Michigan

[kimmie6067]

I think you might surprise yourself if you were in my situation. Basically when looking at the coons all I see is the 11 bodies of my beautiful chickens. I don't enjoy killing them but it doesn't bother me as much as you might think with that sort of motivation.
Night before last a racoon was in my dogs kennel rolling around her bowl, its metal so it makes lots of racket, got up to see what the heck was going one. My porch was littered with watermelon rinds that I put out there that night they got into that. I usually don't have a problem with coons but this one is going to be dispatched right away if it comes back thats for sure and I don't feel bad, they just want a quick and easy meal. I am glad my babies are inside for now.

 

[kimmie6067]

Can I give my two week old chicks treats? I have been giving them one boiled egg everyday they love it. Along with that I give them a little grit. So what esle might they enjoy and won't hurt them?

Kimmie

 

[EeyoreD]

On hunting. It may sound strange but I like to force myself to do things I'm afraid of and hunting is one of them. I think at some point I'll ask my mom to let me go with her and see if I can actually do it. I used to help my g'pa process hogs, deer, chickens, etc and that didn't bother me at all but I have never actually killed anything. One time I watched him shoot a cow he was going to butcher and I cried for a long time. My heart is too soft I think. So why did God give me boys?

And I don't think this sounds strange at all. What might sound strange is, personally, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for killing something to bother you. Probably not to the extent of crying for a long time, but I don't think having a twinge is a bad thing. I think I would feel weirder if it didn't bother me at all. Basically I think I would feel like I was like the coons that devastated everything for no good reason and with no remorse or appreciation. It's natural law that things kill other things but that little occasional, fleeting twinge is what makes me human and not just another coon or predator to put down.

Maybe God gave you boys to make it easier for you both to learn from each other and meet in the middle.

 

[EeyoreD]

Can I give my two week old chicks treats? I have been giving them one boiled egg everyday they love it. Along with that I give them a little grit. So what esle might they enjoy and won't hurt them?

Kimmie

I'm not sure how many you have in there but I tried to give my 12 chicks one of those chick treat log thingies one day when they were about 4 weeks and I ended up with a bloody mess where a few got attacked while the others tried to keep them away. I didn't give treats after that until they were 6-7 weeks old and out in the coop.

 

[Olive Hill]

I can vent sex them at 5 weeks accurately? Oooooh! I'm gonna go squeeze(gently) some silkies butts RIGHT NOW!

Raz...wanna join me? Bahahaha!

You can vent sex them at a few minutes accurately.

Right. My biggest issue here was I just seemed like I was torturing the things. The killing was less of an issue than that part of it, for me. I've hunted as well but for some reason it was easier to determine if you had the shot that would drop the animal (and if you didn't, or you weren't sure, you didn't take the shot). I'll probably never be one of those people that plugs chipmunks or whatever in the backyard just for fun. But if there's a reason to shoot something (food, protection of things I'm supposed to be protecting, etc) then I'm fine with it. I just don't like it if I can't kill it clean.

Even a beheading causes muscle spasms. Death is never pretty.

 

[EeyoreD]

Even a beheading causes muscle spasms. Death is never pretty.

I know but I wasn't sure if it was just muscle spasms (which I'm fine with, if that's what it was) or abject agony (which I'd like to try to prevent, if possible)

 

[Olive Hill]

And I don't think this sounds strange at all. What might sound strange is, personally, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for killing something to bother you. Probably not to the extent of crying for a long time, but I don't think having a twinge is a bad thing. I think I would feel weirder if it didn't bother me at all. Basically I think I would feel like I was like the coons that devastated everything for no good reason and with no remorse or appreciation. It's natural law that things kill other things but that little occasional, fleeting twinge is what makes me human and not just another coon or predator to put down.

Maybe God gave you boys to make it easier for you both to learn from each other and meet in the middle.

By these standards I'm either missing a penis or a lot of fur. Or both.

 

[vjwilmoth]

And I don't think this sounds strange at all. What might sound strange is, personally, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for killing something to bother you. Probably not to the extent of crying for a long time, but I don't think having a twinge is a bad thing. I think I would feel weirder if it didn't bother me at all. Basically I think I would feel like I was like the coons that devastated everything for no good reason and with no remorse or appreciation. It's natural law that things kill other things but that little occasional, fleeting twinge is what makes me human and not just another coon or predator to put down.

Maybe God gave you boys to make it easier for you both to learn from each other and meet in the middle.

You're probably right.



Soooo, I suck at vent sexing...probably because I'm afraid to squeeze them too hard. Oh well. I learned something new in the process. Did you know if your chicken just drank water and you even gently push on its crop, it will throw up all down your leg? I was holding it inverted on my lap. Wow, that was a huge surprise!

Probably to both of us! So I had water, chick food and grass bits all down my leg and the chicken was like, "Really?" hehee

 

[vjwilmoth]

By these standards I'm either missing a penis or a lot of fur. Or both.

 

[Living the Simple Life]

do.







I'm glad the food turned out so well. But what a bummer about the daughter in laws. I find that younger generations tend to be more inconsiderate as a whole. I really hope I'm raising my boys "old school" enough that they won't be labeled that way. I have always had people bring my kids home after a sleep over/play date and remarked at how incredibly well behaved they are. They will even take all 3 boys at a time! They are holy terrors to each other sometimes but I guess it's a brother thing AND the fact that they are so close in age at 8 1/2, 10 1/2, 12. My dad's mom had 8 children and he said she always told them she would rather they be terrors at home than in public. It is said by everyone who knew her that she was the kindest soul and so sweet but her kids minded her and knew how to act. I hope I embody her spirit.


<span alt="e" We were just talking about this very thing on Sunday night. We had a fish fry at church and one of the church elders commented about how we need to be getting the next generation involved in helping. It is amazing that the teens and young adults are all about what the church can do for them (sponsor trips, sports teams, small groups, etc.) but golly gee don't expect anything in return!! I just laughed and said do you see my kids? My 10 and 8 yo's were setting up chairs, wiping tables, running errands, etc. I told her my kids were raised to know, you don't work, don't expect to eat! I was raised that you pitch in and help (I think that is why my in-laws always liked me, the first time I met them I jumped right into the dishpan and washed dishes.) I always felt guilty when I had babies who wanted to nurse, be changed, rocked, etc. and I couldn't help in the kitchen, clear the table, etc. Now the only time I bow out is if the kitchen is crowded (I have serious claustrophobia...like can't wear tight shoes or a turtleneck severe claustrophobia!!)