Just molting...

Well, this past week, I was surprised that Nutmeg, our Rhode Island Red, hadn't laid an egg....since she started laying eggs last November, she'd been a consistent layer.  Everyday about 1 o'clock she'd have a pretty brown egg there for us. 

Then, I got really worried as I went out the backdoor and down the steps and saw a bunch of feathers!  Oh, no!  Had there been an attack?   

Chickens, however, molt, that means they loose their feathers and new ones will grow in, yearly.  During that time, which can be a few months, they do not lay eggs.  Here is a great description of exactly what goes on:  http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Rob tilled up the overgrown lettuce and radishes, then planted more lettuce and swiss chard seeds.

She loves to eat kale leaves and seeds.  And I picked another Poona Kheera cucumber today: