Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

I'm new, I have two little chickens but I'm not sure what they are, I got them at 5 weeks old and I think they are araucana black hamburg crosses. My very first chickens and love cuddling them, very calm to hold, love being petted, chirp a lot and make funny cricket like sounds. Starting to black out all over body with green sheen to feathers. White feathers in wings when spread amongst black.

Oh and I'm on that funny little island, Tassie

I agree with the others there does look like some black aussie in there but would be good to see your most recent pics of them.

 

[vehve]

Thanks, guys. Teila, sorry for the loss of your fish. You seem to have had it for quite some time.

 

[K Spot]

Sad day here, we lost Viiru, one of our Alho's and the most productive layer of our flock, to some sort of predator. Veera, her sister, also went missing, but she returned home two hours later, intact.

Oh so sorry Felix. What sad news

 

[vehve]

It's sad to lose a chicken, but I'd rather let them free range and live a happy life that ends with a minute of horror, than to keep them confined all the time. Quality of life is important to me.

 

[K Spot]

Yes, Felix. That is true. My girls have a coop and a large size run, but I let them out in the afternoons when I get home from work to free range around the yard.

I'm glad Veera came back.

 

[satay]

Morning folks 

AussieChics it was interesting to read that your gals do not like salad; lettuce and tomato are real favourites for my banties.  They love Kale.  Besides meal worms and watermelon, my Silkie’s other favourite food is tomato.  The others eat it; she loves it!

Have you tried chopping it into bite sized pieces?  I pop the lettuce into a bowl and hack at it with the scissors for a few minutes.

Fancy the banners are beautiful; so colourful and of course, the subject matter is superb 

Hi Mondari and  

I am not much good at breeds but I note you have been given some good possibilities from others.  I just wanted to say that they look pretty darn cute.

vehve I am so sorry to hear about Viiru 

While some may think my loss is not on the same scale, bad day here also, I lost my 5 year old gold pond fish to a type of Heron.  I am going to miss him/her.  He/she had gotten very big, it’s gold friend is going to miss it also 

Not much other news from here.  Cilla is having another attempt at being broody and I am having another attempt at breaking her 

The chicks are doing very well and growing ... I have penciled in a photo day for Saturday; just warning you 

Any loss of an anlmal you care about is just as important as any other. Sorry you lost your fish

 

[Teila]

Thanks everyone!

satay that is a beautiful card!

The heron came back for morning tea but luckily hubby spotted him out of his office window and chased him off.

I know I could put wires or nets over the ponds and probably should but they just don’t look nice and detract from the whole tropical setting; is that mean of me?

Anyways, what I have done is add a couple more pots for the fish to hide in and I was thinking of setting up a critter cam on the gazebo so I can watch while working and chase him off if he comes back.

Edited to add: Hubby is on a mission! Just left to buy us a critter cam!

 

[IamSamSam]

Hi Teila

Sorry you lost your fish! Maybe installing a statue or kite type raptor bird near the pond may help deter the heron ? My nan uses a big owl to scare possums off !

I have to share too that when my brother was 5 and lost his pet David ( Siemese Figher fish ) we had to put him in a jar of water ( cause he needed to breathe in heaven) and have a full funeral in the back yard ! The jar is still there with a little plaque that says Here lies David Fish

ALL pets or plants we love matter.

 

[cwrite]

@Teila , sorry to hear about your gold fish. Cool that you are getting a critter cam though. It will be interesting for you to see what else turns up on it.

 

[Teila]

Thank you Sam and cwrite

The hungry heron has been back 3 times since his breakfast and each time we have spotted him and given him his marching orders; no more fish taken. Sadly, he knows where to come now for an easy snack.

I like the predator statue/kite idea; might try that, as long as it does not scare the gals Either would probably blend into the surroundings much nicer than a net or wire.

I love how my man's mind works ... for the early morning, if the heron comes to visit while I am not awake to watch the monitor, he has plans of motion activated water pistols or other deterrents around the pond that will not distract from the tropical look .. it must be a challenge-thing

Beware heron; hubby is on the case! Good thing we are both animal lovers, I know whatever he does, it will not harm the heron

Why do I have mental images of hubby in full camo, hiding under the ferns with a water pistol? lol