I Can't Help Myself!

Really, I can't! Could be because I really don't want to!

Today I brought in 4 BEAUTIFUL eggs and my banties had started to lay and I found their nest! You know what that means, don't you?

Yup, those 3 cute little eggs and the pretty big brown one are now sitting and waiting to be put in the incubator.

Yes, I said good bye to the ground hog and HELLLLOOO pretty eggs! Simple reasoning of a hatch addict, huh? It simply was so easy to set those eggs aside... after all, I have a dozen in the refrigerator so I'm not shorting us.

I just wish I hadn't lost my last ADORABLE little mottled Cochin Bantum (above). I've got to get some new laying chicks this year and I think I may need to see about some of the Bantams too. I don't have any of the cute colored ones, just the pair of white Cochin Bantams and the 2 pair of Black Faverolle Bantams. And there is also the Faverolle cross roo who runs with the big hens (above behind the mottled hen).
Yes, Spring is coming. Our ground hog prediction was opposite the PA Phil's and our weather man says his prediction is we'll get some more snow before it's over.

So I guess maybe I'm going to be pushing for Spring a bit early. And I do so love hatching and the chicks.
      
Now, how many eggs do I want to set aside to hatch before I start them going? A number of them? A week's worth? Ten days' worth? Such decisions and hard ones too!

Ground Hog Catastrophy Ahead?

Here it is January 31st and the weather forecast is 4" tonight and then another 12" or more snow Tuesday night thru Wednesday night! So, that being and the excess of snow in PA, is Punxsutawney Phil even going to be able to find his way out of his burrow?

(You are welcome to click on the photo above to get a copy of a computer wallpaper if you'd like! I got it from a wallpaper sharing group. Obviously SHE isn't Phil being she's gathering nesting materials and looks to be quite round.)

His (PPhil) prediction for 2010 was, "...As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be."

For this year, 2011, does he need to even try to find his way up or do we need to get up at daybreak to get the prediction?

You can visit here to see how you can earn a badge which is only possible on Feb. 2nd! http://www.visitpa.com/groundhog-day One of the requirements will be to go outside and scream "GROUNDHOG" during the appropriate time. You don't even need to go to Gobbler's Knob to do it. You can now earn your badge using the net and a moment outside!

You can also visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil to read some Punxsutawney Phil lore and past predictions for several past years.

In ending, MY prediction is he won't see his shadow so Spring will get here early. Now I need to know when we will get a few days warm enough to start melting the snow that is about to be dumped upon us! Spring might come early, but the melting days won't come fast enough IMHO! I'm also glad tomorrow is February 1st! Another step closer to Spring (and mud season)!