The Old Folks Home

[chickisoup]

This late into winter our main pred problems are wolves and our annual cougar visitation. We must be on their "southern" route. The yotes don't like our deep snow I guess. Haven't heard their pups yodeling yet. Too early for Eagles and the bear. In spring and summer I see the occasional fox but never closer than the edge of our woods. Actually had a coon problem raiding our sweetcorn patch by the house the year before we got our first girls but hubby trapped a couple MONSTERS and haven't seen sign of any since which is good because these things were bigger than our dog! Had a crazy ermine peek out at me one time from under our woodbox on the back porch. Silly thing wasn;t even afraid of me. Other than the hawks and the great horned owl that has a nest every year on the other end of our field, I think that covers our predators. Oh, we can hear the occasional bobcat but never seen sign of one close to the house.
Never lost a critter yet, knock on wood, but then my neighbor free ranges their birds and even tho she puts them away at night and they stay fairly close to the house, she still supplies a nice buffet all summer. Could be worse for her this year as just this week her experienced roo died so now all she has is a very inexperienced Aussie cockerel.

 

[scottcaddy]

Here's the extra goodies that go with it. I can't find the main pic yet, I forgot what folder it is in.

Scott...yes, it is new as of last May, 2013.

Now, I am jealous

But, on the other hand, I just got a used ('75 model, low hour) 24 HP Yanmar with a factory installed front loader for a good price.

I don't have to hand shovel the outside horse pens again!! Or the driveway when we get them (notthisyearagainandagain) Snows.

Scott

 

[ozexpat]

This late into winter our main pred problems are wolves and our annual cougar visitation. We must be on their "southern" route. The yotes don't like our deep snow I guess. Haven't heard their pups yodeling yet. Too early for Eagles and the bear. In spring and summer I see the occasional fox but never closer than the edge of our woods. Actually had a coon problem raiding our sweetcorn patch by the house the year before we got our first girls but hubby trapped a couple MONSTERS and haven't seen sign of any since which is good because these things were bigger than our dog! Had a crazy ermine peek out at me one time from under our woodbox on the back porch. Silly thing wasn;t even afraid of me. Other than the hawks and the great horned owl that has a nest every year on the other end of our field, I think that covers our predators. Oh, we can hear the occasional bobcat but never seen sign of one close to the house.
Never lost a critter yet, knock on wood, but then my neighbor free ranges their birds and even tho she puts them away at night and they stay fairly close to the house, she still supplies a nice buffet all summer. Could be worse for her this year as just this week her experienced roo died so now all she has is a very inexperienced Aussie cockerel.

us aussies get up to speed pretty fast

 

[tnspursfan09]

Here it is with the other hatching eggs.

Here it is with dark eggs for contrast.

I am very pleased with the size, it could be a bit whiter, though.

Yay!!!

 

[Cynthia12]

Here it is with the other hatching eggs.

Here it is with dark eggs for contrast.

I am very pleased with the size, it could be a bit whiter, though.

You have some pretty eggs going on there..and love the basket too! Oh, and that white egg..is the prettiest white egg I've ever seen! Now I have to look up..Silver Campine. Haven't looked at that color before. Sounds pretty.

 

[Cynthia12]

Oh wow! Just looked them up. Those are pretty birds! No wonder you are so excited. Do you have a roo? And a few hens? Are all of the Silvers single comb? Very pretty.

 

[drumstick diva]

who laid the tiny egg left side back

 

[Wisher1000]

Yes, they are pretty!


These are not mine, I copied it from the Campine thread (posted there by lawatt.) I just wanted to show them off! I have a cock and three hens from D. Urch and a half SC half white EE that I am tring to use to get a better back (just an experiment.) They are really rare and a true passion of mine. I hope to raise a nice size flock from these this year, and cull hard next year. I am also getting some more from the only other two sources I could locate with more than a couple of birds. One breeder is in California and the other is in Texas. Neither of those specialize in Silver Campines, both just have some for use in their Golden Campine lines. The goldens are much more common although you don't see them much in shows. It is interesting that if you cross the Silvers and the Golds, you get either, not a blend.

 

[kingfrodo]

I HAVE A SILVER CAMPINE EGG!!

I realize most of you may not know how big a deal that is to me, but is is!

Yay! I know you've been anxiously waiting.

 

[Wisher1000]

Oh wow! Just looked them up. Those are pretty birds! No wonder you are so excited. Do you have a roo? And a few hens? Are all of the Silvers single comb? Very pretty.

They do all have straight combs. There is a cousin called a Westphalian Deathlayer (cool name, huh?) that has a rose comb, but there are none of those in the US.