The Front Porch Swing

[OHhappychicks]

Need to check on my new HEN this morning. She is older than my roo. She kept chasing him he couldnt get down to eat or drink. Dont want him hurt or starved but my frind said just toss her in. I washed her feet first and will medicate today but at least now I can get eggs finally. Saw cochins in town 2.50 each for chicks! Yikes. But I want a few. Down to 2 NNs hope I got a pair. They all milled around the new coop but come bedtime they were crawling over each other to go back to the rabbit cage. Peeping like crazy! Took a crate and put a bulb on it and put it in the new box I got them, covered it with a blanket 3/4 way. One came out was going crazy couldnt see he just needed to crawl under edge of blanket to get back in, had to open cage and show him back. They shut up instantly. Found them out this morning fromunder blanket hope they figure it out lol. While putting the door in place I impaled my finger on hardware, hurt bad trying to lift door off my finger, I couldnt see why I could not move my finger and moving door on own hurt like dickens. Daughter was like "what"? Duh, my finger is impaled help me push the door off an bout passed out trying to get kids to even notice what was wrong. Thank god for tetnus shots! No blood I pulled and compressed immediately so kids could not see why I was panicked. Cloudy day so will finish cleaning and rest today.
On other news seems embassy has suggested evacuation of american citizens but how do we leave people behind? Remember during war in 2011, we were working on helping evac a foriegn woman whose husband had left with his mother seeking medical aid. She wanted to leave and join him or go to her family. He refused to let her leave. She was smuggled out. Got to port was waiting in abandon building for words to get to port where ship was waiting...bomb hit building and her and others killed...we cried all night. Two of my kids want to leave but with airlines refusing to come few routes available. Try to see if embassy can assist. Im safe as anyone else. I will die where God so chooses. But my kids decide for themselves. If my life is in Gods hands why go anywhere in panic? Internet trickling down so dont panic if im not around much. 5th is long way off.

We will be in prayer for you, your safety, and your country! You are so right. We shouldn't panic when things go haywire. You do what you need to do to stay safe, and the rest is in His hands, just as you said.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Thank you for this! I'm going to try to make one this week. As for the roos, I know what you mean. I have 4 roos with 20 hens. The largest and head roo is in a breeding pen with 4 hens. He is so good and gentle. The other 3 one is a buckeye americauna, and a bantam de'uccle roo. The AM roo is the worst. I would love to rehome him, or send him to freezer camp, but I don't cull my own, (I know

), just something I don't want to do. I usually give them to a family that has a few hens, and she culls them for her family. If I have several, the amish a few miles down the road will do them for $2 ea, or there is another mennonite processing place about 30 miles from me that I can take them to, and they shrink wrap them. But with only 1 it isn't worth it to me. I am almost ready to give him to that family if they want him. But this one particular hen is the worst of all the hens. I won't make them for all the bare backs, I don't think. If they work well, I might though, just for sunburn issues!

I think I know what you're experiencing. We tried to have a few Easter Egger males, and they were so absolutely obnoxious they couldn't even be civilized in the cockerel colony. Nobody was allowed near the roosts or the food. Total jerks. It will be a while before I try again with a blue egg layer male.

This last fall it was just a bunch or mutts, and they weren't individually so bad, except for the competition. Everyone wants to be the "last" to mate a particular hen, so going to roost at night was pretty horrible for the hens until we got the cockerels out. Now it is just the two younger males keeping things stirred up. It isn't nearly as bad as before, but I consider it at least partly unnecessary.

Here is a link to a thread here that shows the basic shape of the hen saddle, plus some discussion about using them ... a google search will produce lots more ideas, including an image of "how to measure."

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/424354/free-chicken-apron-saddle-pattern

I did not stitch around the cut edges to keep it from fraying. It did not look terribly frayed when I removed it, but maybe now that it is off I'll add that stitching ...

 

[OHhappychicks]

I just want to take this time to ask for prayer for this Saturday, May 31st. The community where my sweet Daughter in Law lives is having a benefit for her. She has cystic fibrosis and is need of a double lung transplant. She is a wonderful, godly, 33 yr old woman. She is the mother of 2 of my perfect

grandchildren, ages 11 & 8. She has struggled with CF all of her life. Her brother passed away at the age of 18 from cf, about 7 years ago. She will need to go to Cleveland Clinic for the transplant. She has to have a great sum of funds, to be put on the list. It is for travel & living expenses, ect, as evenually they will have to relocate there. They say she has 3 strikes against her, her weight, size and the strain of bacteria she carries in her lungs. Some have to wait years for their transplant. Her doctor says every thing has to line up perfectly. But I serve a perfect God, and it is in His hands. I know this won't apply to all of you, as you all live so far away, but if anyone is passing thru southern ohio this weekend, east or west on State Rt 32, take the Peebles exit and I believe, follow Rt 41, (you could stop in Peebles to ask for directions

), to Sinking Springs, OH. It starts at 4pm at the community center there. There will be a spaghetti dinner, a silent and live auction, raffles for great prizes, inflatables, cotton candy, & popcorn for the kids. The benefit is named "Lungs of Love for Stephanie Stephens". It would be so awesome to meet some of you!!! IF you make it, and I know its a BIG if, ask around, I'm sure someone will know where I will be!! But nonetheless, please pray for the benefit and for Stephanie. Thank you all so much!!!

 

[Beekissed]

I'm so happy you got to enjoy her so thoroughly while the family was together. She sure is a little jewel. And the duck is adorable, too.

I'm so glad you have "the haze" in the field!

And so it begins...the iron fist in the velvet glove that slowly turns TPTB to her will..........

Go, LJ! Go, LJ! Go, LJ!

Lindz, I am so sorry about your little buddy. That is so painful to go through....and there's nothing anyone can say t ease it. You and your family are in my prayers.

OldMomma, thinking of you as well! Love your "I can do it myself" attitude.

Bee, I loved that picture! Not every baby has her own "guard duck!"

Busy day to today. Yesterday we drained, cleaned and refilled the hot tub, but I really need to put a new filter in it. I don't think the one that's in there is doing much after looking at it yesterday. So I'll be making a run to the spa shop in Cody today. Little Diane is crazy about sitting out in the tub, so I want to be sure it's ready. Then this evening we'll break out the camper and get it cleaned from its winter rest, then we'll set it as a "guest room" for them. The kids have always called that little camper "Motel 5 1/2" so I'm a major hotel chain now with the chickens living in "Motel Chix". I also have to get these flowers planted before they wilt and die from being stuck in the little nursery pots.

I have an overabundance of shrimp plants too that need to go into the deck planters. The hummingbirds are nuts for them, so they always get planted on the deck to bring the hummers in close enough for photographs. I started with one shrimp plant a few years ago and when I winter them in the house I always take a few cuttings and start more inside. They are my very favorite plant. The first year when I had brought it in for the winter I researched how to winter them and everything said that as soon as it quit flowering I should cut it way back. It never stopped flowering and got over 3 feet tall with these long, willowy stems arching up and then gently sweeping down. It was gorgeous. But in subsequent years I have just closed my eyes and whacked, using some of the stems I cut to start new ones. This year I have enough to make up 4 or 5 planters. Hummers should be real happy with me!

Kenny got home yesterday. I haven't talked to him yet - hoping his plans are for staying here and sticking it out until something comes up. But I know he has to do whatever is best, and that's a decision for him and his family to make, not his mommy. Guess it doesn't matter how old they get - I still fuss and worry.

Well, time to do the chickens. We were so busy yesterday that I blew off cleaning the poop board but it's really way too hot to do that for a second day. Huh, I was beginning to believe I'd never say those words "too hot", but here we are. Supposed to be in the 90's for a few days. Prayers for all of you....I'll pop in from time to time.

Had to Google "shrimp plant"....never saw one before! I love it that you have so many "motels"....

.....Motel 5 1/2....your kids must have inherited your unique brand of humor. What a riot it must be around your house when the fam comes for a visit!

How nice that you have a hot tub!!! We are packing up this fall and coming to Motel Blooie!

We rented a place for this fishing trip that had a hot tub and it was lovely....the night temps were down in the 40s so the "hot" part of hot tub was luxurious and we felt quite wealthy as we sipped sparkling grape juice from wine glasses and watched the sun go down and the stars appear across the amazing view from our chalet. But...getting OUT of the tub was a shock and we'd hurry into the house before our clothes were completely frigid...but didn't quite make it. Brrrrrr!

Aliza Grace got her first hot tub experience....I dangled her little legs in there and just a little of her bottom and she lolled like she had no cares while her eyes kind of rolled back in her head.....she lova the hottie tub! So I took her into the sink and put her in her own little hot tub, minus the jets, and she loved every minute of it....she slept all night long and deep into the morning after her hot tubbing.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

BK, I saw a video once of a "trained professional" giving a wee baby a relaxing massage bath ... it was absolutely the sweetest thing. A nice warm bath must feel very familiar to fresh babies.

Of course, the video has to come with all kinds of "don't try this at home" warnings ... cuz some of us adults lack common sense ...

I'm glad you got to experience some of that with Aliza Grace.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Bee~~That is the most precious pic!!! Nothing like those sweet grandbabies!! The little duckling is quite the charmer too!!

Did you take the duck on vacation with you?

 

[bruceha2000]

My granddaughter Madi seems to be settling in well. We spent the time after supper in the gazebo just chatting about things, talking about my husband's time on submarines. Which led to history discussions about things they don't even cover in school anymore. We talked about WWII and the internment camps for the Japanese. She still had her I-phone buzzing every 30 seconds, but really participated in the conversation. The puppy was running in and out and just getting into mischief . A really nice evening. She is a smart girl and I think just needs to be recognized as an individual. She wants a hammock so tomorrow we will try to find her one. Doug told her about a pretty meadow near the house and she thinks that is where she wants it. We also have a small camping trailer that we bought last year and she wants to fix it up. It is on our upper property and I think she can get cell service there. She is going to clean it and we will run electricity for her. Her sister is coming on the 13th for 2 weeks so we are scheduling some fun stuff for the two of them. If I can keep her parents at bay a little bit I think she will do a lot of maturing. She is sweet and helpful, but I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is not the kid her mother described. I expected much defiance and tears. None so far. God has blessed me with this opportunity and I will give it my best.

Glad to hear it

I have advocated (but never instituted) a plan where children cycle through a dozen sets of parents, one family a month. Musical houses. That way they can't ever get too comfortable and become the "where did the kid that left this house go and who replaced him/her until they came back" person you don't recognize from the accolades others give them.

Helpful? Not my kids, have to cajole them into it. Yet at other's homes, helpful as can be. I really want THOSE kids to come in the door!

And I agree with Blooie (I seem to do that a LOT!

). You have given her a way to get out of a hole she couldn't stop digging for herself but wanted to. The 'honeymoon' will wear off but what you build during the early times will be the foundation for her new life.

Sometimes it just takes someone who doesn't have the history, someone who can give her the opportunity to be entirely new, to reinvent herself.

So true. Old patterns die hard. Younger one back from college, RIGHT back into old habits. Hang in her room except when it is time to be fed. Fights with her sister. I'm sure this isn't the same person that spent the last 9 months in a dorm in Wisconsin.

On the subject of ordinances. San diego city propper had a NO chickens ordinance up till about two years ago. Now a new law has passed you can have I believe up to five....

Up till then people who lived in San Diego County which includes quite a few small high density towns were left to decide for themselves. Each town had the right to say Yay or Nay. but for the most part If you had property large enough to provide housing for your chickens that allowed the chickens to be housed no closer than fifty feet from any home. This included your neighbor. You were good to go.

The ordinance then was four chickens per person living in the house. Or something like that... and no roosters.

So The City of San Diego did this blanket ordinance that covered areas that had no ordinance for chickens... Again the fifty foot limitation. No roosters.

Seems REALLY weird to say a coop in YOUR yard has to be 50' from YOUR house. And as cities are embracing more dense housing with 'green space', makes it impossible.
In the neighborhood where the 'city' house (RELATIVELY soon to be rented out after I fix it up

) is, the houses are CLOSE together. This neighborhood started as a bunch of tent lots over 100 years ago. Over time the lots were combined into slightly larger lots (< 1/8 acre mostly) and summer camps were built. Those then were made into all year houses. Most are 1,500 sq ft or less. That 50' limitation would mean ZERO chickens in the neighborhood.

Anyway, a small group of people wanted to have chickens in a commonly owned area by the community garden 3 years ago. Plenty of people in the neighborhood signed their petition. City agreed and made an ordinance for the entire city. Now you can have 6 hens (no roosters) per lot (and for condos that means 6 per building) BUT the coop has to be 20' from any lot line unless approved by the neighbor in writing, then 5'. Given the small lots, if a neighbor doesn't like you, no chickens. They are specific about the security of the birds (including buried wire) and cleanliness. They don't allow coops made from scrap, waste board, sheet metal, etc (which is too bad since many here on BYC made from scrap are quite nice) and max is 30 sq feet. This one makes no sense to me. Other neighborhoods in the city are on 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, even multi acre lots. Your coop can only be 5x'6' even if you have tons of space??

Bruce

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Glad to hear it

I have advocated (but never instituted) a plan where children cycle through a dozen sets of parents, one family a month. Musical houses. That way they can't ever get too comfortable and become the "where did the kid that left this house go and who replaced him/her until they came back" person you don't recognize from the accolades others give them.

Helpful? Not my kids, have to cajole them into it. Yet at other's homes, helpful as can be. I really want THOSE kids to come in the door!

And I agree with Blooie (I seem to do that a LOT!

). You have given her a way to get out of a hole she couldn't stop digging for herself but wanted to. The 'honeymoon' will wear off but what you build during the early times will be the foundation for her new life.


So true. Old patterns die hard. Younger one back from college, RIGHT back into old habits. Hang in her room except when it is time to be fed. Fights with her sister. I'm sure this isn't the same person that spent the last 9 months in a dorm in Wisconsin.


Seems REALLY weird to say a coop in YOUR yard has to be 50' from YOUR house. And as cities are embracing more dense housing with 'green space', makes it impossible.
In the neighborhood where the 'city' house (RELATIVELY soon to be rented out after I fix it up

) is, the houses are CLOSE together. This neighborhood started as a bunch of tent lots over 100 years ago. Over time the lots were combined into slightly larger lots (< 1/8 acre mostly) and summer camps were built. Those then were made into all year houses. Most are 1,500 sq ft or less. That 50' limitation would mean ZERO chickens in the neighborhood.

Anyway, a small group of people wanted to have chickens in a commonly owned area by the community garden 3 years ago. Plenty of people in the neighborhood signed their petition. City agreed and made an ordinance for the entire city. Now you can have 6 hens (no roosters) per lot (and for condos that means 6 per building) BUT the coop has to be 20' from any lot line unless approved by the neighbor in writing, then 5'. Given the small lots, if a neighbor doesn't like you, no chickens. They are specific about the security of the birds (including buried wire) and cleanliness. They don't allow coops made from scrap, waste board, sheet metal, etc (which is too bad since many here on BYC made from scrap are quite nice) and max is 30 sq feet. This one makes no sense to me. Other neighborhoods in the city are on 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, even multi acre lots. Your coop can only be 5x'6' even if you have tons of space??

Bruce

It's possible your college student is absolutely exhausted right now. I remember how I used to feel at the end of finals ... I could have slept all summer. But then ... I was putting myself through school, so working as well as doing homework ... and I could barely read when I was an undergrad, so homework was a bit of a magic trick ... I occasionally had time to go to class, but really couldn't read well enough to do anything that resembled "studying." It was pretty stressy ...

If your student doesn't try to get back into some productive habits soon, it will be twice as shocking next school year.
----------------
That coop size restriction sounds really dumb ... as in not what's best for the birds. Though I can imagine what some people might come up with if there wasn't some kind of restriction.

 

[Oldmomma]

Duckshu massages now lol. So cute. Love babies human and animal. My chicks are doing better in their new coop until we can build a larger place hope in month at most. With possibilites of war again having my food supply close is safer to me. So many animals were slaughtered during the revo to cause more suffering. Wells were filled with cement or poisoned and groves of fruit trees burned.
The embassy today released a ststement to evacuate so im going to see if they can get two of mine out who dont want to live here. I came to help and its cost me more than monetary to be here. Im planning on staying to continue helping but that is my choice two of mine over 18 want to leave. I pray that this is fear mongering and it wont get full blown again but knowing that this city fought and kept out Pro G troops makes me feel safe. When living in Colorado and kids would ask about wars I use to tell them with all the military bases around us we're the first to go....no worries. God has his plans. Prayers to all who need them, im in spirit to those who need a hug. Will keep posting once a day until I lose credit or power. It went out for 2 hours today.

 

[jmoeller]

lindz~ I am sorry for your lose. Pets are members of the family and it hurts terrible when we lose them.
oldmamma~ I understand and admire your faith in God. I personally would be doing what ever I needed to get to the U.S. but that's just me. Please do what you need to do to stay safe.

I have a blazing migraine today thanks to modern technology. I need to update my credentials & submit my cpr card to medicaid by June 1 in order to continue to be paid. Of course medicaid has just "improved" their system and now all documents need to be submitted through the portal. I have been working on this for 10 days and at least 10 hours and 4 calls to the forward health help desk. AAAHHHHH.

In the old days you just made a copy of your card and mailed it to them but now they IMPROVED the system. Once I go through all the BS on the web site and hit submit I have to wait 3 days to see if it got there. If it has not, I get to do it all over again. Please someone explain to me how this is an improvement. Tell me how this has improved the quality of care my patients will receive. OK... inhale ~ exhale.... inhale ~ exhale. All better now.

.
Just got a call from my son. I need to run his coveralls and boots to him at work. How do you go to work and forget your work clothes????? When I get back I am going to take my lunch out to my muddy garden, sit my well padded behind on the ground and relax. For all my crabbing and complaining I must remember I am very blessed and lucky to not have to worry about the things so many people in this world do. Jen