Consolidated Kansas

[ChooksChick]

TNT-Prayers going out for your son. I know how hard it is to imagine that your child will not be able to do everything you had dreamed for them. I lost a daughter to cancer. She was only 7 when diagnosed, but lived till she was 17. I know how your heart breaks for them, and I know how it is to have to "hurt them" (resetting the knee) in order to make it better. Prayers going up for your young man.

Tweety-You have a really nice set of "Jewels" in your jewel box there!

HEChicken-sure hope your daughter continues to improve. She's young, buy you REALLY have to work to rehab those knees. I've been plagued with knee problems for years and am facing my second total knee replacement (Old sports injuries plus arthritis). Tell her to work hard at that rehab and getting her range of motion back. It hurts but it's SO important!

X2- prayers out there to all in need...and keep them in PT as long as necessary. Make them do their 'homework' PT, too because it really helps.

 

[tweetysvoice]

Couldn't resist.. I had to move the brooder upstairs in the livingroom for the evening. I got tired of trotting downstairs to sit and watch.. LOL

 

[chicken danz]

TNT you have my prayers as well. There is nothing wrong with asking at all. Just remember the younger they are the faster they heal. Chances are they might postpone surgery until he is older. Yes it is hard for an active child to not run and play. Try to find him some new interests that don't involve as much physical activity. Poor kid.
I spent my afternoon in the barn cutting wood. Between the sawdust and the wind I have no voice now. I split over 100 8 foot 2X 2's. And another 20 10' 2X2's. I pretty much filled the pickup bed. Trouble now is my arms and back hurt too much to actually start building. I need DH to run me some power cords so I can run an air compressor out at the trailer and and miter saw to cut with. Why does the stupid weather have to go to crap the next few days. I have too much to do for it to turn cold again.
I made Chopper follow me while I watered all the birds. He did great but the only problem was that every time I filled up a big water bowl he wanted to stay and swim for a while. He is really tired now. Very content to sit on my lap and sleep while I type.
I made lots of phone calls today to make sure I knew how to get my ducks in a row for requirements to sell at Gardner. In the middle of it I made arrangements to buy another pair of red golden pheasant. I have one young male. I hope the two of them are peaceful with each other. I have to sell some of my excess pheasants to have a pen to put them in.
Here is a picture I just took of Chopper. He has really grown. I hatched a couple of babies today and it amazes me how much bigger he has gotten.

 

[Deerfield Acres]

I don't normally past a lot about my family but I would appreciate some prayers for my son. He has been found to have a rare condition with his knee cap called Patella Alta. Basically, his knee cap formed to high up on his knee, which is causing his knee to dislocate about every other day. The doctor said he is having problems with it because he is gaining weight as he grows taller so him growing is putting more strain on his knee. It is very painful obviously. I feel terrible having to pop it back in but I can't leave it like that either. I am scared about what kind of treatment we are looking at. He is only 8. As of the last month, his doctor doesn't want him bending his knee more than 30 degrees or running, climbing, or jumping. What kind of life is that for an active 8 yr. old? He is super upset that he can't play baseball. His team has already started practices but he can't play. He may be out for the whole season, which will really break his heart. We see the ortho this Fri. afternoon to see what kind of treatments are available and to see if it is affecting both knees or just the one. Can you guys please pray that it is fixable so that my baby can be a normal active, happy little boy? I am very scared that they won't be able to fix it enough to allow him to play with his friends and do all the active things he wants to do.

So sorry to hear about your son and will be praying for him and you. Hope they can get it taken care of soon. One of my daughters went through some PT after surgery on her elbow. Her PT "homework" was really crucial in regaining her range of motion. Lots of prayers coming your way.

You were right about the chicks carrying "golf balls" in their cheeks! This morning they were all normal. Thanks!


Tweety -- The jewels are adorable! Happy to hear they all made it safe and sound.


My day was interesting. One of the Dale's (Cornish X's, all nicknamed Dale the Whale) had made quite a mess of his behind and his big boy feathers were coming in back there and they're all stiff, spikey and holding the mess in there quite determinedly (is that a word?). Anyhoo, I crated him up and brought him into the house through gale force winds to give him a bath. I filled my bathroom sink with warm water and gently placed him in it. When his big chunky feet first hit the water, he startled, but then quickly relaxed and I put him in deep enough to cover his hiney. I could feel him relax all over his body and he almost just sat down but then thought better of it. Anyway, I got him all washed up and then wrapped him snugly in a towel so I could blow dry his backside without his front side getting out of control. He loved the blow dryer! Warm water and warm air, he was really feelin' the love! After I was finished he began a nice chat. He sounded so appreciative that I assured him it was really no big thing and the least I could do since his facilities don't include a bath or sauna. We parted on quite good terms. I would rather he had sassed and pecked, since he's supposed to be dinner one of these days. Sheesh.

Some chicken farmer I'm turning out to be.

 

[tweetysvoice]

Oh Danz - Chopper is SOOO adorable!!! I'm hoping our ducks warm up to us soon. The chicks will hop right onto the hands, but the ducks freak out anytime I come near them.

Karen - I don't know how you do it. No way could have think of eating one of my birds. I couldn't do it. I'm not a vegetarian by any means (love me some steak), but I couldn't physically or mentally butcher another animal. I love them all too much.

 

[chicken danz]

Tweety, Chopper is like a little leach. He screams when I put him down. But he still runs a little when I am going to pick him up. I've learned if I put my hand under his feet so he feels secure he is happy with being picked up. If I sit down on his level on the floor or someplace, he will run into my lap to snuggle. I think it's just that time in the air they don't like. Crazy birds, but I love my ducks. There is nothing in this world any soften than a duck. Out of hundreds he is the first one I've let become imprinted on me. I really enjoy him.If I could just hang a toilet from his rear end life would be perfect.

 

[tntblake]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, and kind words. I just want Fri. to come. I hate the not knowing. It is the worst.

Ivy- I am so sorry about your daughter. I couldn't imagine losing a child. It makes my worries seem really insignificant. I thank you for that. Your reply really made me realize that whatever happens, happens. At least I have him. I just hope for his sake they can fix it now while he is young.

Danz- I am still praying for your mom. That little chopper is so cute. I want to snuggle him!

HE- He is seeing Dr. Osland at the Via-Christi Clinic (used to be Wichita Clinic) out at Founder's Circle

Tweety- I'm glad you are enjoying your babies. Keep taking pics because they grow like weeds!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Whew, I've been gone all day!

TntBlake, so sorry about your son and I hope you have resolution that you both can live with. But I will be praying for him!

Tweety, I love the pictures of your new babies! They are adorable! I LOVE chicks!!!! My internet tonight is totally acting up, or I would be watching the videos. I'll try tomorrow. I think this wind might have knocked our dish out of alignment. Hold them all the time! Hold your ducks too-- the more you hold them, the less squealy they will be and settle down. I used to just carry my chicks around with me in the house. The great thing was-- I have 3 kids, so I'd set them down each with a chick. So everyone got held. Now it's really paying off-- I have really friendly and happy chickens.

HEchicken-- makes me cringe to think of all the pain your DD is in and the hard work she is doing on PT. Poor girl.

Danz- LOVE that picture of Chopper. For some reason I was picturing him as a yellow duck, not a grey! What a surprise! Now I can put a face to the antics. If you are handy with a sewing machine, they have free duck/chicken diaper tutorials. I would have to hunt them down, but maybe I could make you a diaper. I have the PUL fabric (laminated on one side) and so it wouldn't leak. I can't search tonight-- my internet is going crazy. But if you find one before I do, shoot me the link. I know I saw them before a while back. (I'd do it for free since I really like your little indoor duck) Sounds like you got a LOT done on your cutting!!! That is great!!!

Karen- love the bath story! Zorro got a bath (my silkie cockerel) and he enjoyed the blow dry much more than the bath. He really relaxed and walked around into the warm air and held out his wings to get under them.

Pikeman-- hope the littles are feeling better!!

Renee- hope YOU are feeling better now? Do you have any coop projects planned for this Spring? I want to see if you do! You are so creative with the materials you use! I'd love it if you took some pics of the other coops or set ups you have.

Okay-- I got zero done on my little coop today. The wind was INSANE. I just didn't feel like eating wood chips or having them flung in my eyes. Even though I always wear eye protection at all times when I work on it, whenever the wind blows, it seems I always manage to get chips in my eyes from my circular saw. I just wasn't up to it. Sigh. But I really need that roof on-- it's pretty much the last thing to do now.

 

[Trish44]

tnt, prayers for your son coming your way, it's always hard to see your child hurting. Hopefully they will have some good treatment for the condition, they can do so much these days.

Danz, that duck is growing by leaps & bounds, I think you have your hands full with him. Have you sent the last of the pups to their new homes yet?

tweety, those are some cuties! I can't wait to get mine, enjoy them while they're so little they grow so fast.

Hawkeye, yes the wind was totally insane today. We finally got down to my friend's house in Ark City to pick up my rabbit hutches I had bought from her. She had them sort of disassembled before we got there, but we went ahead & took them all the way apart so that the cage part & the wood nest part were separate pieces. It sure made it easier to load it all in the back of the truck & much lighter to lift too. We had to tie it all down so the wind wouldn't blow it to kingdom come on the highway coming back. She had gotten some baby chicks too, so I got to oogle her chicks while I was there, I'm getting my chick fix through other people until mine come.

Well for those of you that know I've been looking for Mini Rex rabbits, I found some today, I'm so excited! There is a rabbitry close to Springfield, MO where we go to see DH's family every couple months. I had been in contact with this lady before, but she contacted me today to see if I was interested in 3 does she has. It turns out the black doe has 5-2 wk old babies right now, which I will get along with the momma, there is a black otter doe that could be bred, & a blue otter doe. Danz, remember I told you I really wanted the otter colors, well now I will have two! The blue otter doe will go perfect with that little blue buck I got. Now I have to make cage space, so I'm selling 3 of my other rabbits to make room for these. I hated to, but I just don't have enough room for these plus all the ones I already have. We may be going down there this weekend, I'm not sure yet, but I'm so excited!

 

[JosieChick]

Tweety-Love, love, love those baby names!

Danz-Chopper is adorable!

Hi to everyone else! So sorry to hear of unwell kiddos, sending good thoughts your way for everyone's children.