Just a couple of Old Chooks

White, brown, reddish and black. They cluck, lay eggs, like to scratch around and taste good. Up until a couple of days ago, that was pretty much the extent of my chicken knowledge (other than a few favourite recipes). That was until Coco the Hen joined the family. Seemed like a good idea as any when one of Emilio's clients wanted to remove his coop and chicken.

From my crash course in all things poultry, I’m 99% sure that Coco is an Australorp (short for Australian Orpington). A good looking buxom bird, rather large with shiny black green tinged feathers, beady eyes who poops - a lot! Thanks to the good people at Talking Hens, I've learnt heaps.

What I didn't know is how entertaining and curious they are. She's actually pretty friendly, lets me pick her up without trying to peck my eyes out and hasn't tried any great escapes yet. We're hoping to be able to leave the door open whilst we're home so she can roam free. A few times when we went out to check on her, she would strut over to see what was happening and what was on offer.

Lola the Explorer wasn't overly impressed at first, but after a while they seemed to come to an amicable arrangement without the loss of any fur or feathers. Who knows, maybe one day they'll be dancing chick-to-chick, engaging in a little fowl play and watching a chick-flick together.

Like eager parents, we are now awaiting her first egg. Actually, she's already laid eggs - they do go "off lay" when stressed (let's face it who wouldn't be a bit stressed joining this fam). But she's settling in well. Now I feel my brain is scrambled and I'm turning into a crazy chicken lady for wanting two more. Feeling clucky maybe? But so many choices - do we want a couple of good layers or maybe one of those cute, fluffy Silkies?

Eggsellent Chicken Facts I've learnt:

1. There are lots of breeds, types and colours - Hybrids, Heritage, Purebred and Bantam
2. Some are better layers than others (much like women I suppose)
3. Some are calmer and friendlier than others (also much like women)
4. They start laying at around 18 weeks and after 18 months, their egg rate slows down (beginning to see the correlation here between women and hens)
5. A Pullet is a young hen and POL stands for Point of Lay - when they are about to start laying. So a bit like a hormonal 12 year old child
6. Chicks get vaccinated, mites are common and "dusting" them seems to be a rather unglamorous process where you hold them upside down.
7. Chicken food can be supplemented with other stuff. So far we've worked out that Coco likes grainy bread, muesli, oats, corn and grubs. Not that keen on banana, tomato or apple. We're working through the list.
8. The term broody is when a hen wants to hatch her eggs and raise chicks.
9. Did I already mention that chickens poop a lot? But hey, it's good for the garden.

So now that I have a chicken under my care, does that make me a chicken tender? Oh stop egging me on. Gee, we really are just all either Spring Chickens or Old Chooks.

The Joys of a Broken Ankle

It's been 13 weeks and 2 days since that afternoon when a simple fall ended up with a broken ankle. At the time, I thought, OK 6 weeks to heal, not too bad.  I even imagined all the reading, writing and crocheting I'd get done whilst catching up on TV and drinking bubbles (yes, I lead a super exciting life).

One large flaw in that theory. I'm hopeless at sitting still. Drinking and crutches don't go well together either - mainly because it's impossible to carry a glass without spilling the bubbles. The wheelchair certainly came in handy. As did pockets. And having everything around me on the table.

After 2 weeks, x-rays showed all was going well.  Off with the cast and on with the boot!  It was an exciting day, I could slowly move around.  After a week, the boot was my best friend. Steps were a pain and there was still, well pain.  Swelling around the site - apparently normal. 2 weeks later, pain was worse - maybe I was overdoing it.  CT scan showed a small splinter fracture between ankle and toe.  Fracture itself, looking well lined up.

The magical 6 week mark saw us in Merimbula.  My first naked walk - to the loo.  Did it!  The other highlight that morning - finally being able to have a shower standing up. I had the cleanest arse in town. Doc had said to wean off the boot slowly and to keep wearing it outdoors for the next 2 weeks.  I stuck strictly to those instructions for 4 days and thought "boot be gone."  Yep. No.

7 weeks. Time to start physio.  Maybe better not to rush this. New aim was to be out of the boot when we stood on the Great Wall in China.  By now the boot and I were one. Walking in the boot was pretty easy (except for going down bloody stairs) and around home I could go "naked."

10 weeks and 4 days.  Here we are on the Great Wall in China. Emi, me and the boot.  Oh well, looked pretty steep in parts and I made it up around 200m.  Lots of walking in China, mainly with the boot on and a few attempts without.  After 10 days, sore and swollen.  I'm an idiot.

12 week mark.  It's been 2 days without the boot.  I miss it.  I had a pedicure.  Physio gave me a few more exercises and agreed that the boot could go.  "Build up slowly" as I skipped (sort of) out the door. I'm free, I'm free, I'm free.

And now it has been 13 weeks and 2 days.  It's still sore - some days are better than others. Maybe it's the cold weather (WTF - arthritis), maybe it's old age.  Still can't walk very fast.  Still can't step down with both feet.  Stilettos are out - not that they were ever that in.  Further insult to injury, I've put on 4 more kg.

Patience is not a virtue I have.  Nothing else for it, going to drink more bubbles.  And be more zen like.  6-8 weeks to heal they said.  My arse.  Maybe if I was 6 - 8 year old kid.