New Zoo Members

We'd like to introduce you to the four newest members of our zoo:
Our friend Teagen is in first grade and they hatched their chickens recently. He needed a place for his to stay, so we gladly offered for them to come live at our zoo. Right now we can't tell if they are cocks or pullets (boys or girls). One already has a comb starting, so I'm pretty sure he is a cock.


For those of you who have lost count of our zoo, here's the latest tally: 1 donkey, 2 (year-old)bottle calves, 3 cats (remember when we bottle fed those), 1 dog who is now walking a bit sideways, 2 bantam roosters (free to good home), 6 Leghorn hens, 5 Rhode Island Red hens, 2 Polish bantam chicks, 1 bantam chick of unknown breed, 4 leghorn chicks, 1 rat, 1 gerbil and one cabbage named Freddy.

My How They've Grown

Remember the kittens we bottle fed?

You can search our blog for "kittens" and get the full saga.

I thought I should update you. I took these pictures yesterday. Please note, it is very hard to take their picture, they come running and want to put their face directly in the lens.
Tiger--the only girl

Talley--the proud Tom

Uncle Sally--He was the runt.

Todd Turtle

Todd the Turtle came to visit us. He has been hanging out in the puddle by the driveway all day. He has even put up with being picked up, poked and prodded. Maybe he is the newest zoo member--I'm sure word is out that we have great accommodations around here.

T.S. Said:

So, T.S. comes in the door and says, "Tunia can pull a wagon, right?"

Tunia is Petunia, our very old dog.

"No, I don't think so, " said Robby.

"I think her can," said T.S. in a sing-song voice with a look on his face and grin that can't even be described. And with that, he went back outside.



Thankfully, he hadn't hitched Petunia to the wagon, just her leash. I'm sure if he could have persuaded the dog to come over he would have gotten it done.

He had a great day today playing with Tryce. They are working on being friends with the donkey. Both boys helped pick the garden and check the chickens. Lots of adventures are in store for those two this year.

Why? Why not???

For those of you wondering why we thought we needed a donkey (see "Zoo Update" below), let me explain.

1. He was free.
2. We were told he doesn't need any supplemental feed--he'll graze on grass and weeds.
3. Donkeys are supposed to be good at protecting other animals from coyotes. With our show lambs in the pens, they are protected, but the donkey will be "extra" security. He'll also serve as a body guard for the calves.
4. He is pretty cute and there is a possibility we could someday break him and ride him--thus fulfilling Sadie's dream of owning a horse...sort of.
5. I really am debating the whole zoo thing...we could have school groups, a petting zoo, t-shirts, cotton candy, souvenirs...I can see the possibilities now.

Zoo Update

The newest zoo member arrived today. We are excited to introduce Tom the donkey. (The kids wanted to name him Duncan, but he was already named) T.S.'s calf, Tiger, was chasing him around the pens earlier today. We are still working on setting our admission prices and hours of operation. Right now, we might offer an incentive to come visit. The first three visitors get their choice of a rat or Bantam roosters to take home.

New Acquisition

We are proud to announce the newest member of our "zoo" has arrived. (For those of you keeping count, that brings us to 5 chickens, 2 calves, 1 dog, 1 fish, 1 gerbil and 1 rat) Sadie brought home her cousins' rat, Ratatouille. The kids are glad to be back home. They are enjoying time with their grandparents and cousins this weekend. We've picked squash, dug potatoes, gathered eggs and played with the calves.