The Old Folks Home

[apteryx]

We just put last months hatchlings in the new grow out arena - 236 chicks

While Mrs Oz was in the States, our new guy Dominic decided to put every egg laid in the incubator.

We have Muscovy, Chicken, Chukar, Quail and Guineas all coming along. He candled and said there are over 200 viable - he is so proud of himself we could hardly get upset with his misunderstanding of instructions. I guess the "I dont care what you do with them" should have included "as long as you dont power up the bator"

Oy Vey.

On the bright side, I guess you know you have someone who is enthusiastic about this chicken endeavor.....

Great pics, Oz! I can't wait til y'all make a trip to the south! Come in the fall and I'll show you how we do football in Alabama!

(I will just point out that I resisted the urge to brag on Tara's lovely reply that didn't include all of Oz's beautiful pics- again.

)

And as someone who is a transplant to Alabama, when Wisher says "how we do football in Alabama" she is is right. There is much more to it than just the game. Plus, the weather here in the fall is beautiful!

 

[dsqard]

We are on our way to pick up SCG in St. George. And the most excellent adventure begins. Oz very pretty pictures!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's really quite interesting that that's what she does for a business. How does one get started in that? I've seen the funny youtube pictures of people being chased by the geese. It makes me giggle every time.


About to try and fall asleep here. Flight leaves at 623, I'm an hour and a half from the airport.

I did get my hamper done:



I'll spare you the before of the hamper - it was bad. The hamper had caught a touch of mildew, so then I washed it on the "sterilize" cycle with bleach which should just be called the "pulverize" cycle. This one looks amazing comparatively speaking and I think the birds brighten it up a bit. This would have been surprisingly easy to do had I not wanted a 3-way. Adding the compartments was a bit hairy. I also used mildew resistant outdoor fabric as I learned my lesson from slightly damp towels. I can't believe a year and a half ago I couldn't sew a button on. Now I look at things and go - I can fix that! or I can make that better!

Where are you going? When I fly or take/pick up someone at the airport, I'm happy I'm only about 15 minutes away. Sitting on the plane at the end of a long flight and hear people talk about having a 3 hour drive awaiting them - I'd like to live farther out in the country but close to town has its advantages.

Very nice hamper.

My friend was one of the first organizers of GeesePeace. She's worked in rescue for many years, an animal trainer, of the Victoria Stillwell type - including exotics. In a couple weeks she's taking a seminar on guinea pig training (I told her she'll have to tell them she's eaten guinea pig). She has border collies trained specifically for chasing geese from lakes or onto lakes depending on the site. One office park allows the geese on the lakes and grassy areas on the opposite side of the lake from the walkways. The colleges allow the geese in and around the lakes but not between the classroom buildings. Once she had to remove a nest from the roof of a Home Depot because the gander would attack as people entered the store.
http://fox2now.com/2012/03/15/companies-using-dogs-to-scare-geese-away/

Isn't it rather ludicrous that we need government permission to own a particular bird, and at the same time permission is granted to others to "stomp on the hatchlings" as soon as they exit the egg? We can't own or possess the bird without a permit, but by gosh and by golly we can collect up the wild bird's eggs and destroy them! Governments are for the birds! They should be abolished!

I think these regulations came about to protect migratory birds and when one species (like Canadian Geese) get so populous, the regulatory system is too cumbersome to modify itself. They could easily take the Canadians off the list while still protecting teal, pintails, etc..

UGH! I know, I know...we the people...so often WE are the invasive species...sigh. We try to let Nature have room here. Got a few patches we fenced off and left, as is, where is. Native Prairie is a rarity--funny that as there use to be so much untouched...oh well. We even let the ants have ant hills...leave the wasps alone unless they decide to build where we are going to get stung a lot. Wasps eat flies...fine by me! Bat houses, bird houses, feeders, baths, waterfall has a ton of young birds bathing it it...our makeshift stream I guess...yeh. Try to share where we are able.

Planted the two rowan berries beside the pond and waterfall. Laugh...they camein the mail, fit inside an envelope...they sure would not NOW! I feel old...

Like to see the birds eating the berries.
​

Pair of Canary Finches beside Rick's Chair Window in the House

I love these ones...like having a Canary but they are wild...you don't have to do nothing but refill the feeders and keep water in the baths...nice.


Rick got his pond emptied yesterday and filled it with water, got the waterfall running...add fish soon.

​

Another sign of spring...the snow melts off the driveway area leaving behind the limerock off the road on each side. Rick tries not to pick too much up with the tractor but some always ends up on the sides.

​

Me and a date with the leaf rake and she is done. If you leave it, grass grows up and it is near impossible to get the rocks out...but even so, all those rocks take out nice pieces of lawn mower blades, never mind winging them around and dangerous!


Got the Ruddy Shels moved...cleared out their summer quarters, filled it back up with oat straw, filled kiddy pool and happiness reins supreme.

Musta worked too much...tired the dog out...ol' dog Fixins...she's napping!​

Happy pair! Splish Splash...was taking a bath...

Then the preening...bring on the preening.

Back in the run and pen for the night.
​

Next to move are the two pairs of swans but doncha know it...snow forecast for tomorrow...oh well, won't stay for long. Time to think warm weather and new digs...


Real sign of spring...me making the 7x batch of BQ sauce...now that tells it is BQ seasons...my fav meal of all...hotdogs or burgers...'cause it means we are on the man porch having a family meal. Yee Haw.

I hate vinegary BQ Sauce...I use to hate all BQ sauce...blah...I love this one...so does Rick and my kid...


HOME MADE BQ SAUCE

1 cup Maple flavoured Syrup
1/2 cup Ketchup
2 tbsp Chili Sauce
1 tsp Worchestershire Sauce
4 tbsp Teriyaki Sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Dijon Honey Mustard (or hot sweet)
1 tbsp Deli Mustard
1 tbsp Horseradish
15 drops Tabasco Sauce (if you like it hot)


Mix in big pot (I do this up 7x the recipe). Boil over medium heat. Whisk occasionally.





When it starts to foam and stick to the sides, she is getting near ready.




Cool and bottle say in ketchup bottles...store in fridge. NUMMY...good for chook, pork chops, burgers, dogs (hot), steak...whatever...maybe even shrimps too!



So there...BQ season is officially there...and I am ready! Bring it ON!

Gotta run...gotta chicken that needs to meet the BQ and the sauce to embellish it with...

Doggone & Chicken UP!

Tara Lee Higgins
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm, Alberta, Canada

Your place looks beautiful. Mine hasn't been that nice since before I had chickens.

I make my own BBQ sauce too. I don't use a recipe though, just throw in what I have on hand. Usually have what I need though - especially the cayenne and honey.

We're definitely the invasive species. Us, and the domestic cats we bring to all corners of the earth.
We keep moving into wild areas and are amazed when we come into contact and have bad encounters with mountain lions, snakes, etc..

We just put last months hatchlings in the new grow out arena - 236 chicks

While Mrs Oz was in the States, our new guy Dominic decided to put every egg laid in the incubator.

We have Muscovy, Chicken, Chukar, Quail and Guineas all coming along. He candled and said there are over 200 viable - he is so proud of himself we could hardly get upset with his misunderstanding of instructions. I guess the "I dont care what you do with them" should have included "as long as you dont power up the bator"

Oy Vey.

Sounds like you've developed another hatch-aholic.

A few pics of last weeks trip to see Gryeyes and onto the Oregon Coast

Awesome.

Beauty pics Oz...thank you as always!

Seven logs to fill a truck's bunkers...reminds me of the WEsT Coast...tree big enough to flatten a vehicle...BIG WOODS!

Pretty rainbow...water shots, lovely flowers, vineyards, & beasts and ah yes, no Red Winged Blackbirds here yet...that's a sure sign of spring's arrival!

Getting torrential rains here right now...so maybe this instead of snow...that would bring on the cattail birds, yes!

Thank you for the feast for the eyes and glad you and Mah got home safe and sound...and to a horde of new lives...bwa ha ha...that'll teach ya for leaving the home fires in the incubator fireable!

Tara

X2
I also love the one with the mountains reflected in the lake.
I'm jealous of all you people with the awesome photography skills.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote: Guys, you are missing the point. Canada Geese are supposed to be migratory, and most of them still are. The problem isn't the migrants. The problem is that people have created little goose Shangri-la's with lovely little bodies of water and all the grass a goose can eat and NO PREDATORS. Some geese have given up their wandering ways and settled down to raise families in these goosely Heavens-on-earth. Without predators, those large goose families rapidly add up. If the gov't took Canada Geese off the list, then all geese would be "under the gun" (literally!), including the birds whose stronger instincts still keep them moving north every Spring. By issuing permits for the nuisance "resident" geese, the hope is that the proper behavior will be reinforced, and the species as a whole will survive.

 

[insanity]

Well I have a sticky rooster problem. Yesterday while feeding my roo Whitey spurred at my 4 yr old son. Normally I solve aggressive roos in the quick traditional way but Whitey is to expensive to eat.. He has "eyeballed me" but never actually tried to take me on yet.

Any tips on how to break him of this new behavior would be great. I can't afford to replace him so he needs to stay.

 

[ozexpat]

Guys, you are missing the point. Canada Geese are supposed to be migratory, and most of them still are. The problem isn't the migrants. The problem is that people have created little goose Shangri-la's with lovely little bodies of water and all the grass a goose can eat and NO PREDATORS. Some geese have given up their wandering ways and settled down to raise families in these goosely Heavens-on-earth. Without predators, those large goose families rapidly add up. If the gov't took Canada Geese off the list, then all geese would be "under the gun" (literally!), including the birds whose stronger instincts still keep them moving north every Spring. By issuing permits for the nuisance "resident" geese, the hope is that the proper behavior will be reinforced, and the species as a whole will survive.

Bloody Canadians

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote: I imagine there are quite a few Floridians that share that sentiment.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

double post

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Guys, you are missing the point. Canada Geese are supposed to be migratory, and most of them still are. The problem isn't the migrants. The problem is that people have created little goose Shangri-la's with lovely little bodies of water and all the grass a goose can eat and NO PREDATORS. Some geese have given up their wandering ways and settled down to raise families in these goosely Heavens-on-earth. Without predators, those large goose families rapidly add up. If the gov't took Canada Geese off the list, then all geese would be "under the gun" (literally!), including the birds whose stronger instincts still keep them moving north every Spring. By issuing permits for the nuisance "resident" geese, the hope is that the proper behavior will be reinforced, and the species as a whole will survive.

good point.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Well I have a sticky rooster problem. Yesterday while feeding my roo Whitey spurred at my 4 yr old son. Normally I solve aggressive roos in the quick traditional way but Whitey is to expensive to eat.. He has "eyeballed me" but never actually tried to take me on yet.

Any tips on how to break him of this new behavior would be great. I can't afford to replace him so he needs to stay.

My caution is against fast movements around roosters, that includes small children running.
Predators move fast and anything that moves fast around the flock can start that behavior.