It was hot yesterday. Breathtakingly hot. But more rain is on the way so we are not complaining.
The Cadet needed a little extra loving yesterday so she came over to the farm for some chick therapy. (Above is a little peachick they are very vigorous birds). And much to my delight she was able to watch a turkey hatch out of it’s shell – a very special moment for her. 
The turkeys seem much more fragile. Hopefully they will start to gain some strength today. Early days yet. I have an extra turkey too. I have no idea what this one is. I knew the heritage Turkey Man sent me an extra egg to fill the box but I assumed it was another Spanish Black. Nope. It is a gold colour and much more upright and stronger than the others. A vigorous bird.
But I am sure the Spanish will catch up – after all they were hunted and eaten by the cooks for the conquistadors – of which our guest worker could be a descendent, combined with the the other side of his family that is recently arrived Italian and German – If a polyglot could be a country it would be Argentina. As well as having areas that speak the three different languages, as I understand it, official Argentinian is a collection of all three. We talk about a lot of interesting things whilst practicing English but sometimes it takes two or three days to clarify an idea.)
Anyway the Spanish Black turkey was a Mexican turkey that was put in a box and taken back to Europe way back in the marauding mists of time, crossed with a European black turkey then returned to the Americas with the early, early European settlers later in its genetic life. This is one of the reasons I am hoping to breed them – they are travellers like me. A very old breed and still on the critical list. Lets hope they toughen up. As of this morning three turkey eggs are as yet unhatched. 
Tima found some very deep shade for her afternoon nap in the heat yesterday.
Poppy and Sheila found mud.
Sheila has the most incredible eyes. Poppys are all black. Sheila has the eyes of a golden eyed boy. I love her eyes, especially when she tips her head up so she can see me below the drop of her big floppy ears.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Federico goes on the train to Springfield today – his English exam is tomorrow morning. It is five hours long. Poor fella. Kia kaha, Fede. Kia manuia!.
I hope we all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
40 responses to “Chick Therapy”
Chick therapy…how appropriate! I too am experiencing some chick therapy these days, my first broody hen has been sitting for 20 days and the chicks are hatching. It is not as easy to watch as your’s were, the hen keeps them quite hidden. Good luck Fede!
Those peachicks look very big!
Sheila’s eyes are almost human and good luck Federico 🙂
I need a little extra love today myself, miss c. Please tell the Cadet that I know how she feels. The picture of the chickens helped. And your conversations with Fede (to whom I wish all the luck in the world) reminded me if one if my favorite film scenes – from Lilies of the Field with Sidney Poitier where he is trying to teach the nuns English. So will your turkeys grow to be the big fancy toms like all American boys and girls drew pictures of in elementary school?
I do hope so, with big tails and wattly wattles.. they say that turkeys will follow people around too – I look forward to that.. c
We’ll need photos of that…big fluffy turkeys following you around like a drunken conga line.
then photo’s you shall have!!
I like the look of the little pea chick….oddly enough, its face reminds me of Molly, our cat:)
I’m sure Federico will do well. He’s had an excellent teacher.
Love seeing pictures of the babies on the farmy.
Stay cool today. It’s going to be another hot one.
You are not wrong there.. I am thinking of jumping in the pool between chores.. c
This Poppy & Sheila photo is soooo lovely – for me it seems like a portrait of an old couple, calm & serene and still loving each other….. :-))
And: Fingers crossed for Fede. I wish him luck…
Good luck federico 😀 x
My two favorite moments…the dear cadet’s hands with the dirty fingernails and the traces of pearlescent fingernail polish. That is girlhood right there. Two: Sheila’s eyes. They look human. My god, they look human!!
It looks hot and happening on the Farmy. Exciting to have chicks, especially the much hoped for peas. Wishing Federico all the best.
When will he hear how he does on the exam? And yes Sheila has human eyes. Amazing looking.
Good luck Fede, may the words come easily to you tomorrow! It is lovely to see the young hands gently holding a peachick,
Sending the best of vibes to Federico for the fulfilment of the next step in his hopes and dreams. Hoping that the ‘chick therapy’ is calming to a lovely young lady. And looking in amazement at those lush green fields thinking of the bounty to come! Oh – off topic: exchanged one of your birdy pictures for that of poor Boo staring thru’ the door into the chickie ‘birthing room’ as my computer background: oh, oh how his eyes ‘talk’ on my big screen!! It’s lovely to say ‘hello’ t’out the day, but I am frustrated with him 🙂 !
I have been looking into Sheila’s eyes all day! They are hauntingly human.
I agree.. she SEES us.. I have never met another pig with eyes like that.. c
Suerte Fede – and hope the rest of the turkey chicks hatch!
Wonderful pics Celi. Love Poppies eyes. Best of luck to frederico