Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

pikeman, it's nice to see you back here. It's been pretty quiet here this summer so far. We have some new people & others have been busy with summer stuff I guess.

Yesterday was a hot one, I really didn't feel like being out there that much other than to do regular chores. I did run to the hardware store & get what I needed to finish up the door end of my tractor but will have to wait for it to cool down a little to do it.

The fence for the goats & sheep is still going very slowly & now we may have someone moving back in next door where the land has been abandoned for years. The sheep decided a few days ago they like going over there to graze, so I'm going to have to light a fire under my DH to get that fence going faster. I have no way to keep them from going over there if the decide to right now.

 

[JosieChick]

So good to see you here, Josiechick. How is your DH liking his new job? I am sure its a big change. I'm sure going to miss you guys.
I had the problem of chickens in the road which is another reason I put in my fencing I did. Expensive but worth it. How did the dogs do with the change? Are they finding their new territory? Did you install the invisible fence again? Sure wish I could drop in to see Amelia too. Let me know when you are ready for company. I've always wanted to visit Maine. LOL

He likes it! He has been coming home late though with all kinds of emergency surgeries he gets stuck there a lot. The dogs are doing well, we are waiting for the field to be hayed before we can bury line for the invisible fencing so for now they are tethered which I feel badly about but it is safer for them, we live on a pretty busy road now. They come in the garage at night. Come and visit, we would love to have you!!

My big puppy (now 16 months old) has started patrolling the yard.

A little background. I got red at 8 months as a neglected, untrained 37 lb. puppy. He gained 15 lbs in 2 months and now is at 60 lbs (and not at all fat). I have been monitoring his interactions with the chickens for a couple of months. At first he only went out with me on his leash, then we moved up to a shock collar (vibrate only) and supervised from inside constantly. Finally he has been allowed out (supervised) with no shock collar for several weeks. I trust him enough that I'm only checking on him intermittently, but the side gate is always closed so that I know for sure when he is out.

On Tuesday we had an adolescent skunk come into the yard early in the day (about 6:30 or 7). He was really interested and strolled over to introduce himself. He was sniffing the skunks backside when I noticed what was going on. I called him (like we do in obedience, "Red, COME." and miracle of miracles, he came running as did the doxy that was out with him. We got in the house and closed down the dog doors and watched the skunk. When it tried to get in the chicken run, I banged on a pan until it sauntered over and slunk out under the side gate. It hasn't been back (to my knowledge), but the patio (where it was) has the faint odor of skunk still hanging in the air. NO ONE got sprayed.

Since then Red has been insistent that he be outside with the chickens. Yesterday, I lost track of him (doing laundry), and when I checked, this is where he was:



My rooster is just behind and to his right (as I faced him), and one of last year's hatch (Raven) is back by the grow out coop. The others were calmly doing their chicken things in the yard. I watched, and he would get up and stroll around the perimeter of the yard, check the run, check the little gardens, and then lay down somewhere else.

Those of you with guardian dogs, is this the behavior you see with your dogs? It feels like he is protecting them. (Or is he just perusing the buffet?)

Awww, good boy Red! He is watching out for them!


We have been super busy unpacking and settling in! The weather has been beautiful, sunny and low 70s. The chickens seem to have been spooked out of the road enough by fast moving traffic so that they aren't out there anymore, thank heavens! Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[chicken danz]

Just dropping by to say "howdy!". I trust everyone is well?

Good to see you again. I had wondered what happened to you. You really need to stop by more often.

Quote: We have been super busy unpacking and settling in! The weather has been beautiful, sunny and low 70s. The chickens seem to have been spooked out of the road enough by fast moving traffic so that they aren't out there anymore, thank heavens! Hope everyone has a great day!
I've been insanely busy lately. If it's not one thing it's another. I have a real overcrowding problem with my chickens right now. I have so many I am trying to get to breeding age so I can choose the keepers. I have others I'd just like to throw in the laying flock but I don't want to shut up the layers when its so hot. They do better finding their own shade. I lost three juveniles to the heat and overcrowding. Of course they were ones I thought I needed and paid too much for. There just isn't other options. I need more space.

 

[Trish44]

If anyone is interested in some nice metal 10 hole nesting boxes send me a PM for info. We're trying to get a big enough order together so the person who has them will deliver to Wichita. They look to be in really nice shape, I have pics I can send you if you're interested.

josie, I'm glad you got your horses there in good shape, I'm sure that was nerve wracking. I'm glad your chickens are learning to stay out of the road as well! I'm jealous of those temps right now, it's hot, hot here.

 

[chicken danz]

Send me pics and prices please Trish.

 

[pikeman94]

Danz - I hear ya! I am up to my eyes in busy! Seems like there has been a long list of honey do's that I have been working on getting through. The good news is I think I am finally through with them.

In my spare time I have been working on the garden and my hops. I managed to lose my zucchini to some bug that ate into the stalk and laid it's eggs there. I have seem this bug before, but missed getting it sprayed down with the organic bug control spray I use. So, sad clown face here.

Since the honey do list is done, I am finally going to build my new brewing station. I am fairly excited as I won't have to lift 6 to 12 gallons of 170F to 212F water any more! I am finding as I approach the big 4-0 next Monday that it is a little more difficult to lift things.

Other than all of that the kids are doing well and the DW is doing well also.

 

[tweetybaby2005]

Hello everyone!! I'm finally back in the States after visiting families overseas. I just got back a couple of days ago so I'm battling jetlag big time right now in the office. LOL. I am not sure I'll be able to catch up on posts so I'll just have to start with what I read when I get a chance.

My birds are doing well. They are as chatty as ever... I sure missed their silly sounds though. My rooster was so excited to see me that he crowed a few times when I visited the coop in the afternoon. He is such a good boy. I haven't been able to do much with the coop because I've to clean up the aftermath of my absence in the house. DH flat out told me he only did minimum to get by and survive until I get home. I've been doing laundry non-stop since I got back. The washer got a real work out and the clothes lines were full for 2 straight days. I managed to buy some stainless steel clothespins while I was visiting family so I get to use them to see if they are any good. Once I get the house cleaned, I'll focus on getting the coop, waterers and duck pool cleaned.

We had to get a new fridge for the barn because the old one no longer cools. DH puts water bottles in the fridge for summer and also put eggs in there because the storage room gets too hot and causes the eggs to go bad a lot faster. I really like the new fridge. It is bigger and has a ton of room for bottled water.

My original plan was to get more birds in the Spring but that didn't happen due to my work schedule. Then I had to leave for training and visiting family at the later part of Spring. The weather has now gotten very hot so my best bet is to wait till late Sept or early Oct to do so. Will have to see what's happening before nailing the plan down for sure.

I better get back to work now. It is nice to be able to go online and read posts. Internet was a luxury in my mom's house and it was not reliable at all so I pretty much stayed off of it while I was there.

 

[Trish44]

It's nice to see you back tweety, I'm sure your birds are glad to see you too.

 

[Ralph Moyer]

Trish, I hope you fence solves you problem, but an old farmer told me that a fence that won't hold water, won't hold goat.

 

[Trish44]

Actually these goats are Boers& are easier to keep in. We just want to get them out of the front yard & out where they can clean out the brush for us.