BYC Calendar

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The calendar is available to pre-order here: http://www.coopedup.net/buy/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=176

And you can read a little bit about and see the pictures in the calendar here: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1036277/2016-byc-calendars-pre-orders-chickens-other-poultry#post_15977424

I Won the Calendar Contest!

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A few days ago, I mentioned that I entered the BackYard Chickens calendar contest and made the top 30 pictures. I got a message today that my picture got in the top 12 (meaning it will be on the calendar)! It’s amazing because A LOT of people entered! I don’t think the calendar is up yet, but if you are interested in buying it, you can eventually get it here: http://www.coopedup.net/buy/

BackYard Chickens Calendar Contest

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On the website backyardchickens.com they made a contest. They sell calendars every year and needed pictures for it, so they asked the members to post two of their best pictures. Probably around a couple hundred people entered and I got a message this morning stating that my picture is in the top 30!. Meaning I have about a 50% chance of making it on the calendar! Hope mine made it! Here’s the picture that made it:

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It’s the end of the fair!

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It’s the end of the fair! I really enjoyed doing two fairs in a row, but I am happy to be done. I did much better this year than last year.

-Chickens-I got Reserved Senior, and Reserved Overall in Fitting & Showing. I got two blues and two reds in type. I won grand champion for the costume contest (my chicken was a raptor!!). I also won a superintendent’s award (an award given to the superintendent’s favorite exhibitors). And, I’m excited to say: I was the poultry judge for the Round Robin!

-Rabbits-I got 3rd for the Senior Fitting & Showing and I, somehow, beat the rabbit expert. I won Best of Class for my somewhat new rabbit in type.

-Posters-I got two reds and a white, I was a little disappointed in how I did.

-Horticulture-I got two blues, two reds, and a white.

-Photography-I got a blue.

Champion!

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I’m excited to announce that I won the whole poultry division at the Skagit County Fair. I will be doing the round robin on Saturday. I will have to show a dog, cat, rabbit/cavy, and chicken.

I’ll keep ya’ll updated!!!

Farewell, Lily

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I am sad to say that Lily, my favorite chicken, passed away on July 31st.

I remember getting Lily. I impatiently waited weeks to pick up my three Porcelain d’Uccle and two Mottled Houdan chicks. One of each breed ended up being a rooster. I was left with three chickens then, who became some of my favorite chickens: Lily, Dannielle, and Victoria. All of them ended up being super sweet.

When Lily was several months old, she started showing affection for me. I would go out to the coop with a lawn chair, sit out there, and she would climb on the chair to sit in my lap. Lily would stay there for twenty to thirty minutes sometimes. She was always happy when I came out to the coop–and that made me happy.

Time went by, and both Lily and I grew very attached to each other. I even remember taking a picture frame with a picture of her in it when I went on vacation for a week, because I knew I would miss her so much. Whenever I was having a bad day, I would take her to a quiet place in the yard, and talk to her. She happily listened and even though I knew she could not comprehend what I was saying (to my knowledge), it was comforting knowing that she was there.

Lily did so many funny things. She would always be noisy whenever they were out of food and water, because she wanted to let me know what I had to do. When it snowed, I would put Lily in it and she would freak out! Once, I was doing a photography session with my chickens in the snow, and I took one of my chickens to one side of the run to take pictures. All of my other chickens were deathly afraid of the snow, and never dared to go outside. However, Lily loved me so much that she bravely went out in the snow to be with me. Isn’t that sweet?

Soon, I began to be busier with school and just life in general and we began to move apart. I did not always spend time with her, but still, when I would come to see her in the coop, she would fly on me.

On Saturday, July 30th, I noticed Lily was acting a bit lethargic. But I know from many years of raising chickens, that that happens, so I did not think anything of it. However, the next day, when I let them out, Lily could barely walk. I had noticed before that Lily had lost weight, but once again, I did not think anything of it. On the July 31st, I took her and put her in the house. She drank tons of water and stood around all day, with her feathers ruffled up, her head tucked in, and eyes closed. Last year, at nearly the same time, I had another chicken get sick the same way, but after a couple weeks, she recovered. I hoped it would be the same for Lily. It was not so.

On Sunday night on the 31st, as she was standing in the feed, she began to fall over. I walked over to the cage and noticed that she was dying. I sat beside her, watching her last breaths. After minutes, mucous began coming out of her beak–I knew it was the end. I picked her up, wrapped her in a towel, and was at least happy that she passed away cuddled in my arms.

I buried Lily a few minutes later. Lily was like a Lily. She was like the beauty and joy, taking away from the depressing swamp–she was sweet and loyal, amidst hard times. Lily will be missed and will always have a place in my heart.

Lily, March 11th, 2013-July 31st, 2015

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The Fairs Are Coming Soon!

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I’m very nervous, and also excited that I will be doing two fairs in a couple weeks. I am doing the Skagit Fair (August 12th-15th) and the Northwest Washington Fair (August 17th-22nd). I will be entering chickens in the Skagit Fair and photography, posters, chickens, rabbits, and horticulture in the Northwest Washington Fair.

I have been studying frequently for the Poultry Fitting & Showing the past few weeks. I feel like I know a lot, but there are so many other fabulous exhibitors that are much more knowledgable and have more experience than I do. However, I am not saying that I do not have the potential to win, but I am not going to count on winning. To my knowledge, however, the Skagit Fair is not as competitive as the Northwest Washington Fair, so I should have a better chance at winning.

Unfortunately, all but one of my chickens are in horrible conditions for the fair, as they have been fighting a lot. Thus, at this point, I will be mostly showing Gabriela, who is in nearly perfect condition. I am hoping they will grow back their feathers fast enough, but I am also wondering if they are beginning to molt. I will just have to wait and see.

I’ll do my best to keep ya’ll updated with how I do!