Welcome back to another episode of what we have affectionately come to call General Coopville. If you have been following our journey here at Faithful Flock Farm, you know that life with a feathered family is never quite as quiet as a postcard might suggest. Our backyard has seen more drama, plot twists, and character development lately than a daytime soap opera, and this week was no exception.
The rain finally decided to take a bow and exit the stage this Thursday, but it certainly left its mark behind. The ground was soaked clear through, and every step we took resulted in a satisfying, if slightly messy, squish beneath our boots. When the backyard starts to feel like a giant sponge, you know it is time to lean into the slow, steady rhythm of farm life. We are so thankful that Joey was able to get fresh wood shavings into The House of Joy and Mercy’s Coop before the worst of the mud set in. It made a world of difference for our girls, providing them with a dry sanctuary while the world outside turned into a giant puddle.
The Rooster Radio Network
As the sun began to peek through the clouds, the air was not filled with the sound of silence, but rather the first broadcast of the Rooster Radio Network. We often joke that our roosters have a secret communication system, but today, it felt less like a joke and more like a high-level security briefing.
It started with Road Runner, whose crow is still a bit raspy and hoarse, like he is recovering from a long night of singing. He sounded the first alarm from his post, and within seconds, King, our big and beautiful Brahma, answered with his deep, booming resonance. Then Blacky joined in, followed closely by Big Red, who always insists on having the final word.
The entire time we worked outside, these boys carried on a full conversation across the farmyard. It almost felt as if they were keeping a protective watch over us, calling back and forth to ensure everything was secure. We could practically hear them saying, "Does anyone still see her?" and "Is Mama still outside?" followed by a reassuring "Who has eyes on Mama?" from the far corner of the yard. It is a comforting thought, knowing our flock is so attentive, though we can only imagine the kind of trouble they might get into the second we walk back into the house.
Ezra’s Grand Debut
Among the familiar voices of the morning choir, a new tenor made his presence known today. A white Leghorn from The House of Joy stretched his neck high and proudly added his own announcement to the morning air. We have decided to name him Ezra, and he certainly has a voice that demands attention.
There is something that always makes us smile when a young rooster finds his voice for the first time. It is a milestone, a sign of growth and confidence. Of course, while we were beaming with pride at Ezra’s performance, we did feel just a little bit sorry for the neighbors. With five roosters now participating in the morning "radio" network, the farmyard was anything but quiet. Ezra followed the older boys with a loud, clear crow that seemed to say he was ready to take his place among the leaders of the flock.
Tiny Eagle’s Rooftop Rebellion
While the roosters were busy with their vocal performance, a different kind of drama was unfolding at Haven’s Coop. As part of our grand plan to reorganize the coops, which we have started calling "Musical Coops," we were preparing to move some of our residents. However, Tiny Eagle had other ideas.
Instead of cooperating with the transition from Haven’s Coop to The House of Joy, Tiny Eagle decided to stage a rooftop rebellion. She found a way to scramble up to the very peak of the coop, where she stood with an air of absolute defiance. She looked down at us with that specific chicken-stare that says, "I am perfectly fine right here, thank you very much."
It took quite a bit of patience and a few gentle nudges to convince her that her new accommodations were much more suitable than a wet roof. Transitions are never easy, even for a hen, but eventually, she was settled in. We suppose every soap opera needs a rebel, and Tiny Eagle is more than happy to fill that role in our General Coopville cast.
The Logistics of Musical Coops
The rest of the "Musical Coops" project is still a work in progress. Farm life requires a certain level of strategic thinking, especially when the ground is as muddy as it is right now. We felt particularly bad for the Brahmas in Mimi’s Coop. Brahmas are known for their feathered feet, which are beautiful but notoriously sensitive to mud. They absolutely hate having wet feet, and right now, their area is a collection of puddles and soft earth.
It is long past time to move the chicken tractor to fresh ground, but we realized today that it sits just a bit too close to the fence line for us to manage alone. We are hoping the sun continues to shine so the ground can dry out a bit more. Once things are a little less "squishy," we have a whole sequence planned:
- The chicks in the JS Coop will move to Haven’s Coop.
- Haven’s Coop needs to be relocated to a fresh spot first.
- The babies currently in the garage will finally get their big move into the JS Coop to join the little Seramas.
It is a bit like a game of feathered Tetris, and it requires a lot of coordination and heavy lifting. We are looking forward to having everything in its proper place, but for now, we are moving one step at a time.
The Serama Jailbreak
Speaking of the Seramas, those little ones have a spirit that far outweighs their tiny size. Midnight and little Gideon have yet to start crowing, but they have already mastered the art of the jailbreak. Despite their stature, they have a "David and Goliath" kind of determination. We caught them attempting to squeeze through a gap that shouldn't have been there, clearly looking for an adventure outside their designated area.
They are small, bold, and incredibly fast. Watching them navigate the farm is like watching a tiny, feathered special-ops team. We have to keep a very close eye on them, as they seem to believe they are just as big and tough as King or Big Red.
Celebrating a Milestone
In the midst of all the coop transitions and rooster crows, we had a very special reason to celebrate this week. Grandpa came home yesterday, and it was also his 80th birthday. We still can hardly believe he has reached such a wonderful milestone.
After a busy morning of chores, we took a moment to sit on the porch and enjoy a cold fruit smoothie in the eighty-degree sunshine. It was a well-deserved break after navigating the mud and the "Rooster Radio" broadcast. We are so glad to have Grandpa back with us, and we are hoping he might be able to help with a few projects once the ground dries out, like getting the deck awning put up. Having family around to share in the work and the joys of the farm is what makes Faithful Flock Farm so special to us.
One Step at a Time
Standing in the middle of the muddy yard, looking at the long list of things that still need to be done, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed. There are coops to move, babies to relocate, and fences to check. But as we stood there, we couldn't help but laugh softly to ourselves. "Oh my," we thought, "what a day we have planned."
But then we remembered that we don't have to do it all at once. We are practicing stewardship, not speed. We trust in the process and in the quiet, steady work that God has called us to do. One step at a time, the mud will dry, the chicks will find their new homes, and the roosters will continue their morning conversations. We are just grateful to be part of the story.
If you are looking for fresh eggs or just want to hear more about the latest happenings in General Coopville, we would love to hear from you. Our brown, white, and green eggs are gathered daily with care, and we always have a story to share.
Contact us:
📞 513-607-1317
📍 Faithful Flock Farm
🌐 www.faithfulflockfarm.com
"And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." ( 1 Kings 19:12)
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