Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

I've got a broody in jail still. Was hoping to get more stuff done today but my oldest was home taking an AP exam and making me crazy. LOL!! I really wish they'd have let him take it at school but you could only ask for that if you have weak internet connection or require accommodations.

This weekend I am hoping to get a lot done. Planting, cleaning, haircuts for all 3 boys and the middle one needs new pants for graduation because he's flooding in everything he owns. Wonder if I can convince him to wear shorts under his cap and gown? LOL!!!But it's the first weekend I have no swim meets, no track meets, no water polo games and no nothing so it means I'll be doing all the stuff I can't do any other time.

 

[Faraday40]

I finally got my garden fence up. (Not completed but enough to keep chickens out. Probably need an overlapping bottom border to keep rabbits out.)

It's been a long, long process of removing, demolishing, and burning old fence. Chopping a few trees. Burning the branches. Then expanding & tilling soil. Pounding posts and today zip tied the wire. I still need to secure it better, but I needed something NOW so I could let the chickens out and prevent them from digging up the few plants I have.

Also on the list are some sizable flower beds that need weeding and planting. A friend gave me a bunch of perennials to try out, so tomorrow I hope to get some of those in the ground.

 

[jdragonwings]

I've been working on integrating our new chicks(6 weeks old) with the 11 week old ones. Tonight for the first time the babies were up on the roost just like their big sisters! They're so cute!

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Anyone have any cicadas yet?
I heard some areas cicadas have been affected by mold that eats the lower half of its body.

I am torn on having milk weed. It's fun to think they attract butterflies but not going to be any good if the chickens are out.

 

[Faraday40]

Anyone have any cicadas yet?
I heard some areas cicadas have been affected by mold that eats the lower half of its body.

I am torn on having milk weed. It's fun to think they attract butterflies but not going to be any good if the chickens are out.
View attachment 2681087

My chickens have never bothered with our milkweed. The kids raise some monarchs every year. We also plant dill for the swallowtails.

I don't think this is the big periodical cicada year for the Chicago area. There are always some that arrive a year or 2 early or late, but 2024 should be the big year for us. Maybe if you live close to Indiana, you may get some.

 

[Faraday40]

I'm inside for a short break to catch my breath. I was weeding a flower bed and heard a slight rustle. I figured it was a small bird or perhaps toad. Kept going. About 10 min later as I pulled a handful of vegetation, out ran a full sized rabbit - just inches from my hand. Made me jump. I always say that the rabbits here are tame enough to pet, but that doesn't mean I literally want to touch one.

I really need to teach my dog and orps how to chase the rabbits away!

 

[Molpet]

I'm inside for a short break to catch my breath. I was weeding a flower bed and heard a slight rustle. I figured it was a small bird or perhaps toad. Kept going. About 10 min later as I pulled a handful of vegetation, out ran a full sized rabbit - just inches from my hand. Made me jump. I always say that the rabbits here are tame enough to pet, but that doesn't mean I literally want to touch one.

I really need to teach my dog and orps how to chase the rabbits away!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25843/hasenpfeffer-rabbit-stew/

 

[Faraday40]

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25843/hasenpfeffer-rabbit-stew/

Perhaps. I also found a nest of bitty, blind ones. Either way, I must now wait for them to get bigger.

 

[Molpet]

Perhaps. I also found a nest of bitty, blind ones. Either way, I must now wait for them to get bigger.

Chicken feed at my place.
Actually I don't have many rabbits. A few up by the house. I don't mind them, but they stay out of the garden. Too many other places to be that are hidden.

 

[BReeder!]

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25843/hasenpfeffer-rabbit-stew/

I can bring you rabbits if you cook the stew. Lol. I'm nearly infested with rabbits here. I just found out yesterday that they frequently choose to live and nest under my neighbors deck. It's low to ground with just a few inches between the joists and the dirt so how did don't get under there to chase them out. Fortunately, he is rebuilding deck right now and says he's added a hc skirt buried into the ground all around the deck to keep things from getting under there. That's one less place for a bunch of rabbits. They will still breed in the bushes though that many neighbors have in their landscapes. I see rabbits nearly every day especially in the spring and summer and their tracks can be seen all winter.