. I keep them penned in their covered run until a few hours before sunset then I let them out. We are victims of urban sprawl in our area and we have too many other people’s dogs running around to let them free range all day.
…So glad to see that Spring is making her debut in your area! Nice, isn’t it? ;o)
…Enjoy your day!
…Peace & blessings. :o)
to tj's comment
It’s old from the last 1800’s. The stone walls were built to keep sheep in. Down in the woods there are old stone sheep corrals. Below the house there is the original hand dug well with a hand pump and the old basement foundation of the original homestead.
to Susy's comment
I agree with tj…beautiful ole outhouse…was that really what it used to be and is it your chicken house now? It looks like an old smoke house to me as well.
And yes, the birdsong now is so lovely to hear all day as they forage around and many are already in the process of nest building. We can hardly keep the hummingbird feeder filled fast enough.
Love seeing your chickens “happy as clams” :)
to Chris's comment
Susy, we had another 80 degree day yesterday with a so wonderful thunder storm that blew through during the night. The much needed two and a half inches of rain filled my 400 gallon rain catch tank. I slept with the bedroom window open for the first time this year listening to the rain fall with distant claps of thunder and far away flashes of lightening. My song bird is back. For several years I would be wakened by a bird singing to me each morning through the open bedroom window at sunrise. Sadly for the last couple years being awakened by a song bird didn’t happen. This morning clear as could be, the bird singing outside my window was back. I am so glad to once again hear the song bird bringing in the new day.
Have a great Happy as a Clam day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment