Fugly Farm

[Shadrach]

Confirmed with the kid the bunnies will move to his place next weekend. He’s getting their indoor pen as well as I no longer have space for it with the fruit trees.

I’m really hating the idea of putting a run in the small yard. Our biggest issue is that the pigeons can eat which is really what keeps them coming back. Another user here found this site

https://revolutionarychicken.com/shop/

with what is supposed to be a mouse proof, pigeon proof feeder. From what I can see the feeding port is too deep for the pigeons to eat and they won’t be able to reach the feed with the hood on there. You can purchase the feeder or just the ports to build your own. I’m also going to try two styles of water cups this summer. I ordered one set already that requires the birds to peck a lever so the cups fill with water. I’ll order the second set that fills when the bowl is empty next weekend. Bought a couple of two gallon buckets today for this project.

I have tried deep tube feeders. What happend was the chickens still picked bits out and dropped them on the ground. Of course, the rats showed up, climbed onto the tube and hung upside down to get at the food.
In the end I just waited when I fed them and picked up any spilled feed and the feed trays. The rat population dropped like a stone. No easy food and they had to go out at night and the owls got lots of them. Once the main breeding female rat is gone the problem becomes a lot easier to deal with.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have tried deep tube feeders. What happend was the chickens still picked bits out and dropped them on the ground. Of course, the rats showed up, climbed onto the tube and hung upside down to get at the food.
In the end I just waited when I fed them and picked up any spilled feed and the feed trays. The rat population dropped like a stone. No easy food and they had to go out at night and the owls got lots of them. Once the main breeding female rat is gone the problem becomes a lot easier to deal with.

I pick up feed at night, but it’s not rats that I am having issues with. Well, flying rats I guess, pigeons. They have managed to get into every feeder I’ve used so this is a last resort before I have to build a run, which I do not want to do. I realize everyone is screaming about avian influenza but I feel like locking the flock up is not really to their benefit. What I really need to do is eliminate what draws the wild birds here which is access to food.

 

[igorsMistress]

Even when she’s sleeping she’s ready to play ball

 

[igorsMistress]

Water cups are here, the new feeder should be here tomorrow. I am so ready for it to get here. Will hold 37 lbs of food, so not quite a full bag. Hubs will do the water buckets for me over the weekend. Bunnies are coming in today, that boy better not leave me hanging or I’m going to wring his neck.

I’m all set for indoor projects this summer. I have a storage chest in the living room I’m going to stain black, then decoupage the top with antique map tissue paper. Second project is the stools at the bar in the kitchen. They’re getting white legs and black seats with big red lips decoupaged to the top. Third project is undetermined, but I have some paper napkins with a small floral print that I need to do something with.

 

[janiedoe]

Water cups are here, the new feeder should be here tomorrow. I am so ready for it to get here. Will hold 37 lbs of food, so not quite a full bag. Hubs will do the water buckets for me over the weekend. Bunnies are coming in today, that boy better not leave me hanging or I’m going to wring his neck.

I’m all set for indoor projects this summer. I have a storage chest in the living room I’m going to stain black, then decoupage the top with antique map tissue paper. Second project is the stools at the bar in the kitchen. They’re getting white legs and black seats with big red lips decoupaged to the top. Third project is undetermined, but I have some paper napkins with a small floral print that I need to do something with.

Your projects sound interesting. I hope you post plenty of pictures.

 

[janiedoe]

IM, look at this homely chick. You started me on the naked necks. This is the first backyard mix I've gotten with a naked neck hen.
He is so ugly/cute. He has easter egger/orpington from gramps, & brahma from grandmother. He comes from big stock, and has feathered shanks. I can't wait to see how he grows out.
If he's a male, I'll name him Igor

 

[igorsMistress]

IM, look at this homely chick. You started me on the naked necks. This is the first backyard mix I've gotten with a naked neck hen.
He is so ugly/cute. He has easter egger/orpington from gramps, & brahma from grandmother. He comes from big stock, and has feathered shanks. I can't wait to see how he grows out.
If he's a male, I'll name him Igor
View attachment 3141580

Awe, look at that cute baby!! Thanks for sharing Janie. I didn’t know you have Nn, but you’re right, they’re ugly/cute. Once they dry and fluff they’re the cutest chicks though. I’ll have to tell hubs about the name

 

[igorsMistress]

https://yourvalley.net/stories/avia...nestling-cormorants-in-scottsdale-park,307269

That’s just peachy

From what I’ve read HPAI has trouble surviving in high heat so I guess our temps can be a blessing. New feeder should be here today.

 

[igorsMistress]

New feeder

 

[janiedoe]

IM, here's an updated pic of little Igor. I think he is going to be quite handsome.

He is pretty diverse. He has a little brahma fuzz on his legs and feet. He also seems to have a little easter egger muff, along with his naked neck boa. I'll bet he'll be a ladies man.