Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BY Bob]

So I’m a little sleep deprived this morning. I never sleep as well when Andrew is away, so I was up late, alone, in the deep dark of the barely moonlit night. And the chickens kept making very strange noises. Sounds like the ideal set up for a horror film... I know. It was after midnight when I finally managed to fix all the problems and we finally all got some sleep.

The CX didn’t take to outside or it being dark at night quite as well as my rangers (but they’ve been raised in a more traditional coop setting). The largest girl of the three actually ran to me when I was putting everyone up and tried to fly out of the tractor. 8 lb chickens don’t fly! (She’s ok, I helped control her fall). The CX actually honk and make goose like noises, it’s very weird. I wonder if it has to do with the two geese the other farmer keeps fairly close to them? But I digress...

So, I was up late working on the Menu for Saturday Market (pictures and prices, we’re getting classy!) and the chickens kept making sudden distressed noises. Twice I went out thinking some nasty had gotten in and was murdering my dinner/girls, but nothing... just some unsettled chickens, and a soft shelled egg in Mr Marans coop (at first I couldn’t quite figure where the problem was). Third time is the charm I suppose, because I finally spotted the culprit, the Largest Barred Owl I have seen on the island yet. I’m 90% sure it’s a Barred, but could be wrong. Sure, it wasn’t after my chickens, but the mice that come out at night to scrounge spilled feed? Tasty owl snacks and easy pickings, she was essentially hunting over bait, but spooking my girls something awful as well!

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All said and done it was a long night for me. I may be a city girl, but that city had Bears and Cougars, wild dogs and coyotes, and I’ve lived in grizzly country as well. I’ve had more than 10 close encounters with black bears, and been stalked by a cougar once that I know of. There are no large predators on this island, but it’s still kind of unnerving for me, going out alone on a near moonless night armed only with my trusty shoe horn. I might buy a baseball bat next time I’m in town or put a crowbar by the door next time Andrew is away, because halfway through my second excursion I realized the absurdity of the flimsy plastic thing I took with me, (works for chickens) of course that didn’t stop me from taking it when I went out the next time!

I can see an owl spooking everyone. A baseball bat or similar would be quite handy at times. I should probably keep one ast the back door. Good idea. I hope the owl doesn't come back every nigh . Those birds might never sleep again.

 

[Kris5902]

So this morning was a little late start... you keep me up all night, then you get to wait an hour later than usual to get let out in the morning! Seeing as the light was good, I figured I would take you all with me to release Chickie Hawk and his ladies. So you can all behold the awesome power of the shoehorn/chicken stick (also excellent for home defense, really! ) He was actually very well behaved this morning... he didn’t even do his usual “attack the corner hardware cloth right by the door once it’s closed” thing. Maybe there’s hope for him yet? I’m such a sucker for handsome bad boys...

Here is the soft shelled egg from last night, they still amaze me and freak me out a little... this one was likely laid by Speckles, or it may have been Tiny and it rolled a bit, guessing by placement.

Oh, and one of my Ranger boys is starting to try and crow back to Chickie Hawk, but I missed catching it for you. It’s a cute coo-coo-coooo, quiet and kind of confused sounding (why can’t they emulate any of the other boys, with a proper cock-a-doodle-do crow?). On a slightly sad note, one of the boys is down and not walking, I’m not bringing him away from the others, but he’s in the bad rooster box with some feed and water. He’s one of my largest birds. It must’ve happened during the Owl Spooking last night, or early this morning, as everyone was mobile when I went out for the last time last night. Nothing I can see is wrong, he’s alert and eating and drinking, he just won’t stand or walk. This is why I really want a productive, but better balanced more sustainable breed. I don’t need super fast growth, just decent size and body shape. If he doesn’t turn around we will process him on Sunday most likely ourselves.

I’m taking a bit of a day off, just minimal livestock chores and housekeeping stuff... getting prepared for shearing tomorrow and the Saturday Market. I expect Andrew to be on the late boat home, and might get my mom to drop me down at the farm after dinner to meet him. With the dark I should hopefully be able to candle the eggs better today is day 13/14 depending on if you count the first 24hrs... that always confuses me.

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris

 

[Kris5902]

Morning Bob

Today is shearing the woolly monsters. I always have to remind myself you’re on the other side of the continent and three hours ahead or something when I see the “3am” on your good morning every morning... it took me a while to realize on other threads too... at first I thought I was being lazy and sleeping in and everyone else was up and working at 3/4am

 

[BY Bob]

Morning Bob

Today is shearing the woolly monsters. I always have to remind myself you’re on the other side of the continent and three hours ahead or something when I see the “3am” on your good morning every morning... it took me a while to realize on other threads too... at first I thought I was being lazy and sleeping in and everyone else was up and working at 3/4am

I am always surprised by the "overnight" posts from other countries. It's one of the cool things about this site. It brings together poultry lovers from around the globe.

 

[Ribh]

I am now completely lost. Looks like I lost days but have backtracked & caught up. ChickieHawk is one gorgeous dude so I do hope he keeps improving. I rather like sheep, preferably out in a pasture growing wool than in a wool shed having conniptions but they are good sports about sharing their winter coats. Is your CX up again? I don't know about your owls. I don't think ours hunt chickens...mice, frogs, moths but not chickens. It's not usually the wild life round here that keeps me awake but if the neighbours party I say harsh things & the crabbers going through on the high tide will wake me with the constant put~put~put on idle as they lift & drop pots. For some reason that is one of those noises you wait on for the next sound.

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

100%



Hey... that’s my soapbox! That’s ok though, I can share I’m also just a little critical of the vegetarians that don’t eat actual vegetables... pasta, twinkies and tofu fake meats does not a “vegetarian” diet make! It’s a real challenge for most to balance and maintain a vegetarian diet in a healthy way, so I also have huge respect for some vegetarians... after a decade working at whole foods I am a little jaded

I totally agree Kris. I am a "flexitarian." I eat at least one vegetarian meal per day sometimes two. I started this for two reasons, to lower my cholesterol level (after 2 heart attacks) and I realized heavily processed foods were making me sick. I occasionally get the meat substitutes, but primarily rely on grains, vegetables, brown rice and beans. I also eat pasta that I make using my flocks eggs. I increased the size of my vegetable garden this year hoping to have enough to make it through to next spring. I still have tomato sauce, pickles and butternut squash left from last year. I don't put any chemicals on my vegetable plants, so my intake of agricultural chemical additives is low. I've spoken to people who claim to be vegetarian and their eyes glaze over when you mention lentils but are quick to turn into a Dunkin Donuts drive through.

 

[Kris5902]

I am now completely lost. Looks like I lost days but have backtracked & caught up. ChickieHawk is one gorgeous dude so I do hope he keeps improving. I rather like sheep, preferably out in a pasture growing wool than in a wool shed having conniptions but they are good sports about sharing their winter coats. Is your CX up again? I don't know about your owls. I don't think ours hunt chickens...mice, frogs, moths but not chickens. It's not usually the wild life round here that keeps me awake but if the neighbours party I say harsh things & the crabbers going through on the high tide will wake me with the constant put~put~put on idle as they lift & drop pots. For some reason that is one of those noises you wait on for the next sound.

Lol! Yes the sheep are way more toleratable out on pasture, where I can’t see/smell/hear them! Our shearer (an Aussie) is awesome. We were talking livestock over lunch and I was sharing the new calf pics from my phone. Finally someone as excited as I was about the snakes I saw/rescued while picking up the CX, and over the age of 4, no less!

The chicken is sadly still not standing, outherwise fine. She’s very large. We will process her ourselves this afternoon or tomorrow morning, as well as the featherless wonder... still naked at 8 weeks old when separating the two groups I found that there’s been some pecking on her near her tail... some fairly solid cuts. It must be a genetic thing that she’s not growing feathers... she’s got little stubs about 1/4”

The CX are doing well, getting harassed some by all ther red housemates, but no one is getting badly pecked. They still honk rather than make chicken noises I’m 100% certain the owl was just helping herself to the mice that have discovered this wonderful new food source from my messy chickens. But my poor chickens didn’t realize that! Best news in a while. I have rescued back my cats! They are moved up with Andrew and I and are adapting to trailer life... now I’ve got to get the window screens/screen door cat proofed, but waking up with my fur children back again... was just a wonderful feeling!

 

[Ribh]

I totally agree Kris. I am a "flexitarian." I eat at least one vegetarian meal per day sometimes two. I started this for two reasons, to lower my cholesterol level (after 2 heart attacks) and I realized heavily processed foods were making me sick. I occasionally get the meat substitutes, but primarily rely on grains, vegetables, brown rice and beans. I also eat pasta that I make using my flocks eggs. I increased the size of my vegetable garden this year hoping to have enough to make it through to next spring. I still have tomato sauce, pickles and butternut squash left from last year. I don't put any chemicals on my vegetable plants, so my intake of agricultural chemical additives is low. I've spoken to people who claim to be vegetarian and their eyes glaze over when you mention lentils but are quick to turn into a Dunkin Donuts drive through.

I think a lot of people don't really know much about nutrition & then battle tastes & textures they're not used to. My YD will eat lentils & tofu [can't really stand either ] but won't touch mushrooms or chickpeas which I love. To do it properly you have to be way more intentional & thoughtful about your food. I'm lazy about food but not worth being slack because it takes so much more effort to get everything back on track.