Chicken Wrangler Sara Archives - Page 3 of 39

8 09, 2023

Silly Turkey

By judythemorgan|2023-09-07T08:17:36-05:00September 8th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

The grumpy turkey continues to provide entertainment on Miller Farm.

Friday morning when I went out to check on everyone, I found him roosting in the chicken coop.

He stayed there all day leading me to believe he was unsure how to get down.

I must confess, it was much less stressful to be in the chicken yard when the turkey was in the coop. But I was a little concerned he would starve to death so Beekeeper Brian tapped him and he jumped down.

A few days later he was back up on the roost. This time he figured out how to get down on his own, Silly Turkey!

He must think he is a chicken.

1 09, 2023

My New Title

By judythemorgan|2023-08-29T08:40:39-05:00September 1st, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Last Friday I looked out the kitchen window to find that Mr. Grumpy Turkey was on the wrong side of the fence.

My first thought was “Who can I call to help me?” Beekeeper Brian was at work as were both children who live in town.

My next thought was “Who is available to take me to the hospital?” Mr. Turkey is not fond of me and the feeling is mutual. I was imagining a fierce battle.

I came to the conclusion that I would have to wrangle this turkey on my own. I started the coffee brewing, grabbed the rake, and prepared to face my nemesis.

He was much less brave when he was on my side of the fence. I was able to guide him back into the chicken yard through the gate. It was almost anticlimactic.

Feeling triumphant, I returned to the kitchen to enjoy my coffee and new title as Turkey Wrangler.

25 08, 2023

Extracting Honey

By judythemorgan|2023-08-24T08:19:19-05:00August 25th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Beekeeper Brian’s bees have been pretty productive this year so we were able to get honey for the first time in several years. I had forgotten what an interesting process it is.

We decided to move the extractor into the kitchen instead of using it out on the driveway. The Texas heat has been oppressive.

First Brian removed the frames of honey and comb from the hive. He used a special spray designed to drive the bees away. This was especially important since we were bringing them into the kitchen.

Then the very edge of the comb is cut to remove the wax caps.

The frames are then placed into the extractor.

Then it is a matter of physics – specifically centrifugal force.

The metal tub containing the frames is spun forcing the honey to vacate the comb.

The liquid gold is then put through a sieve to remove large pieces of comb and collected into a five-gallon bucket.

The last step is to put it in bottles to be used in tea, on yogurt, or just licked off a spoon. At the end of the process, there was sticky honey everywhere in the kitchen including on the heads of two dogs.

But having honey from our own front yard makes it all worth the effort.

18 08, 2023

New Music Room

By judythemorgan|2023-08-16T09:14:15-05:00August 18th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

For the past 5 years, I have taught music for a small charter school. Most of the classes meet in portable buildings while the rest of the campus occupies what used to be a church.

Music class has been held in the sanctuary which is also used for morning and afternoon assembly. All the musical instruments and materials are stored in what used to be the “cry room” at the back of the sanctuary.

It was cozy, to say the least.

The classes met in an area partitioned off at the back of the sanctuary. I made it work.

This year I have my own music room!

I am ridiculously excited! This will be the best year ever!

11 08, 2023

Odd Duck

By judythemorgan|2023-08-10T08:19:38-05:00August 11th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Over the summer we hatched some duck eggs from our next-door neighbors. They have some breeds that we do not, so it added to the gene pool.

Among their ducks, they have some crested Khaki Campbells. One of these eggs hatched so now we have a very interesting duck.

It reminds me of something out of a Dr. Seuss book which makes me smile!Dr

4 08, 2023

Complete Pack

By judythemorgan|2023-08-03T09:29:10-05:00August 4th, 2023|Uncategorized|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

We picked up our new puppy last week. The timing was perfect because we said goodbye to Coco in July. She was the last of our original pack of four.

The puppy is one of three that were born near Memorial Day. The foster mom named them Honor, Legacy, and Valor and they are the Tribute Puppies. Honor is ours and she is wonderful.

It has been 8 years since we had a puppy and I had forgotten some things.

Puppies have sharp teeth which they use to chew on anything available – including noses. Beekeeper Brian has dubbed her “Baby Shark.”
They are small and can fit through small spaces – like the bars of the baby gate – so they must be watched carefully. Fortunately, she will grow and be more containable.
Puppies, like babies, get up at night – sometimes a lot. I’ve decided it is ok. I have to get up to use the bathroom frequently at night so we have a “potty party.” To clarify – I use the inside facilities and take Honor outside.
It is incredibly fun to watch them run and play. Honor wrestles with Mini, our other rescue. They play and play until Honor is worn out. Then they recharge.

Max, who is the only male and 8 years old, is taking this all in stride. He has always been a calm dog and is very patient with the new additions.

It is good to have a full house again!

28 07, 2023

Community Effort

By judythemorgan|2023-07-26T16:31:29-05:00July 28th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I received two different texts yesterday offering things for my chickens.

A former colleague wrote to say there were two bags of leaves at her house. She knows our chickens like to dig through leaves. It keeps them entertained. We were on the way home from Lake Jackson, but I told her I would get them later in the day.

I’ll unload them when it “cools off” to below 100 degrees.

Later in the day, I got a text from another friend who had watermelon rinds for our chickens. She dropped them off on the front porch while I was teaching lessons.

The chickens were thrilled

I never really thought of owning chickens as a community event. I’m glad I was wrong.

7 07, 2023

Ah, Summer!

By judythemorgan|2023-07-06T07:45:45-05:00July 7th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Some people believe that teachers chose their profession so they would have summers off. That may be true for some but I really enjoy my job all year long. During the school year, I can play, sing, and dance five days a week. During the summer, I spend the time differently.

I bake. (The pound cake was great. The angel food cake needs a little more practice.)

I work jigsaw puzzles:

But most importantly – I take naps.

I went by my school recently to drop off some keyboards I have acquired. I’m hoping to teach class piano at some point.

Anyway, I talked to the secretary who told me they are moving some people around. I will actually get my own room which is very exciting! I won’t have to set up every morning and move everything back into my office when classes are over.

The only problem is I have to move all the things out of my office into my new room.I’m thinking I will need to take more naps before that happens!

23 06, 2023

Reptile Whisperer

By judythemorgan|2023-06-20T12:31:19-05:00June 23rd, 2023|Uncategorized|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

My husband and I recently attended a wedding at an old water well station. It was a beautiful venue and the bride was a former piano student so it was a lovely event.

As we walked in, there was a small snake on the path. I guess he wanted to see the ceremony. Several of the guests protested so Beekeeper Brian picked him up and put him in the grass.

A couple of weeks later, we went to my parent’s house to celebrate Daddy’s birthday. There was a tree frog on their fence that somehow ended up on Brian’s shoulder.

As long as none of the reptiles come to live on Miller Farm, I am fine. We’ve already had snakes, lizards, and a bearded dragon. We’ve moved on to feathered creatures and, of course, dachshunds.

9 06, 2023

Back in the Flock

By judythemorgan|2023-06-02T07:42:59-05:00June 9th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Brian sent me the following text last week.

He had extracted the “Templeton” eggs that the wayward chicken had laid under the shed. She had indeed been sitting on the eggs but none of them were fertile. They were just stinky.

He was also able to extract the chicken as well and put her back in with the rest of the flock. He told her resistance was futile. She would be assimilated.

For those who are not Star Trek fans, that is a reference to the Borg – the biggest enemy of the Enterprise crew.

She seems perfectly content to be back with the flock. I kind of miss having her follow me around the yard. But it is nice not to have hazardous eggs under the shed.