Anyone on BYC in college at the moment? Come say Hello!

[Kristin Brown]

Hi "joesmania",

I also inherited a rodent problem this Spring. It began when my mother gifted us assorted bags of discounted dog and cat food, at least 10! I stored all of my precious cat food in plastic storage totes as I do with my chicken feed. This has been a proven system for me. However, my boyfriend who isn't as detail-oriented, obsessive and meticulous as I, decided to just store bagged dog food on the bottom shelf of our metal storage racks. Fast-forward a few months without entering the shed much... I suddenly began to notice a HORRID smell in the shed. It was an ammonia so bad I had to investigate. Sure enough I found mouse droppings everywhere. Not to mention a urine smell on my horse tack. It was so ridiculous that I ordered a mandated clean-out! During this project, I discovered the aforementioned bags of dog food had been raided by vermin, mice, mold...you get the picture! After restoring our beloved shed back to its original par of sanitation, we fabricated what Levi calls a Canadian Mouse-Trap. What this glorified rodent exterminator looks like is a 5-gallon utility bucket, which has free rotating aluminum cans dabbed with Peanut Butter. An immaculate ugly stick is then rested on the edge as an access point. The bucket is filled with bleach-water.... I think you can conjure how it operates? Not the most humane thing but the darn redneck contraption works like a charm.

 

[JacquiJ]

I don't know anything in Colorado, but I'll ask! Our program is so small, all the teachers and students are able to have a pretty good relationship.

Joesmania I can't imagine battling rats! Yuck! Good luck!!

 

[joesmania]

Deleted by me

 

[dracoe19]

I had a horrid mouse problem as well (possibly still do). I have cleaned it all up multiple times but my dad and brother just throw stuff in the barn rather than hang and organize it causing the mice to come back. Drives me crazy!

I so wish I had an Avian program where I am. It is mainly focused on engineering here and not farming or any kind of animal stuff. I tried a biology class at Case Western and it was the worst class ever! Wish I could find an actual engaging program rather than talk to you then get graded on 3 tests.

@JacquiJ -How many hens do you have with your rooster? If it is just him and her I think getting another hen would help distract him a bit. If not separate him for a week or so so he can have time to calm down. I usually do this with my rowdy teenage roosters and after being alone with time to think they become much nicer to the ladies.

 

[Kaitie09]

I'm done with finals for the semester! Its weird for me that I will never register for fall classes again as I'll be graduating in May.

 

[Kristin Brown]

Congrats Kaitie! I am also graduating this spring. I will have an Associates of the Arts in the Foundation of Business. However, as excited as I am for graduation, I am already considering furthering my education. After two years of studying business, I've learned more about my own interests. I'm now exploring an animal sciences degree.

 

[Kaitie09]

I'm in the process of figuring out whats next for me. My major is unique and every person I talked to says its a really good combination (graphic design and Marketing communications). I know I can get into a corporate business environment, but I would love to work for a non profit. Everyone has always said I should be a vet, but I don't think I could be hard enough to work with dying animals and ones I would have to put to sleep. I think eventually I would like to work from home a few days a week, or own a small farm where I would make products. My boyfriend of 5 years is graduating next year with a double certification in welding and metal fabrication, so he could get a good enough job to support both of us for the most part.

 

[JacquiJ]

Dracoe19: unfortunately I only have the one hen, we live in a neighborhood and don't have room for anymore but I separated them for a day and even after that he is much nicer!

Congrats Kaitie and Kristin! I will be joining you guys graduating in the spring!! I can't wait!!

 

[Kristin Brown]

Kaitie, Your boyfriend chose a great career path in metal fabrication and welding! It is a very fast paced and high salary industry. My boyfriend, Levi, worked in his family's foundry since he was barely a teen in middle school. He fabricated a variety of parts for NASA, military and private business owners. His family created thousands of molds/poured castings. Unfortunately his father kept him and his brothers away from school so often to work, that Levi dropped out of high school his senior year. His father convinced him that all education is, is a conspiracy to collect tax payers money and brain wash the youth. He told Levi that as long as he worked for him, he would be wealthy. It saddens me that a father would take advantage of his own son like this at the cost of an education. After a divorce, his father let the business go, which it eventually was taken by the bank. Because of an extensive background in machining and work ethic, Levi was able to find a job in manufacturing hydraulics for wind turbines. Even though he makes good money now, I worry that he will eventually run into a roadblock because he doesn't have a diploma or degree. His company is fond of him, so much that they sent him to Sweden and Denmark for business with the headquarters. I hope that he will come to his senses and take the time from work to go back to school while he's still young!

 

[Carebearsmiles]

I have chickens and I am in college! And yes, if I try to talk about them to my classmates their eyes glaze over and they look at me like they think I am about to produce a greased pig for us to chase down the academic hallway.... LOL

Exactly!

I am somewhat a non-trad. I have my yard birds and I love it. : )
I hope to add to the flock soon. (so I guess that means I'm addicted to yard birds)