The chickens are gone; the lamb is out

I have been babysitting 4 hens for some friends while they played snowbirds and went south for a couple of months. I had been keeping them in my small coop, with a small run, because frankly chickens are dinosaurs and extremely territorial. Had I put those four little city chickens in with my big pen of hens, they would have terrorized them, at least and probably killed them. So, the Willson girls as I called them got their own small house and run. 

I knew there was a chance that the neighbor that has sheep might be looking for someone to raise some bums and even though I said I had retired, he knows that I can’t say know to a struggling young animal. So, I did end up with a lamb. The chickens were still in the coop, so he couldn’t go there. No problem, I broke out the Pack and Play and he had a comfy little place in the back porch. He started growing pretty fast though and was getting close to being able to climb over the playpen sides in about 5 days. 

I was saved, though when the Willsons came and got their chickens on Tuesday. You can bet I was out there cleaning that little barn out and re-bedding it with fresh chips and straw right away. Wednesday morning, I took little Ralph out to his new digs. I don’t think his first impression was very good, though. He gets kind of lonely being an only lamb and out there he can’t hear me. Of course, I can’t hear him either, which frankly I kind of like. It was wonderful to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and not have to worry about waking up the lamb. 

He is settling in pretty well now. I usually take him for a walk about after I feed him and play with him some. It is quite fun to watch him explore his world and taste things to see if they are edible. Today on our walk he bit the end from a young alfalfa plant. He kind of acted like he didn’t like it much, but after he dropped it, he went back and tried to find the leaf. Then later he found some Russian knapweed in the yard and decided that was to his liking. 

I am really glad he can be outside. I have to admit, though, that I do bring him in at least once a day and let him play in the house. He likes the sound of his hooves on the wood floors. He sounds like a whole herd when he runs through the house. The slickness of the wood floors gets him at times and he takes a tumble. It doesn’t seem to bother him though. He jumps back up and takes off again. 

As much as I kind of miss having him in here, it is best for him to be outside. And I know the Willsons are thrilled to have their girls at home again. 

High Protein Crab Salad with Pasta

1 box Vegecraft pasta. ( I get mine at WinCo in Billings)

1 6-ounce package of imitation crab. 

Grape Tomatoes

Red onions

Cucumbers

Mayonnaise 

Salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. 

Cook the pasta according to directions on the box, except over cook it a little, as it cools it will firm up and be chewy. Chop the crab, halve the grape tomatoes, chop the onion and cucumbers. I didn’t put amounts, just follow your heart. When the pasta is cooked, drain well and rinse in cold water. Then combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir together. 

The pasta is gluten free; I have found some crab that is also gluten free but be sure to read the label.

It makes a lovely main dish salad that is high in protein and has vegetables even in the pasta. I often make a big bowl and eat it for several days.