Well, I just got a call from DH. He's headed home ... with our nephew. Looks like we have a guest again.
Consolidated Kansas
- Thread starter ChooksChick
- Start date
Tonya, so sorry about your daughter but glad they were able to stop the contractions. I hope the rest of her pregnancy is worry-free once you get through this bump in the road.
rvroman, I've only had one migraine in my life but was so miserable I couldn't even open my eyes, let alone get out of bed and function so I sympathize, and hope you are feeling better by now.
To everyone else, waaaaahhhh I am so sorry I missed out on meeting you today. I did get to stop by Karen's at the end of the day but it was hours after everyone had left and I would have SO liked to meet you all.
Initially I thought I might not be able to go due to being out of town on an all-day trail ride. My horse threw a shoe and I couldn't do that but then a family friend, who is helping me build my coop called and said this was the only day this week he would be able to help. As our moving day is in a couple of weeks, I really have to get the coop ready to be inhabited, so duty called and I had to take his help while I could get it. This is such a big building that there is no way one person could do it alone.
Anyway, my day started with a stop at Lowes to get more lumber. Tweety, I think you said once you drive a PT Cruiser. Well, so do I and I just LOVE my car. It sometimes feels there is nothing I can't get in it but I tested that this morning. Try to picture this: I had 4 lengths of 14' 2x4's, 10 lengths of 12' 2x4 and 16 lengths of 8' 2x4s. So I started by feeding the 14-footers in through the passenger window until they hit the hatch door. They only stuck out, oh, about 6 feet, and no, I didn't have anything red to tie to them. I also realized there was not going to be enough room to put 10 12-footers in on top of them, so I opened up the back and fed those up onto the dash. They hung a few feet out the back. The 8-footers were easy after that - I just slipped them in wherever I could. Still, 16 of them take up a lot of space. I also had two 45-lb dogs with me. One had got on the floorboards in front of the passenger seat and was now trapped there. The other I told to get in the back. There was a space for her if she would lie down. She refused. So I had to pick her up and put her in and she was not very happy about it. I then got some twine from Lowes and tied the door down but it was open a couple of feet with lumber out the back, as well as the 14-footers hanging out the front window.
So down the road I go, and get stopped by a light. I hear the dog in the back moving around and then there she is - in the middle of a busy intersection. I try to grab the handbrake but can't get to it because its covered by lumber so instead I put it in gear, turn off the engine, and jump out to retrieve the dog. Put her back in the car, to the amusement of the car behind me. Or perhaps it was annoyance because by now the light was green and they were stuck there while I dealt with the dog. Keep driving, and fortunately got the next light green. Get to the next one and its red. Sit there a minute, hear a suspicious sound and there she is again. Utter a few words not fit for a family-friendly forum, and repeat putting the car in gear, turning off the engine, jumping out and grabbing the dog. She again refuses to get in, so I pick her up and I'm trying to stuff her in the back of the car when I realize the car is rolling. Darn. Was in such a hurry I didn't get the car in gear after all. So now I'm chasing the car, carrying a 45lb dog I'm still trying to stuff into a small hole in the back of the car. The car is in the middle of the intersection when I finally throw myself in the driver's seat, start the engine and continue on. For the rest of the trip, every time I use the brake I also tell the dog to "STAY". I've never been more glad to arrive at a destination. My helper was already there and he burst out laughing when he saw the car. He took a photo - I'll have to ask him to send it to me, and if he does, I'll share it.
Anyway, after unloading said car, we got to work and I'm happy with our progress even as I am completely exhausted. Hopefully I can remember what all we did:
1. Framed the second door
2. Framed the two windows
3. Installed the top tie plates
4. Built the rafters
5. Stopped for lunch
6. Installed the rafters
7. Discussed the game plan for the next day he can help me, which isn't until next week.
8. Called it quits for the day.
Well, now that I've written it out, it actually doesn't sound like that much but its so easy to say "installed the rafters" when in fact installing multiple rafters, moving step ladders, toe-nailing, nailing, and so on all takes quite a bit of time. Anyway, here is a progress pic. There are a few things I can do on my own in the next few days and then when I have my helper back, I'll be able to get another big chunk bitten out of it, I hope.
rvroman, I've only had one migraine in my life but was so miserable I couldn't even open my eyes, let alone get out of bed and function so I sympathize, and hope you are feeling better by now.
To everyone else, waaaaahhhh I am so sorry I missed out on meeting you today. I did get to stop by Karen's at the end of the day but it was hours after everyone had left and I would have SO liked to meet you all.
Initially I thought I might not be able to go due to being out of town on an all-day trail ride. My horse threw a shoe and I couldn't do that but then a family friend, who is helping me build my coop called and said this was the only day this week he would be able to help. As our moving day is in a couple of weeks, I really have to get the coop ready to be inhabited, so duty called and I had to take his help while I could get it. This is such a big building that there is no way one person could do it alone.
Anyway, my day started with a stop at Lowes to get more lumber. Tweety, I think you said once you drive a PT Cruiser. Well, so do I and I just LOVE my car. It sometimes feels there is nothing I can't get in it but I tested that this morning. Try to picture this: I had 4 lengths of 14' 2x4's, 10 lengths of 12' 2x4 and 16 lengths of 8' 2x4s. So I started by feeding the 14-footers in through the passenger window until they hit the hatch door. They only stuck out, oh, about 6 feet, and no, I didn't have anything red to tie to them. I also realized there was not going to be enough room to put 10 12-footers in on top of them, so I opened up the back and fed those up onto the dash. They hung a few feet out the back. The 8-footers were easy after that - I just slipped them in wherever I could. Still, 16 of them take up a lot of space. I also had two 45-lb dogs with me. One had got on the floorboards in front of the passenger seat and was now trapped there. The other I told to get in the back. There was a space for her if she would lie down. She refused. So I had to pick her up and put her in and she was not very happy about it. I then got some twine from Lowes and tied the door down but it was open a couple of feet with lumber out the back, as well as the 14-footers hanging out the front window.
So down the road I go, and get stopped by a light. I hear the dog in the back moving around and then there she is - in the middle of a busy intersection. I try to grab the handbrake but can't get to it because its covered by lumber so instead I put it in gear, turn off the engine, and jump out to retrieve the dog. Put her back in the car, to the amusement of the car behind me. Or perhaps it was annoyance because by now the light was green and they were stuck there while I dealt with the dog. Keep driving, and fortunately got the next light green. Get to the next one and its red. Sit there a minute, hear a suspicious sound and there she is again. Utter a few words not fit for a family-friendly forum, and repeat putting the car in gear, turning off the engine, jumping out and grabbing the dog. She again refuses to get in, so I pick her up and I'm trying to stuff her in the back of the car when I realize the car is rolling. Darn. Was in such a hurry I didn't get the car in gear after all. So now I'm chasing the car, carrying a 45lb dog I'm still trying to stuff into a small hole in the back of the car. The car is in the middle of the intersection when I finally throw myself in the driver's seat, start the engine and continue on. For the rest of the trip, every time I use the brake I also tell the dog to "STAY". I've never been more glad to arrive at a destination. My helper was already there and he burst out laughing when he saw the car. He took a photo - I'll have to ask him to send it to me, and if he does, I'll share it.
Anyway, after unloading said car, we got to work and I'm happy with our progress even as I am completely exhausted. Hopefully I can remember what all we did:
1. Framed the second door
2. Framed the two windows
3. Installed the top tie plates
4. Built the rafters
5. Stopped for lunch
6. Installed the rafters
7. Discussed the game plan for the next day he can help me, which isn't until next week.
8. Called it quits for the day.
Well, now that I've written it out, it actually doesn't sound like that much but its so easy to say "installed the rafters" when in fact installing multiple rafters, moving step ladders, toe-nailing, nailing, and so on all takes quite a bit of time. Anyway, here is a progress pic. There are a few things I can do on my own in the next few days and then when I have my helper back, I'll be able to get another big chunk bitten out of it, I hope.
Got home from a long 12 hour day at work. Sitting in the backyard next to the fire with my laptop catching up on all the posts. Reflecting back on 2 chicken related events of my day. First, I was able to finally confirm this morning which of my birds has been crowing. Definitely one of my BA's. Was changing out their water this morning & he was crowing away. He officially has a name now too: Rupert. Seemed appropriate anyway. Will be looking for a home for him in the near future. If anyone's interested in him for something other than dinner just send me a PM.
Other event of the day was the phone call I received from my teenage daughter around 4:30 this afternoon. "Daddy...One of your birds is jacked up! I think it broke it's neck." I asked which bird it was and, of course, it had to be Buffy, my 6 week old buff orphington that just loves attention, loves to be petted, loves to be held. The only one of my birds that really does. So I asked a bunch of questions knowing it would be a while before I would be home. Got home at 8:00 & went down to check on Buffy. Sure enough. She was laying in the brooder box with her head tipped back staring at the ceiling. I picked her up & started to check her out. Nothing seemed to be broken. She could still move her head around although she acted like it was made of rubber. So, I grabbed the laptop & checked the BYC forums. After 1 search I think I found the problem. Sounds like Buffy has wry neck. Anyone had an experience with that? Everything I've read so far says it's a vitamin deficiency that can be treated with Poly-vi-Sol (or something like that). Any ideas where I can get it? Heard it's pretty expensive. Also read where it's something they probably won't ever be cured of because it's genetic & that I should just put her down. Hate to do that if it's treatable especially since she's the most loving of all my birds. Not really sure what to do. I am going to separate her from the other birds just in case she has something else. Any thoughts from the experts?
Appreciate the advice.
Thanks
David
Other event of the day was the phone call I received from my teenage daughter around 4:30 this afternoon. "Daddy...One of your birds is jacked up! I think it broke it's neck." I asked which bird it was and, of course, it had to be Buffy, my 6 week old buff orphington that just loves attention, loves to be petted, loves to be held. The only one of my birds that really does. So I asked a bunch of questions knowing it would be a while before I would be home. Got home at 8:00 & went down to check on Buffy. Sure enough. She was laying in the brooder box with her head tipped back staring at the ceiling. I picked her up & started to check her out. Nothing seemed to be broken. She could still move her head around although she acted like it was made of rubber. So, I grabbed the laptop & checked the BYC forums. After 1 search I think I found the problem. Sounds like Buffy has wry neck. Anyone had an experience with that? Everything I've read so far says it's a vitamin deficiency that can be treated with Poly-vi-Sol (or something like that). Any ideas where I can get it? Heard it's pretty expensive. Also read where it's something they probably won't ever be cured of because it's genetic & that I should just put her down. Hate to do that if it's treatable especially since she's the most loving of all my birds. Not really sure what to do. I am going to separate her from the other birds just in case she has something else. Any thoughts from the experts?
Appreciate the advice.
Thanks
David
Certainly not an expert and have never even had a bird with wry neck, but I think Poly-Vi-Sol is available in the pharmacy section at Dillons. If it has different varieties, I know you want the one without iron.
Sorry to hear about this issue - why is it always the birds that mean the most to us that have problems?
Sorry to hear about this issue - why is it always the birds that mean the most to us that have problems?
Thank you so much for your story. I really needed that laugh today. Really badly. You had me literally laughing out loud while my dog looked at me like I was crazy!Tonya, so sorry about your daughter but glad they were able to stop the contractions. I hope the rest of her pregnancy is worry-free once you get through this bump in the road.
rvroman, I've only had one migraine in my life but was so miserable I couldn't even open my eyes, let alone get out of bed and function so I sympathize, and hope you are feeling better by now.
To everyone else, waaaaahhhh I am so sorry I missed out on meeting you today. I did get to stop by Karen's at the end of the day but it was hours after everyone had left and I would have SO liked to meet you all.
Initially I thought I might not be able to go due to being out of town on an all-day trail ride. My horse threw a shoe and I couldn't do that but then a family friend, who is helping me build my coop called and said this was the only day this week he would be able to help. As our moving day is in a couple of weeks, I really have to get the coop ready to be inhabited, so duty called and I had to take his help while I could get it. This is such a big building that there is no way one person could do it alone.
Anyway, my day started with a stop at Lowes to get more lumber. Tweety, I think you said once you drive a PT Cruiser. Well, so do I and I just LOVE my car. It sometimes feels there is nothing I can't get in it but I tested that this morning. Try to picture this: I had 4 lengths of 14' 2x4's, 10 lengths of 12' 2x4 and 16 lengths of 8' 2x4s. So I started by feeding the 14-footers in through the passenger window until they hit the hatch door. They only stuck out, oh, about 6 feet, and no, I didn't have anything red to tie to them. I also realized there was not going to be enough room to put 10 12-footers in on top of them, so I opened up the back and fed those up onto the dash. They hung a few feet out the back. The 8-footers were easy after that - I just slipped them in wherever I could. Still, 16 of them take up a lot of space. I also had two 45-lb dogs with me. One had got on the floorboards in front of the passenger seat and was now trapped there. The other I told to get in the back. There was a space for her if she would lie down. She refused. So I had to pick her up and put her in and she was not very happy about it. I then got some twine from Lowes and tied the door down but it was open a couple of feet with lumber out the back, as well as the 14-footers hanging out the front window.
So down the road I go, and get stopped by a light. I hear the dog in the back moving around and then there she is - in the middle of a busy intersection. I try to grab the handbrake but can't get to it because its covered by lumber so instead I put it in gear, turn off the engine, and jump out to retrieve the dog. Put her back in the car, to the amusement of the car behind me. Or perhaps it was annoyance because by now the light was green and they were stuck there while I dealt with the dog. Keep driving, and fortunately got the next light green. Get to the next one and its red. Sit there a minute, hear a suspicious sound and there she is again. Utter a few words not fit for a family-friendly forum, and repeat putting the car in gear, turning off the engine, jumping out and grabbing the dog. She again refuses to get in, so I pick her up and I'm trying to stuff her in the back of the car when I realize the car is rolling. Darn. Was in such a hurry I didn't get the car in gear after all. So now I'm chasing the car, carrying a 45lb dog I'm still trying to stuff into a small hole in the back of the car. The car is in the middle of the intersection when I finally throw myself in the driver's seat, start the engine and continue on. For the rest of the trip, every time I use the brake I also tell the dog to "STAY". I've never been more glad to arrive at a destination. My helper was already there and he burst out laughing when he saw the car. He took a photo - I'll have to ask him to send it to me, and if he does, I'll share it.
Anyway, after unloading said car, we got to work and I'm happy with our progress even as I am completely exhausted. Hopefully I can remember what all we did:
1. Framed the second door
2. Framed the two windows
3. Installed the top tie plates
4. Built the rafters
5. Stopped for lunch
6. Installed the rafters
7. Discussed the game plan for the next day he can help me, which isn't until next week.
8. Called it quits for the day.
Well, now that I've written it out, it actually doesn't sound like that much but its so easy to say "installed the rafters" when in fact installing multiple rafters, moving step ladders, toe-nailing, nailing, and so on all takes quite a bit of time. Anyway, here is a progress pic. There are a few things I can do on my own in the next few days and then when I have my helper back, I'll be able to get another big chunk bitten out of it, I hope.
Those are the liquid vitamins you give a baby and should be in the pharmacy section. I think it is enfamil that makes the name brand but I bet there is a store brand of it.
Wow, I just finally got to sit down after getting home about 8:30, doing chores (Of course all of the animals were sitting there waiting on me for food & I was late), got the car unloaded from all of my shopping & buying feed & whatnot today. KarenS, it was so much fun to see your place, I love all of your pens & gardens & your pretty Aloha chicks. I think you must have the best kids in the world! I wish we could have met them all, but the ones we did meet were so very helpful. Are you sure you don't want to rent them out sometimes? I sure could use some help like that at my place! Thanks so much for having us all there today, it was great to meet people I hadn't met & see others again that I had. We have to do that again & hopefully more will be able to come. Just getting myself out of the house for awhile & among people who understand my chicken addiction is great! I'm not going to post another photo of us because I think they're all pretty much the same except for the one of the funny faces.
Well for those who were there today you all know that while trying to catch a couple of chicks to bring to someone today my little Black Spanish turkey flew out of the brooder along with one of my Ameraucana chicks & I was unable to catch them before I left to go to Karen's. I was really upset because after babying that turkey like I have I had no idea if I would come back & find it for one thing & if I did if I would find it alive. I was gone for so many hours that I figured they could be anywhere by that time. I got back & went into the garage to care for the remaining rabbits in there & the chicks in both brooders. I looked around & didn't see them anywhere or hear them making any sounds. There are just so many things in there that they could have gotten behind & trapped & I just didn't think I would see them again. I went ahead & finished all of my chores & went back in to look one more time before I drove my car in there. I don't know why I did it, but I just decided to move the container of rabbit feed & look around behind the row of rabbit cages. As I looked back there I thought I saw something dark sitting on the floor by the back edge of a cage. It was kind of dark back there & both birds are black, so I couldn't see very well, but as I climbed over things to get closer I saw that the little turkey & the little chick were cuddled up together back there just behind the cage. Oh it was the cutest thing! I wish I could have taken a picture of it. I had to just make a grab for them both at the same time because I figured if I missed they would run underneath the cages & I would never get them, but fortunately they were kind of dozing so they didn't move. The turkey seems to be fine & also seems to be glad to be back in with the other chicks. Whew, what a relief!
As I was doing chores tonight I was having quite a time with keeping my bigger chicks from coming out of the brooder, I almost lost another one or two. They're really getting good at flying & as soon as I can get this other rabbit hutch done I've got to get on building them a pen. They're not going to be able to be in this brooder much longer. I'm going to attempt something similar to what KarenS has done with pallets for a pen except I don't have nice dog houses like she does, those are great.
tnt, I did get your message this afternoon & I was sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope she's doing better. I had a very busy day & just never had the chance to send you a message back. I hope the rest of her pregnancy goes fine. I know that had to be scary & I don't blame you for not wanting to get very far away.
HeChicken, I'm sorry you didn't make it today, I was looking forward to meeting you, but I don't blame you for taking the help while you could get it. Your coop is coming along good it looks like, keep us up to date on progress. That sounded like quite an adventure with the wood & the dogs, geez it's a wonder you made it back! Nothing yet on the turkey egg front, I checked them when I got back & no progress yet, but they're not due to hatch for a couple days yet. Those sure are some cute little guineas you & Shotah got today. They're so cute when they're little like that, but as I said earlier, not so cute when they're grown. I do like their feathers, but I think they have the ugliest heads on a bird when they're grown. You will have some good bug eaters though after they're grown. I may try some again maybe next year, I just have way too much on my plate this year to take on another project.
Hawkeye, your kids are adorable & they were so good today! It was so nice to finally meet you in person. I feel like I know some of you after reading your posts every day, but it's nice to put a real face to the name.
Josie, it was also nice to meet you today.
Boy I'm just pooped out after this day, it was a lot of fun, but after shopping & all I'm just done for the night. Have a good night everyone, I'll see you tomorrow.
Well for those who were there today you all know that while trying to catch a couple of chicks to bring to someone today my little Black Spanish turkey flew out of the brooder along with one of my Ameraucana chicks & I was unable to catch them before I left to go to Karen's. I was really upset because after babying that turkey like I have I had no idea if I would come back & find it for one thing & if I did if I would find it alive. I was gone for so many hours that I figured they could be anywhere by that time. I got back & went into the garage to care for the remaining rabbits in there & the chicks in both brooders. I looked around & didn't see them anywhere or hear them making any sounds. There are just so many things in there that they could have gotten behind & trapped & I just didn't think I would see them again. I went ahead & finished all of my chores & went back in to look one more time before I drove my car in there. I don't know why I did it, but I just decided to move the container of rabbit feed & look around behind the row of rabbit cages. As I looked back there I thought I saw something dark sitting on the floor by the back edge of a cage. It was kind of dark back there & both birds are black, so I couldn't see very well, but as I climbed over things to get closer I saw that the little turkey & the little chick were cuddled up together back there just behind the cage. Oh it was the cutest thing! I wish I could have taken a picture of it. I had to just make a grab for them both at the same time because I figured if I missed they would run underneath the cages & I would never get them, but fortunately they were kind of dozing so they didn't move. The turkey seems to be fine & also seems to be glad to be back in with the other chicks. Whew, what a relief!
As I was doing chores tonight I was having quite a time with keeping my bigger chicks from coming out of the brooder, I almost lost another one or two. They're really getting good at flying & as soon as I can get this other rabbit hutch done I've got to get on building them a pen. They're not going to be able to be in this brooder much longer. I'm going to attempt something similar to what KarenS has done with pallets for a pen except I don't have nice dog houses like she does, those are great.
tnt, I did get your message this afternoon & I was sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope she's doing better. I had a very busy day & just never had the chance to send you a message back. I hope the rest of her pregnancy goes fine. I know that had to be scary & I don't blame you for not wanting to get very far away.
HeChicken, I'm sorry you didn't make it today, I was looking forward to meeting you, but I don't blame you for taking the help while you could get it. Your coop is coming along good it looks like, keep us up to date on progress. That sounded like quite an adventure with the wood & the dogs, geez it's a wonder you made it back! Nothing yet on the turkey egg front, I checked them when I got back & no progress yet, but they're not due to hatch for a couple days yet. Those sure are some cute little guineas you & Shotah got today. They're so cute when they're little like that, but as I said earlier, not so cute when they're grown. I do like their feathers, but I think they have the ugliest heads on a bird when they're grown. You will have some good bug eaters though after they're grown. I may try some again maybe next year, I just have way too much on my plate this year to take on another project.
Hawkeye, your kids are adorable & they were so good today! It was so nice to finally meet you in person. I feel like I know some of you after reading your posts every day, but it's nice to put a real face to the name.
Josie, it was also nice to meet you today.
Boy I'm just pooped out after this day, it was a lot of fun, but after shopping & all I'm just done for the night. Have a good night everyone, I'll see you tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice. I'll have to check out the pharmacy to see what they have. I had some sav-a-chick on hand so I mixed some up in their water for now to try & get some vitamins in them. One packet does a gallon so I mixed it up double strength & filled all my waterers for all the birds. Figured it wouldn't hurt to give it to all of them. I also isolated Buffy just in case it turns out to be something else. Don't think she likes being by herself either. She was making all kinds of noise when she was by herself. So I put one of the other chicks (golden buff comet) in with her & she quieted right down. These 2 always seem to hang around each other so hopefully Buffy won't feel as stressed out & alone.
Will try to keep everyone posted.
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