A Journey Through a Different Way - Funny Story Pg. 69

[ruth]

Here's the link to my newest Ms. Broody thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1009968#p1009968

I'm so excited to have a broody that picked a safe place (laundry room) and is setting the nest but is also taking short breaks to eat, drink and POOP, and POOP, and POOP - huge piles on my laundry room floor. I'm really hoping to have a real mama hen and babies running around the farm.

 

[ruth]

Oh boy - I have a broody duck. She's setting on a nest of assorted eggs in duck house. It's going to be interesting because there are some chicken eggs in that nest from the chickens that hop the fence and hang out with the ducks during the day. Plus I got myself really confused because I thought the green eggs I was finding in duck nest were the Araucana's eggs since the two of them hang out with the ducks all day long. I've been putting them in my bator. They started out small so I thought that's whose eggs they were. I went to check duck house the other day and there's a new nest full of large white duck eggs and large GREEN duck eggs. I didn't know Mallards laid green eggs (still not positive but I found an online article that said they did.) It's going to be funny to see what hatches under the duck and what hatches in my bator cause now I don't know which eggs are which.

The redeeming thing about this all is that I have a broody hen setting eggs in my laundry room/shed and broody duck setting assorted duck/chick eggs in duck house and assorted duck/chick eggs in my bator.

So.....here's the plan. Any chicks that hatch under Broody Duck get moved to Broody Hen. Any ducks that hatch in bator get moved to Broody Duck any chicks that hatch in bator get moved to Broody Hen who will hopefully hatch some chicks herself.

Now farm life is getting really fun.

By the way, I ordered my Sportsman today and they said it was in stock and would go out Monday. Let the fun begin.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Well the next few weeks are going to be interesting. Fairy houses and babies are going to be all over the place. At least you are having fun and not stressing LOL. Thanks for sharing

 

[ruth]

Today was a sad day. I buried my old cat Joe who lost his long battle with cancer during the night as I sat with him. It was a blessing because the tumors were the size of baseballs in his face and neck and I had been praying for a peaceful passing for him. The sad part was after I buried him, Rex came and laid by the grave with the saddest look on his face and stayed there in "guard" position for quite a while. It's as if he knew. The odd part is that Joe hated Rex and when Rex was a puppy Joe nearly put out his eyes, slashed his nose open, piereced his ears and for the last 6 years has continued to hate Rex. Rex has never shown Joe any aggression. Today it was as if Rex was grieving along with me. Made me break down and cry. I truly believe the human animal is not the only animal that has feelings.

On the good news front - my two broodies, both hen and duck are still setting.

And I have several chick babies, including more of Ruth's, hatching in bator right now. I have one egg that I still think might have twins but it hasn't started pipping so I've opened the large end to monitor. I'll definitely post and take pics if anything develops in the "twins" department - could just be a large chick but I didn't have my mini mag light when I put the eggs in bator and by the time I found it (got lost during hurricane) all I could see what a completely filled egg when all others were only about 1/4 way.

Well, as always, its life and death here on the farm. Thank you Lord for the Journey.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm so sorry about your cat, Monique. My dog Cody died on his favorite loveseat at the beginning of the year. He was 12 and we had him since he was a pup so I know what you're feeling. So interesting and heartwrenching about Rex sitting next to the grave. He's a wonderful dog; I've always been so impressed with the big fella.

 

[ruth]

Thanks Cyn - yes, Rex truly is a God-send in more ways than one. There is a long God story that goes with my getting Rex.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Monique what a mixed blessing with your Joe, sad that he has passed into others arms but what a blessing that you were there with him when he left.
Animals know and feel at least I believe they do. I know my dogs have always been aware of what is going on around them. Rex sure is something special.

Glad to hear your bator is a hatching and that your chickie and duck are still a sitting.

:aww

and Prayers.


I will have to pop into the hatching forum and see if there is a post for me to

on your bator

 

[ruth]

Today was quite a journey day and guess it's not over yet. In addition to burying my cat this morning, I tried to assist my Twins to hatch but sadly lost both - one yellow and one black. I posted on page 4 of the "Twins" thread - there are pics but may be graphic. Maybe if I had waited another day to assist they would have made it - who knows?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=87299

And just now had a real scare. Rex was outside barking his head off. I had gone to bed a little early, well really just to lie down after dinner before starting dishes, and Rex just wouldn't stop barking. DH (for deaf husband) was watching LSU game and, like always, just ignoring that all the dogs are barking at this point. Rex and Lucy outside and Prissy and Scarlett inside. So I get up and go outside to check. Rex is standing in yard, just a few feet from porch steps, standing over something barking at ground. I heard this loud sound that took me a moment to figure out. It was a loud rattling - so loud it made my ears hurt. I knew it had to be a rattlesnake. I started yelling for Rex to come, "Ball" (which will get him to come when nothing else will). I got all dogs inside and ran to get husband. Told him to get his gun and come because there's a large rattle snake in yard and it's rattling very loudly. Well, just like my DH (for discombobulated husband) he can't find his keys to gun cabinet, can't find his pants or shoes, can't find the shells by the time he gets outside the rattling has stopped. But I shined my flashlight in yard and sure enough there it was. DH (for dead-aim husband) took a few shots, first one blowing its head off. I got close enough later to see that it does indeed have a set of rattles. Now I'm worried it might have bitten Rex so I come back inside and start checking him, and Lucy over carefully. I never saw Lucy get close to snake but Rex was stradling it and standing directly over it. Doesn't look like he was bitten - thank you Lord God.

A vet that was visiting here recently was telling me about the new rattlesnake vaccines they are giving dogs now. Has anyone given their dogs these shots yet?

The day, though eventful, is ending on a nice note. I have three little hatches thus far and two more mostly out and a bator full that should be hatching over next few days.

 

[speckledhen]

Wow, it's a thrill a minute at your house, Monique! What a rollercoaster ride you've had recently.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

That BR Rooster and the duck are quite handsome!!!!