Hogue's Haven Living

07/17/2026

🐥 What the Flock Friday 🦆

Or this week it's actually what the duck?! 🤔

Meet the newest member of Hogues Haven... Eleanor, our adorable little Call Duck! 💛

I had absolutely no intention of getting a duck. 😂 But when someone we know was downsizing her flock, Degan made a pretty convincing case... and somehow Eleanor came home with us.

Right now, the chickens are her besties, but she won't be on her own for long. Two Khaki Campbell ducklings are growing in the brooder and will be joining her soon. 🦆🦆

A few fun Call Duck facts: 🦆 Call ducks are one of the smallest domestic duck breeds, usually weighing just 1–1½ pounds.

🦆 They were originally bred as "decoy ducks" to call wild ducks in.

🦆 They have big personalities packed into tiny bodies.

🦆 They're very social and happiest with other ducks which is why we're excited for Eleanor to meet her new friends soon!

Have you ever brought home an animal you swore you weren't getting... because your kids talked you into it? 😂

Happy What the Flock Friday! 💛🐓🦆

07/16/2026

A butterfly landed in the ashes today. 🦋

Of all the places it could have chosen, it rested there.

Maybe beauty isn't only found where everything is blooming. Maybe sometimes it's found in the places we'd least expect... if we're willing to notice. 💛

07/15/2026

🌱 What Are We Wednesday | Hogues Haven 🌱

First garden haul of the season... cucumbers! 🥒

I swear I just checked the garden this past weekend... and there was nothing! 😆

Then yesterday, I went out to pull weeds and was shocked to find all of these cucumbers ready to pick, plus a few green beans starting to come on! 💚

The tomatoes look like they'll be next! 🍅

This garden has definitely taught me a few lessons already. We have so many weeds, and I'll be doing a few things differently next year but that's part of learning and growing.

For now, I'm just thankful my salad garden is thriving! 🥗🌿 There's something so satisfying about walking outside and harvesting food you've grown yourself.

What's been your biggest gardening win (or lesson learned) this year?

07/05/2026

So much local goodness and incredible craftsmanship all around us! ❤️

Here are a few of my favorite goodies I've picked up over the last month that I've been meaning to share. From handmade treasures to delicious local finds, I'm so thankful to have such talented small businesses right here in our community.

Be sure to check them out I’ve linked all of the local vendors in the comments! 🛍️🌿🐓💛

What's your favorite local small business? Drop them in the comments so we can all show them some love! 👇

07/05/2026

Absolutely 💯

🙌🏻🤪🤣

07/04/2026

🐓 What the Flock Friday (on a Saturday again 🤫)🐓

Let's hear it for the boys! 👏

Meet Major Maran! 🇺🇸

We're especially thankful for this handsome guy as he comes into his own. He's finding his voice (although his internal clock could use a little adjusting 🤣), proudly announcing the sunrise, midday, evening and a few random other crows thrown in!

Every evening, Major makes sure all the ladies are safely tucked into the coop before calling it a night. He's already proving to be a watchful protector of the flock, and his feathers are absolutely majestic with an incredible emerald-green iridescent shine in the sunlight.

We're pretty sure Major is a Black Copper Marans rooster (or Marans-type). Marans are known for their calm, intelligent personalities, feathered legs, beautiful iridescent black plumage, and for laying some of the richest dark chocolate-brown eggs in the chicken world. They're also known for being excellent flock guardians, making "Major" a fitting name for this handsome guy.

Here's to Major Maran our flock's newest officer in charge! 🫡🐓💚

07/02/2026

☀️ What Are We Doing Wednesday at Hogue's Haven? ☀️

Trying to beat the heat! 🥵 With temps climbing into the high 90s (and the heat index topping 100°+), staying cool has been the name of the game.

That means lots of pool time, plenty of popsicles, and even introducing the flock to their brand-new chicken pool! 🏖️🐔

Most of the girls weren't convinced it was a good idea... 😂 But Nancy and Stella? They were all in and happily took a dip! 💦

How are you and your animals staying cool this week? 🩵

06/28/2026

What the Flock Friday... on a Saturday. 🙃🐥

Baseball has completely ruled our lives the last few days, so this week's What the Flock Friday is making a slightly late appearance!

We wrapped up the tournament with a well-earned 2nd place trophy 🏆 and somehow still managed to come home with five new chicks!

I originally stopped by Family Farm & Home hoping to bring home a turkey. I went back after the tournament to pick one up... but all five turkeys had already found homes. Instead, these little fluffballs somehow convinced us they belonged with us. (Funny how that happens! 🤣)

Our newest additions are: 🐥 Golden Laced Wyandotte 🐥 White Leghorn 🐥 Easter Egger 🐥 Diamond Daisy 🐥 White Rock

Now the fun begins as we watch them grow, figure out their personalities, and see who ends up ruling the roost. Any guesses on which one will be the troublemaker? 😅💛

06/25/2026

What Are We Doing Wednesday at Hogue's Haven? 🌦️🍕📚🕹️

Mother Nature had other plans today, so we spent the day dodging raindrops and making the best of a change in plans with our friends visiting from Georgia. 🌧️❤️

Our pool party quickly turned into a pizza party, followed by a fun afternoon exploring the comic book store, browsing the bookstore, and finishing the day at the arcade.

Back at Hogue's Haven, the animals soaked up plenty of love from our friends' girls, and little Nacho was living his best orange-cat life. 😸 If his orange cat energy ever gets to be a little too much, we may have already found him a future home waiting in Georgia! 😂

Sometimes the best memories come from the plans you never expected. 💛

06/20/2026

🐔 What the Flock Friday 🐔

Remember those little Cochin chicks we brought home a while back? Well, look at Miss Laya now! 😍

Cochins are known for their fluffy feathers, feathered feet, and sweet, laid-back personalities. They originated in China and became so popular in the 1800s that they sparked what's known as "Cochin Mania" in Europe and America. These girls may not be the most prolific egg layers, but they make up for it with their gentle nature and stunning looks. They're often favorites in backyard flocks because they're friendly, easy to handle, and tend to be excellent mothers.

Laya is a bantam Cochin, meaning she's a miniature version of the standard Cochin breed. Don't let her small size fool you—she's packed with personality and fluff! 💕

As for the big question... I believe Laya is a pullet (young hen). Her comb is developed and red, but it's relatively small and tidy, and I don't see the pointed saddle or hackle feathers, long sickle tail feathers, or other features I'd expect in a cockerel at this age. Of course, bantams like to keep us guessing sometimes, but I'd currently place my bet on team hen. 🥚

Anyone else have a Cochin in their flock? We'd love to see your fluffy feather-footed friends! 🐓✨