How to get Chickens to Lay Eggs

A couple of days ago the two youngest children who love and take of the chickens went to search for eggs.   They found...ONE...  I own NINE chickens and we could only get ONE egg?   I was a little miffed.  We pamper  take great care of these chickens,  feed them well, never forget water,  the kids pet them and play with them,  they get almost daily leftovers from the kitchen that many people would eat.  So what was up with the ONE out of NINE eggs? 

I decided to go have a chat with the feather balls.  First we discussed their cushy lifestyle and how I brought them into the world,  I could take them out.  Well,  I brought them home anyway.  Then we discussed rationing and penning.  They free roam our yard as long as we are home,  which as homeschoolers is daily!! 

Then I thought maybe I hadn't sung to them in awhile. We have a song.  or two. The first one is very sweet and goes like this.  

                                  Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken,  Lay a little egg for me.
                                  Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken,  I want one for my tea.
                                  I haven't had an egg since Easter, and now it's half past three, sooo
                                  Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken,  Lay a little egg for me. 

A very cheery tune,  I think my grandmother taught me.  To be safe and so the chicks knew I was SERIOUS  I sang THE OTHER SONG.  It goes like this.

                                  Oh,  I had a little chicken and it wouldn't lay and egg,
                                  So I poured boiling water up and down it's leg,
                                  Oh,  the little chicken cried and the little chicken begged,
                                  And the little chicken laid me a hard boiled egg. 

And that did the trick.  The next day,  we got 6 eggs from that group.  I still would like to know who's not doing her duty.  I may have to take them out one by one and have personal chats.  In a group setting you never know who is not listening. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Precious oldest Children

Just had to share this quick note.  We fill stockings around here.  We have done various traditions with them such as opening one gift every day the week before Christmas (my mom did this with us  until I had kids...hmmm...I think I was a little spoiled!!),  opening the stocking gifts Christmas Eve,  letting the kids open them before D and I got up.   Most years I don't fill the adults stockings, they are just for looks.  One year my mom and sister and I  exchanged stockings and filled them.  That was fun.  This year they hung lean and low on the mantle. 

When the kids began opening their stockings on Christmas morn,  my eldest said,  "Mom,  Dad,  you have things in your stockings too.  Open them."   Low and behold there was stuff in there.  My eldest had bought her aging parents little gifts, knowing what we liked,  so our stockings wouldn't be so sad.  She is a gem.  And no,  you can't have her.  I worked hard to get her where she is today!!  Here is a pic of my favorite stuffer.  

We constantly encourage the kids to fight over us when we are old and feeble.  My oldest usually says she'll find the best nursing care she can.  But this Christmas I see hope...maybe she'll even visit us with stockings at Christmas. 



thanks for reading, 

Reb

New Day

Today is a new day.  I have a couple of children that need to hear that frequently.  Heck,  I NEED to hear that every morning.  Today in my Bible reading,  I thought how God made a new day for us after the flood.  What was that day like?  No other people,  things greening up like spring,  chaotic weather patterns I am sure.  I wonder if it was very quiet.  I wonder if Noah thought about doing things different and intentional parenting and grandparenting, and being a good husband and staying closer to the Lord than before.  A new day,  a new year, a new beginning. 

I pray that for all who feel last year wasn't their year.  God is gracious and kind and generous and forgiving  and earnest and righteous and worthy to be feared.  He is AMAZING.   Here is an old video that I love.  I want to shout AMEN after listening.  I think I will. 

And just to add a little more UMPH!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


thanks for reading,

Reb

Reading through the Bible

I would say in one year,  but I resolved not to put too much pressure on myself and make myself feel like a failure this year.  So  I am going to try to read the Bible in one year, but if it takes a little longer,  I am pressing on.  Found a couple of great websites to help me along this path.  The first one is   http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/  .  I like this one because it has artwork to accompany the passages,   and it has a worship song to listen to at the end.  I like pictures and songs.   It taps in to the emotional side of me which needs help,  desperately. 

The second site is    http://feeds2.feedburner.com/dailyaudiobible  .  This guy reads to Bible online with soft music playing and has some comment.  Sometimes I turn this on when I need to work in the kitchen and the only thing free is my ears.  The kids enjoy listening to this also.  I love it when we are all listening to God's word at the same time.  It brings about great discussion about DEEP things. 

Our New Year's Eve and day were great.  I will post later about NYE.  It is a story in and of itself.  Plus,  I have a couple of posts I have written,  but I am determined to get these pics off a phone/camera  ALL MY BYSELF.    It may take a day or two,  but I have determination. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Groupons Deal

This is a quick post.  I get these groupon notices every day in my email.  I delete most because I don't do sky diving or get my pet's hair curled.  Although the chickens would look mighty cute with little bows in their feathers.  Today's deal  I wanted to try.   Here is the link http://www.groupon.com/deals/natures-prime-organic-foods-little-rock?utm_campaign=natures-prime-organic-foods-little-rock&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&c=btn&addx=rebekah@damonsbunch.com&utm_content=little-rock_interleaved_sidebar

It is for trying organic food ...DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR....for $35.   I just want to have something DELIVERED TO MY DOOR!    

thanks for reading,

Reb