The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Penny Hen]

So anyone in the Chattanooga area want a kitten. We found 2 in the dumpster last night. Look to be about 6 weeks old. Both have runny noses and matted eyes. I keep wiping the eyes with warm water and cloth to keep them open. Hiss and Spit are their names. That is all they do. I did get a good bite from one of them. I live on a 1 lane private dirt road yet someone felt it a good idea to drop off kittens and the mama. I have to catch her next or I'll be up to my knees in cats. I just don't understand people sometimes.

Put some Visine in there eyes. Feed them some Chicken Noodle Soup. Are they coughing or wheezing? That and the gunky eyes is a nasty respiratory disease. I have lost younger kittens to it. Visine and chicken soup will do them almost as good as a vets medicine.

 

[Penny Hen]

Speaking of cats, someone was wanting a barn cat. I have one, male black, not fixed. My female (his mom) has decided to run him off. I keep having to sneak him food. She will sneak up behind me and suddenly attack him. He is 1 1/2 years old and a good mouser but she is going to run him off. So if you would like him bring a cat carrier and a tin of cat food and we will catch him for you. He will come up to be petted but picking him up scares him.

 

[bantamfarm]

I have 3 Tom cats in our Barn (all brothers), they would of been great mousers, but my youngest son took it upon himself to make them his pets. LOL.. We also have Great Pyrenees (all were babies when gotten), he now things the cats are his to do what he wants. He will pick them up and carry them where he wants them and sit them down. If you seen them together, you would think the Dog was killing the cats, but he has never hurt them and the cats always go up and lay down next to him.

On a different note, I am looking for splash colored Silkies either chicks or eggs and Bantam cochin chicks or eggs. If anyone has any they want to sell please send me a PM. Thank you..

 

[Peach2u]

Put some Visine in there eyes. Feed them some Chicken Noodle Soup. Are they coughing or wheezing? That and the gunky eyes is a nasty respiratory disease. I have lost younger kittens to it. Visine and chicken soup will do them almost as good as a vets medicine.

I have them in a chicken cage atm. 2'x2'x2' with carpet on the bottom. I took a trip to walmart. I hate walmart! I got them a litter pan, litter, can food and some kitten dry milk. I put about 1table spoon of dry milk in with the wet food and mix it well. They couldn't eat it fast enough. growling and snarling the whole time. I didn't use visine on them I used a saline drop I had from my old cat when she got a scratched eye. This morning only one eye was matted shut so that's improvement. With the rich diet and warm safe place. I think they will recover well. Now to keep my Corgi away from them. I'm not sure if she wants to eat them or play with them. She plays with my 9 year old cat. But the cat is odd. She rather be out side and she loves on the dogs. Till the Corgi plays to rough. Then the fight breaks out. The 10 yr old dog a drop off last year just lets her rub all over her. I hate that people drop off their unwanted pets. I didn't have the heart to call the shelter on the old dog. She is polite very low key. Beagle basset mix that took awhile to house break ;-( Oh well.

 

[SteamChick]

Six day old RIR chicks are chripin' around... having a blast. I'm thinking of building a mid-size brooder. They just don't seem to have enough room in that small box. Very active! They love trying to hop/fly out of the box when we open it. So cute.

I would love the kittens/cats, but I am in the Nashville area, a good 2-3 hours from Chatt. On the black tom, I might consider him if you can't find a home for him. Ginger might be put out to put up with another male, but he'll get over it. I have one fixed male, 3 yrs old, spoiled rotten. He was an abandoned kitten as well and now a healthy farm cat.

Thoughts on Memorial Day - I see there is some contention and such and I agree, we should remember Memorial Day for what it is. I've not followed the responses closely, but I will state my thoughts. I come from a military family, as does my husband. My dad, both brothers, my sister-in-law: all Marines. I tried the Navy but had a heart attack in boot camp and had to get out My husband is a retired crew chief of the Air Force. His dad, Army. Many of my extended family members were/are military. So I appreciate the sacrifice many give, even with their lives, to ensure our freedoms here in the US and to give everyone the right to speak their minds. I am not one to be much of a celebretory person. I remember those who have fought in the wars this day, given of their lives, with gratitude. I don't agree with all the wars, or the politics. I thank those who gave of their time and service. I don't get involved in the drama or fighting over beliefs or what should or shouldn't be done.

 

[New2chicksinTN]

On a lighter note I just wanted to post some picks of some cute little barnies the lighter one is a splash

....And remember some folks are like Slinky's they aren't good for much but still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

beautiful chicks and I LOVE the fishing lures on the wall behind!

 

[New2chicksinTN]

Well it is better some days than others. I have degenerative disk disease and arthritis and what is probably fibromyalgia (because not all the pain is in the joints/bones). Last year my little bottle lamb was what helped me through some of the worse days. I would feed him then pull him up on my lap and work at the computer. You definitively want to make a solid pet of at least one of your chicks so that you can cuddle them. It helps a lot. As for the pain find you some emu oil that you can rub on where it hurts. It is a penetrating oil and helps restore the cells and reduce inflammation. You can get if from a healthfood store or you can find it at <www.dinosaurmeat.com> He is a Middle Tn farmer and the Springfield Pharmacy carries his oil.

I understand completely! When we started on our chicken 'hobby', I was scared I would not be able to take care of the chickens when I had fibro flares. On bad days, just watching them perks up my mood and makes me mentally feel better. I have not tried the emu oil but I do use biofreeze when I have it on hand. Thanks for the tip on that! I would rather spend a little more on a local product!

 

[New2chicksinTN]

I have to put in my two cents in! lol First, I am glad to be part of this board. I may not post as much as I probably should but I feel like I know you guys! lol I cheer for you guys when I hear (read) good news and I am saddened and pray for you when I see different trials and tribulations you go through. I don't want to post each one and bring up sadness when you may be having a great day and bring you down.

I grew up hearing Memorial Day called "Decoration" as in we are going to the cemetery for decoration. We would put new artificial flowers on headstones and flags on the graves of those in the family that served. We usually did this on Saturday and the whole weekend was "decoration" and we would see cousins we rarely ever saw. The stories told by the grandparents and their siblings were amazing. I miss those times. I do honor those that have/do serve our country. Utmost respect to the brave that do what I consider a heros job.

I am a newbie to chickens. If I ask questions or make comments that upset others, my apologies upfront. I am amazed at those of you guys that do so much with chickens. We were given 2 RIR's 'layers' and we get one egg per day for the two of them. I researched on here and know which one is laying (I am 95% sure lol). I have dealt with mites thanks to the fabulous info on BYC. Hubby also purchased 7 babies from local feed store. They are now 11 weeks old. I have had such joy watching these chickens!!! I never knew the different personalities chickens have much less how sweet they can be. I am getting ready to separate and isolate the big bully as we move the babies into the big coop. Since we allow all of the chickens out during the day at the same time, I have noticed how mean she is to the smaller chickens. After BYC research, I read how to isolate her for a day or two and cross fingers that it will mellow her a little around the little ones. The little ones are now in a tractor and it will be perfect for her to see the others yet be 'alone'. I had no idea how much stuff cost, including certain breeds, chick or egg, so if I sometimes seem in awe of pics , your infinite amount of wisdom, the costs of some of the breeds, please don't think poorly of me. It is just my inexperience and I will get better as I learn more. I also used the potato trick to remove a spur that was growing up and she could not squat as she perched because it was bothering her!

We have a dog, a mixed breed, and she is getting on up there at almost 9 years old. She is one that still cannot greet you without jumping all over you, will not do anything she does not want to do (like fetch), when she is outside and off her chain (we live in the city limits and she must be chained up unless we are outside with her) she will sneak off and walk down the center of the road. Neighbor calls her kamakazi dog. She is good for loving on when she is in the mood and for a couple of years, this has been about all she is good at lol. I have tried to introduce her to the chickens but she has seen them as the wild birds she wants to catch. We have had to chase down both her and the chickens at times to make sure there are no injuries to the feather babies and to scold her. For a while it has been either the dog or the chickens running free in the yard. Friday night, the 13 year old heard the dog barking under the carport at her dog food bag. Hub and son go out and find a small possum in the dog food bag. "smart hubs" lets it go in the backyard so it will run away. Sat night as our neighbor is leaving, he steps under the carport and in his Maine accent shouts "da*m possum". we could not locate the possum after he scared it. 15 min or so later as we are sitting by the firepit, I heard an uproar in the coop. My shout of something is in the coop had me, hubs, 13 yo and two of his friends running out there. The dog thankfully was off her chain since we were enjoying the evening outside We had the 2 big chickens (I am guessing a year old for one and maybe 2-3 for the other....how do you tell on grown chickens?) and one of the babes that went to 'bed' in the big coop that night instead of her tractor. The door to the coop did not get completely closed that night for some reason (I think my 12 year old closed it up that night). We saw the possum (and yes, I know there should be an 'o' at the beginning but it looks funny when I type it) run down the ramp and out into the run. My previously useless dog actually snuck around the ramp and stealthily got behind the possum and chased it out of the run through the open door where we were all standing and took the critter down! She saved the chickens! All chickens were ok. Not a mark on any of them! put another babe in the coop so there were two small and the two adults to 'hang out' with each other. Next day, for the first time ever, the chickens let the dog close to them without running scared. Useless dog would walk very slowly when around the chickens and wait until she was several feet away before moving with any type of speed. She did not once snip at the chickens and only chased the big bully chicken once! So Sunday night, we are sitting on the patio out back and I heard something on the patio...not loud, I thought it may have been a hardshell bug hitting the light. Useless dog goes to investigate when I said I heard something (I honestly believe she understands what I say) and low and behold, another possum is in the feed bag. She cornered it and dog 2, possum 0. I think we need another name for useless dog (Bitsy is her real name lol)

I just wanted to share some of my chicken stories. Hopefully those having a hard time will get a smile! Everyone have a wonderful day!

 

[Penny Hen]

I have to put in my two cents in! lol First, I am glad to be part of this board. I may not post as much as I probably should but I feel like I know you guys! lol I cheer for you guys when I hear (read) good news and I am saddened and pray for you when I see different trials and tribulations you go through. I don't want to post each one and bring up sadness when you may be having a great day and bring you down.

I grew up hearing Memorial Day called "Decoration" as in we are going to the cemetery for decoration. We would put new artificial flowers on headstones and flags on the graves of those in the family that served. We usually did this on Saturday and the whole weekend was "decoration" and we would see cousins we rarely ever saw. The stories told by the grandparents and their siblings were amazing. I miss those times. I do honor those that have/do serve our country. Utmost respect to the brave that do what I consider a heros job.

I am a newbie to chickens. If I ask questions or make comments that upset others, my apologies upfront. I am amazed at those of you guys that do so much with chickens. We were given 2 RIR's 'layers' and we get one egg per day for the two of them. I researched on here and know which one is laying (I am 95% sure lol). I have dealt with mites thanks to the fabulous info on BYC. Hubby also purchased 7 babies from local feed store. They are now 11 weeks old. I have had such joy watching these chickens!!! I never knew the different personalities chickens have much less how sweet they can be. I am getting ready to separate and isolate the big bully as we move the babies into the big coop. Since we allow all of the chickens out during the day at the same time, I have noticed how mean she is to the smaller chickens. After BYC research, I read how to isolate her for a day or two and cross fingers that it will mellow her a little around the little ones. The little ones are now in a tractor and it will be perfect for her to see the others yet be 'alone'. I had no idea how much stuff cost, including certain breeds, chick or egg, so if I sometimes seem in awe of pics , your infinite amount of wisdom, the costs of some of the breeds, please don't think poorly of me. It is just my inexperience and I will get better as I learn more. I also used the potato trick to remove a spur that was growing up and she could not squat as she perched because it was bothering her!

We have a dog, a mixed breed, and she is getting on up there at almost 9 years old. She is one that still cannot greet you without jumping all over you, will not do anything she does not want to do (like fetch), when she is outside and off her chain (we live in the city limits and she must be chained up unless we are outside with her) she will sneak off and walk down the center of the road. Neighbor calls her kamakazi dog. She is good for loving on when she is in the mood and for a couple of years, this has been about all she is good at lol. I have tried to introduce her to the chickens but she has seen them as the wild birds she wants to catch. We have had to chase down both her and the chickens at times to make sure there are no injuries to the feather babies and to scold her. For a while it has been either the dog or the chickens running free in the yard. Friday night, the 13 year old heard the dog barking under the carport at her dog food bag. Hub and son go out and find a small possum in the dog food bag. "smart hubs" lets it go in the backyard so it will run away. Sat night as our neighbor is leaving, he steps under the carport and in his Maine accent shouts "da*m possum". we could not locate the possum after he scared it. 15 min or so later as we are sitting by the firepit, I heard an uproar in the coop. My shout of something is in the coop had me, hubs, 13 yo and two of his friends running out there. The dog thankfully was off her chain since we were enjoying the evening outside We had the 2 big chickens (I am guessing a year old for one and maybe 2-3 for the other....how do you tell on grown chickens?) and one of the babes that went to 'bed' in the big coop that night instead of her tractor. The door to the coop did not get completely closed that night for some reason (I think my 12 year old closed it up that night). We saw the possum (and yes, I know there should be an 'o' at the beginning but it looks funny when I type it) run down the ramp and out into the run. My previously useless dog actually snuck around the ramp and stealthily got behind the possum and chased it out of the run through the open door where we were all standing and took the critter down! She saved the chickens! All chickens were ok. Not a mark on any of them! put another babe in the coop so there were two small and the two adults to 'hang out' with each other. Next day, for the first time ever, the chickens let the dog close to them without running scared. Useless dog would walk very slowly when around the chickens and wait until she was several feet away before moving with any type of speed. She did not once snip at the chickens and only chased the big bully chicken once! So Sunday night, we are sitting on the patio out back and I heard something on the patio...not loud, I thought it may have been a hardshell bug hitting the light. Useless dog goes to investigate when I said I heard something (I honestly believe she understands what I say) and low and behold, another possum is in the feed bag. She cornered it and dog 2, possum 0. I think we need another name for useless dog (Bitsy is her real name lol)

I just wanted to share some of my chicken stories. Hopefully those having a hard time will get a smile! Everyone have a wonderful day!

Bitsy, Possomslayer!

 

[Penny Hen]

In addition to the renaming, the Lady that whose show "It's Me Or The Dog" has said that every dog needs a job to be happy. Bitsy was floundering around trying to find herself a job. She obviously wasn't making you happy using her hunting skill on the chickens, but when she took down the possom and you were pleased with her she found her place as Guardian of the Chickens from Evil Vermin!