The Storm

I woke up this morning to the sound of strong wind and rain- a look outside confirmed that there was a massive storm surrounding my house.
           At first, i had no particular reason to worry about the quail- our greenhouse is very sturdy. But then i noticed our neighbor over by the greenhouse, waving his arms.
I ran out in my Pajamas to see that one of the quail, Lolipop, had escaped- The greenhouse door was being bent by the rain. After a few tries, i caught her quite easily, and returned her to the greenhouse.
However all of the little quail were running around nervously, soaking wet- one of the top panels of the greenhouse had blown out.
As I tried to move them into their hutch so they would be safe, the front door of the greenhouse blew out as well. After a while of frantically chasing them in my Pj's, i got them safe into their hutch with plenty of food and water.

The aftermath looks pretty chaotic...

 But they are all okay, if a bit traumatized.

 Plus they have been laying like crazy! This is from 5 days...

Also, we seem to have a lovely barred owl living in our backyard- I'm sure my little quail are afraid of him, but he can't get into the greenhouse!

Clover~

           

Cooking with quail eggs....

Yesterday, i collected 3 quail eggs and today i found 2- it's was time to eat them!

Quail eggs have a very similar flavor to chicken eggs, though a little bit creamier and milder in flavor. As healthy as chicken eggs are, quail eggs are even healthier! Packed with vitamins, minerals, good fats and healthy cholesterol, they are practically a superfood! Plus they apparently help suppress allergies.

Here is how i ate my quail eggs;

Yum! They were very tasty. I am definitely looking forward to eating lots of quail eggs!

Clover~

Eggs at last!

Hello Lovely followers! I'm so sorry how i haven't posted for such a long time. I have really been quite busy with a little bit of everything. Plus, a lack of having a camera has prevented me from doing much.

I realize my last post sounds like a sad ending to my blog, but it isn't at all! It's more of a new beginning, going along with the new year. It is totally different in the greenhouse now- much calmer with less quail. They seem happy, i think.

 Happy and cute as always!

 Spaz had me scared for a little while- he had lots of trouble walking for about a week. He had to shimmy around on his belly with his wings. He must have injured his legs somehow. Now he is much better though, walking normally and being the mean little bugger he is. :)

The little cuties are doing very well. How can i tell?

Today i found these in the greenhouse.

They are laying at last! YUM!

Clover~

And then there were Six..

I walked into the greenhouse to be greeted by a few of the quail. It was less enthusiastic than usual. They didn't crawl all over my boots, and hop up and down begging for food. Brave little Calico didn't approach me with his big amber eyes. Spice didn't spook and fly into the wall.

Then i saw them.

Calico, Cricket, Charlie and Spice died in the night. I don't know how or why, but there was no blood. I hope they felt no pain.
************
Curled in a corner

Four, i count 

Perfect little birds

White against the dark earth.

Feathers like moonshine

Their eyes are half open

They cannot see

Their bodies are stiff with death

Those bodies that held a life when the sun set

I lay them to rest amongst the snow

I will not see them again

****************  

The others happily peck along, cooing softly. I am left with six, and a mystery. 

Good bye little ones <3 You will be missed.

Clover~