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

[ruth]

Henry - thanks for sharing about your chicks. They look absolutely happy out there on that green grass and in that sunshine.

It's in the 50s some days here (early mornings and late afternoons) and my little ones are out running around and finding a sunny spot and spreading out for a sun bath.

 

[ruth]

Here's an interesting update today - sort of like a mystery.

Late yesterday afternoon I was out walking around and came across a pile of red feathers including some black tail feathers in front of old log cabin just at edge of woods. At first I thought something had gotten one of the two RIR roos but went to check and they were both present and accounted for. Couldn't count the hens till they all returned to coop at night and yes, there were 7 instead of 8 so whatever it was did get one of them. There are some old nest boxes on cabin that some of the Reds like to lay in.

Anyway, at the time I found the feathers I called Rex over and told him to "Find" - I meant the predator that did this. He sniffed the pile of feathers, ran around in a circle with nose to ground as he does when told "Find" then took off running into woods. I followed him till the trail ran out and was crawling through thick briars and undergrowth. I could hear him way off in woods barking at something. I could go no farther and then realized I had no idea which way was out. Thought for a minute I was going to have to call Rex to come get me but did find my way out. By the way, I did that once before, got lost in woods and finally had to tell Rex "Home" and followed him out of the woods. He's a great dog.

Back to mystery. I find my way out of woods, Rex comes back, I go start counting chickens. I come in and tell DH that something got one and he said that Rex had been barking for a long time at something behind the barn that morning so that's probably when it happened. So this moring I told DH not to let the chickens out till I got up much later - he lets them out really early when he gets up. So I get up, take my pack of dogs out back thinking I would let them sniff out and run off whatever might be lurking before I let my chickens out. Sure enough Rex takes another whiff of the feathers and takes off running and barking into woods again.

Here's where the story gets interesting.

I come up to coop to let chickens out. I closed the run gate in an effort to contain them just a little longer but I know they can hop the fence. So I'm feeding everyone and come out of run. I see Scarlett sniffing at a red chicken on ground, next to fence outside run. I yell at her and even threw a bucket at her because I thought she had just caught a chicken that had maybe hopped the fence that quickly and was doing her puppy mauling thing again which she hasn't done in a long time. I go to check the chicken and realize it's cold and hard. I flip it over and it was partially eaten - had a small hole out of it but nothing else bothered on it.

Now I'm really puzzled - when did this happen? I go count all the RIRs and all are present and accounted for that I counted the night before. I know the dead chicken was not there the night before when I locked them all up.

Only thing I think I've figured out is that Rex did a great job on "Find" and he went and found his chicken and brought it back to the coop and left it right there by the gate. I don't know if he did it last night or early this morning. I'm guessing last night since if it had been left in woods all night there would not be anythng left to it. Then he must have guarded it all night so that nothing else bothered it.

Good Rex. Gotta love that dog.

 

[speckledhen]

I do love that dog! Rex is one in a million. Sorry about the chicken, though.

 

[MissJames]

I just wanted to jump in and say how much I enjoy this thread. It gives me something to strive for.
Thanks Ruth!

 

[ruth]

Quote:
Thank you MissJames and welcome to BYC. Lot's of great folks here.

 

[miss_jayne]

wow, Monique! that Rex is something! he deserves to be named Rex, meaning King! good boy!

 

[ruth]

Here's a bunch of new photos - updating on everyone.

The Marans roos, at 4 months are starting to do their chicken dance to impress the ladies. The two roos are Jesse and James - Jesse is the leader and has a lot more copper in him.

Here's Jesse leading them all home tonight.

Mama hen is taking such good care of her babies. Here they are with her outside.

And she always leads them back into cage they were hatched in at night.

Confettie is getting big. I hope she doesn't mind me showing her backside.

And Bitsy is still recooperating in her kennel and we take her out for walks but she is very reluctant to put any weight on foot and holds it up.

You've read about the ducks that hatched, under my daughter's care, while I was gone and here they are. The smaller ones are two weeks, the larger ones hatched before I left so they are three and four weeks old - huge. They are playing in a mud puddle. I've given up on trying to get them in duck house at night so they sleep outside with the big ducks. Temps have gotten from mid 30s to 50s at night.

Ruth did not come back so I'm guessing she's gone for good. I have three babies from the first eggs I hatched 8 weeks ago; one I kept from hatch about 4 weeks ago; and one that just hatched a few days ago. When I realized Ruth was missing I took her last egg and put it in bator. Sadly the little guy doesn't seem to be doing well and seems weak. I'm giving it lots of vitamins, etc.

Here are two of the oldest:

Here's her Barred Rock with a muff:

Here's the 4 week old blue ameraucana, I think roo:

And here's Ruth's last baby:

Things are going well here. The Sportsman stays loaded. I've sold 15 baby chicks and some hatching duck eggs recently.

Got to run - need to eat dinner.

Take care all.

 

[hcammack]

wow this is amazing I am so happy everything is going so well and I am envious of your beautiful farm. You have a very nice quality Black Copper Marans Flock ! I think one rooster has to much copper on him though. You got allot of pullets from that hatch didn't you? They are looking great I hope you get some dark eggs soon. My blue and black coppers are doing well. Confeti is preggers?!!! She is beautiful and her bag looks big for being so early in her pregnancy. Her teats look like they will be very good for had milking! Good luck with her kidding! I hope that the baby is doing better I love her looks! She is such a brave little thing and I can't wait to see a pic of her frolicking soon. The ducks look great and i really should get some. I am so sorry about Ruth she was a brave and beautiful little hens and I am glad you have some of her chicks to remember her by. That araucana hen is very good quality you should separate her with a roo for a bit and also separate the BC from time to time and sell eggs ! A good way to support your hobby!

Good Luck and best wishes,
Henry

 

[ruth]

Thanks Henry for all of your kind words. Ruth produced two beautiful blue Ameraucanas - the oldest is about 8 weeks and I'm sure a female. The newest is 4 weeks and I think a roo by the mannerisms I see. I wonder if I can breed them together? Not sure if they have the same daddy but I know they have the same mama.

Does anyone breed related birds?

Confetti is due end of December. The pic is a little misleading. It does look like she has an udder already but she doesn't really, it's just her belly hangs so low. She only has the start of a bag best I can tell and feel. But I know NOTHING about goats and kidding - no kidding.

As far as the Marans, I have 8 female and two roos. I'll need to separate them soon for breeding purposes.

Life on the farm is fun and there's always something going on.

 

[hcammack]

Wow december is soon I guess I didn't read lol I guess I am alright at telling time to kidding then for someone who has never had preganant goats. she does have nice teats though. I am glad you are seperating the marans I am not sure about breeding Ruths chicks together though.

Henry