Washingtonians

[SadieSue]

Quote:
And I am still trying to get confirmation on a meet-up one week from tonight, June 1st in Tacoma at Vino Aquino. VERY easy to get to, just 2 minutes off the freeway. So far it's jbear, perhaps Kaneke and friend, myself and another chicken gf. I'd like to hear from Zgoatlady, justbugged and if T-Hi gets successfully moved I'd love to have her join us. ALL all welcome, south sounders, northerners and beyond. Free wine sampling, snacks - we're keeping it casual. From 6-8 PM.
Who else is coming? I'd like it to be more than just jbear and I, although I know the two of us would have a really nice visit!

Let me hear from you -
Dana

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Apologize for the length of this post... I REALLY need to vent...

I'm completely at sea: Yesterday afternoon the Deputy Sheriff rolled in the yard to tell us that several sheep had been killed, maimed and terrorized just around the corner either the nite before or a couple nites ago. The owner is a seattle lawyer who only comes around a couple months and w.e.'s a year. The rest of the time, her extensive menagerie is "looked after" by a non-resident caretaker who comes every couple days to feed and water. She has llama, horses, emu, goats, sheep, chickens-geese-ducks-guineas etc, and she's rarely there.

We told him our dogs are in the house or on the wire at nite, but 'someone' said they've seen our dogs in the area and they're going to be labeled dangerous dogs and have to be put down if they're caught on camera, or shot if they're caught in the act. I know noone wants to think their dogs could do such a thing, especially since we've been here four years, as has the 'zoo' without incident, but i wracked my brain to imagine if there was any time they were gone long enough to do such a thing or come home looking bloody. It just COULDN'T have been them...

I felt so bad for all the sheep: The ram had two broken legs, had it's neck gnawed terribly and was covered in blood, but still alive; two were dead and gnawed; and several had bite wounds on their flanks and back legs. I asked how Loki and Chance could do all that carnage without any of the neighbors seeing them or hearing the bleats since our dogs only get to run in daylight, AND how they could do all that and come home without any blood on their own fur.
Deputy said, "well you know, some dogs groom themselves..."

I could tell he didn't want it to be our dogs, but they're the only ones who fit the description and are known in the area. We explained that we NEVER let Chance (~50lbs golden X) stay out at night because she's just a happy little idiot and the coyotes might hurt her, and Loki (~75lb shepard X) goes on his wire if he's outside at nite because otherwise he barks at the wind all nite and we don't want to disturb our neighbors AND because I want him to warn me if there's a strange critter around my chickens!

So this morning about 0530 he started barking and I saw a yellow dog back by the run, about 50 lbs, looking a lot like Chance. I was grabbing my camera when another one appeared about the same size as it's mate, but dark with light socks like Loki. As soon as I stepped on the deck they ran into the north orchard and I couldn't get a pic. About an hour later they were down in our horse pasture and I managed to get a couple pics before they disappeared into the grass. I couldn't see if they turned up the hill to the coyote dens or down towards the menagerie. I notified sheriffs dispatch that I got some pics and the deputy came by in less than an hour.

He seemed relieved to see the pics were similar but obviously NOT my dogs, because whatever animal(s) got the sheep had killed again last night: Two goats are dead and one of the llama were attacked. The lawyer had finally gotten her messages and was in her yard early this morning and actually saw one dog still chewing on one of the goats and the darker one leaving the fence while my dogs were on restriction. Now that the dogs (coyote or coyote mix, in my opinion) have been seen, there is a "shoot on sight" order for them.

I am so incredibly relieved that it couldn't possibly have been my dogs! They've been exonerated, but at the cost of more animals suffering.

AND, if either of mine is seen, they could be mistaken and shot for the coyote mix strays that are doing the damage. I have just over 5 acres that they stay on 90% of the time, but even if they're seen on my own property, they could be shot.

How can I be so relieved and have my guts in such turmoil at the same time??

Now let's add a week of forecasted rainstorms...

Aaacchhh. Too much drama. Thanks fer lis'nin...

 

[Chickielady]

Oh my, Thank goodness you got pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am glad you have found the culprits and feel so bad for the selfish attorney who has other things to do but care for her animals.
Probably lives in a luxury place in the city.
Selfish to want want want but not make the sacrifices needed to protect & watch over your critters.
Sad.

 

[hallerlake]

TouchO'Lass :

Apologize for the length of this post... I REALLY need to vent...

http://bestsmileys.com/expressions/1.gifI'm completely at sea: Yesterday afternoon the Deputy Sheriff rolled in the yard to tell us that several sheep had been killed, maimed and terrorized just around the corner either the nite before or a couple nites ago. The owner is a seattle lawyer who only comes around a couple months and w.e.'s a year. The rest of the time, her extensive menagerie is "looked after" by a non-resident caretaker who comes every couple days to feed and water. She has llama, horses, emu, goats, sheep, chickens-geese-ducks-guineas etc, and she's rarely there.

We told him our dogs are in the house or on the wire at nite, but 'someone' said they've seen our dogs in the area and they're going to be labeled dangerous dogs and have to be put down if they're caught on camera, or shot if they're caught in the act. I know noone wants to think their dogs could do such a thing, especially since we've been here four years, as has the 'zoo' without incident, but i wracked my brain to imagine if there was any time they were gone long enough to do such a thing or come home looking bloody. It just COULDN'T have been them...

I felt so bad for all the sheep: The ram had two broken legs, had it's neck gnawed terribly and was covered in blood, but still alive; two were dead and gnawed; and several had bite wounds on their flanks and back legs. I asked how Loki and Chance could do all that carnage without any of the neighbors seeing them or hearing the bleats since our dogs only get to run in daylight, AND how they could do all that and come home without any blood on their own fur.
Deputy said, "well you know, some dogs groom themselves..."

I could tell he didn't want it to be our dogs, but they're the only ones who fit the description and are known in the area. We explained that we NEVER let Chance (~50lbs golden X) stay out at night because she's just a happy little idiot and the coyotes might hurt her, and Loki (~75lb shepard X) goes on his wire if he's outside at nite because otherwise he barks at the wind all nite and we don't want to disturb our neighbors AND because I want him to warn me if there's a strange critter around my chickens!

So this morning about 0530 he started barking and I saw a yellow dog back by the run, about 50 lbs, looking a lot like Chance. I was grabbing my camera when another one appeared about the same size as it's mate, but dark with light socks like Loki. As soon as I stepped on the deck they ran into the north orchard and I couldn't get a pic. About an hour later they were down in our horse pasture and I managed to get a couple pics before they disappeared into the grass. I couldn't see if they turned up the hill to the coyote dens or down towards the menagerie. I notified sheriffs dispatch that I got some pics and the deputy came by in less than an hour.

He seemed relieved to see the pics were similar but obviously NOT my dogs, because whatever animal(s) got the sheep had killed again last night: Two goats are dead and one of the llama were attacked. The lawyer had finally gotten her messages and was in her yard early this morning and actually saw one dog still chewing on one of the goats and the darker one leaving the fence while my dogs were on restriction. Now that the dogs (coyote or coyote mix, in my opinion) have been seen, there is a "shoot on sight" order for them.

I am so incredibly relieved that it couldn't possibly have been my dogs! They've been exonerated, but at the cost of more animals suffering.

AND, if either of mine is seen, they could be mistaken and shot for the coyote mix strays that are doing the damage. I have just over 5 acres that they stay on 90% of the time, but even if they're seen on my own property, they could be shot. http://bestsmileys.com/anxious/3.gif
How can I be so relieved and have my guts in such turmoil at the same time??

Now let's add a week of forecasted rainstorms...

Aaacchhh. Too much drama. Thanks fer lis'nin...

I'd keep them VERY close to the house until all this simmers down. You wouldn't want them shot by mistake. As frustrating as it will be to keep them contained or tied up, you really don't want to risk the alternative. What measures are going to be taken about the real dangerous dogs?​

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Anyone wanting the recipe can send me an e-mail and I will e-mail an adobe file of the winter bulletin of the SPPA where Dr Charles Everett recommends the bleach solution.
WSU recommends 2 Cups of unscented household bleach in an empty milk jug, then fill with water, mark this jug "SOLUTION"
Now, in a seperate 1 gallon container, mix a level 1 Tablespoon of the solution to 1 gallon of water for WELL birds, everyday!!!
Mix 2 tablespoons of the solution in 1 gallon of drinking water for sick birds.
Anyone should do this, everyone, and most especially those who are on well systems.

 

[Chickielady]

http://www.westvet.com/collibacilliosis.htm

This article was written by one of the docs that work at the Avian Health Lab in Puyallup.
A very nice man, I thanked him for writting this article and it is true that the solution works!
E.Coli is resistant to almost every antibiotic known.
But not this solution

It killed 3 of my birds last year, and several more were about on death's doorstep before the necropsy came back as Colibaciliosis.
It LOVES to breed in warmish wet conditons.
And can easily be kicked into a water font or "leaked" into a water font of any kind (even a nipple system) by a sick bird, then all others can get it.
Runny wet poop is another symptom, lots of water in the poo.
Then it moves into sinuses & air scas and mimics CRDs.
The best part of all this is you all probably have some bleach handy, and it is cheap, and it does not harm them in anyway, so what have you got to loose?
Any e-mail sent to my e-mail & I will return the bulletin for more proof.

 

[TifsBroodyBabes]

Quote:
Yeah, I'm feeling less and less secure about raising chicks; I am having trouble with writing lists or doing even the least sewing. And the purchase of feedstore BLRWs might make me a permanent persona non grata in the Wyandotte thread.

Days like this I miss the Prodigy Rose thread, with half the Grand Master Rosarians on the planet holding forth with generousity and wit.

(Best find something soothing for lunch and hope it stops raining soon, I'm getting morose).

If you are looking for BLRW chicks, I can hatch some out for ya! Just let me know!

I have some that I purchased from Tamara that I can sell....I was told by DH that I needed to sell some chickens so I can keep the new ducklings.I cant remember how old they are but maybe Tamara knows for sure???

 

[Chickielady]

Well I have a *surprise* hatch of BCMs tomorrow that I almost forgot about..great incubator does all the work.
And eggs coming in the mail tomorrow I was hoping would arrive today!

Now I guess I will go clean something..with this nasty weather cannot go outside & get anything done.
So far today I completely cleaned the silverware drawer, utensil drawers, and the BYC photo uploads, and did alot of laundry....Raining hard, really windy & cold here..it is February AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From yesterday, DH & I are covered with no-see-um bites.
I even have some on my scalp.
I have seen the nasty boogers crawl into the rabbit's fur!!!!
I got the Cutter spray out despite hating the stuff, better than the diseases you can get from mosquitoes & no-see-ums.
Later guys!!

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Quote:
Yeah, I'm feeling less and less secure about raising chicks; I am having trouble with writing lists or doing even the least sewing. And the purchase of feedstore BLRWs might make me a permanent persona non grata in the Wyandotte thread.

Days like this I miss the Prodigy Rose thread, with half the Grand Master Rosarians on the planet holding forth with generousity and wit.

(Best find something soothing for lunch and hope it stops raining soon, I'm getting morose).

If you are looking for BLRW chicks, I can hatch some out for ya! Just let me know!

What I'm really looking for is two or three BLRW pullets at the point of laying or a little younger- if life was kind and I could have exactly what I want the most. That, and a nice Thurston County 4Her or FFA person or TESC Organic Farm type who wants room for more chickens (willing to consider sheep or goats but those would have to be on a strict boarding basis) than they can keep on a suburban lot, in exchange for helping me handle my flock and co-oping on structures, feed, and vet supplies. If I was wishing for the moon, that is.

Sorry, I'm having a very bad day painwise and feeling as if I shoudn't have started this project without a bit more forethought. But here I am in media res and I just have to suck it up and deal.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

DW and I just got home from meeting olliecatch in Chehalis. She had ordered a bell in the first rush and was finally able to come get it. Had a nice short visit with her and her DH. As always very nice to meet another BYCer face to face.