Give Them Credit

I'll hand it to the Silkies...once they put their minds to it, they take their job seriously.  There were six eggs in the nest last night and both Yuki and Keiko were sitting all fluffed up next to each other.  I'm hoping Satomi is the relief hen, letting the others take a break now and then to stretch their legs. 

Lucy was my first doe, queen of the burgeoning herd, and she holds a special place in my heart.  Back in the day, she was a terrific milker, but hasn't had a kid in years.  Having been deposed some long while back, I still think of her as the dowager queen.  She is twelve now, getting up there for a goat, and she is showing the effects of age.  Arthritis?  Her spine is twisting into an S shape and her head is permanently held down and to her left.  She eats well and holds her own with the others, but it's painful to watch her walk slowly, albeit still in a straight line, watching where she's going out of her right eye only.  In addition to brushing her, I give her back a massage while she eats her cereal for breakfast.  It's the least I can do for my once-proud, dominant girl.  She rooms alone, and every morning I hesitate before opening her stall.  I know that one of these days I won't hear her nicker of greeting.  There's a selfish part of me that hopes she dies in her sleep so I will be spared the decision to give her release if her condition continues to fail.  This is part of farm life.