Ran Into A Bunch Of Happy Chicks Today.

 Chickens are more than food on a plate.

Towards the end of my walk I came across these friends basking in the sunshine atop a comfortable ' sofa ' of sorts.

Could this be the quintessential mother hen? Puffed out chest to convey how proud she is of her flock?

These chickens were so calm and collected and almost enjoyed being fodder for the local papparazzi....

Naturally there is a boss in charge of this coop. He was measuring me from a safe distance, following my every move yet not finding much fault with me.

The gals taking their cue from the boss posing for me to the side. Aren't they lovely in their white and grey plumage, punctuated by the striking red colour of their beak and comb.

Finally. the man in charge posing delightfully yet somewhat bashfully for me. What a character!!!

As I said, chickens are so much more than momentary food on a plate...

Biggi

Oh, What Fluffy Silkies.

Perfectly coiffed chickens indeed.

What a marvelous rooster! How clean and fluffy his plumage is. Perhaps he has the ladies scratch for worms and co.

His friend or rather one of his favourite ladies does seem in need of a comb-out.

One of the three young chicks that hatched from three eggs adopted and brooded on one of the other hens until birth. Stunning colouring but as they are so quick of foot, I hardly managed to get a photo of them.

The rooster, a.k.a. Don Frederico, is getting the customary kiss on his feet .

An old soul in a young body...Doesn't she ( ? ) look adorable? Honestly, sitting outside their pen for a good while was a marvelous tonic for my soul. A very peaceful way to spend time.

Biggi

For The Love Of A Chicken.

A new perspective.

This morning I went to visit a friend in Deutsch Schützen but not before quickly popping in at my parents', where I was hoping for a late breakfast Semmel with mum's homemade jam but alas, I was a tad too late. Que cera...

Without further delay I ventured a bit further to see my friend. Bell rung, dogs held in check ( no, not ferocious but rather playful little mites who would take any gap to gap it ) and finally we sat outside on her small veranda. She lives on the ground floor and has made her tiny garden into a haven for fowl and co. Delightful, tranquil and interesting.

Her chickens are rather posh ( Silkies I think ) or at least look to be...bloomers all the way down to their talons but deep down they were pecking and heckling just like the rest of their fowl cousins. Among the handful of chickens who by the way are ruled by his mightiness the rooster ( he is almost twice their size ), a merry band of guinea pigs gaily played in the hay bales strategically strewn about resembling a fun obstacle course. Oh, they were having the best of fun chasing each other ( fowl and pig ), nipping repeatedly for water in the garden watering can while being watched over by a pair of protective guards a.k.a. geese.

Partitioned off slightly from the veranda were another set of four legged friends. The two dogs just like us, seemed hypnotized by the play being enacted in front of us. After repeated daily practice, the troupe has perfected it. It was so tranquil merely sitting and watching the various antics in play, that it made me realize that there actually is no difference between a cat, dog, chicken, pig or cow...all have individual personalities and none deserve to meet their maker merely for us to eat their meat.

Biggi

Abundance Dangled Over Our Gate.

A nice start to the week.

It seems that our village could double as egg-central ( not to be confused with eccentric ) any day. Actually more like our little neighbourhood. There is Willy up the road who has several handfuls of chickens providing industriously for the English breakfast crowd of two, and there is also Ferry.

Those of you who've been reading my blog for a while, will know that he is the lawnmower driver, he with the Ray-Bans. The nicest guy by the way. Anyway he also has a handful of hens who are slowly popping out eggs. He did tell me that in the beginning the eggs were more like egg-lets and very sporadic too.

Now and again I take Ferry to the doctor's and as a thank you, he has given me eggs before, also a cubic meter of wood, or even taken Bob and I for lunch at Bruni's.

Eggs, shouldn't be taken for granted. Not only because of the hen's leisure but don't forget, eggs from happy free roaming chickens are at times a luxury and should be appreciated. Once you've tasted these eggs and seen their orange yellow yolk, it is very difficult to eat the battery laid eggs. Not to mention the plight of those poor suffering chickens.

It was just before lunch time that I came back home and as I was about to open our gate I saw a purple packet dangling vicariously over it. There is only one person who leaves packets dangling like that...Ferry. Sure enough, when I looked inside it, I saw two full egg boxes. Twenty eggs, a fortune.

Bob came home for lunch a few minutes later and I was able to make him a nice fry up for it...delicious indeed. As I was frying the eggs, I heard the familiar sound of Ferry returning home form his sojourn in the woods and tried to run out and thank him in person, but alas, he was too quick for me. Although I did phone him later!

His lawnmower's pitch is well known in the neighbourhood which at times is teeming with many others. For some reason the older lot prefer to mow their lawn at leisure and also use their lawnmower like a golf cart to go and meander around the village in hot pursuit of village news.

Just goes to show that abundance is everywhere...

Biggi

Tempting Young Kids Away From Their Technological Extensions.

Finding that unique selling point to make the youth of today forget to swipe.

Our young niece and nephew have come to visit for a few days. Oh, yes, their parents too. They've only been here once, four years ago and now that they are a grown up eight and twelve, it wasn't a guaranteed thing that they would like our rural lifestyle.

Of course, we are connected in the modern sense of the word and not the old fashioned Italian one. We have Internet with the much sought after fiber optic cable and only now did the penny drop for me when I realized that the reason the kids were so happy in their bedroom, was that they were streaming a movie. I didn't even know we had the ability!

The day they arrived, I started my selling strategy and threw out little teasers.

" Kids, at 6 o'clock I have a surprise for you. "
" No, I won't tell you what it is. I told you it's a surprise, but you're going to love it! "

After a few hours, they were more than ready to go with Bob and I to see this exciting surprise. It was within walking distance ( as it turned out, walking distance for me and the rather unfit contingent kept on asking how much further they would have to walk ) and luckily we reached it before they boycotted the walk, which believe me, was not too far fetched!

I had pre-arranged with a local farmer to take the kids to see his prolific collection of chickens and rabbits and we had timed it so they could see the feeding of both. Something normal for us villagers but hopefully rather special for young city slickers.

Suddenly, at the gate, Bob and I started to panic in case they merely gave this adventure a yawn and a " can we go home now ". At first, there was a moment it could have happened, but suddenly the farmer pointed out baby chicks scattering about. Oh yes, the oohs & aah, how cute were tumbling out of them again and again. Of course I hadn't reckoned the savviness of our kind farmer. He is a veteran on grandchildren and knew how to wow a young audience.

We went to the rabbit enclosure and he quickly picked up a baby rabbit ( oh so cute ) and plopped it into the first child's hands.

" Just hold it properly and make sure you don't drop it! "

and before the other one's lip dropped to far in envy, he drew another two baby rabbits out of his cage. Bob was more than happy to hold a rabbit as well, and I'm not sure who was more excited, Bob or the kids...

Just for good measure, the farmer took us to see a batch of newly hatched chicks. So new, that the egg shells were still about and the young chickling wasn't even able to walk yet. Oh, that was just the best for our young city slickers.

We tracked back home on the long walk ( 500 meters ) and Bob and I only found out the true measure of how successful this venture was, when we got home.

They couldn't wait to tell their parents about holding a rabbit and a little chicklet. Mission accomplished. We gave them a taste of the simply divine rural lifestyle, and for an hour or so, they forget the technological side to their daily life.

Biggi

Aren't these the cutest? At least I think so.

The rabbit elders look on.

Hook line and sinker...

Bob lends a helping hand.

Holding a little baby chicken, was another moment of awe.

You know, even I was awed by these newly hatched babies.

Biggi

An Ordinary, Typical And Oh So Nice Day In Eisenberg.

Bob and I go walking or rather on a photographic trip along the forest.

Straight out the gate, so to say, these buck crossed our vision. Actually, Bob spotted them first but by the time I got my camera out ( my fingers were still frozen so early in the morning ), I merely managed a side / back view.

Along our route is the now familiar paddock of this white beauty. Normally Bob gets impatient when I take numerous photos, but yesterday I think he wanted a breather...p/s: don't forget that seeing a white horse brings you luck!

My reputation as the chicken paparazzi has spread, and it seems that the chickens are trying to make a run for it...

Why is it, that females tend to always butt heads over a male? I wonder who wins this lucky fella's favour?

Coming home to a cheerful greeting. These yellow Irises always brighten my day.

Here is our little darling whiling away a sunny afternoon awaiting her food. Somehow she loves this little roof top, which happens to be atop the old and no-longer-used long drop in our garden. By the way, the camera adds ten pounds and no, we don't overfeed her...or do you think we do?

Biggi

You Know, There's More To Chickens Than A Breast, A Thigh & A Wing!

They have oodles of character and are a sight to behold in their plumage...

A proud master of his realm or rather chicks...could there be a better posture?

...it seems every neighbourhood has its gossip:

" What do you think of her? "

Good grief, is it just me, or does this remind you of a runway model strutting his stuff?

A bit of a windy situation, and as Bob aptly put:

" Not a good look when your entire existence is to please the ladies..."

Ooh dear, your bloomers are showing...

A chicken run or a running chicken...

Somehow this reminds me the stance men assume when they visit the outdoor plumbing institution!

Biggi

An Ordinary Saturday Morning In Suedburgenland Is Aplenty.

Again, it's the little things that hold the most meaning and beauty.

Oh, those divinely bright and breezy mornings! Yes, the sky was blue, the plants a bright yellow and the boulders provided a suitable background. Soul refreshing, don't you think?

Just a twinkling to the right...

Bob asked me where these nice flowering trees are hiding, and also whether I really took this photo this year! Cheeky indeed...of course I replied:

" Well, if you started to walk with me, you'd know! "

A morning chinwag in the Deutsch Schützen Weinberg.

Walking down the road towards the village shop, I encountered some chickens. Three white hens to my left, who of course proceeded at a great speed to their friends across the road. A real cacophony of chicken speak.

I know, to you it is just a chicken scene, but to me it spells out the essence of life in the country. Happy animals, hardly any traffic and the ability to take the time and shoot a few photos.

Biggi

Winter, Really? Doesn't Look Like It In Eisenberg.

Some nice depictions of yesterday, another fabulous Winter's day.

As you know, my favourite colour combination is in full force. The chill that does seem to hang in the air was definitely there! The gentle curve of the road to Eisenberg is almost hypnotic.

The same place but about 90 degrees to the left. Deutsch Schützen would be to the right of this picture, and straight ahead is the Hungarian village of Grossdorf. A cat's whisker away and still on the Eisenberg itself.

A closeup of Kroatisch Schützen's village church.

A bit later, about mid morning our little Tigger did her thing. A pose, preceded by a guilty look. Yes, Bob and I were on our way to Oberwart.

A chicken yard somewhere in Hannersdorf ( a village about 10 km from us. ) When I see and hear happy chickens, it makes me consider having a chicken yard of our own. Yes, these chickens will be gracing the inside of a pot at some stage, but at least they had a life of running wild. When you buy a chicken from your supermarket or discounter, it might be better not to imagine the life it had...

The rooster prancing around and ordering his entourage to stop looking at me. For a minute they all ran to the fence in glee and excitement. As I didn't toss a morsel to them, they soon turned away...

Biggi

Seen & Heard This Week Around The Village #2

More seen than heard.

Coming back from a client, I parked the chariot gaily in the driveway in order to open the gate. As I set my second foot on the ground my eyes were drawn to a movement in front of me. I looked down and saw a big mouse or a medium sized rat on the floor, jumping a bit too close to me. In fact it felt as if it was gunning it for me! For a moment I froze but then I opted for the only possible course of action...I screamed like mad. Luckily Bob heard me, rushed out and eventually understood why I refused to drive the car in. Oh, I was heard in the village! So much for the heard part...

Back to the seen part!

These lovely horses have such character and often when I walk passed them I do a bit of
" hiii-haaa " complete with tongue clicking. A classic expression right there.

" Look, there is the crazy lady. "

The three amigos...or as they say in German:

Die 3 Lausbuben!

From big to tiny. This colourful butterfly started to clam up as soon as he saw the camera. But you can still see his autumn inspired colouring.

The street around the corner from our house. Somehow I never tire of this view. It is beautiful in summer, winter or in between.

The flowers were my object but I managed to get a perfect photo of an original Burgenland farm house. I love these type of houses because they have oodles of character. Modern houses just pale in comparison.

Beholding flowers, especially those vibrant ones, causes an instant lift to our feelings. Doesn't this sweep the doldrums away?

Guess who strayed into this shot? Oh yes, the chickens from last week. Amazing how much bigger and bolder they are a week on...Clearly this is their neighbourhood.

When I saw this photo, I laughed. Look at the one at the back, inspecting the ditch? I know one shouldn't show a pair of white bloomers like this, but this chick's bottom in the air is rather funny.

Biggi

Chickens Rule The Roost!

Chicks do have a cuteness factor.

Was it the rustle of the leaves, the clucking of the mother hen or the sudden movement or all three combined that made me pause in my stride? When I saw them cavorting over the lawn, it had the same cuteness factor as seeing a kitten or puppy. Heart melting stuff indeed.

" Psst, don't tell Bob, but I started to imagine having little chicks in our backyard! "

Look at him(?) flit around the corner. Oh, that could be a scene from a vintage Donald Duck comic. The little legs still a tad bit unsteady but incredibly fast.

Of course Mama, was not far behind. Even though I crouched down and made clucking sounds, she took to fright and shooed her bunch along.

An obstacle course indeed. Mother hen might be clucking how to traverse the terrain.

" Lift your foot high darling and move forward. Just do as your brother. "

The family swells rather quickly. A few naughty chicks had been exploring a few bushes further back, but were clucked back into line by Mother.

" Come along dears....stop looking at everything! "

Could be a scene in the epic movie: An escape from Biggi!

It sounds silly, but doesn't she look proud as a peacock?

I had just put my camera away and started off on my walk again, when ten meters further on, another mother hen was clucking her troupe along. Amazing to see the different colour plumage of her chicks...What a beautiful Sunday morning it was.

Biggi