Ribh's D'Coopage

[rjohns39]

Ok, I went outside to let my big girls out into the run. They are still cooped & will be for some time. There was a large white bellied sea eagle looking to mantle in the tree branches above the run. Yes, she already had a prey [ a small mammel from the looks which is unusual, they usually scoop mullet from the surface of the bay], but no need to encourage her by showing her easy meals.

These are our 2nd largest raptors with a wing span of over 7' & reaching a weight of nearly 10lb. We do have wedge tailed eagles but we rarely see them over our island. The sea eagles are fairly common & honk like a goose & they are incredibly messy eaters so I'd as soon she ate elsewhere.

They are common as dust round here but no less spectacular for that & just as dangerous. The girls will be having a quiet coop day I think. Better safe than sorry.

That makes perfect sense.

 

[MaryJanet]

For the most part, main roads are open and power is coming back on. Stores that weren't damaged badly are open today, while others will remain closed for a while. My gas station being one of them. The good news is everyone has now been accounted for. In crazy news, we now have a crime drama unfolding... The search & rescue dogs found skeletal remains of someone who's been there for quite a while.

How sad that person has lain unknown for so long

 

[rjohns39]

How sad that person has lain unknown for so long

I'm sure they'll figure out who it is and why he/she was buried there.

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks . I have some pictures although they are a bit old. The birds haven't changed much though.View attachment 2042510View attachment 2042513View attachment 2042514

Beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BY Bob]

Ok, I went outside to let my big girls out into the run. They are still cooped & will be for some time. There was a large white bellied sea eagle looking to mantle in the tree branches above the run. Yes, she already had a prey [ a small mammel from the looks which is unusual, they usually scoop mullet from the surface of the bay], but no need to encourage her by showing her easy meals.

These are our 2nd largest raptors with a wing span of over 7' & reaching a weight of nearly 10lb. We do have wedge tailed eagles but we rarely see them over our island. The sea eagles are fairly common & honk like a goose & they are incredibly messy eaters so I'd as soon she ate elsewhere.

They are common as dust round here but no less spectacular for that & just as dangerous. The girls will be having a quiet coop day I think. Better safe than sorry.

Best to be smart. What's one day inside.

 

[pspatbyc]

Good evening folks


We had a relatively good day. They've closed the schools for the rest of the week, so Sue's home.

Unfortunately, the death toll is likely going to continue to rise as they sift through the rubble trying to account for everyone.

So sad Glad you are okay

 

[pspatbyc]

Well, I just learned I need to find a new gas station... The one I regularly use will be out of commission for quite some time. Same with Lowes and Home Depot (both are an hour away). So I'm gonna either go quite a bit further or find a different source.

At least you still have your internet any local ACE or private Hardware stores ??

 

[pspatbyc]

Well, I was a relatively new chicken owner & I was told that they'd get away & not come back...nonsense as Aoife proved. She got out & flew ~ boy, did she fly!!! But she homed back in on the coop immediately & kept homing in until I was able to grab her & pop her back in. Even this time, the seller was worried about selling me Campines until I told her I already had goldies & knew what to expect. I can't think how awful some people must find them but I imagine they could be very difficult if you never spend time with them getting them used to you.

I was working in the coop yesterday with everyone underfoot & though the Campines kept their distance they didn't have a massive melt down either.

I think the flock (and individual birds) key off of us. So if you're calm and don't freak out, they stay calm and more relaxed. they still have their natural tendencies but our behavior helps to moderate them

 

[pspatbyc]

Can't remember who asked for pictures of Lavender's molt @LozzyR @Aussie-Chookmum ???

Anyway here we are:
Bare bum. You can literally see the feathers dropping off her.

View attachment 2042340
@ least the new feathers are coming in but both sides of her neck,
down her chest & her abdomen.
View attachment 2042341
These are harder to see but all down her back we have this...
She's an absolute mess just now. She looks incredibly ratty~tatty & every time she moves hordes of feathers fall of her!
View attachment 2042342
All Lavender's feathers.

More in the run & blowing all round my yard.

Poor girl.
View attachment 2042343​

Poor girl !! Do you get cold temps where you are ?

 

[pspatbyc]

Well, she's not laying so I haven't worried about it. @BY Bob is the expert on this stuff. I think he said it wasn't a concern...

He & MaryJanet had quite a discussion about that sort of thing. Not being scientifically inclined I didn't understand most of it.

I thought I read they stop laying when in molt. If that's true then no worries for her as she'll provide no eggs. Don't know if the others might get into it ??