Hurricane Advice

[Folly's place]

I have a squirrel story! A few years ago, Saturday morning, my DH got up and went to the bathroom. Our three house cats were there, staring at the john, lid down. DH lifts the lid and starts screaming (and he's not a screamer!) "Rat! rat!" WOW! Dogs come running, I leap up out of bed, and a small rodent type critter is running laps around our bedroom! It was a squirrel, soaking wet from being in the john, trying to find an exit. Two pit bull terriers, three cats, and me in hot pursuit!!! Fortunately, our bedroom opens to a deck outside, and out he went. None of our critters managed to get him, amazing.
You know how those vent stacks are supposed to be open? Not any more! Screened in is the only way! Mary

 

[Folly's place]

No video of our adventure, either! Mary

 

[RUNuts]

Son had one come in through the fireplace. Wife and kids screaming don't kill it!!!

I won't do the story justice because I don't remember it due to laughing. Anyway, 3 laps around the house. Under the couch and into the bedroom, finally took the comforter off the bed and trapped the squirrel in it long enough to stuff it in a laundry basket and take the whole mess outside. Lifted the comforter and out comes the squirrel and up the tree where it sat on a limb and barked.

I'm guessing it was laughing and saying "I got away!" Sometimes it seems as if these creatures are thrill seekers!

End result, new screen on the chimney. "Squirrel proof" - sounds like a challenge to me.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

How much will it set you back for the callout, and to replace the cut pipework, crooked chicken?

Not sure -- I have to wait for them to send the bill. I figure probably between $75 - $125.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Apparently, not many people mess with nurses. Too serious a business. Having said that, I've had a few rolling.

Had an inner ear infection turn BAD! When the redhead nurse asked the problem, I replied, I'm dizzy all the time. I think I'm turning blonde. How do you stop it?

The bottle blonde from the front desk walked back and wanted to know what I had against being blonde. I told her the dizziness and asked her how she handled it. She left laughing, too. Only time I had the receptionist come back to the exam room.

Even the doctor walked in laughing. "So, you're turning blonde?"

I love watching the Mississippi Kites! During migration time, I counted 8 in the skies. I hope they were looking for squirrels because the chickens were under the coop. They were talking back a forth for almost half an hour before the group drifted off. Very pretty. They were obviously hunting. Not like the geese going in a straight line to the marsh.

Laughed out loud again, can't wait for DH to get out of the shower so I cam read it to him (he is an RN also) Will tell blonde headed daughter tomorrow, she loves blonde jokes.
My understanding is that Mississippi Kites eat insects, with their favorite being cicadas, so I don't think your hens have too much to worry about. The usually circle as they hunt and tend to hunt in groups of three, very interesting birds. Just stay away from their nests or you will be back at the hospital for stitches. LOL

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I have a squirrel story! A few years ago, Saturday morning, my DH got up and went to the bathroom. Our three house cats were there, staring at the john, lid down. DH lifts the lid and starts screaming (and he's not a screamer!) "Rat! rat!" WOW! Dogs come running, I leap up out of bed, and a small rodent type critter is running laps around our bedroom! It was a squirrel, soaking wet from being in the john, trying to find an exit. Two pit bull terriers, three cats, and me in hot pursuit!!! Fortunately, our bedroom opens to a deck outside, and out he went. None of our critters managed to get him, amazing.
You know how those vent stacks are supposed to be open? Not any more! Screened in is the only way! Mary

Always a great story when your husband screams. LOL

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Son had one come in through the fireplace. Wife and kids screaming don't kill it!!!

I won't do the story justice because I don't remember it due to laughing. Anyway, 3 laps around the house. Under the couch and into the bedroom, finally took the comforter off the bed and trapped the squirrel in it long enough to stuff it in a laundry basket and take the whole mess outside. Lifted the comforter and out comes the squirrel and up the tree where it sat on a limb and barked.

I'm guessing it was laughing and saying "I got away!" Sometimes it seems as if these creatures are thrill seekers!

End result, new screen on the chimney. "Squirrel proof" - sounds like a challenge to me.

Truely makes you wonder if it is possible to squirrel proof anything! All these stories are great, haven't laughed this much in a while.

 

[RUNuts]

Well, we had a tree next door & I got a picture of what I think was a kite right before it dove on me & the chicks. Flared off before hitting the netting (or me)!

So I'm not sure on the insects.

Neighbor lost 2 chicks the first day they were in the coop to the local hawk. He was pissed. And then put up netting...

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Well, we had a tree next door & I got a picture of what I think was a kite right before it dove on me & the chicks. Flared off before hitting the netting (or me)!

So I'm not sure on the insects.

Neighbor lost 2 chicks the first day they were in the coop to the local hawk. He was pissed. And then put up netting...

Could be a Mississippi Kite, they tend to be kind of gray in color, with a forked tail. Hard to tell from the picture. We have a family (they mate for life) a few houses down in a tree in a vacant lot. We see them hunting alot, but they have never bothered adult chickens or biddies. They do dive for your head to protect their young.

 

[User395221]

and starts screaming (and he's not a screamer!) "Rat! rat!"

Sounds like a rerun of the rat episode on Fawlty Towers.