I Built A Bridge!

Well, friends, SS Homestead has paid the Mother Nature free range tax this morning

I was a bit late in letting the main flock out this morning, but I know that the white cockerel from MJ's hatch was OK before sunrise when I took Mitchell down to the bus stop. In the next hour and a half something (a coyote or a fox is my guess) caught him near the orchard. I found him on the other side of the treeline down about 100 yards behind the coop. He was one that I was trying to find a new home for. I'd like to think that he was protecting Maude, Wendy and 6 of his siblings from whatever the predator might be.

In the time it took me to realize that he was not just wandering around and ran in to get some scratch to pen up everyone else, I thought I had lost Mable as well. I had everyone but her back in the run. She was nowhere to be found. I remembered she was acting funny alone down by the shed. I looked underneath to see if she was having a spa day. No luck. I thought I would make one more lap and that's when I found her, in our firewood storage next to the shed between two rows of stacked wood… on two eggs. I have another layer in the group! She has been caught so everyone is safe. My run is chicken and hawk proof, but a hungry fox, coyote or dog could dig under easily. I have Lilly Lu (our dog) on high alert outside and windows open even though it is only 58* outside. Hawks come and go. Willie can handle them. I just don't know about foxes and coyotes. Further more, our neighbors have small dogs and cats. I sent them a message to be on alert. I'm really not ready to coop up the entire flock! We still have leaves and green grass here!

Good morning Bridge Club

Thank you for the condolences; watching Blondie with her two little ones certainly has helped; she is doing a great job so far and they are cute as buttons!

OMG! MM I am so sorry to hear about your young cockerel! That is so sad and scary Glad to hear that Mabel is OK.

We do not have a lot of predators in the burbs but I have read so many times on BYC that the predator always returns and while locking everyone up is not ‘nice’, it is probably the best option. My gals let me know if something is ‘not quite right’ outside and it is good that you have Willie to raise the alarm. I would keep the windows open also if it was me, just throw on an extra jumper!

Do you have a means of ‘disposing’ of the predator if it comes back? Are you allowed to ‘dispose’ of it in your area? Or will you try and trap and relocate?

Very sorry to hear it, MM!

MistyMountain,

I am so sorry to hear about your boy being taken. I know that hurts. Your right about the tax being paid on free-ranging. I have paid it myself many times here. nuf said..Sad for you.....

Teila,

Hugs to you also, even though you are celebrating the newbies our hearts keep mourning the ones that almost made it. It takes time to get over it. Big hugs

Hi team! Sorry for disappearing again, crazy week work wise, plus I've been a bit depressed... the Araucana chick that was a definite girl suddenly started acting lethargic Tuesday morning, and passed away on Wednesday... It was just so sudden - she was fine before that, or maybe just very good at hiding the fact that she wasn't, I don't know. In any case, she was eating and drinking and pooping normally on Tuesday, just not as active as usual, but I thought it might have been due to stress since Chiocciola, their broody mom, had abandoned them just a couple of days before, and since I didn't see any specific illness signs, I didn't know what to do (beyond extra nutritious snacks) and waited... now of course I keep wondering if I could have done something, but the truth is, I probably couldn't have, since wrong medicines might have made things worse... anyway, I guess that with so many chicks hatched here this year, the percentages of something happening to one are higher, but that doesn't make it much easier to deal with.

And I probably should have shared sooner, but I was in the "I don't wanna talk about it" kind of mood until now.

A quick one today, since I really should be working right now (don't tell anyone!).

Big big congratulations to Blondie and Teila! What a precious little family!!!
I don't know if it makes you feel any better, but I hear over and over again that those almost-made-it chicks were probably too weak to make it, which means that if they had, it would only be prolonging the inevitable... and losing one after you get to know him/her is harder. I've had at least one fully developed chick that didn't make it with all my shipped-egg hatches this year, which makes me think it's fairly common with shipped eggs... not all that comforting, I know. But hopefully watching your little family is lifting your spirits.

Gorgeous pictures, chickens, and smiling felfies, everyone! Keep them coming!

MM, I am SO sorry to hear about your cockerel!!! He probably was protecting the others as you suspect... doesn't make it any easier though. I really hope everyone else stays safe.

TG, I read your post about downsizing and another hatch, and thought absolutely nothing of it until it was pointed out! Goes to show how far gone I am.

And in related news, the never-ending broody story continues over here as well. It's Pallina this time, only a day after I had finally managed to break Pesca, the broody triplet. I am NOT letting her sit, considering that she abandoned her chicks far earlier than they were ready to be on their own last time (they're still with Ombretta, who will probably stay on as a mom for 6 months or something... she only abandoned her previous chicks when they got as big as she is). The whole trying to break them process is certainly no fun though. And Pallina seems very determined. She's even attacking me now after I remove her from the nest, roo stance and ruffled feathers and all... sigh. Wish me luck!

I'll try to catch up more over the next few days - better get back to work now!

Have a great weekend, everyone!


edited to add the two Araucana boys deciding which one of them is in charge, and a couple of orps who were posing for pictures.

Teila said:

 
Good morning Bridge Club

Thank you for the condolences; watching Blondie with her two little ones certainly has helped; she is doing a great job so far and they are cute as buttons!

OMG! MM I am so sorry to hear about your young cockerel!  That is so sad and scary   Glad to hear that Mabel is OK.

We do not have a lot of predators in the burbs but I have read so many times on BYC that the predator always returns and while locking everyone up is not ‘nice’, it is probably the best option.   My gals let me know if something is ‘not quite right’ outside and it is good that you have Willie to raise the alarm.  I would keep the windows open also if it was me, just throw on an extra jumper!

Do you have a means of ‘disposing’ of the predator if it comes back?  Are you allowed to ‘dispose’ of it in your area?  Or will you try and trap and relocate?

Click to expand...

Teila, yup. Lockdown it is. I will probably let them out this weekend as DH will be splitting firewood right near the coop. Otherwise, they are on coop arrest until I get this predator figured out. I have the game cam set up to monitor any animals that might be hanging around. We actually have hunting seasons for the three possible predators that are either open now or will be open in November. While I am fiercely protective of my flock, I also sympathize with the animal as well. Fox and Bobcat are just doing what is natural for them. I have set the dinner table and they are visiting. I guess my main plan if it is either of those two is to sit back a bit and wait to see if I can deter it in any way or break it's habit. If it is a coyote, we may need to have a different plan. I love animals, but when it comes down to it we may have to do whatever we have to do. Coyotes, while skittish in nature, sometimes work together in groups and have been known to take down larger animals, pets and sometimes attack people. I do not need one of those in my yard with my 4 and 6 year olds. This rooster attack happened right next to their play set.

I really am of mixed feelings on all of this. Best thing would be for it to just move on. I know it is not always as simple as that, but one can hope, right?

This was one of the young roosters that I was trying to rehome. To me and my style of chicken keeping, a good rooster is worth his weight in gold. The thing is… too many roosters and we have a mess. At the same time if a rooster is doing his job protecting the hens, he can disappear quite quickly and I can not be without a rooster. That would be an even worse form of chaos in the coop. I brought up my concerns to my DH (who is and always was a Wille Roo fan) last night. He said, well, it makes sense to hang on to that other rooster then. As long as everyone gets along fine why would you get rid of him? That guy, I tell ya! So, as it stands right now, Blackbeard is no longer on the market. 

Anyhow, another beautiful fall day in the mountains!! As I was walking down to the bus stop I had to snap a pic of the colorful leaves on the ground. I think it is safe to say that my favorite color is fall. 

Wooo hooo for the weekend!!

Last weekend I made sure the garden had everything done that needed doing and did a super-clean inside. During the week I made sure the house stayed clean and did an extra couple of vacuums etc so no build up and so that it still looked pretty good this weekend.

The reason for all this? This weekend is all about relaxing and spending time with the gals and bubs. OK, as per any household, there are still a few daily chores that need doing but the rest of the weekend is going to be all about quality time and hopefully taking a few good pictures! Bring it on!

Getting good pictures of the beans is going to be tricky, they have bits sticking out everywhere and are all gangly! lol

IC oh dear, it certainly has not been a good week for the Club; we seem to have runs of not so good news.

I am so very sorry to hear about your little Araucana
I understand your “I don’t wanna talk about it” and we all deal with our losses in our own way.
I agree that you probably could not have done any more than you did as she did not give you any symptoms to assist with what treatment to give her and as you said, treating for the wrong thing could have made it worse.

If you remember, I lost Suzi overnight; absolutely fine when she went to bed and gone within a couple of hours of sunrise the next morning. I have no idea what happened but believe she either ate something she shouldn’t or was bitten by something on the afternoon free range.

These little ones of ours are so good at hiding how they are feeling and a lot of the time we do not know something is wrong until it is too late.

I do wish you luck with breaking Pallina. Fingers crossed, Cilla has not repeated her wannabe broody and I may have been lucky to catch her early and break her easily.

Love the pics IC; such beautiful colouring!

MM I asked about your plans for the predator as I also love animals and like you, sympathize with the predator who is only doing what comes naturally. Unless it is one of your raccoons I keep reading about who apparently just kill for the fun of it!

It is a tough situation, protecting your flock and more importantly, your boys, verses the life of a predator. I hope your game cam reveals it to be something that you could maybe catch and relocate or as you mention, convince it to move on or it moves on of it’s own accord.

I totally understand your mixed feelings and hope that it works out for you. If you can’t get it to move on, I do not believe you should leave it be and lose your flock to it. Sometimes we have to make those unpleasant decisions.

I love the picture of the leaves!

The little munchkins are 5 days old today:







I have my suspicions on these two but as they are barnyard mixes I am not calling rooster or pullet just yet .. still hoping the little grey one is a keeper! Love the colouring!

Three weeks and 6 days:







3 Weeks and 5 Days:

Very cute bubbies, Teila!!
Can't believe how fast time is flying! Is Spot a silkie? No one looks like a cockerel yet!

Sorry to hear about the losses in your flock, IC and MM. Chickens are so vulnerable.

Teila said:

The little munchkins are 5 days old today:







I have my suspicions on these two but as they are barnyard mixes I am not calling rooster or pullet just yet .. still hoping the little grey one is a keeper! Love the colouring!

Three weeks and 6 days:







3 Weeks and 5 Days:

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Oh Teila the crest the frizzled feathers the eye makeup!!!! I am in love with all 4 but with the little grey one in particular.

MM so sorry about your loss. Another Northern California BYCer ( the woman I got my Marans from) shared videos of the fox family that grew up in her yard this summer. She had to keep the chickens penned the entire time they were hanging out but like you she respected the fox's right to raise her kits and just chose to leave them be but deny them access to her birds. She is an environmental science professor at Sonoma State University and a naturalist and really enjoyed watching those little foxes...I have to admit they were darling! With you on the coyote though. And Black Beard gets a pardon so yay!!!! for him.

Right now I only have Ike and Cosmo and young cockerels. I feel like with my goal of 15-18 lf hens, not to mention my current pullet/hen total which is a little bit more than that I will need 2 lf roosters. Cosmo is a great little guy but he is just a little guy. Now that I see how great Ike is with Cosmo I know I can keep a cockerel or maybe even two and not have to deal with the fighting like I did when I had Ozzie and the the General. What do you think the best ratioof hens to roosters is?

Marie I know Black Magic Woman too...cast a spell on me baby! How is Magic's hatch going? We have a 16 year old dog who is named Magic and I am afraid he won't last the month. Poor old guy, is blind and deaf and sore and senile but he still wags his tail when you pet him. He is my adult daughters' dog so they will make the call re. putting him down if it is necessary but obviously I hope he just passes in his sleep.

Italy Chickie I am so sorry about your loss. It is so odd and shocking to have an animal go so quickly. We all understand not wanting to talk about it. ((((((hugs))))) Thanks for sharing your lovely pics. Those orps are gorgeous. I added blue girls this year and I am so happy that I did.

Hey Liz...you a Giants fan? I don't know what you would call me. I really like baseball. I always want them to do well and I always know abit about a few players on the roster but I never take the time to watch baseball games until Oct. So not a true fan, not a true band wagoner either. My grandfather was a die hard Giants fan and if you asked me to draw a picture of him it would be of him sitting on the front porch in a rocker holding his AM radio to his ear listening to the game. Anyway. I am super excited about the World Series


In my news, it has been confirmed by a Konza lady that Magnus is Maggie and Reese is Reese Witherspoon. It only took 17 weeks but I now have an answer. In conversation with the Konza people, these things have come to light:

The original Konza creator is taking a break and is liquidating her stock
She would like to get back in at a later date
She wants people who have Konza to sort of keep the thing going in the interim
There is a woman on BYC...Eden Camp is her user name....and she is spearheading the "Save the Konza" efforts
She and another BYCer, Arielle, who are breeder types with incubators and leg bands and breeding pens etc would like me to participate.

I have told them that I will but also have limited my commitment to receiving 1 shipment of hatching eggs at some point in the future, hoping for a a cockerels/rooster and maintaing a quad.

I am a little excited about it but anxious at the same time. I have no desire to do chickens on the same level as these other gals. I like low-key chicken keeping. But if one day the Konza Prairie Range becomes a thing...it will be nice to know that I had a little part of it

Here is a recent shot of Maggie. She is an enormous ball of beauty!