As the leaves turn

Tasty "litter"

Marta dining al fresco

The leaves really aren't changing colors here yet, but are falling rapidly nevertheless – probably due to the very dry conditions we are still experiencing. The upside to this is that the sheep are too full of maple leaves to be much interested in hay.

All ten hens – one white, two brown, three gold, and four speckled!
(I take satisfaction from order like this. Don't tell me what that means.)

Integration tools: wire cage and Flock Block

Still wary, but surviving (pullet on right has an injured comb)

The chicken flock is finally integrated. Wednesday morning I turned everyone loose together for a bit while I watched, and it occurred to me that the wire pen I've been using to confine Miss Nasty could be a useful obstacle if moved to the middle of the chicken yard. "Line of sight" would no longer necessarily be "line of attack." My light bulb moment seems to have worked; there has been a minimum of squawking and bloodshed, and my worry and workload has been reduced. The addition of a Flock Block and a daily offering of overripe prunes has also helped.

Brassy laying an egg under the nest boxes; getting closer!

So how are the leaves turning in your part of the world?

That's it for today from . . .