Surviving Minnesota!

[lvie]

LOL - she's not shy!

 

[lvie]

When YOU are worried Ralphie I am VERY concerned. How you have been keeping up is beyond me. Kudo's to you.

Judy, Judy, Judy. That bacteria infection thing is scary. I am sending Judy sunshine to heal with, calmness for her digestive system, armies to wipe out the bad guys crawling around in her gut. And anything else my prayers can visualize for that amazing woman.

For your relaxation I still have Mikes in my refrigerator that I purchased last Spring. Just if you need company for a small time. I am sure that if it is in the evening the DH would sit down to jaw with you a little too.

 

[duluthralphie]

I am running late on my way to the Hospital. I have just finished chores and come to a disheartening conclusion I have been trying to avoid.

Ethel has not been acting right for the past couple weeks. She has avoided me when I try to pick her up, but she would still look at me, I thought. She has been in a very heavy molt. Most of my turkeys have been. I know some of you will understand this and some not. I cannot always tell who is who when they are in molt. I have been thinking for over a week Ethel's feathers are coming in very light. Normally she comes in darker when she molts.

I decided to catch her tonight and see if she is ok, whether she wanted to be caught or not. I did. As soon as I picked her up, I knew something was wrong. She was not eating up the attention like she does, she was fighting me. I checked her leg band and checked my records, it was not Ethel. It was one of her daughters, which is why the face looked the same.

I checked the only other turkey that could be Ethel, it was not Ethel either. My conclusion is Ethel had snuck a nest, like she did every year and the predator got her, when I thought it got another one. Ethel is gone.

Judy will be heart broken when I tell her, Ethel was her pet. She would sit and hold her for long periods of time, but we have been so busy we have not held turkeys much this summer. Judy told me 10 days or so ago Ethel was acting strange. I should have checked then, nothing could have been done, but we would have known she was gone.

I feel bad I did not notice it was Ethel, the molt really fooled me. I would cry and feel sorry for myself but I am all out of any those feelings right now.

Just wanted to tell you she was gone, Please do not think too badly of me for not knowing it was her sooner.

 

[holm25]

Ralphie I am so so terribly sorry! Don't beat yourself up about anything though. You brought Ethel and JJ out of terrible conditions and gave them a great home! Again, I am so sorry to hear this...

 

[holm25]

LOL - she's not shy!

Once I catch them they are great! But until I have them they won't let me touch them!

 

[I Love Layers]

I am running late on my way to  the Hospital.  I have just finished chores and come to a disheartening conclusion I have been trying to avoid.

Ethel has not been acting right for the past couple weeks. She has avoided me when I try to pick her up, but she would still look at me, I thought.  She has been in a very heavy molt. Most of my turkeys have been.  I know some of you will understand this and some not. I cannot always tell who is who when they are in molt. I have been thinking for over a week Ethel's feathers are coming in very light. Normally she comes in darker when she molts.

I decided to catch her tonight and see if she is ok, whether she wanted to be caught or not.  I did. As soon as I picked her up, I knew something was wrong. She was not eating up the attention like she does, she was fighting me.  I checked her leg band and checked my records, it was not Ethel. It was one of her daughters, which is why the face looked the same.

I checked the only other turkey that could be Ethel, it was not Ethel either. My conclusion is Ethel had snuck a nest, like she did every year and the predator got her, when I thought it got another one.  Ethel is gone.

Judy will be heart broken when I tell her, Ethel was her pet. She would sit and hold her for long periods of time, but we have been so busy we have not held turkeys much this summer. Judy told me 10 days or so ago Ethel was acting strange.  I should have checked then, nothing could have been done, but we would have known she was gone.

I feel bad I did not notice it was Ethel, the molt really fooled me.  I would cry and feel sorry for myself but I am all out of any  those feelings right now.

Just wanted to tell you she was gone,  Please do not think too badly of me for not knowing it was her sooner.

Oh no!! I don't think badly of you! I usually don't realize til chicks pop up or until I realize that they're gone sometimes. Just today I realized I'm missing 1 EE and a Red Sex Link.
My dad found the RSL

 

[holm25]

You all need cats like mine, I have actually caught him in the brooder playing momma with chicks.  He has never bothered a single bird out here, chicks, juvies or otherwise, he leaves them all alone.  If he did kill any, he would have been gone a long time ago.  I give him enough food to not tempt him.

Lol we had a cat like that! But he disappeared

. Now there is 8 cats here plus strays.



IF anyone needs cats let me know! We have 5 kittens and 2 prego mama cats who r starting to nest.

 

[Momof3plustwins]

You all need cats like mine, I have actually caught him in the brooder playing momma with chicks. He has never bothered a single bird out here, chicks, juvies or otherwise, he leaves them all alone. If he did kill any, he would have been gone a long time ago. I give him enough food to not tempt him.

Us too! We have so many cats around and not a single one bothers the chickens or chicks. We have actually brought kittens in there and let them down in with the chicks and they are scared of them! On that note we have too many kittens. You are welcome to free kittens! 5 are old enough to go to new homes and 6 were born on Wednesday and there is a momma who is going to birth any day now. LOL But come Spring there is usually on about 3-5 left. Coyotes, fox, and the like usually help take care of the cat population around here.

 

[Momof3plustwins]

Today began bright and early at 6:30am to plug in the scalder. Then all the set up to begin butchering began an hour later. by 2:30 we had butchered, cooled, bagged, and weighed 65 birds. We have 44 left to do and are planning to do them next Friday or even a week later. Both the Pastor (who raises his butcher chickens at our house) and we like the bigger birds as we both have many children and need a larger bird to feed everyone. Last time we waited until 9.5 wks and they ranged from 5lbs to 8.5lbs this time they were mostly 4 to 4.5 lbs. We have the Star Plucker and it works so well! 15 secs and it is done being plucked.

Now I have to finish with some last minute clean up and then make it to the lake. I really think I am just going to wait until morning though.

Have a good weekend.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Ralphie

So sorry Ethel is gone. Judy being sick is so hard on you, I wish you the best and hope Judy gets better quickly. Sorry you lost a friend too.