~ Retired and Starting My Future In The Foothills ~

[hemet dennis]

I've been following this thread for a while and thought I'd mention that recently there was a ruling in CA (can't remember where off the top of my head) ....I can find the article and paste it here, that some judge passed a ruling that farmers that own milk cows and sell raw milk (even tho its legal) in fact do not have a right to the milk that comes from their own cows even for private use and things have gone so far as people showing up at customer's doors demanding they confiscate the milk or even that people have to provide names of people that buy from them. Things are getting scary fast, but the absurdity particularly aimed at any ability to live sustainably is frightening.

http://www.wnd.com/2012/05/udder-nonsense-raw-milk-confiscations-begin/

It's been illegal to sell raw milk in Calif. for years. Just like you cant sell processed chickens for people to eat without getting them inspected.

And when they put statements like this

The FDA said there have been reports of illnesses from raw milk, but a report from the Weston A. Price Foundation revealed that from 1980 to 2005 there were 10 times more illnesses from pasteurized milk than from raw milk.

That are so misleading. They didn't mention that there's 100,000 times more pasteurized milk consumed but only 10 times more illnesses. So what one is safer ?

 

[gryeyes]

I am indeed just pottering around on my property and enjoying the flock. I have enlarged my "garden" area - temporarily with plastic garden fencing and posts until John finishes the porch enclosure project and can start building fence panels - and confused the heck out of the flock.

The new, larger area blocks off their regular route behind the house from one part of the yard to another. It used to be quite the Poultry Stroll. Here are two reasons I enlarged it:
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Y,see, those used to be tomato plants. With actual leaves on them. They were in a "fenced" area, but close enough to the fence material the chickens could not resist them. Chickens would manage to find a way over or under the fence. Now that the "garden" is larger and the tomato plants are more centrally located and nowhere near any portion of the fence, they may actually survive. The chickens also demolished the strawberry plants, but those are already recovering.

I set up two planters on the deck railing and planted miniature roses in one and some other somethings I thought were pretty. A couple of young pullets who are still light and agile enough to fly managed to clip off almost every little rose petal, bloom and bud. I guess I won't have to dead-head those little bitty roses for a while.....



Yesterday, as John was doing some more painting on the porch before the screens go up, he was visited by the two turkey poults. They are more brave than chicks weeks older than them, exploring and investigating everything.

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Every last member of my flock is adorable. Some are just MORE adorable than others.... the turkey poult twins just happen to be especially adorable.

House Chicken Pippa is currently sitting on the DIRECTV box for the office TV set. She walked across my desk as I was uploading the photos, then became fascinated by the "floating" DIRECTV icon on the TV screen.



Pippa has yet to wander out of the office, even after more than a week of living inside. She's pretty darned satisfied with her situation, as there are pine shaving in the brooder bin in which she can scratch, food and water always there for her, and lots of places to perch in the office. She's spent some time perched on Simba's rabbit cage a few times. She's discovered she can peer through the doorway into the living room from that spot.

Backtracking a bit of time, I am very pleased to say I met harbisgal a week ago Friday. She and her DH came to the Friday Night Endless Pizza "event" at the Charles Mitchell Winery. As it was ending, HH and I managed to convince them they should come over to the HH-FL abode just two driveways away from the winery. (These are rural driveways, so it's not like simply striding 100 yards or the like.) Our friend "barefoot" Jeremy (although he wore flip-flops that evening) joined us as well. I'm pretty sure a good time was had by all. At least that's what I remember....

Charles Mitchell hosts the Endless Pizza gathering for $10 a person, wine extra by bottle, glass or carafe. On Fridays it's at the Charles Mitchell Winery in Fairplay, and on Saturdays it's at the J. Foster Mitchell site in Amador county. You can also have your own fresh Maine Lobster for $20, but I haven't done that. Yet. The thin crust pizzas are cooked right there, throughout the evening, from 5 PM to 9 PM. There's also a simple but very tasty fresh salad included all evening long. I'm not trying to advertise for him, really, but it's a great deal and a fun way to meet other local folks. I'm all for that.

Not gonna talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the 'hood right now. You know, that "neighbor problem" of mine. Just not willing to dwell on unpleasantness at this particular time. Because I'm a good neighbor, I wandered over to the yard sale at the empty soon-to-be-a-rental house this afternoon to say Howdy. My enemies and I played nice and chit-chatted about trimming nails for dogs, the surprising things folks buy at yard sales, what a nice day it is, and various other low-value topics. Well, low on the emotional index, but valuable in that we were all pleasant to each other. There's value in that, y'see.

And I bought some stuff.

Among them, four rooster mugs! Ms I Hate Roosters apparently collects rooster things! We slid into wobbly territory by my remarking at least rooster collectibles don't crow. She admitted Carl "and that husky one" (Bernard) do not disturb her at all, nor do the geese honking, it's just "the screechy little one" that she finds bothersome. (That would be Hitchcock, or perhaps Charlie.... but it's probably Hitchcock, because he does crow more than Charlie.)

Let me end this post with a photo of Dooley on the front steps. The sun has moved so I can plant my poor, battered artichoke plant without getting overheated.

 

[Kansaseq]

It's always good to hear from you, Linda, and it sounds like you've had a nice weekend so far. Those poor tomato plants! I can see why you needed to put them out of reach of the chickens.

I was enjoying your story and photo of Pippa being fascinated by the logo on the computer screen. And you know, from the back, she could easily be mistaken for some really exotic, expensive parrot. Just a random, weird observation. I'm good for those, you know

 

[Carols Clucks]

We have one volunteer tomato plant that looks just like yours...too close to the edge of the garden fence.

I did double check for tomato worms (no other damage anywhere)

 

[coloradochick]

Sorry Linda but I had to laugh when I saw your Charlie Brown mater plants. Yikes!! I'm surprised they left the stems I just have to say that you are a better woman/neighbor than I could muster up to be after all the grief they've caused you. Good on you for the rooster collectible jab though

proud of ya!

And Dooley

 

[Glasshen]

Good to hear from you and have a glimpse of life at your place. On the regulation of processing your own birds, it goes along with my impression of the State of California. My son lived in the LA Malibu area after he graduated. Couldn't find a job, he's an engineer, and so decided to do some carpentry to put food on the table. He couldn't legally do that unless he took a course and was licensed. The course had nothing to do with carpentry, but was about business, from what I understand. He did all that and after about a year or so, he came back to NYS, which is no paragon of governmental efficiency, either, but Im glad he's here. NY seems to tax everything, CA seems to license everything. But I saw avocados 10 for a dollar, and great fresh salsa in the grocery stores, so that may make up for a lot. Avocados are about two dollars each here.

I applaud your ability to see the good parts of your neighbors and to only take action against the the misguided parts of them. Your good sense of balance makes me think that in the end things will work out well. But it is always good to have a large hairy ape to guard your back. You can smile, and he can be behind you beating his chest! Makes me think of a broody hen with her chicks.

Enjoy the days, so much nicer than working, don't you think?

 

[harbisgirl]

Yeah, we had a great time! The pizza was very good. And you can't beat $15 for a whole carafe of Primitivo. Definately going back. And we had a great time seeing all of HH and Farmer Lew's flock. And i'm still buzzing over getting to pet the Alpacas. They are so cozy soft. We had a great time - and even got sent home with some goodies. Good times!



Glad to see you're keeping your spirits up. Can't wait for the next update!

 

[HHandbasket]

We have 2 more baby alpacas born this past week & they are both really beautiful. They have excellent fiber, and our landlady said they have all the traits they have been striving for in their breeding program & are VERY pleased. Plus it doesn't hurt that they're super adorable and soft and they look like little lambies. And they were much larger than the crias that came earlier this spring.

You'll have to come see the new babies. Dianna has moved everybody around, and all the mamas and babies are up in one pasture together now. She calls it "The Cria Crib". Hehehe.

 

[harbisgirl]

Aww, pics pics!

 

[gryeyes]

Edith and Edna, the two turkey poults, are intrepid explorers. Until recently, both would return to the upstairs sleeping quarters of the mini-coop, to nestle together with their six "tutor" chicks. Edna, however, has started sleeping in the main coop on top of the ginormous brooder, along with the rest of the Easter Hatch chicks. Edith hooted around as if she missed Edna, until I picked her up to put her "to bed" with her tutors. She then settled down. The two poults do not spend ALL their time together, but they definitely make contact throughout the day and hang together at various times.

Those little turkeys are excellent fly-catchers!

A few days ago, Pippa decided she didn't want to be a House Chicken any more. She followed me out onto the deck, which was a fascinating area for her until she suddenly realized there were chickens she KNEW in the yard. She squeezed her way through the balusters and has been outside ever since. (The three Polish roost together on a mini-coop kit, not in the main coop. This worries me, but the 8 adult ducks roam the property at night, sleeping mostly in the driveway near the coop when they aren't on patrol. The two silkies also roost outside the main coop, on the insulated conduit bringing water into the coop. They seem to blend right into the background and I have to check on them every evening.)

John got one of the porch screen doors installed today. Everything he does is "Custom Work" because NOTHING original about the house is level. Plus, it sucks working in directly the sunshine, with these 90+ temperatures of late. But it's gorgeous! Once the screen panels enclose the whole porch, that space is gonna be a spectacular place to spend time sans poultry, flies and mosquitos. (Bees, too.)



Here are a couple photos of one flock member's reaction to the change.

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One of my denuded tomato plants is trying to recover, but it's a (Monsanto) hybrid cherry tomato and those suckers just don't give up easily. The other is a heritage Mortgage Lifter and while it has not yet given up the ghost, I have doubts it will be able to recover with just one leaf left to photosynthesize sunlight.

Brunhilda, the only dark Cornish in my flock, is handicapped by improperly healed broken legs. Not sure if both were broken, but the poor thing is always - unfortunately - in what looks like the squat position, so every rooster takes advantage of her. Frequently. She's very plucky, moving slowly from inside the coop to her favorite dust-bathing spot, and shady spot to shady spot. It takes her quite some time to traverse a few feet.... (John calls her "Broken Chicken.") A couple of days ago, in this excessive heat, I noticed how long she remained in the sunlight and decided it was time for her to give up her yard mobility. She's in the office in the big brooder, with her own feed and water and lots and lots of pine shavings. Once she discovered the feed and water, she stopped exhibiting distress. I would like her to plump out a bit, but definitely have the time to re-grow feathers on the back of her head and neck. Poor "Broken Chicken" Brunhilda.


Pippa's brood-mates, the two WCB Polish cockerels, named themselves today: Dillon and Jack.

I don't know how this naming thing happens, it just does. I kinda prefer the names they give themselves over those suggested by others. (Usually. There have been exceptions.)

Sister #1, one of my very large self-blue Orpington hens has been raising the abandoned chick hatched in a roll-away nest box by one of the other broody hens. I'm pretty certain the chick is a bantam, so it's quite a sight to see the huge hen clucking and scratching for her adopted baby. She hasn't taken it out of the coop yet, but it won't be long before they venture outside. Sister #1 will dash out for a dust-bath and the chick stays behind with Sister #2, who is also broody.

When I made my flock check this evening, I discovered both Edna and Edith inside the main coop. Guess the tutors will get the whole mini-coop to themselves tonight.



John anticipates being able to screen the porch after he installs the second screen door tomorrow. Unless he gets caught up in something "not quite perfect" and works on whatever it is until he's quite satisfied... and the world can resume rotation after that point. He said a very bad word today when he discovered a problem.

He's brought his rugged music player every day of work and has been going through the playlists he's created on the new iPod which fits inside the unit. His taste in music is much more eclectic than mine. But we're enjoying the tunes - although I'm not allowed to hum along.

(Hey, what happened to "Sing like no one is listening?" Ahhh... singing is okay - it's the off-key humming I produce. Apparently my singing is acceptable when the music is in the key of The Everly Brothers.) In any case, we think the neighbors don't wanna complain about the contractor's music - we are awaiting the moment we can say, "We thought you would prefer that to listening to the roosters!"

Here's a series of shots I took tonight of Hitchcock on the porch railing, accompanied by his porch buddy, one of the immature Buff Orp boys.

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And my favorite of the three:



I'm afraid I don't have any alpaca or cria photos - that's the domain of HH and FL.