The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

Yeah, Ron, can't argue with that. We will probably take it if we can get the okay from our doctors. It's kind of aggravating. The county above us is getting a steady supply of vaccine. They said they gave almost 1000 shots in one day through a drive through clinic. Meanwhile we sit and wait here.

Glad to hear that Princess is doing well, @sourland. Most people we referred out for cataract surgery always said the same to us afterwards. 'I wish I hadn't been so afraid and I wish I hadn't put it off!' It's one of those things that you get an immediate improvement/response from. Very worthwhile.

Speaking of aggravating. New report says that they have spotted black bears in the next county to the south east of us. Meanwhile back at the ranch....fox prints everywhere. One of the fun things to do after a snow is go out the next day and look at the tracks. I tracked one big fox looking over the south and west side of the run (think it put its nose against the hot wire once but I'm thinking it's time to do the bacon treatment on them.

The funny thing was the deer I tracked across our front yard. It walked up our driveway all the way to our back yard and stopped at the fence like it was trying to figure out how to get over it. It couldn't because of the hotwire so it walked around to within 10 feet of the house before it finally found it's way out. And to think we were sitting out in the woods during hunting season.

Cap, you're getting an early start on the building, aren't you?

It looks great. Windows are very nice.

Bears!

Definitely get the ok from the Dr.s!

 

[microchick]

yeah, Ron, it wasn't bad enough that we have white tail deer here big enough to slap a saddle on and ride, they had to introduce Elk. Bobcat? Well heck, they aren't a bother. Let's give cougars the run of the state and make it illegal to kill them unless they pose a threat. Now bears. But OH! Wait! They are protected like the cougars are.

Almost makes a body want to hug the foxes that are around. The good news is that the fox around will mean that the rabbits and mice won't be so bad. Just as long as they don't try to get to the chickens. Last two weeks we have been hearing them bark and howl at one another. Mating season and boy are they noisy when they are trying to impress the girls and vice versa. but that means there will be little kits running around wanting to be fed in a few months.

Maybe buy a bag of cheap dog food and put it out near our pond for them?

 

[bruceha2000]

That is why we can't quite decide which way to jump.

From the frying pan possibly into the fire but hoping to make the counter!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Well tonight I can say gee specail here seems I have mice and rats in my coop

 

[bruceha2000]

Bummer!!! It is hard to keep the rodents out.

 

[microchick]

Well tonight I can say gee specail here seems I have mice and rats in my coop

No worries. If I can find less than 4 mice when I switch out the bait holders I consider myself lucky and the problem under control. Last time I rebaited I only saw two and between myself and the Fayoumi hens and one tough little OEGB SDW rooster we managed to end their reign of terror.

Rats are another thing all together. I haven't seen any signs of rats since last fall when one tunneled all over the place. I kept poking bait down the tunnels till I got that unmistakable aroma of rotting rodents wafting up from underground. Haven't seen any since.

Walking in the woods yesterday I saw prints and tail drags that were too small to be a mouse or vole and too small to be a possum. Rat for sure. Don't mind as long as they stay far away in the timber.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Top it off closed the pop door when the friend and I went to grab a few. Stupid me forgot to open it so birds could get in .. so here I am in their yard popping 11 birds into the coop one by one

 

[CapricornFarm]

Yeah, Ron, can't argue with that. We will probably take it if we can get the okay from our doctors. It's kind of aggravating. The county above us is getting a steady supply of vaccine. They said they gave almost 1000 shots in one day through a drive through clinic. Meanwhile we sit and wait here.

Glad to hear that Princess is doing well, @sourland. Most people we referred out for cataract surgery always said the same to us afterwards. 'I wish I hadn't been so afraid and I wish I hadn't put it off!' It's one of those things that you get an immediate improvement/response from. Very worthwhile.

Speaking of aggravating. New report says that they have spotted black bears in the next county to the south east of us. Meanwhile back at the ranch....fox prints everywhere. One of the fun things to do after a snow is go out the next day and look at the tracks. I tracked one big fox looking over the south and west side of the run (think it put its nose against the hot wire once but I'm thinking it's time to do the bacon treatment on them.

The funny thing was the deer I tracked across our front yard. It walked up our driveway all the way to our back yard and stopped at the fence like it was trying to figure out how to get over it. It couldn't because of the hotwire so it walked around to within 10 feet of the house before it finally found it's way out. And to think we were sitting out in the woods during hunting season.

Cap, you're getting an early start on the building, aren't you?

It looks great. Windows are very nice.

This is one I had the kids help me start to

build when they were here in the fall. I am still trying to get ready for winter. But the birds keep growing and I keep hatching so I keep making quail cages into brooders.
The windows cost me $5 or less at the Restore. I like the coops bright. Might help warm them a little in winter. Also put a empty out door at the far end of the coop for cleaning.

 

[CapricornFarm]

yeah, Ron, it wasn't bad enough that we have white tail deer here big enough to slap a saddle on and ride, they had to introduce Elk. Bobcat? Well heck, they aren't a bother. Let's give cougars the run of the state and make it illegal to kill them unless they pose a threat. Now bears. But OH! Wait! They are protected like the cougars are.

Almost makes a body want to hug the foxes that are around. The good news is that the fox around will mean that the rabbits and mice won't be so bad. Just as long as they don't try to get to the chickens. Last two weeks we have been hearing them bark and howl at one another. Mating season and boy are they noisy when they are trying to impress the girls and vice versa. but that means there will be little kits running around wanting to be fed in a few months.

Maybe buy a bag of cheap dog food and put it out near our pond for them?

I wouldn't encourage them to come around. They are great chicken killers.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ya mice and rats are my worst enemy here so could be allot worse .. Liked your helpers there Cap need to bring mine down for a month that way