North Carolina

[scottcaddy]

<sigh> I have come to the conclusion that the odds are against me. Saw a predator feasting on a young chick, grabbed the gun, loaded it, opened the door, took aim, pulled the trigger and....MY HUSBAND LEFT THE CLIP EMPTY FROM TARGET PRACTICES!!

This stupid predator would have been no more, but instead it escaped with nearly a full belly as all that was left...a pair of legs and a few entrails. Sadder still...my beautiful cochin tried to fend off the predator and while it was NOT her biddy, she still tried to protect it. I locked everyone up early and when I was doing so, she flopped over on her side. I checked her over and double checked her...didn't see any wounds. She got up after I checked her over and wobbled into the run. I am hoping she was just in shock. Is there anything I need to be on the lookout for her? What's the point of having roosters (which I have PLENTY of) when they are all "yeller"?? Not one of them did anything...and the guineas...the guineas sounded the alarm AFTER the thing was in the trees.

I am down to 2 young females now...so much for being able to replenish my laying flock. Good thing I know a few BYC'ers who are addicted to hatching and usually have an abundance of chickens!! Still...this ruined my evening!!

I really hate living on a farmette sometimes....but then again, I do understand that's nature, that's what they do. Still...sad.

Thank you all for letting me vent and cry and bemoan.

My grandpa would have skinned anyone who pulled that kinda stunt with one of his many guns.

In his farm house the hall way to the backdoor (barn facing) was lined with alot of guns on racks that were all loaded (yes even 1 in the chamber), just push the safety off and it will fire. This was back in the late 50's- 60's. He didn't have very many 4 or 2 legged troubles on that farm!
I am sorry to hear about your loss

Make sure DH knows the differance between a loaded gun and a club.
Scott (who does miss those days)

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Okay...I tortured all my students today. Now karma kicks in, because I have to grade all those exams!

It's a good thing I love my job!

The heater guy managed to come back out again today. He's been trying to fix small things hoping each will fix the problem, but it's always a short-term fix. Upshot is, we have to replace the burner...just a bit shy of $1000.

Merry Christmas...we can be warm! Actually, we have an excellent fireplace insert, so we stay pretty warm when hubby is home to keep wood on the fire. But he travels, so that's not a good option for long-term. Gotta do whatcha gotta do, I reckon. Sigh.

I need some NPIP eggs to test this 'bator out with, too.

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Good morning folks

NH...so sorry about the loss

Hollow.......glad the brace is fixed, congrats
on a successful exam and hope that heater
is fixed soon

seems I have gotten my annul gidt of the
season....yep.......sore throat and getting
sick just in time for the holidays.

somebody shared

sure hope I can beat this back quick

hope everyone has a good day

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Good morning folks

NH...so sorry about the loss

Hollow.......glad the brace is fixed, congrats
on a successful exam and hope that heater
is fixed soon

seems I have gotten my annul gidt of the
season....yep.......sore throat and getting
sick just in time for the holidays.

somebody shared

sure hope I can beat this back quick

hope everyone has a good day

CSB...Oh, no! I hope it's just a teaser and you don't get fully sick!

Turned out the brace isn't quite fixed...the screw keeps backing out as there's some play. At least it falls inside my shoe. Not at all comfortable, but it doesn't get lost that way! Hubby worked on it last night, and I will call orthotics today.

Good Morning, Everyone!

I'm not going in today (no classes and no appointments) so i can stay home and alternate grading and housework. That way when I get tired of one I can switch! Yay! My two favorite things!

I'm still planning on WCA this weekend...who's able to go? I'm neither buying nor selling; just socializing! I'll bring the cookies!

Enjoy the day!

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

LOL Scott - My husband claims it's MY fault because the last time we used the gun we were practicing and he let me fire a few shots so I could get use to the feel of it. So apparently because I fired a few (even though he emptied the clip) it's my fault. LOL. I told him he'd better be careful as today is processing day and that means I'll have boiling water (near boiling) and a weapon - so he better not cross me!!

CSB - OH NO!! I do hope it is just a minor one and you will be feeling well in no time!!
Hollow - I hope you can get your braced fixed soon and you don't have to feel that screw in your shoe time and again!!

I don't know what to feel today. Today is processing day and while I am going to be sad to see some chickens go, I just can't afford to feed them if they aren't laying when feed prices are just SO expensive!! Plus, any rooster who hides his head in the sand while his flock is being attacked...he DESERVES the stew pot, right?!?

I will have to keep my youngsters locked up for a few weeks after this shake up as the pecking order will change and I need to wait for the remaining rooster (s) to mature a little before sending them out to fend off predators!! I know they will eat a lot more penned up, but I figure it will equal out a little!! My birthday present also arrives today...it's expected to be delivered during our "party"...not sure how the delivery guys (or gals??) will handle that sight...but it should be fun!!
I think I may either order or be looking to purchase a few females at POL (point of lay) come this spring, nothing fancy just farm quality. I'd really like to find a few: Jersey Giants, Buckeyes, and maybe a few "pretty colored" birds for my DDs. Sorry silkies and polish do NOT count!! LOL. Let me know (PM me please) if any of you will have anything like that and prices, etc... I'm looking to stay close to Johnston County as I have 2 (+1) youngsters (2 and under) that cannot handle traveling far well... Thanks!!

 

[The Howards]

Hi everyone in the Fayetteville area
We have a BLR Wyandotte roo, Bonnie Blue, that we would like to trade for a pullet or female duck (Pekin, Rouen, Silver Appleyard, Buff or Blue Swedish) of similar age. We want to trade with someone who will not eat him as he has been raised as a pet. He is about 23 weeks old, has been crowing for only about 2 weeks and still only has nubs for spurs. He lives with both chickens and ducks. He is easily handled and submissive, although you have to catch him first. We have had no illnesses in our flock. He has been covering 2 females he was raised with but recently has started covering the lower order ducks. We would keep him but we have a somewhat special needs duck and can not have him covering her, he has recently turned his eye to her. PM me if interested.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

emptied my duck's baby pool and found an egg I didn't think they would lay til spring.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

emptied my duck's baby pool and found an egg

I didn't think they would lay til spring.

With all these up-and-down temps, they are confused!

The Dane pups are now born. 6 boys and 5 girls. And I am still undecided if I am ready to start over with another dog to train. I met the sire yesterday and although he was in a strange place and I was a strange person, he was just as laid-back as any of my dogs. But he's big. Very big. Bigger than Reilly, although Reilly isn't full grown yet. About an inch taller. Good height for mobility, but ....

Good thing I don't have to decide quite yet. Not quite.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

Hollow~ I know its tough decision, my aunt struggled with wether or not to get another after hers passed away. So I'm gonna tell you what I told her. A dog will give you more freedom than your crutches can. You will always have the protection and security of a constant companion. And a dog will take the stress away from having to do tasks on your own.
I know you hate those crutches as much as my aunt does. So go for it.

 

[tick22]

"I don't know what to feel today. Today is processing day and while I am going to be sad to see some chickens go, I just can't afford to feed them if they aren't laying when feed prices are just SO expensive!!"


Hi all, Still a newbie or new egg.. questions. I have done the deed twice before and wanted to know how you do it??? Ok, the chickens, nothing else. smiles.... I guess i do it old school or so this is how the old timers tell me to do it.... Tried to twist the neck....big fail. finally manage to chop the head off. Boiled water and duck the poor thing, burnt my hands plucking both. Then off to the kitchen to clean and got in trouble for stinking up the house.... Plus my hands were too big to fit in the little hen and again messed up my hand. sheesh. Tell me there is an easier way...please.

Ok, basic infor. I have a small flock of maybe soon to be 42. I already know I will have alot of (as you all say) freezer boys and my older girls have stopped laying this past summer.... The missus wants to let her favs just become a yard chicken but the others will need to go as well... Have given some away for stews but most people want me to kill and clean them first???? huh, why would I do that??? If I do it all, I plan to keep them.........

I have since learned you just need hot water, but the plucking and cleaning, is there an easier way. I hope... And no, I can not afford a machine that cleans the feathers and know if I used the missus washing machine to spin the feathers off, I would be living with the chickens... Ok, guys don't tell me no one else thought of that yet?????

I am enjoying all the posts and am slowly getting into the swing of things here.
thanks for letting me become a part of you all....