BYC Café

[ValerieJ]

Well, we are having a break in the rain until about 2 or 3 this afternoon. I'm going out to see what needs to be done in the coops and runs today. The rain has been so relentless lately, so it will be nice to be out there and stay dry. I spread 3 bales of straw yesterday, so walking around will be easier to.

Sorry about sending all our rain your way, @sourland.

 

[ValerieJ]

Have you braved my coop article yet? I love it and it makes my life so much easier.

Oh! Not yet. And thanks for reminding me. I'll go there now so it comes up when I come back in this afternoon.

 

[sourland]

Hey, tomorrow is supposed to be a bright and sunny day, this is not snow, and next week when we will take a short trip is also good. No right for me to complain. I did brew another pot of coffee and am presently indulging.

 

[Shadrach]

My difficulty wasn't space. I have a 4,000 sf run, and 5 acres onto which I can expand. But, I'm just one old lady with a husband who travels every week. So, building a coop large enough for expansion has been dependent on his retirement, which will happen end of next month. But, for reasons I've already discussed, I wouldn't free range here. Mine are not 100% safe, but mostly safe, from predators. We have different tolerance levels for that.

Seriously though, I'm sorry I jumped into this conversation at all. I am not judging anyone's way of raising their flock. You already know I admire what you are doing. There's no argument here.

And with that, I'll take a break from the BYC Cafe. Was looking for that drama free zone, I guess.

I think you should stay and feel free to say your bit. There are lots of people here who like you and, dare I say, getting on in years as well.

 

[FortCluck]

It's 67 here today. We went from 30 to 67 within a day I was getting all stuffed up because stuff is growing again and the pollen kills me here

 

[sourland]

It's so hard....and pictures take us right back to the times we spent together....that must have been hard.

What really got to me was when they auctioned off the kitchen table and all the memories of laughter around that table flashed through my mind.

 

[ronott1]

You click on Reviews, then click on Leave a Rating.

It also has to be an article that you have not already rated

 

[Building Bridges]

As Shad would say, it's been pissing down rain all day here. The moat is flowing and the front yard is a pond with a creek draining around the planting arrangement in the front yard.
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We're headed out for brunch. We haven't eaten yet. Then some shopping and hopefully spend a few hours working on Dad's house.

Excellent plans for a rainy day!

 

[ronott1]

Haa Marúaweeka Cafe!

Thanks for the coffee, Debby!

Sunrise in South Texas!
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Everyone make it a great day!

Nice Sunrise!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Chickens are meant to free range or have large area to scratch and forage.

I see nothing wrong with your neighbor free ranging even if there is losses in their flock.

There are those that confine theirs in small cages that fit 2 chickens and they have 10 crammed in it, but those 10 may be happy like that.

I tend to not judge how others free range, cage, or house their animals. What works for me may not work for them. What works for you may not work for me.

There are always two sides to everything.

I agree that chickens should be able to free range. I do so, but I have two dogs roaming around keeping predators at bay. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. However, someone being completely incompetent in their chicken keeping, completely replacing flocks year after year because they're "free ranging" isn't good animal husbandry, in my opinion. When you take on animals you have a duty to offer some sort of measurable protection for them.