Michigan

[teeville5]

These next few days are going to be quite a challenge for most of us in keeping our animals and ourselves hydrated properly. I have to work the next 3 days so I have to rely on everyone at home to keep up on the chickens and goats as well as keep myself from getting heat exhaustion.
Normally, I take 2 water bottles and a small vitaminwater or gatorade on the route with me, but for the next few days I'll be doubling that. It's important to add a bottle of gatorade/vitaminwater even if you're drinking water because the sodium will help in retaining some of the fluids you are drinking instead of just sweating them all right back out.

 

[Trefoil]

FYI
The period from the time from infection to the onset of symptoms is known as the rabies incubation period.

The rabies incubation period may vary from a few days to several years, but is typically one to three months. During this time, the rabies virus is multiplying within the body.

At some point, the rabies virus will travel along nerve cells to the brain. It multiplies in the brain very quickly, causing the end of the rabies incubation period, and the beginning of rabies symptoms. Usually within three to five days, the rabies virus has caused enough damage to the brain that the animal will begin to show unmistakable signs of rabies.

During the rabies incubation period, a bite by the infected animal does not carry a risk of rabies because the virus is not yet in the saliva. Only late in the disease, after the rabies virus has reached the brain and multiplied there to cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), does the virus move from the brain to the salivary glands and saliva.

This information came from http://rabies.emedtv.com/rabies/rabies-incubation-period.html
If it is incorrect. Please advise.

 

[Mom 2em All]

storm moving in through right now with high wind-

instant air conditioning

 

[taprock]

I am still camping so reading only partially. Sorry to hear about the losses and near losses due to the heat. It has been in the 90's here. So far we are surviving. Kids have spend lots of time in the river and adults sitting under fans.
Home to bake this morning and then off again, it's raining anyway so I'm not missing anything. I need some advice on a hawk. I have now lost 4 birds and 1 was saved from it. After the last two I have determined it is no longer just taking the bird when there is an opportunity. I don't like it but know it happens but now it is hunting specific birds. That makes me mad. I have 3 bantams that roam all over. The rest stick to the yard that is covered. Over the past three days the hawk has taken 2 bantams out of the other 45 large fowl. I don't think it can just swoop in and do that. So any advice? I've heard S's and poison from local farmers. Poison is out for me. I have lived with this hawk for more than 6 months, seeing it daily with no problems so something changed for him. But at this point I don't know if I can just scare him off. What makes it worse is I know how a hawk eats, have witnessed it before and I hate to think of my little guys being eaten alive.

Take care and stay cool today.

 

[Brethren49619]

Had a storm blow thru last night and got a little bit of rain (first in quite some time). Blew over benches and chairs, but everyone slept through it. Would have been nice to actually feel the cooler air. Luckily, the forecast calls for less hot temps in the near future! Can't wait. I've had just about enough of stacking 250 bales of hay in this heat and constantly working on the coop and run. Mom won't even come out of the air conditioning. Birds are doing well though. Constantly giving them fresh water, they have a trash can lid turned upside down filled with water to walk in (and they love it! Thanks for that tip!), spraying down the run area a couple of times a day, added a sun screen to the hot afternoon side of the run, and cool treats. If I took as much care of myself as I do the birds, I would probably be feeling better. Just can't seem to drink enough water even though I always have it with me and am constantly refilling it. DH wants me to take it easy today. Yeah, right. Need to build the door for the new pen, finish the pop door and get them both installed. This will be the Silkie's pen.

Then the peafowl come over soon as we can figure out how to transport them. Hens won't be a problem, but the cock with his long feathers is. Any ideas on how to transport a full grown peacock? DH thinks we can use the Jeep, just put some netting behind the drivers seat. I'm concerned that provides too much room to move around, allowing for injury. We only have to go about 10 miles. A lot can happen in that distance.

Any ideas???

 

[Brethren49619]

I am still camping so reading only partially. Sorry to hear about the losses and near losses due to the heat. It has been in the 90's here. So far we are surviving. Kids have spend lots of time in the river and adults sitting under fans.
Home to bake this morning and then off again, it's raining anyway so I'm not missing anything. I need some advice on a hawk. I have now lost 4 birds and 1 was saved from it. After the last two I have determined it is no longer just taking the bird when there is an opportunity. I don't like it but know it happens but now it is hunting specific birds. That makes me mad. I have 3 bantams that roam all over. The rest stick to the yard that is covered. Over the past three days the hawk has taken 2 bantams out of the other 45 large fowl. I don't think it can just swoop in and do that. So any advice? I've heard S's and poison from local farmers. Poison is out for me. I have lived with this hawk for more than 6 months, seeing it daily with no problems so something changed for him. But at this point I don't know if I can just scare him off. What makes it worse is I know how a hawk eats, have witnessed it before and I hate to think of my little guys being eaten alive.

Take care and stay cool today.

Just a guess, but what has changed for the hawk is the need to feed babies. Any way to keep the bantams covered up till the hawk situation changes?

 

[1muttsfan]

Just a guess, but what has changed for the hawk is the need to feed babies.  Any way to keep the bantams covered up till the hawk situation changes?

X2 - keep them in until the hawks look for easier game. Raptors are federally protected birds and the penalties for killing them are huge. In addition, they kill a LOT of destructive varmints. A pair of owls with young to feed will kill over 30 rodents a day.

 

[M.sue]

Good Morning....hope everyone had a great 4TH!

Another few more days of this blasted heat and then some relief should be seen.

Sorry to hear about the losses due to the heat & predators. With the heat being so bad we haven't even been to the barn to ride since Monday....just too hot for rider & horse.

Taprock.....maybe try on owl decoy or two? We have acouple posted out back, don't know if they actually work. Just a thought.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Daron: Are emu loud? I LOVE how they look with their racing stripes!!!... Maybe one day I will get some too! What do you plan on doing with them eggs/ meat/ looks???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

The bigger chick in here is your chick! I thought she would turn more black but she is a rusty brown! And did I mention super sweet?
Can you tell me what mix you think she might be?

I need some advice on a hawk. I have now lost 4 birds and 1 was saved from it. After the last two I have determined it is no longer just taking the bird when there is an opportunity. I don't like it but know it happens but now it is hunting specific birds. That makes me mad. I have 3 bantams that roam all over. The rest stick to the yard that is covered. Over the past three days the hawk has taken 2 bantams out of the other 45 large fowl. I don't think it can just swoop in and do that.
Take care and stay cool today.

Mirrors/ mirror balls hanging around and on coop roofs. If it is picking them out of a run/yard and there is no place to put mirrors I would install some 4x4s and put mirrors on top of them.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/229778.html

 

[RaZ]

I woke up just before a nice little storm rolled through here. Lots wind, thunder and lightening.

The 2 roosters went on a road trip to freezer camp. So what does it cost when you don't have the skill or technique to process them yourself?

A 100 + mile drive,
Breakfast in town, $9.00,
Fill gas tank, $100.00,
Bag and another coffee, $4.00
Stop for chicken and bird feed, $80.00
Stop for kitten food, $20.00,
Actual price paid to processor...

$8.70

Thanks to Opa for telling me how to get to Livingston Feed & Seed. That is a very nice place to get your supplies from. They have food grade DE if you need it.
They also had some chicks, a couple each of barred rock,salmon faverolle (sp), ameracuna, and something else I forgot. Their number is (517) 546-2720.

The folks at Munsell's were extremely nice. Because I only had 2 birds and had driven so far, they processed mine first so I would not have to wait all day to pick them up. The normal routine is drop off at 7-8 am and pick-up between 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

It's nice to know that you can still find quality customer care.