Thank you everyone for the support! I've passed along your thanks to my brother, who was very appreciative of the gratefulness. My brother actually lives in Europe, so I'm afraid he can't help out all that often at the new place. But I did encourage him to go commune with nature for some peace and quiet. He seemed to like the idea. Vilkas is a handful already! He's incredibly intelligent though and a fast learner. I'm excited to see how him and I will grow together. I'm starting on his training this week, and if all goes well he'll start to learn how to track by the end of June. As soon as the lawn is mowed and everything is trimmed up I'll throw some pictures up here! The spring flush was nothing this year, since not much has been in the ground long enough to so much of anything. It's all growing happily though so I can't complain! Josh

I prefer large breeds of poultry, since they cannot fly high, are thus easier to fence in, and tend to be calmer in temperament. Chickens need enough room to prevent boredom. Mine have 1 1/4 acre, and they can be destructive if they get interested in an area. They can dig up trees, and they kick away mulch for fun! Delawares are very quiet, gentle and pretty. I got my new chicks because I really like the adult I bought at this year's Fair. Hens lay on average, 5 eggs a week, each. No rooster is needed. They start laying at 4-5 months and can go on for up to 8-10 years. Commercial layers are killed as soon as production eases up, but for a backyard flock, one egg less per week is not a big deal. I keep mine until they die, or I place them in another home, or something kills them. Chickens taste good and have no defenses, so it is up to owners to keep them safe. They will stay in a fenced-in yard, no problem, unless the fencing allows them to slip through. They need a *secure* coop to sleep in, with perches and nest boxes. No rooster is needed. Hens lay without male influence. I have only had one incidence of mites/lice. A puny Banty pullet moved right into my coop, snuggling under a Buff Orpington. She came from the neighbors, who have animals in appalling conditions. I took the stray to my vet, she was crawling with lice and mites.. We treated her, and dusted all the other birds, the coop and replaced all the shavings (beding material). I bleached the entire area. The hens were peeved at being dusted, but they are clean and have been parasite free ever since. I think having a few hens for fresh eggs is an option every homeowner should have. They are great for recycling (they eat everything leftover) and their droppings are terrific fertilizer. They are also very entertaining! Lisa

Congradulations on your beautiful new daughter!!!! She was born on my husband's birthday. We have 4 children ages 21, 16, 4 & 3, 2 girls & 2 boys, and we have been soooo blessed with them. I agree, ENJOY even the middle of the night times, because time goes by fast!! As you can tell, I would love to have another baby, but DH has put his foot down so we will stop at 4. Thank you for sharing your photos. God Bless, Monique

I pay my 13 year old niece $6 hour for help with cleaning house, or $4 hour for babysitting.