We had our hens' eggs tested for salmonella and we finally got the result, so here it is.
The result was negative, that is, no salmonella bacteria was found.
It's quite obvious but anyway: our eggs are safe.
In Japan, salmonella testing of unprocessed eggs (in the shell) is not mandatory but many producers still have their eggs tested. We do the same because however low the risk, producing food is huge responsibility and we take it seriously.
To make this post more interesting, here are photos of our flock this morning.
Hello!
Hens, roosters and the rising sun.
Can I jump on your head? (The hen asked me.)
Can I take your picture? (I asked the hen.)
Yes, but only if I can jump on your head. (The hen replied and we made a deal.)
Our frontyard flock.
Some sweets for us? (Hens were curious.)
One step closer and I'll peck your leg to death. (Rooster gave me menacing look)
The turbulent story of our power plant's star Natchan (the she-goat) and her friend Kaakun (the he-goat) entered new chapter. Our heroine Natchan is still here, but Kaakun is gone.
For those who didn't watch from the beginning, here's summary: There used to be two goats grazing on our farm, Natchan and Kaakun. Now there is only one goat, Natchan. The reason is explained below.
But before jumping to the explanation, here's a plea: Goats are sociable creatures, they need friends. Please drop by any time to keep Natchan's company, even a few minutes count. (You can also buy some eggs on the occasion.)
I always try to stop by and give her some grass, carefully chosen to suit her taste. If the grass does match her taste, she will kindly accept it.
And finally the explanation.
Natchan and Kaakun were good friends and enjoyed being together.
But then they hit puberty. Since then, Kaakun, a gentle and shy boy before, could think of nothing but mating. He would chase Natchan around and Natchan would meeh-meeh and run away. Natchan wasn't happy. The thing is that he-goats want to mate all the year round, but she-goats (at least the Natchan's variety) are in heat only for a short period of time once a year. So there was a major imbalance in their needs which meant a critical blow to their friendship.
When the situation became unbearable for Natchan, the decision was made that Kaakun has to go. Kaakun was returned to his owner. I hope he's doing well. We thought that Natchan would be lonely and sad (despite Kaakun being so pushy, he was still her only friend.) But Natchan looked apparently relieved.
Now, after the feeling of relief faded, she's a bit bored. People who pass by with their dogs or on a walk, keep her company, but they are not there all the time. So Natchan, in search of more fun, found way out of her grazing paradise. This is where I found her when I came the other day.
Guess who she met on her exploration journey?
Yes, you're right, she met her fellow explorer Christine the Chicken.
They said brief "Hello" to each other and continued eating their respective favorite meals.
※For the record, Natchan the Goat's favorite hedge shrubs are: Red Robin [Photinia], Sasanqua Camellia, Heavenly Bamboo [Nandina domestica] and Mochi tree [Ilex integra]. Warning: Goats do not like Boxwood [Buxus]. You should not plant boxwood in your hedge if you want to have it trimmed by a goat.
And so the Goat Story entered new chapter. We'll see what new adventures are awaiting for Natchan.
