Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[FirewifeJess]

Woohoo!!! We get to sign papers for our refi on our mortgage(been trying to get it done for almost 8 months now) next week. Gonna lower our interest rate by 2+%, saving $500 a month. This is a straight across refi(just the balance of our loan, no extra).

Peep, the hawk attack survivor, has an impacted gizzard I think. She is inside and pooping just urate(no firm stuff). I got about a teaspoon of EVOO into her crop and massaged it, gonna do it again later tonight. If she is not getting better in a few days I may have to cull her out.

These birds can be soo stressful

So sorry to hear that! How, may I ask, does a bird's anything get impacted? I've never had to deal with it yet and it makes me nervous

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote:
Well, I am thinking it is not that. She just pooped twice in the last 30 minutes(more than all day) and she has undigested grass in it. I think it was blocking her digestive tract. Gonna give her some more EVOO in a couple of hours.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/729605/the-natural-chicken-keeping-thread-ots-welcome

This is where I have been getting a lot of great info and help from. Warning, that thread moves faster than this one.

ETA: Impacted gizzard is rare, unlike impacted crop. But you can treat both the same pretty much. I only thought the gizzard because her crop was not full and bulging.

 

[Chickielady]

Mr Hallerlake suggested I do something useful with my needlepoint; make cushions for the four Federal chairs. People were smaller so the chairs are pretty low. Seat cushions will make them more comfortable. I've started the first cushion. It has a thistle pattern, there will also be a rose, an iris, and a daffodil patterned cushion. The tricky part will be the making of the cushions themselves, especially since I don't have a sewing machine. I'm adapting motifs from this pattern. Several will go very well with both Federal and Arts and Crafts style.

Awesome idea ! So will each seat have a floral, or will all those flowers be on every seat ?

 

[Chickielady]

I loved those green ones you made. How much do you sell your sets of stitch markers for? I'd like a set!

I did not see them...................

 

[Chickielady]

Hi Robin good to see ya!
Do you grow saffron crocus successfully? I really want some. DH bought me some bulbs a few years ago but I'm sure it was the wrong season. They came up in the wrong season... didn't bloom... and died. Never to be seen again. I'd REALLY like to try again -- successfully. Suggestions?

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the gambrel dog house and coop idea!!!!!

Make sure they are Saffron Crocus, and mine are in the green house where I can deter rodents (who love to eat the bulbs) and moisture (aka: RAIN which rots the bulbs easily)
They love cold & dry-ish, rich loamy loose soils.
So far, they are growing well.
I just gave them a feed of Pot-ash

rich fertilizer...and minimal water...............so we'll see.
In spring, once they die back, I'll dig them to store, and plant something else in the green house.
So this is a big experiment to make the unheated green house useful in winter.

 

[Chickielady]

Hmm, that's odd. When I was in college I went hunting with a friend and bagged a rabbit (in addition to my deer). I remember it being really easy to clean, especially the skinning part. I ended up making stew, but in hindsight I should have fried it. I love fried rabbit!

I really hope I have my act together by the spring so I can try a few meat birds.

Jennifer

Rabbit is excellent, providing you have the correct animal to eat.
Never try a snowshoe !!

I raised registered California Meat Rabbits, and allowed myself to fall in love with my breeding does & bucks, but never the bunnies.
The worst part of butchering was rabbit screams.....for some reason the rabbit screams are awful !
I can kill, skin & butcher any animal, and I do, but rabbit screams bother me immensley.................................they must be "dispatched " quickly, and usually we'd use a high powered pellet gun.
Skinning is easy, upside down and save the pelt as a tube.
OK enough of my ramblings.

 

[Chickielady]

How very odd; himself much prefers to butcher and clean bunnies over birds! Says he doesn't have to bother heating the big tank since he just peels the skin off, and says they are easier to clean. Preferences I guess.

I agree !

 

[Slinglings]

Once I'm feeling better (had oral surgery this morning) I'm gonna have my man help me get the veggie garden started. Never had one here so we will be planting ours out back and move all the old steer manuer over to the veggie spot and till it in. And then line the garden with railroad ties to slightly raise it. Does anyone have any ideas on keeping my chickens out of it this summer? I can see them tearing it up and eating everything...lol my chickens can go over tall fences. I don't clip their wings because I want them to be able to get up high in case of danger. They use to roost in my trees by the horse arena before we built their coop nd run last fall. If they are getting enough to eat, will they stay away from the garden if I put a simple fence around it?

I am going to build these things to put over some of my garden to keep the chickens out:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...91330080184.2132223.1156955214&type=3&theater
I originally built this to quarantine hens in my garage. The one shown in the picture is 28" inches tall, but they can be 14" tall too. I have several hundred of these panels in my office, and a lot of them aren't being used! So it won't cost anything. I may paint them a less obtrusive color than white, maybe reddish brown to match the raised beds, or green.

 

[Chickielady]

When I read what justbugged said, I thought she meant it was hard for him to kill the bunny mentally, emotionally, whatever. Not necessarily technically difficult.

One thing you all should do (that I do) is refer to the animal as a RABBIT.
I myself do not care for the butchering of young (babies) of any animal breed.
So, let the bunnies live, and care for them well (as TotalColour does !) and when it is time, and when it is a RABBIT, then do it in.
I have a thing for babies of the world, especially veal Calfs, and lambs...so sad.

But everyone here will tell ya, I am a beast (and a serious carnevour !) when it comes to hunting, trapping, raising of animals & butchering.................but never babies.

Not babies, not bunnies, which are baby rabbits.

 

[Chickielady]

Been off for a couple of days - got that nasty "BUG" that's been going round. Luckily, unlike many of you that have suppressed immune systems, mine is very much overactive and attacks anything coming its way. So, afternoon before yesterday was feeling a bit achy, then yesterday morning I was hit with a cough, sore throat fever etc., went up to 102.1 and then dropped to 101.5 by bedtime. This morning it's normal again although I do have a raspy voice, sore throat and some congestion.

I feel very lucky, last time I had flu was 30 years ago (and never had a flu shot in my life). Hope everyone is past their bugs and doing well again.

It's very cold here but gorgeously sunny. I may venture out with the dog for a romp!

I think I am getting it myself...right tonsil is hurting....have a "headache" right behind the eyes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~