Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[Cheeky Chick]

My wildlife story involves racing around to get to work this morning and then discovering a small squirrel locked in the run, flipping out. The squirrel, that is. Although the hens and I were not the calmest about it, either.

I opened the door to the run and tried to shoo the hens into the coop, which of course made the babies wig out. 3 hens in the coop, 3 in the yard zeroing right in on the new grass seed. Time ticking for me to get to work, the dog chasing around the outside of the coop trying to get at the squirrel, and the squirrel unable to find the open coop door. Good times.

How come you never have a video camera when you need one?

Finally, the squirrel ran out, the dog chased it, I threw mealworms into the coop to lure the errant hens back, and let the cooped up hens back into the run. I was only 5 minutes late for work!

I love having pets. It's so relaxing.

You should have your own tv show. You simply crack me up!!!

 

[Cheeky Chick]

And I thought you mean about the .22.

Okay, everyone. I'm going to be making a small patio-type spot for my bbq. I plan to put in 18 round stepping stones and fill in around and between with a ground cover. Suggestions?

Heather, I think you mentioned thyme. German thyme? I also like Irish moss. Any ideas?

Irish Moss is the most beautiful green. It's really hardy too, but you have to buy ALOT of plants to cover ground. Thyme as others mentioned is lovely, creeping Jenny, or even Phlox with its pretty flowers.

 

[ChickenAl]

It's called the Rat Zapper. I have one. The problem with it if it gets wet or muddy inside, it kills the batteries.
It's a little tunnel kind of thing, you put the bait in the back, and he has to step into it, but the floor is metal, and OOPS zzzzzipp. Fried rat.

Sounds like a great kind of trap. I hate rats. Our problem here is mostly field mice. In fact, we caught another one in the house the other night.

 

[ChickenAl]

and yeah we only used pellet guns xD If we got caught that would have gotten us in enough trouble xD lol imaging what a .22 would get us in xD

Would you believe, in the 1960s they had rifle teams in NYC high schools and they carried the rifles in the halls, but with the bolt out? Try that today! When I was in HS in the 70s, the auto shop teachers reloaded pistol bullets in the shop. And, no one thought anything of it. I swear this was true. How the world has changed..

 

[ChickenAl]

My wildlife story involves racing around to get to work this morning and then discovering a small squirrel locked in the run, flipping out.  The squirrel, that is.  Although the hens and I were not the calmest about it, either.

I opened the door to the run and tried to shoo the hens into the coop, which of course made the babies wig out.  3 hens in the coop, 3 in the yard zeroing right in on the new grass seed.  Time ticking for me to get to work, the dog chasing around the outside of the coop trying to get at the squirrel, and the squirrel unable to find the open coop door.  Good times.

How come you never have a video camera when you need one?

Finally, the squirrel ran out, the dog chased it, I threw mealworms into the coop to lure the errant hens back, and let the cooped up hens back into the run.  I was only 5 minutes late for work!

I love having pets.  It's so relaxing. 

You've got to be operating on your last nerve.

 

[highpointfarm]

WOW al, I couldnt imagine... We could have got serius fines if we had got caught... A few months in jail if we werent minors... FOR A PELLUT GUN!!!

 

[Glasshen]

Queenchick, I'm sorry your hurt your finger, but let's think of how to make the most of a bad thing. This might be just the time to be around all the people who irritate you, because if you have to flip them off, you have an excuse.

On the subject of rats, I was reading a great book called something like Managing the Small Flock, and he doesn't leave feed down to avoid rodent problems. It's a good book for lots of other stuff, too.

Tina, my grandfather lived on Ann St in Poughkeepsie! This was in the 50s and early 60s...but I have fond memories. Welcome.

 

[magsrags]

WOW al, I couldnt imagine... We could have got serius fines if we had got caught... A few months in jail if we werent minors... FOR A PELLUT GUN!!!

After 9-11 my son had a GI Joe plastic rifleaccessory in his backpack and he got suspended due to the new terrorist acts we now have. Can you imagine! He is 19 now and I really cant believe that even happened? it was 1" in size.

 

[ChickenAl]

Yes, Queenchick, sorry about your finger. Hope it hurts less today.

 

[ChickenAl]

After 9-11 my son had a GI Joe plastic rifleaccessory  in his backpack and he got suspended due to the new terrorist acts we now have. Can you imagine! He is 19 now and I really cant believe  that even happened? it was 1" in size.

Caleb, I'm sure the laws today would earn you jail time for a pellet gun.

Maggie, nothing surprises me anymore. I am not sure how a 1" GI Joe piece of plastic translates into a suspension, but I do know that it's overdoing it when that happens. They are making criminals out of ordinary kids the days, but they slack off on the real perpetrators. It is insane!