If someone had said to me years ago when I was working in advertising (tottering around in heels) that I would be hauling a sick chook with a bandaged foot off to the vets in a kitty carrier first up on a Monday morning, I would have laughed in disbelief.
More importantly a chicken with bumble foot, which as it happens, is a nasty infection causing the injured foot to swell and heat up. Strangely enough all these ailments seem to happen to my favourite birds.
The bright purple bandage, which has since been ditched, was I’m sure the envy of the other chooks ..
Tony looking very handsome and keeping an eye on things
It’s that time of year too, when those rather large sheep of ours need to be shorn and have those toes trimmed.
We just had Labour Day weekend in NZ – it’s hard not to love 3 days off. So yours truly was out in the garden, hauling out spent veg, prepping beds with an array of fabulous organic material, and generally attempting to oversee the chaos that is currently our garden.
Proof, I was busy
I’m not the only one that is busy
I have next weekend earmarked for some plantings …. think salad stuff that is happily growing in the kitchen. And as I previously mentioned, I’m off out to buy some heirloom organic varieties that a friend just happens to grow commercially.
There is something so special about new life …
Frog Pond Farm is looking beautiful .. luscious green hues, lots of happy self seeded flowers which nod in the breeze their beautiful faces lifted skyward. I was surprised (I don’t know why 🙂 ) to see plums already taking shape in the orchard.
Granny’s bonnets don’t face skyward … lol
You may remember last year that I was lamenting the lack of olives on our trees? That was then … our trees are absolutely smothered and I suspect that we will have a monster crop .. anyone want to come and help harvest? LOL
Our macadamia tree is also smothered
And you can’t beat a visit in the morning with the dog to the beach ..
I was eyeing them off too … Sand Dunz Cafe
Happy gardening
Oh dear, I hope the chicken’s foot is on the mend. Looks like pedicure time at your Hehe
If it makes you feel any better Jules, I am always carting sick hens to the vets. I have one hen (Shirley) who has EYP but has stabilised since having a hormone implant and has been living indoors at night in a crate near a heater for about two months. Who’s loopier..maybe me 🙂
Hey Rom, sure is pedicure time at our place! Yes Dolly’s foot seems to be fine now (fingers crossed). What a drama that was .. bumble foot is awful. Oh you are so wonderful with your hens Rom .. what a great girl you are! So caring .. not loopy at all. Hugs 😀
Really a beautiful lesson of farming and gardening in your words and photographs☺
Thank you .. spring is always interesting at Frog Pond, and animals only add to the enjoyment / stress :D! Great to see you here ..
Poor chook, I hope it’s foot is better. Tony is looking quite the guy. As your farm greens up in you spring toward summer, our temperatures are dropping, and the plants are changing as we fall towards winter. Maybe you need a pair of high heeled wellies. I was at the boutique next door helping them with a computer problem, and one of the young women was wearing high heeled boots that looked like they were made of rubber. I commented that her boots looked like high heeled wellies, and she said they were! I guess they are all the rage around here.
Hello Mr Price. Dolly’s foot does seem to be much better – thanks to the antibiotics and the mini surgery 🙂 Ha ha .. high heeled wellies awesome! I bet they look amazing. So nice to be heading into warmth .. hope your fall is colourful. Take care Tim ..
Your garden is indeed blooming beautiful.. now that i am losing all my flowers i will visit more often to look at yours.. I slow down and you speed UP!! c
HI Celi! I love it when you stop by. Our garden is going nuts … I’m way behind planting and sowing seed too. But I’ll there. Funny isn’t it, you are slowing down an we sure are speeding up. Looks like we might be in for a dry summer C. Take care Miss 😀
The chook doesn’t seem too troubled. Love the Granny’s Bonnets–that’s a new one to me.
Nothing much bothers Dolly .. although she didn’t much like the car ride! She seems so much better now and is devoid of her bandage. Those Granny’s bonnets are just the prettiest things. Self seeded and in 3 colours .. perfect! Thanks for stopping by
Your garden looks beautiful and I am admiring your photos, they are gorgeous.
Hi Gerlinde .. thank you. Our garden is looking good, even if it is out of control (nearly 😉 )
Hi Julie, I hope the chicken heals up okay. Lovely photos and update. It sounds and looks like everything is right on schedule. Keep your eye out for Brandywine seedlings. They are very good and big producers. I wish I could help you with those olives. 🙂 Take care. Bob
Heck, I wish you could help with those olives too Mr E. I was thinking about it today, the trees are loaded. I have no idea what we will be doing with all the olive oil either. It is so good too .. what a bonus. Brandywine? I haven’t seen that one .. hmmm. I’ll keep you posted 😀
I love that little purple bandage on the chicken’s foot. And your gardens are looking good…as always.
Thanks Angeline .. she was relatively easy to bandage up too. Chooks will never cease to amaze me. I think the gardens are looking good too, something to do with this time of year. Lovely 😀
Your garden is always so beautiful, so quiet . A simplicity that does so much good 😉
What a lovely thing to say .. thank you so much. It is quiet and I adore it. Such a special place indeed. I’m so pleased that you enjoy your visits. 😀 😀
Love Christiane’s comment Jules and of course your garden! 😀
Glad your chooky girl is on the mend. Everything is looking wonderful!
I was away from my garden for 10 days. I couldn’t believe the chaotic growth which occurred in that short time. We must enjoy this abundant ‘madness’ whilst it lasts. I am also worrying about a dry summer. I guess that will be good for your olives though.
Hello lovely … oh you disappeared off my reader. But all fixed now. 10 days worth of growth! LOL I can imagine … Yes I agree, I believe that we are going to be in for a dry summer. It has been so windy in Auckland which is drying any moisture out of the soil. I’m sure those olives will love it! So good to hear from you …
Perhaps, in view of my absence, we could say I have been entirely off the radar. 😉
What would we do without pet carriers? Our dog crate has held chickens, calves, cats, goats and one dog.
I have no idea! I have had all sorts of birds in mine, including a wild pigeon which was injured … Sounds like your dog crate has been super useful! 😀
Your beach is hypnotic Julie, I must visit it one day.And the new life photo in or garden- a magic moment captured. Your chhooks are a hhansome lot- can understand your concern. Our chooks and cows are our pets too.
Hey Francesca … you must visit, that would be fabulous! Black sand beach though … ha ha I’m so pleased you like the new life pic, I ummed and ahhed about including it. Handsome chooks that are pets … wouldn’t have it any other way. The bonus is they provide us with the yummiest eggs. Hugs
It’s always a pleasure visiting your garden! Sooo fresh and green!
Thank you so much .. so nice to know that you have stopped by. I love your pics on instagram .. 😀
Thank you Julie! Happy that you enjoy my insta photos <3
Poor chook – although that is a very fine looking bandage. I’d love to come and help harvest the olives… if only you lived just that bit closer!
I wished you lived closer too! Boy do we need some help LOL. Yes poor chook. The bandage has gone and hopefully won’t be back. I have my fingers crossed 😀
Brilliant news about the olives. I’m glad your chicken’s foot is better. That bandage must truly have been the envy of the flock.
A lovely tour of your farm and chores. Great photos again but the birds and unattended chips is such fun!
Thanks .. If those chips had been left for much longer, it would have been me or the birds for sure 😄
You were in advertising? I was in sales and marketing before moving onto general management before moving on to photography and writing
Your blog does not have a ‘like’ button
I’m not going to like that! Need to work out why ..
Gorgeous pictures as always! Definitely brightened up my day… X
Hey Ross … thanks for that, I’m pleased I brightened your day. Good 😀
Every single image is just stunning, Julie. I LOVE your flowers and I LOVE the sprout coming up and I LOVE the shot of the ocean. Beautiful post … a reflection of the artist. Thank you, my friend, and I hope your rooster is OK by now!!! (((HUGS))) Amy <3
Hello lovely … I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos. You are so very welcome. Thanks for dropping by .. I think my hen is on the road to recovery 😀 Hugs
Good!!! Sorry about calling “her” a “he”. Oops. 🙂
Ha ha ..
Wow. Frog Pond Farm really is looking beautiful … but then … it always does. haha. I’m so glad to hear your chicken is on the mend. =)
Thanks Debra .. Frog Pond Farm is looking damp today, but we sure do need the rain. I’m so pleased my chook is on the road to recovery .. nasty thing that bumble foot. See you soon 😀
Ah. What a splendid life you lead!!
Hey Julie … thanks Miss. 😀
Your world is stunningly beautiful! I’ve had to cut on chicken’s feet for bumble foot before (no vet here takes in birds)…usually there is something in it…a small splinter possibly. Hope she heals fast, as all chickens seem to do.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Hi Miss, I know the vet is a luxury for birds and many of my neighbours think I’m nuts. We did remove a core from her foot but after a couple of days it wasn’t looking much better – even with antiseptic spray and bandaging. So off to the vets with her! 😀 Yes the do heal don’t they? Great to see you Linda
I wish we had a bird vet…there have been times I really needed one!
I so enjoy your beautiful garden, Julie! Like the close up captures. Hope the chick foot is recovering…
Hello Miss … I’m so pleased you enjoy the garden and those close ups. Thankfully the chickens foot is mending (phew) 😀
Hi Julie, that was a big change in your life and I find this great. You’re doing a very good job at your wonderful farm. Not everybody could accomplish that.
If I could, I would help harvest. One day perhaps… 😉
In your photo series I particular love the picture of the birds at the table. I guess the pommes are very delicious! 😀
Hey Josephine … yes one day! I would love that … 😉 Sure was a big change in my life – so good being versatile isn’t it (or maybe a bit nutty :D) I love that bird photo too. I shot it out of the car window. Have a lovely weekend Miss
i smiled when i read that you’re admiring your garden at its very best right now. i think as gardeners we are allowed to gloat a little when it’s all coming together perfectly! your two-toned granny’s bonnets are very special – i do love the origami-like intricacies of those flowers.
I do admire the garden … can’t help myself. Nothing better than sitting on the grass and taking in the view. Those Granny bonnets are pretty special .. various colours and all self seeded. They sure are intricate … thanks for stopping by 😀
hehe some cute shots 🙂
Hi Joshi … thank you! 🙂
I appreciate the abstraction of your first photograph.
Hey Steve .. Glad you liked that shot. I thought it was a perfect way to start …😀 she couldn’t have cared less
Well Mrs Bumblefoot I’m sorry I am late in replying but you didn’t reply to my last reponce. I hope the said Bumblefoot is under control or otherwise I shall have to inform MAF when I arrive in December and ask if it is in control in Frogpond Farm. I don’t really want to have place my best leather shoes in a footbarth before I can enter the said farm!
Photos as usual very good especially that antique spade that donesent dare be used,
Lots of love to you both Bill xxx
Hey Mr Bonner .. Whoops huge apologies for missing your comment, which I have since replied to. Hmm, I would be more worried about sand in the bed , than those fine leather shoes needing a soaking. Mind you, I would be happy to oblige! Don’t you pick on that spade! Hugs x
Fabulous photos, really really fabulous….. the beautiful layers of feathers and absolutely everything ~ everyone a gorgeous photo …….( All taken in tottering heals. I can tell! Come on Julie you haven’t ever really let them go!) <3
You know what Gill.. You are absolutely right! That’s the heels bit .. Lol! So pleased you enjoyed the pics .. Yay 😃😃
🙂 xxx
Back at you 😃😃
I imagine your spot as a veritable symphony of sounds, colors and amazing sights-what a wonderful time of the year! (Hubble would like a swipe or two at those fries the bird was eyeing 😉 )
Hello Miss … it sure is an amazing time of year. Thanks for dropping by .. Hubble would have loved those fries 😀
Oh Julie, you’ve been such a busy girl! Hope this beautiful girl of yours is better – she certainly got expert treatment. Think you’ve changed your life for the better – so much nicer to run around in wellies, tend the garden and work with the animals. We used to have lots of sheep in Ireland so I know it’s hard work. How many sheep do you have? Luvely pics as always…I envy you a little as you’re going into summer…well, still mild and mellow here so I shan’t complain! Happy days to you, hubby and all animals 🙂
Hi lovely .. always seems like I’m busy 🙂 especially at this time of year. Lots of planting and prepping of gardens and feeding plants too of course! Our 2 rather plump sheep are our pets … I didn’t realise that you lived in Ireland too … now that sounds like a proper farm 😀 You are so right, my life has changed for the better. I’m so lucky! Great to know that you stopped by and happy days to you and hubby too!
well, two sheep is really more like pets…we had about 30 😉
Loved all you lovely photos…Frog Pond is indeed looking beautiful.
Oh thank you! 😀
I love the little bird with the fries 😉
Hey Merilee … I do too. The owner of those fries took his time getting back to them 😀
Blooming marvellous! Love that sprouting seed.
Thank you! I like that sprouting seed pic too .. a promise of beans to come 😀
Gosh what gorgeous photos of a lovely looking farm. So funny to think of spring while we fall into the decay of autumn over in Scotland. I just loved the stylish purple bandage which I agree must have been the envy of all the other girls!
Hello! and thank you. It is odd isn’t it with us bouncing into summer .. Have to say I’m loving it, the weather lately has been so settled! Yep that purple bandage was the envy of the other girls for sure! Thanks for the comment 🙂
What an uplifting post! Sick chook and all. Hope all goes well there now.
Your photos and your description of the activity on your farm are heartening.
Thanks lovely 😃
A lovely view of your world. I’m eyeing off those chips too. 🙂
Thank you .. 😃 I was eyeing off those chips too. The birds couldn’t believe their luck ..
Oh my!!! That sea there looks SO inviting for a wee swim!!
Yes, there is something so exciting and thrilling about new life…Spring seems to be smiling brightly upon Frog Pond this season.
Hope Dolly-Chook is feeling much improved, now.
I can’t imagine what it is like to trim sheep-toes, quite a job I suspect. Did they balk much? I suspect they are feeling pretty sleek and svelte with their posh new hair-cuts 😉
Such a beautiful, uplifting post. I have so enjoyed my little visit. Happy weekend to you dear friend,
Autumn Jade Toad
Thank you – I’m so pleased you found it uplifting. The sheep don’t mind too much their toes being trimmed – although they would much prefer to nibble on grass 🙂 Dolly is much better thanks – I’m so pleased as she is my favourite and just adorable. The surf was full on that day. I’m a blouse and won’t swim here as there are rips. Hubby surfs here though and loves it! Thanks for stopping by – always good to know you have
Sometimes it is wiser to stand upon the shore and admire the powerful beauty of the sea from a safe distance! We get strong rip currents here too. I’ve been yanked out many times but, so far, have always managed to swim back. I am usually the only swimmer on such days. Sometimes the waves are like mountains and I can’t see much beyond each towering set as I inch my way out, and then, suddenly, I’m amongst the surfers as they surge down the gigantic monster waves and I must dive to get out of their way. Astoundingly, I almost always see sharks still at it, hunting fish, even amid such powerful, crashing waves. This I find contenting as it is the sharks who draw me out in the first place 😉
I am so elated that Dolly is feeling much better!!! She is beautiful. And I am sure the sheep are most delighted to be back to what they love to do best 😉 chomping away.
Too many grins to count. Best wishes,
Autumn Jade