Jest Another Day in Pear-A-Dice - Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm in Alberta

[CanuckBock]

All those numbered eggs, make me think of the lottery balls.

Then you shall love this one...picture it...

Tranquil, not too hot, not too cold, iced tea, comfy lawn chair, chores are done, nothing but time on yer hands...them dog days of summer. Fixins flopped out, she's been run and she's content...

July 24, 2014​

What to do, sit back and mark up me hatchy eggers...AH...summer...hatching, fuzz butts, yeh...good times, good memories...need to be doing that once again, eh!

I am Curious Tara... does Buster have egg trays that tilt? several times per 24 hour period.

Oh and I love your visual comparison store bought vs home grown

deb

Yuppers...Buster does the limbo...how often, dang, I forget...but yeh, it would be maybe once an hour ever hour...mimics the mom adjusting her eggers.

June 12, 2012​

And one mustn't forget the other good man in my poultry endeavours...

Stan the Man!

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Stanley the Stainless...he broods what Buster belches out for me. He began life as a sports therapy tub for humans but he found himself a good home here when that business went bust.

July 24, 2014​

Note the marbles in the water...note how the chick bunches are evenly distributed about...all are happy; eat, drink, be merry, and poo!

Oct 26, 2011​

Some of my Chantecler project birds...again, happy well distributed grouping of growing birds. No marbles required at this age...they are less likely to end up in the drink.



And Deb...I am ALWAYS ecstatic to show off how much BETTER our homegrown foods are than the store boughts. We tend to forget what REAL food tasted like and often chalk it up to getting old and taste buds dulling...HA!

What we might pour in as higher input costs, we harvest in much more valuable an end product. Delicious, sustainable, and fun. Winners all round.

Here's another angle on those same eggs...store bought Omega 3's at the top and our Chant eggs on the bottom.
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I usually ask people to guess which is store bought and which are ours...hee hee.

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For my son's wedding, did up my first smoked turkey breast, home grown bird of course!

Buff Heritage hen egg​

There is also the eggs from heritage turks...the girls lay and lay and lay...

Heritage turkey eggs are beautiful and BIG...great for eating!​

And compared to commercial whites...lookit the colours...

Feb 15, 2015 - Nothing boring looking about these girls​

And them turkey feathers...

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I have been offered twenty dollars for one feather from some of these breeds of turks.


And the girls...make the MOST FAB moms...

This is Blue Belle...sorry about the raggy tail but she is more interested in her eggs than keeping herself looking nice.
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She is a fierce protective Momma...awesome indeed!

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This is Fixins being Turkey Leader...the young turks followed her everywhere! ​

Our first heritage turkeys from 2008 and lots of these birds are still alive today...Black Bart, Louise, LoREDa, Lily, Gerry...I wanted birds that lived long lives and got old and they do.


You probably seen this visual of three pics of our own breeder stock as one day olds compared to hatchery four day olds...bantam Dark Brahma chooks

4 day old hatchery on left, one day old on right​

hatchery 4 day olds on left / our one day old breeder birds on right


one day old breeder bird on left / four day old hatchery bird on right
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I enjoy posting photos that compare things so people can see with their own eyes why lots of us do what we do and keeping on doing what we do! Don't take my word on it...SEE IT for yourself!

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[drumstick diva]

Aw I never knew Fixins had been a "turkey tutor," as well. They chose wisely to follow her.

 

[CanuckBock]

Aw I never knew Fixins had been a "turkey tutor," as well. They chose wisely to follow her.

The turks loved her.

Chased her...

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This and the other pic of Fixins is on my website turkey page...with the caption:

Sep 14, 2014 - transferring day old poults, but not before Fixins inspected them-"welcome to the flock!"​

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Yeh, turkeys are kinda ugly with their bald heads and funny ways...but they are so ugly, they are CUTE!

Hang out too long in a turkey pen and before you know it, you're getting inspected...
"Is that a boot...why is it partially white...need me to beak that off you?" ​

And curious...so curious is what the heritage birds are, that they can get into heaps of trouble if you don't look after them and keep them from harm. If I let them see my shiny buttons on my chore coats...they try to steal them...can get several hens pulling on the shinies...they LUV shinies and want some of their very own.

Turkeys want to learn and dive into situations where maybe wiser birds would have feared to tread. I always keep an ear out when they are out roaming for that popcorn popping sound the hens make...that's part of a distress call...that and turkey forlorn calls..."Help me! HELP! Now I done it! HELP?!!"

Roy D. Crawford (1984):

Good ol' Canuck Uncle Roy...he's right on the money...turkeys of the heritage type are indeed needing our attentions but sadly...

Carolyn Christman:

People who raise rare turkeys are a rare breed themselves.​

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Fixins loved the babies...even the ducklings had to be inspected. I would stop after transferring them from Buster, put them down so she could have a sniff and a look...then off to the Duece Coop for brooding.

July 20, 2014 - Duck inspector​

All the birds knew to obey the dogs...watchers of the sky for winged vermin that wanted to swoop down and have delicious dinner.

Summer of 2013 - Imported two unrelated pens and Fixins joined me in enjoying them in quarantine​

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Man that was some summer...summer of the Swanny gals...the first day I clicked a thousand photos...too cuteness.

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And like all the birds and beasts here...they soon learned that Fixins was not a threat...tho she often smooshed it in their faces..."This be me...and I do as I wanna!"

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I remember turning around when I was fencing a shelterbelt to this sight...the two girls had followed the dogs and I down..."Whatcha doing and do we need to partake?"

Hilarious!

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[CanuckBock]

I remember clearing out the runs in the Duece Coop...birds everywhere in the bird yard and suddenly...

Fixins let out the commanding BARK! And the birds all moved back and let her stand there on patrol.

There was a raven circling the area and the BAD BIRDY had been spotted by eagle eyes. She was beside herself that something that bad was in her domain and threatening her property!

July 9, 2014 - Fixins has just had a belly bath...her undersides are wetted to cool her off. ​

 

[perchie.girl]

Love that BAD BIRDY

deb

 

[CanuckBock]

Love that BAD BIRDY

deb

Always happy to make you laugh!

Guess I am gonna post some pics of all our rides...Rick and I enable each other and I partake as I am able in the vintage vehicles that is HIS hobby that I adore he has!

Redneckers all the way...move the snow and find another truck...tee hee hee...

Let' see...start with the oldest I suppose.

First 1928 one ton Chev...used in the movie Bye Bye Blues



Second 1928 one ton Chev ​

Purdy kewl trucks...

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Lots of interesting aspects...engines are babbetted in lead...Rick redid the fuel system...the shiny black canister...

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The rad covers (hood ornaments) are rather snazzy in lots of these old vehicles. We ordered reproductions for the Maple Leafs...seahorses and had to wait...wait for NINE MONTHS for them to be cast...yikes! I guess they had to get enough orders together to be bothered.

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The headlights on these '28's are innovative...see at one time the glass would be beveled so when you busted the glass in the headlight...it was expensive to replace...so they beveled (and silvered...costly to have them redone...hundreds to do!) the headlight reflectors so you use just regular glass in the headlamps...kewl!

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Wooden wheels...the '28's are the only wooden wheeled trucks we own.

Rick had the metal rims powder coated to preserve the metal--gonna last our lifetimes, eh​

The whole refurbishing of wooden wheels is a skilful hobby unto itself...a fella that also does wooden airplane propellers did up a set for us. Pretty and cost us a thousand dollars to have done...nothing cheap about these resto's!

So we figured the 1928 one tons could be the service truck fleet for the Maple Leafs...and this clearvision...our fuel pump for them all?

1925 Clear Vision Visible fuel pump
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Round about the right year for the 1928 one tons, eh!

Bought these for the fuel pump

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Next up...our very first interest in the vintage vehicles... the Chev Maple Leafs...the Canadian trucks!

Built by McLaughlin for us Canuck farmer types to have a really really classy ride.

Our first...

1936 Chev Maple Leaf - 2 to 2.5 ton​

Why the Maple Leafs...because both Rick and I kept driving by this unit for sale and all we could see WAS this when we lookit them Leafs...<<oh heaven help us!>>

Silly silly, eh!

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Our second...

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Our third...

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Our fourth...parts truck and I got to go on this trip to get her...was fabulous fun!

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Our fifth...love the wig wag for signalling!

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Our sixth...mine--ALL MINE! My Leaf...can you visualize Rick and I racing to town in one of each--flat out at 50 kilometers...blocking traffic on a run for the ice cream??

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In restorations, y'all do know you need THREE trucks to make ONE good one, eh?

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So line some of them up on the lawn to be really, really REDNECK

Even got a vintage Shasta Travel Trailer...1972 one I believe...

With most all the trucks...over the years, we have personalize license plates for the front...

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Rick's big bolt page...

www.stovebolt.com/gallery/higgins_mapleleaf.html


Now on to the 80's--all four wheel drives...living in the 80's

In May of last year...bought the oldest of the 1980's...Our first Suburban...the SUMMER Sub

1980 Chev Suburban 4x4 - loaded and low miled​

In December of last year...bought the second Suburban...the WINTER Sub

1988 Chev Suburban 4x4 - was bought from the factory as a stand by ambulance--another low miled truck​

Rick is working on this unit right now...got the sides painted, in the works to undercoat it...got all sorts of things to put on her...running boards, mud flaps, hood deflectors...lights, yadda yadda yadda ... this is Rick's current WIP (work in progress).

1984 Chev 3/4 ton 4x4​

Birthday present for Ricky's 49th birthday from moi ...she was not this nice when he got her by any means...old farm truck but he's had her repainted and pimped her out to suit his own personal tastes!

1989 one ton Chev 4x4​

Next Rick bought this truck as a cab and chassis and married her to a flat bed...put on a big extra fuel tank and winch...she's our Boo workin' truck

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Hooked to the 22 foot trailer, she hauls my feed, seed and bedding all home to Pear-A-Dice. Lil' BOO truck that works so well!

the smaller trailer - 14 foot
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The boo truck is most useful...even hauls in the tractor in for services--freedom to do as we please in so many aspects.

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Bought the Kabota tractor (nfi) because well, they don't make this brand of tractor no more's...

Would have been perfect for RICK, eh!
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Can you hear the therapeutic swearing..."FRICKin' tractor..."

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The Parking Building was completed last year...and filled to capacity purdy quickly...

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So that be that about things on wheels here...popin' a wheely...tee hee...

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[perchie.girl]

They still make those wheels with the wooden spokes. I priced them out when I was considering building a horse drawn vehicle. http://www.calimerswheelshop.com/

I love powder coating Its a marvelous long wearing surface. Dosent take to being flexed well.

deb

 

[CanuckBock]

They still make those wheels with the wooden spokes. I priced them out when I was considering building a horse drawn vehicle. http://www.calimerswheelshop.com/

I love powder coating Its a marvelous long wearing surface. Dosent take to being flexed well.

deb

Taking the metal parts in on the '28 wheels for powder coating was the last truck trip we made with Makins...the guys at the powder coating outfit came out and gave her pets...she was not well but she loved the last ride in a pickup. The green wheels have alot of good memories invested in them. A real family affair in all this silly stuff.

Found an image of the seahorse...ours are packed away safely right now.

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Snazzy and we have TWO of them -- one for each of the planned to be restored 1936 Maple Leaf trucks.

 

[CanuckBock]

Heel low:

Got a lovely crock fulla pork ribs and BQ sauce...let it steep and cook all day and enjoy how delish it will be tonight. Cheating cooking...cut ribs, dump in crock, slather and let time pass! Num

Girls have been EXTRA cute...Rick plowed up the snows we just got and made the girls a "king of the castle--dirty rascal" type mound of snow...mountain of snow topped with a flat top for the girls to perch upon...near level with my head. I will attempt to get clicks of them playing on it...hilarious.

Here are some before the mountain of snow was made...for laughing at of course...

The contortions these two manage...must be YOUNG because I know my head would snap off my neck if I got twisted sister like this!​

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There was a small bump of snow with a bit of a depression in it. Course the girls used it for all it was worth...

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Lacy used it to slide the Emmest into it and chomp her in because basically once IN the depression, not too good of leverage to get out.

Here's some pics from Jan 22...

Skies were gorgeous...more snow was in them to fall​

So cute...got a blue and a red kong (nfi) and the girls love tugging and running with them

Hunting each other...old hack


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Emmy doing the HI YAH Miss Piggy karate chop and Lace knows it never ends nicely....

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Recipient of MP karate chop gives a counter move of her own...

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And the chase is ON...

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Snarling Lacy on top of the wooden crate...bow-wowing Emmy screeches to a sliding halt...hard to remember but they both once upon a time could fit UNDER that opening in the crate where the board is missing...not no more's!

Ripping after each other

Can you feel them burning up energies?

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And the funnest part...after all this...they can do it...do it all over again the NEXT DAY and the NEXT and the NEXT!

January 24, 2016 - that day was just as funny but SUNNY

And we chose to use a red and a blue jolly ball (nfi) to play with...

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Same participants...same game...

Glory be funning it!

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Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

 

[Teila]

Hey Tara .. today [26th] is Australia Day and I know a couple of beautiful little Aussies who deserve a hug; please give them one from me