Washingtonians

[Kaneke]

Quote:

oh yes, I had forgotten how sneaky Caitie-cat was .. our next door neighbor had, at that time, Easter lilies growing on the mounded plot along our mutual sideline

Caitie, being a Korat, was silver-grey-shadow, and would lie underneath the main stems until the hummingbird entered a flower, then she would clamp her jaws on lily, hummingbird, and all

however, she usually would meow before coming in the house, and as soon as she opened her mouth, the tough little hummer would dart away, then come back and buzz her

"zee chuppity chup" ....

luckily the voles, moles, gophers, starlings, English sparrows, and most mice, are paraded into the tile shower ... and consumed there, minus some of the innards ... haven't seen any rats brought in here, though I remember my black mostly-Siamese, chasing them across the garage rafters in California .. cats have better balance .... 'Imi cat in Maui does much the same ... though more often he is chasing the rats along branches of the macadamia tree

yes, I did have to chase down a feisty little chipmunk a couple of weeks ago ... and the bunny who tried to make a break for it, didn't make it out the door

however, both Krispy cat and Roxy dog, seem quite intimidated by the chickens, the roo especially; I suspect Krispy had some "encounters" with the aggressive territorial RIRs next door before my neighbor sold them off, and learned his lesson

 

[justbugged]

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I'll see how they do. I found funnels at Lowes that would work, maybe. They might be too tall. I had pellets in the brooder, but I didn't like how much it didn't help the smell and how heavy it was. I was much more pleased with the shavings, but time will tell if I continue.

They were all laying on the ground so I grabbed them and tossed them in the upper part (in a much gentler fashion than that makes it sound

). One fell down the ladder in a panic and I put her back up. They have since calmed down and are sitting together. Hopefully they get through the night and figure out the ladder thing when they get hungry.

When ever I put chicks in to the big coop, I have to give them lessons on where to go to bed for the first couple of nights. This summer I had a batch that just wouldn't learn. So they huddled under the coop at night for most of the summer. They finally figured out where the other birds were going at night. They now have all made it into the coop. But there is still a couple of the Sussex that haven't learned to roost yet. I keep thinking that they just aren't very quick learners.

As for bedding in the coop, I use straw in the coop, and sand in the run. So as I typed that I am wondering why I don't use sand in the bottom of the coop. I could then use the cat litter scoop to clean it out. If I had to do a big clean my big dust pan would work. I think I really like this idea. I am going to need a better source for sand. I have a pick up that I can use, but then I will need to store the left over sand........ I will have think about it more.

 

[Kaneke]

you know my opinion: sand in the coop is the way to go

helps if you dust the floor with DE first, then spread the sand, then a very slight sprinkle of a little bit more DE

because my roo immediately comes in and starts digging and spreading; I'd swear he is "marking" the territory just as a cat or dog might

this cleans his feet off, and a bit of the slight dust, settles in his feathers and those of the hens who come in when he calls them

I haven't seen any mites on them at all .. also they usually bill-up some of the fresh sand-and-DE which likely helps their innards

the run is soft sandy dirt; it was a garden -- five or six years ago -- but the glacial-till soil here is low in organic matter; mostly sand and small rounded rocks; the chickens did a great job in clearing off all the weedy vegetation, in about four days ... even the deeply rooted clumpy grass and taproot type weeds

at night the slugs come out and clear out most of the poo in the run anyway .. nature's recyclers at work

 

[Sudsy Chick]

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I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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I took Miguel to the vet. She said it was time to say good by. Miguel is gone.

So sorry but you havethepeace of mind knowing (even though tough) you made the right decision.

 

[Sudsy Chick]

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Cute girls! and coop! and dog too

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:

oh yes, I had forgotten how sneaky Caitie-cat was .. our next door neighbor had, at that time, Easter lilies growing on the mounded plot along our mutual sideline

Caitie, being a Korat, was silver-grey-shadow, and would lie underneath the main stems until the hummingbird entered a flower, then she would clamp her jaws on lily, hummingbird, and all

however, she usually would meow before coming in the house, and as soon as she opened her mouth, the tough little hummer would dart away, then come back and buzz her

"zee chuppity chup" ....

luckily the voles, moles, gophers, starlings, English sparrows, and most mice, are paraded into the tile shower ... and consumed there, minus some of the innards ... haven't seen any rats brought in here, though I remember my black mostly-Siamese, chasing them across the garage rafters in California .. cats have better balance .... 'Imi cat in Maui does much the same ... though more often he is chasing the rats along branches of the macadamia tree

yes, I did have to chase down a feisty little chipmunk a couple of weeks ago ... and the bunny who tried to make a break for it, didn't make it out the door

however, both Krispy cat and Roxy dog, seem quite intimidated by the chickens, the roo especially; I suspect Krispy had some "encounters" with the aggressive territorial RIRs next door before my neighbor sold them off, and learned his lesson

OH yes!!!!!!!
My girl Himalayen would meeow too!
Say meeow with your teeth clenched...that was her, and I knew she had a mouthful!!!!!!

 

[Chickielady]

CR, what is with the very girly pink eye on your otherwise-used -to -be manly avatar??????????????????

Goodnight!
The Lasagna calleth, the hunter finally home, the pea fowl locked up..I am a done turkey!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Look closely. It's just my way

 

[broodytood]

Quote:
Look closely. It's just my way

Thanks, Rob! I can see it now! You have a heart of gold! Hats off to you from Jeff and I both!
Thanks, everybody, for the well wishes and prayers! Love ya too PETTEC!
Thanks for all the pm's and verses(Ron B. and Honeysuckle)
You guys are the best!
Looks like the road ahead is a bit rough so I'm strapping on my hiking boots and getting ready to climb. I'm sure the view from the top is awesome! I'm setting my sights on the top! Look up! Luke 21:28