Michigan

[Olive Hill]

For most of my childhood I grew up poor. We were lower-middle class, had too much to be welfare -- perhaps some of that "too much" was pride, looking back -- but too little to do more than scrape by. In the early years, I had a Mom that waitressed in a little bar and a Dad who worked shift at a factory. It shapes the way you view money. For a long time, I could not/would not outlay a good chunk of change for anything. "This'll do for now.", was a common qualification for buying something. The problem, as I've come to know, is that the key part of that phrase is for now and usually "now" is not nearly as long as you'd hope. Not only do you end up buying a new one sooner, the cheaper versions almost never work as well so you spend the entire time you're using it frustrated -- and in the case of some things it actually takes MORE time to use which is another waste. Somewhere along the line I learned that investing in the right/best tools for the job is better for the old pocket book in the long run. I still falter. I still sometimes have a panic attack over spending what I deem to be an expensive amount on somethings, last time it was a good frying pan. But I've gotten better and when I'm not in the throes of a panic attack over a price and I can tell you that, logically, the things I've paid more for, for quality have pretty much always delivered. Investing in things you're going to use on a regular basis is definitely worth it, imo. Wish I'd learned that sooner.

I've had my Vibrams for four years and other than a spot on one of the straps where the little menace of a Schnauzer puppy got a hold of them, they're in perfect shape.

 

[Olive Hill]

I also sold 3 more rabbits yesterday, so now I am only down to 3 more to rehome. So now I have room for my baby french angora that will be ready for me in just over a week. SOO excited!

I let Lola hang out in the yard with me today. She had a goodtime munching on all the clover that popped up in our lawn today. I need to build a run for the angoras becuase I can't let my French (Clark) out like this. He'd totally take off. LOL so he is confined to just playing in the house. Here she is exploring the fire pit.

Jaime, will you tell me more about angoras? How much fiber do they produce? How often? What kind of grooming do they require?

 

[EeyoreD]

For most of my childhood I grew up poor. We were lower-middle class, had too much to be welfare -- perhaps some of that "too much" was pride, looking back -- but too little to do more than scrape by. In the early years, I had a Mom that waitressed in a little bar and a Dad who worked shift at a factory. It shapes the way you view money. For a long time, I could not/would not outlay a good chunk of change for anything. "This'll do for now.", was a common qualification for buying something. The problem, as I've come to know, is that the key part of that phrase is for now and usually "now" is not nearly as long as you'd hope. Not only do you end up buying a new one sooner, the cheaper versions almost never work as well so you spend the entire time you're using it frustrated -- and in the case of some things it actually takes MORE time to use which is another waste. Somewhere along the line I learned that investing in the right/best tools for the job is better for the old pocket book in the long run. I still falter. I still sometimes have a panic attack over spending what I deem to be an expensive amount on somethings, last time it was a good frying pan. But I've gotten better and when I'm not in the throes of a panic attack over a price and I can tell you that, logically, the things I've paid more for, for quality have pretty much always delivered. Investing in things you're going to use on a regular basis is definitely worth it, imo. Wish I'd learned that sooner.

I've had my Vibrams for four years and other than a spot on one of the straps where the little menace of a Schnauzer puppy got a hold of them, they're in perfect shape.

Terry Pratchett summed this up beautifully: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/72745




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[teeville5]

Caught up finally. Was too busy yesterday working and getting my son and daughter situated and off to prom. And as luck would have it our power went out last night so me and the youngest had to sit in the dark with nothing to do until we had to get the others. No idea when the power came back on.

I want to say thanks to everyone about Gomer. We are missing him and I think my ee Newton is too. No one for him to chase away from his girls anymore. As for my 2 sebright hens, we are missing one. Our golden is nowhere to be found and it's been two days so I'm thinking we might have lost her too. We have the silver crated indoors for the time being. I feel so sorry for her without her mates. She will hang with the bigger girls, but not totally.
As for the raccoon...

yep, we caught him. Just not sure what to do with him now. Can anyone tell me the best way to handle it from here? This is the first time we ever live-trapped anything.

 

[Olive Hill]

Stick a .22 down there and shoot him in the head. The barrel will fit right up to/through the holes on the livetrap. No need to handle it until it's dead.

 

[Elliemae 77]

AAGGHHHH! I HATE THIS LG BATOR! Yet another temp spike, even when I've been babysitting the stupid thing. I had 14 eggs with good growth and movement, now I'm down to 6. Only a few days to go....hope they make it. After this hatch, I'm taking this wretched thing back to the store and get my money back.

Does anybody out there have a Hovabator1588? Do you like it? I would love to spring for.a.brinsea, but $300 is quite a chunk of change for something that I'll only use on occasion once I get a few bbs orps, ameraucanas and Silkies.

 

[chickflick]

Good Morning! I'm all caught up, too. Checked on you all via my phone yesterday. I babysat for Corryn for 12 hours! What a long, long day. She is a sweetie, but began missing mommy and daddy too at the end of the day. Got home at midnight. Went straight to bed, but of course couldn't fall asleep. Should have watched som TV. Don't think I'll be too productive today.

to the newbie, Jendear. And anyone else I might have missed.

 

[Olive Hill]

AAAGGHHHH! I HATE THIS LG BATOR! Yet another temp spike, even when I've been babysitting the stupid thing. I had 14 eggs with good growth and movement, now I'm down to 6. Only a few days to go....hope they make it. After this hatch, I'm taking this wretched thing back to the store and get my money back.
Does anybody out there have a Hovabator1588? Do you like it? I would love to spring for.a.brinsea, but $300 is quite a chunk of change for something that I'll only use on occasion once I get a few bbs orps, ameraucanas and Silkies.

The 1588 works great!

 

[babigyrl22]

Jaime, will you tell me more about angoras? How much fiber do they produce? How often? What kind of grooming do they require?

Sure. This is my first stab at them but given the amount of reading and interviews with breeders I've done, I will do my best.

How much fiber do they produce? & How often? - Depends on which variety of angora you have but you can upwards 15oz (or more if they are giant or germans) a year from one bunny and i've seen it sold, on average between $6-$9/oz on etsy. You can charge even more if you dye and/or spin it. You can pluck or shear your rabbit up to 4times a year. The giant and german breeds don't molt so you must shear them.

I plucked my French Angora, Clark, and was able make a lovely baby hat with quite a bit more fiber left over. Not sure if it's enough for another hat but I could make booties and mittens and still have more yarn left over.

What kind of grooming do they require? - they do require (at least) weekly grooming, much like my bichons using a slicker brush and a comb. I also blow out their coats with a blower (that I use to dry off the bichons) to get an additional debris and dander out of their coat.

Difference in angoras:

English Angora (like my Lola) - smallest of the breed (and the cutest!), they grow hair on their face, have the nicest fiber, requires the most grooming, will molt and can be plucked instead of shorn.

French Angora (like my Clark) - have a clean face and grow all of their fiber on their body, will molt and can be plucked instead of shorn

German & Giant varieties - have the most amount of fiber, can have facial and ear furnishings but not as much as English, and must be shorn to collect fiber.

 

[Elliemae 77]

The 1588 works great! 

Good morning Olive, thank-you for responding. I got so mad that I was up at 3A looking for my receipt, trying very hard not to drop kick and stomp on the thing. Shipped eggs that were suppose to show up next week came on this past Thursday, so in a panic I picked up a farm inovator bator just to get by. So glad I did, maybe I can save this hatch, and limp it along till my 1588 that I ordered about 4A shows up. Do you have any tips and tricks for me?