Update regarding Alvin, the house chicken (see July post):
Alvin was moved to the nursery in the hen house following a few gagging sessions upon cleaning out her Victorian home kept in their kitchen. The birdcage was cleaned at least 20 times per day but chickens simply were not meant to be house pets. Honest!
After several weeks in the nursery, she is allowed to roam around with the other chickens following much pecking and chasing by the bullies (guineas) of Autumn's House of Hens.
However, she remains very much a pet chicken. She rushes for the door every time it is opened.
She likes to be carried around and loves to ride in the golf cart like any other child.
Will she ever figure out that she is a chicken?

You can't make this stuff up.
On a quiet day out here at the ranch, they can sometimes find comic relief in the local newspaper:
*Police responded to a residence where the husband was threatening to burn the house down. He had a match and lighter fluid in his possession. He was charged with terroristic threat and is now living in the local jail.
*Police responded to a 911 call from a woman who said she had stabbed her husband.
When the police arrived, the woman came out to meet them and apologized.
The police went into the house and sure enough, there was her husband, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. And, yes, there was a knife stuck in his back.
*Firework's Stand employee left his post for a nap. Upon returning, he found a guy grabbing fireworks. The employee demanded the return of the stolen property. The suspect went to his vehicle, where he had already placed a large quantity of fireworks. He gave all the stolen property back and, then, he drove away.

Alvin, the house chicken

The snake is back.
This was sadly learned after purchasing three Americana chicks. The Americana chickens are also called Easter eggers because they lay blue and green eggs. The three chicks disappeared from the nursery the first night in their new home. The snake was able to get through the tiny holes in the wiring, eat and digest the chicks before slipping out of the nursery and the hen house.
After a week, two more Americana chicks were placed into the nursery. These chicks were a week older and bigger. But not big enough. The snake found them and only one survived.
That was enough! She brought the surviving chick back to the house and placed her into a dog crate in the den, much to his chagrin.
Five days later, the chick has found residence in a brand new blue Victorian model bird cage and lives in the air conditioned comfort of the ranch house. Because of her chubby chipmunk cheeks, she has been named "Alvin".
How can you spoil a chicken? It can be done. Whenever, she leaves the room, Alvin is very vocal. Whenever she comes near her cage, Alvin jumps up and down at the door begging to be picked up. Once the door is opened, he hops into her loving hands. She takes him out onto the porch, puts him in her lap where he grooms himself and then falls asleep.
Another new pet for Burnt Biscuit Ranch.

Readers of this blog first met the 'displaced guinea' back in May, 2007. It was a bittersweet story but the story has changed dramatically, now, 2 years later.
A few weeks ago, a mangy coyote caught and killed one of their 3 guineas. Shortly thereafter the displaced guinea renewed her love affair with the family Suburban. However, this time she has developed a jealous streak.
Initially, whenever anyone walked near 'her' SUV, she flapped her wings and ran up to them.
Her jealousy escalated and she now attacks whenever anyone tries to gets near the car. Ever had a hole in your leg that was put there by a guinea fowl? It hurts. Or scratch marks on your back from the bird's talons? Ouch.
A solution is being sought but help is needed soon. They have 30 people coming over on Memorial Day. Who knows which car she may 'take up with'?

Christmas is coming to Burnt Biscuit Ranch

Oro Noble'

This is one fine horse.

On a busy day with delivery people and repairmen coming and going, the perimeter fence was left open.

While giving instructions to the carpet cleaners, she noticed Bullet was wondering around the back of the property, not in his pasture. UhOh. Where is the colt? She ran out back. Not in his pasture and that gate is wide open too.

Her worst fears were realized when she saw him out on the main road which is a good 1/8th. mile from the gate.

She ran across the front of the property, calling his name. He looked up and ran straight down their narrow lane, right to her.

Horses get nervous and excited when loose and out of their element. They certainly do not run to whoever is calling them. Typically, they are approached slowly and 'herded' back to where they have escaped from. Oro Noble' truly is one fine horse.