Sdwd

[rancher hicks]

I don't keep Dellies, but I come to chat because I like you all!
Sorry about the snow, it was my main reason for moving south.
Cylis, is such a cute baby. You are blessed.
Serrin, can't wait to hear if your seeds germinate. What kind?

I had 8 roos.2 were super loud and continuous for an hour several times a day. I was afraid they would upset the neighbors, since the other 6 are tolerable. So I luckily rehomed them to the stable I keep my horse at. They will have a good time there with the bugs and the horse feed. They know how to roost real high, and the owner wants to build a coop for them and get some chicks.

This is Daryl and his other brother Daryl. (you know where those names came from?)

Yes I do, but do you know what HIS name was? Larry. Funny show we used to love to watch it. You can find some on Youtube.

Those are nice looking birds. What kind are they.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have been busy - reading the Bible. Yes, really I have!

 

[rancher hicks]

I have been busy - reading the Bible. Yes, really I have!

I know you've been busy reading the bible so I wasn't concerned about where you've been. I was the same way when I first got saved. It is definitely a Good book. I can't tell you how happy I am.

Take care and God bless,

Tim

 

[rancher hicks]

On another note, I lost my first and hopefully last bird to a hawk/falcon. It was either a young hawk or a Falcon. It was much smaller than the Hawk of years ago.

It got a maran pullet. I locked everyone up of course and it stayed a distance away for a while. I kept going outside and cleaned a coop so I would let my presence known.

I had hoped it go the message but it came back this am. I didn't let the young ones out, but only the big ones in the Marans coop. I came out and scared it off, but locked them up just the same.

This time it didn't hang around. Perhaps it was to hungry since I stole it's meal from yesterday.

I do know there is a Red tail that hangs out along the 481 highway and I suspect it was the original bird, but I scared it off and it never came back.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

On another note, I lost my first and hopefully last bird to a hawk/falcon. It was either a young hawk or a Falcon. It was much smaller than the Hawk of years ago.

It got a maran pullet. I locked everyone up of course and it stayed a distance away for a while. I kept going outside and cleaned a coop so I would let my presence known.

I had hoped it go the message but it came back this am. I didn't let the young ones out, but only the big ones in the Marans coop. I came out and scared it off, but locked them up just the same.

This time it didn't hang around. Perhaps it was to hungry since I stole it's meal from yesterday.

I do know there is a Red tail that hangs out along the 481 highway and I suspect it was the original bird, but I scared it off and it never came back.

Tim

I carry a .410 shotgun with me any time I am at the coop....never know what "varmits" you might encounter. I killed a coyote last year that had taken off at least 6 of my "grow out" Columbian Rocks. I've taken out a few raccoons as well as oppossums

If the raptor has gotten a "taste" of chicken, I can promise it will be back...keep a close eye/ear out. My boys keep some bottle rockets (fireworks) around to chase off the hawks when they seem to "hang out" a little too long. Be careful

I hate to keep my birds penned up all the time and they have plenty of places to hide, but, those birds of prey are very very smart

 

[rancher hicks]

I don't own a gun yet, but will. So far I haven't seen any foxes or other big animals other than the rabbits. I haven't seen a squirrel in a while either but there may be a reason for that.

There are some nest in a couple of trees but they must be empty. I'll find out after I get my gun.

I'll keep an eye out and be going out often. I like the warm weather and spend a lot of time out there when I can. I have chairs and benches around the place for taking breaks. This is only the second time I've had a bird of prey. The first was a big Red tail and it's not been back in years. This bird is much smaller. Not much bigger than the pullet it killed.

It's nice that you dropped in as I was planning on contacting you for more eggs. I've found someone to do my birds and I plan to have a full freezer this winter. Not to mention friends who could use some help.

Thank the Lord my SIL just got a job. A "real" job. He's not saved and Lord how much I need him and my DD to be saved. God can work a miracle of changes with a willing heart.

Take care and thanks for the advice,

Tim

 

[Serrin]

<snip>
Serrin, can't wait to hear if your seeds germinate. What kind?
<snip>This is Daryl and his other brother Daryl. (you know where those names came from?)

Bwaahaaahaaaa!!!!

OMG! Karen, sometimes you truly tickle my funny bone!!

I picked up some pumpkin [Jack-Be-Little's] squash [acorn and spaghetti] and other miscellaneous things, all of which need about a two month head start in the green house or I shant see a single fruit to harvest come September. Thus is the price I pay for living in an area that has four true seasons. I just wish that spring and summer could last longer than fall and winter!

VERY short growing season here. We've been known to get snow as late as June 10th!

But the seeds will have to wait for another two weeks. Can't put the cart TOO far in front of the horse ya know!

In the mean time, our kitchen cabinets arrived yesterday!!!!!

Finally! After nearly six years of construction, we're almost done building the house. After the kitchen, there will be just a few relatively minor projects left to do. And then it's on to the big dream coop and green house combo!

And, speaking of the kitchen....I'd best get back to work!

Have a great day y'all!

 

[seminolewind]

Woohoo for you, Serrin! House building is a nerve wracking experience and I'm glad it's almost over for you!

 

[rancher hicks]

Bwaahaaahaaaa!!!!

OMG! Karen, sometimes you truly tickle my funny bone!!

I picked up some pumpkin [Jack-Be-Little's] squash [acorn and spaghetti] and other miscellaneous things, all of which need about a two month head start in the green house or I shant see a single fruit to harvest come September. Thus is the price I pay for living in an area that has four true seasons. I just wish that spring and summer could last longer than fall and winter!

VERY short growing season here. We've been known to get snow as late as June 10th!

But the seeds will have to wait for another two weeks. Can't put the cart TOO far in front of the horse ya know!

In the mean time, our kitchen cabinets arrived yesterday!!!!!

Finally! After nearly six years of construction, we're almost done building the house. After the kitchen, there will be just a few relatively minor projects left to do. And then it's on to the big dream coop and green house combo!

And, speaking of the kitchen....I'd best get back to work!

Have a great day y'all!

You can always set up a few of these. Mine are off the ground but you could put yours right on the ground. Completely covered the stay pretty warm and humid inside.

 

[Serrin]

Tim, I had a couple of thoughts on your bird of prey problem. I simply forgot to post it earlier. It could be that what you have hanging around your place is either a Cooper or a Sharp Shinned hawk. Cooper's are less than half the size of a mature red tail, and Sharp Shinned's are roughly half the size of a Cooper. You mentioned that you weren't sure if it was a small hawk or a falcon. My money would go on the Sharp Shinned. They do look strikingly like a small falcon through the face, but their wings and tail are not as narrow and pointed as, say, a Peregrine. That being said, they are every bit as fast, sneaky, and devastating to young chickens as any full sized bird of prey. As to what to do about it.......well......you can always follow the three S's. That being: Shoot. Shovel. And, Shut up! But, ya didn't hear that from ME!

Seriously though, while I do admire and respect the raptors of the world, that doesn't mean I'll sit iddly by and allow one to treat my flock as a wandering buffet table!

Good luck in scaring it away. That's always my first preference, but sadly, sometimes you have to resort to more drastic measures.