"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[LindaB220]

Hello Lemon Meringue,
I read with a great deal of interest your saga of the herpetologist's dream in your arena. In looking at the photo it is too small and the shading is such that I could not identify the specimen you folks had for dinner. So what species was it that graced your property and do you opine that it was a hazard to your chicks? An enquiring mind would like to know…
About 3 month's back on a warm sunny day, I was sitting near my eastern property line in a chicken pen filling in an almost escape hole when up from the neighbor's creek bed came a slithering citizen of some magnitude, about 2.5 ft in length, that is, and as it approached me I realized that it was a California Garter Snake. Maintaining it's land cruising speed it came through the property fence, crossed the small gap to the chicken pen fence and actually entered my lap! Of course, I intercepted its travel and held it up for inspection and despite snakes being deaf I, nonetheless, welcomed it. For a wild critter of the reptile ilk it surprised me by being docile and did not attempt to bite nor to empty its chemical repellent from its anal glands. Nor did it struggle to get away. We had a nice sojourn. I put it on the ground beside me and it slithered away as if nothing unusual had occurred. Have not seen it since. A visit like that does not occur but once in a life's time and it took 76 years at that! A moment like that is a rather pleasant experience; and I can tell you that that character far exceeded the quality that I sometimes get at my homestead! What say you?
Ain't chicken farming a grand adventure?
Sincerely,
Neal, the Zooman

Neal, after working in a zoo for years, this must have been old hat for you, but it sure sent shivers down my spine.

 

[campingshaws]

No power since 7 this morning. Glad I didn't load the bator yesterday.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Pam,   I'm loving the Genesis 1588 I bought.   Two clears (besides a few darks I can't candle and the rest of the 40 are growing and perking.   WHAT am I gonna do with that many?   Handyman will not come to help finish the growout pen.  It looks like I'm gonna have to put a tarp over it instead of tin and rig it up myself.   It's 3' x 12' and will hold them fine for a couple of months.   The only door was 1/4" particle board that rotted and broke off.  This is the new pen I bought through CL last year.   When Clint brought it home for me I found out that the hardware cloth was actually green mesh cloth.  It worked ok for the 4+ week olds last year but now I think I'll have to change to a better door and put fencing around the mesh.  I'll have them in the storeroom for the first week.  With the door open.   It's not insulated and will be hot.  I may have to put them out in the daytime under the trees.  A lot to move, but it's temporary.   SIL Clint is about to have a stroke about me getting MORE chickens.   He had to feed and water the others while I was gone the three weeks.   I've taken back over now that I'm home.   Getting better every day.  Not easy and still painful but, you know, what can't be cured must be indured.    Dr cut my pain pills back and lowered the strength.  Sigh.   But I'm still out shoveling holes in the coop.  It's doable.Clint just about died when I told him I wanted him to hold the big roosters so I can remove the thingys with the pliers.  My 2 poor hens in with the new rooster.   He's not nimble enough yet and they are a wreck.   The two year old rooster is a dream.   None of the girls have any nicks or lost feathers.  He coos to them at feeding time and stands back while they eat.  The young one hasn't learned yet.  They are both my quality white rocks so I may not keep the 2nd one if I have some good new ones coming.   

Glad your getting back to normal. Sorry for the med reduction you can get more done when your not in pain. Your SIL will get over it. Just like Ron . Lol! You can sell a couple to make him happy. Plus I have Lavender Wyandottes they are chicks so you have time for SIL to settle down. Pam

 

[DustinJFord]

Can someone help me find 2 Barred Rock hens near Opelousas, LA. Thanks.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Can someone help me find 2 Barred Rock hens near Opelousas, LA. Thanks.

Don't know how far you are from Slidell I'm hatching from the xw line due to hatch in 3 days. You could check your local swaps most have someone with barred rocks. Pam

 

[DustinJFord]

Ok. There is a swap on Sunday I will try to go to. And, Slidell is 2 1/2 hours away, according to Google. Ron Skekel

 

[timbowsr]

They've been having BRs at the Sulphur Auction on Friday nights. I also saw some at the DeQuincey sale barn Saturday evening, along with some eggs.

 

[DustinJFord]

They've been having BRs at the Sulphur Auction on Friday nights. I also saw some at the DeQuincey sale barn Saturday evening, along with some eggs.

Thanks. I will check to see which is closer to me.

 

[rlcrow]

Oh boy! I have lots of catch up reading to do! Hi everyone! I have had family in non stop for a month and adding health problems and kids and chicks life has been chaotic to say the least! But i thought i would check in and say a quick hello!
I am having surgery next week, finally, so life should be calming down quite a bit.
Love my chickens!
Our next project will be starting to make breeding pens for my Isbars, Crested Cream Legbars, White Bresse and Marraduna Basque.

Good to see what you all have been up to!

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Quick Hi here & hope everybody is enjoying this nice, cool weather and SUNSHINE! Been busy with end of fiscal year at work & yard work at home. Everybody's doing fine here! I, too have a lot of reading to catch up on!