Minnesota!

[lalaland]

this morning in the dark at 4 am, went out to the coop for chicken chores before leaving for work.

I'm not that skittish, but there was some serious rustling going on in the run, and something was thrashing around. I could see a pair of eyes but they were not in the same area as the big thrashing , like something was ricocheting around the underbrush (part of the run is seriously overgrown).

I stook stock still and thought. Ok, not bears, coyotes, fox, coons. Rabbit? thrashing? And the eyes.....cat?

Went into the run, thinking, maybe opening the coop doors and leaving for work isn't such a hot idea....what ever critter is in the run could get inside the coop to the sleeping hens.

Found the eyes in the headlamp beam again and just talked to the critter. Finally saw it was the black and white cat that has been hanging around and that usually takes off like a flash! I'm sure it likes the water for the chickens, and there has to be some seriously good mice hunting.

I can't believe I was so jittery! For a few minutes I was seriously contemplating calling in late to work so I could wait til dawn to open up the coops.

 

[KlopKlop]

@lala You can always do a pasta dish, they are better when reheated.  How about roasting a chicken?  

I am going to do a pork roast this time when the kids are here.  We have such an ample supply in the freezer of a variety of proteins, it gets hard to decide what we should make sometimes.  

Today I made some Cream of Broccoli soup and Ham and Potato soup that will both have a small portion in the frig and freeze the rest.  I love cooking soup and the smell it sends through the house.  My kids won't eat soup.  What in the blazes is wrong with them?  I haven't a clue.  I have always loved soup, always!  I pulled some bones out and gave 3 of the pieces to the dogs and kept the biggest one with a good amount of meat and a huge chunk of bone with lots of marrow to cook into stock.  With the kids home and husband as well over the holidays, we will be cooking more and I need to keep a variety of stock on hand for when we do.


I was so POed today.  I went over to turn the lights on on the grow stand, and discovered a freaking mouse, or mice have been into my plants.  They chewed one of the succulents clean, parts of others and dug out the dirt in a few.  They also got into my seeds, which is my own fault for not closing them inside the bin I usually keep them in.  They prefer seeds like sunflowers and melons and gourds.  The little (&(*^*&^(&*s.  I hope their little necks get broken in the trap I put out.  The good thing is that some of those seeds they did get were getting pretty old.  Still makes me angry and they make such a shi**y mess everywhere.


It was such a nice day to get out and get some work done but I couldn't get out all day.  I did get the Buckeyes cleaned out and they seem much happier for it.  Now that they are on the supplemental lights again, I should see some eggs soon from them.  I hope.  I get a few each day from a few of the other hens, which is nice to see again.  I am impressed with how big some are laying too!


The boys in the bachelor pad were scrapping a little again today.  Both the Cornish cocks in that pen are scabbed on their heads.  For their breed they aren't very aggressive, so I think they are getting picked on by some of the bullies.  At least a couple will be moving over to breeding pens hopefully this week, so there won't be as big of a crowd in there to cause trouble with each other.  I am going to have to put wire on the inside for sure on the south "wall" of the hoop, either the cats are clawing the plastic or the birds are pecking at it and there will be holes if I don't do something.  It shouldn't be a big deal, the hard part was getting the plastic attached in the wind.

 
I discovered today that chick feed is a clumping compound if used for cat litter.  No, I didn't waste it like that, but my cats, who I let stay in the brooder house last night as a reprieve, used the chick feed for a litter box because I forgot to put the cover on it.  I don't think I will be letting them stay in there again after seeing the mess they made.  I need to just make them a cozy spot to snuggle into in the big chicken house to stay warm.  it is on the list.


I am sure everyone will be extra busy this week.  Stay safe, don't rush too much and forget to enjoy yourselves.  I will pop in when I can, but if I don't catch you...


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Mice suck indeed! I have been killing them in droves and the next wave just keeps coming. I even managed to catch one mouse in two traps! I have been moving my array of traps back and forth between sheds and they are always full

Hopefully my 4 pack of whiskered mousers are ready to go out. We vaccinated them yesterday so they will be out this weekend.

 

[KlopKlop]

So I just posted our meet a chicken post of Facebook and attached the photos. Facebook asks me to 'tag friends in this photo?' And highlights the chickens face haha

The facial recognition works in chickens too

 

[Cluckies]

this morning in the dark at 4 am, went out to the coop for chicken chores before leaving for work.

I'm not that skittish, but there was some serious rustling going on in the run, and something was thrashing around.  I could see a pair of eyes but they were not in the same area as  the big thrashing , like something was ricocheting around the underbrush (part of the run is seriously overgrown). 

I stook stock still and thought.  Ok, not bears, coyotes, fox, coons.  Rabbit?  thrashing?   And the eyes.....cat?

Went into the run, thinking, maybe opening the coop doors and leaving for work isn't such a hot idea....what ever critter is in the run could get inside the coop to the sleeping hens.  

Found the eyes in the headlamp beam again and just talked to the critter.  Finally saw it was the black and white cat that has been hanging around and that usually takes off like a flash!  I'm sure it likes the water for the chickens, and there has to be some seriously good mice hunting.  

I can't believe I was so jittery!  For a few minutes I was seriously contemplating calling in late to work so I could wait til dawn to open up the coops.

I hear you, at 4 in the morning, the very darkest stillest part is the night, then you see a pair of eyes or hear rustling? If has had me jumpy more than once! Especially when you know, if it is something more sinister, nobody is going to hear you, cause they are all sleeping! Plus, God forbid it is a man like coffee found!

 

[Minniechickmama]

I got one mouse and reset the trap. Let's see if he was alone or has friends and family.

 

[scandiafowl]

lol, it was a recipe online for someone's family favorite.  the sauce was fine, the meatballs (ground beef, saltines, garlic, egg, milk, onion) were just mushy.  But you only baked them for 5 minutes til barely browned in a hot oven, and then crockpotted them.

Pasta is a good idea, Minniechickmama.

Scandiafowl, love chicken noodle soup, but....doesn't seem very festive for a xmas eve dinner!   

Mexican tortilla soup? Has Christmas colors in it.

 

[lalaland]

Soup....I'll have to look up a recipe for the mexican tortilla soup. But your suggestion of chicken soup got me thinking, I might go for turkey pot pie. Not very celebratory but definitely comfort food.

in case anyone is curious, those little mealworms can really eat up a potato!

off to wrap more presents

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Slow posting around here. No Coffee1st. Where is the whole group? Haven't seen them posting at all.

 

[KlopKlop]

Slow posting around here. No Coffee1st. Where is the whole group? Haven't seen them posting at all.

 

We had volleyball league last night plus trying to put finishing touches on homemade Christmas gifts before the weekend.

Our flock is nutty as ever. Inga is still trying to be broody so she is going to broody jail tonight. She seems to have convinced a BA to try it too though she seems to be inconsistent as I have only had to boot here 2 times with a whole day between them.

In other news I though would be able to wait until spring to muck out my deep litter in coop #1 but I don't think so now. It is breaking down so quickly (which is good in one way) that I can barely keep it from compacting and adding new bedding lasts almost no time before it is 'absorbed'. might be a Saturday morning task for me this weekend.

 

[lalaland]

Yeah, Sunday I did a quick cleanup, removing poop and changing out the hay and droppings on the shelves that most of the group likes to roost on.

I've learned if I put down fresh hay, the droppings kind of hold it together and it comes off in one big disgusting mat, which I then go lay down in the garden. By spring it has broken down. I won't do that after February for fear of burning the plants.

Goldie was ready to come out of the kennel at 4 am when I turned on her tiny light. I will be able to let her out tomorrow for some "recreational time".