Congrats on the great news HH!
I'm hoping NOT to be a grammy any time soon, lol. My son is 21 years old this Sunday! And talking about moving out. I may have to foster/adopt a rugrat or two just to take care of my empty nest syndrome that started as soon as he began talking about it . . . And what child wouldn't love to live on a little farm??? That was always my dream when I was growing up in the city. Of course, my son would rather be in the city than the country. He hates the smell of the horses, chickens, etc. The only animals he likes out here are the dogs and the cat.
I'm so sorry for the chicken losses! One of my foster dogs had gotten one of my Isa Browns a couple months back. I used to be able to take the dogs out with me and they would leave the chickens and ducks alone on my 'No' command. Since that incident all 3 fosters go wild around the poultry. I've tried working on them individually with the chickens but it's just no good. I don't like using shock/training collars but I may have to get one again (I loaned my last one out and never got it back!) for our foster failure that will be staying here indefinitely and work with him on leaving the chickens alone. It will be much easier once the other 2 are adopted out. There's not a lot of demand out there for 10 month old golden retriever/chow x lab/hound mixes that are 70 lbs. (and still growing), though.
I already miss the 3 chicks that went to their new home yesterday. I had someone else come take a couple of my Welsummers last night, too. While they were here they were admiring my Light Brahmas. I haven't really taken much notice of them lately with everything else that's been going on, other than doing a head count. All 5 are just hitting the 5 month old mark (I think - I need to find my receipt for them and figure out exactly how old they are). I purchased them as 'pullets' and we all know how that can go. One is starting to look suspiciously roo-like. The comb is much larger, the necklace is finer around the front, and the tail feathers are starting to drape up and over much like those on my EE rooster. I don't see any spurs nor have I noticed any crowing but Cruiser, my EE roo, has taken to chasing this one away from the rest of his girls on occasion. These Brahmas have all been quite bratty for the last couple months - they were quite spoiled when they were younger. They go after the ducks and most of the other chickens during feeding time. They don't cluck or peep at all but they do growl, grumble, and whine a lot. If he is a roo, I have to figure out if I'm keeping him or not. I have Cruiser (who will be here til his end of days), a Salmon Faverolle cockerel, Boots (who is just too adorable not to keep), a Welsummer cockerel (a former 'pullet' who is unnamed as of yet), and a young FBC Marans roo, Copper (not very original, I know!), who is being quarantined right now. Four roos are manageable with the hens that I have (though the one neighbor I have that is within hearing range of my property may hate me, lol. But they did just get central air so their windows are all closed most days now . . .). Five might be pushing it . . .
Well, I need to get back to work outside. I took 6 days off last week to get things done around here and it was so hot I couldn't stand to be outside. I need to take advantage of this gorgeous, overcast, comfortable temp day and make up for days lost . . . If anyone is bored and wants to come build me a chicken run/yard this weekend just say the word. I'll buy beer, pizza, etc. lol.
I hope everyone's day (especially mine) is a productive one!
I just dispatched (4) 16 week old cockerels to freezer camp last weekend.
