What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

Oh gosh I'd go nuts with a ground burrowing vermin. My son in law has a major war going on and those buggars are relentless. Feel bad for him.

I think I have an easy solution about the rat. Lock up the nest box lol. I have been leaving it open for a feeding station so the rain does not get the feed wet and well... duh.. . Obviously, just because I don't see then does not mean they are not there. They have not stolen eggs or harmed chickens- knock on wood- guess stealing feed is enough. Good. Maybe I will wander out with my pellet gun this eve.

Your girls are so young. If mine were young or it was earlier in my chicken experience I would not. I'm just not positive what to do but the offer I'd out there so I guess it will answer itself. Obviously... not a quick or enthusiastic answer so I guess people are fine.

Yeah, I’ve never dealt with something I’ve always considered to be an open country type issue in my own backyard haha good luck with the pellet gun! Rats are naughty critters!

I think it was so very generous of you! I would consider it too if they really needed it.

 

[kurby22]

So here is my two View attachment 2851756View attachment 2851757

Cuties!!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning still the two other eggs must be later as still moving

 

[TropicalBabies]

No egg yet! they just taunt me with their cuteness and freeload! Fuzzy seems back to her normal self so I’m feeling better about her again, yay! And I am totally in love with my Ameraucanas…they’re turning out to be the most personable chickens I have and they’re super entertaining and actually let me pet them and hug them

I think your pullet is LOVELY color, temperament. You have a real gem there. You will probably move into the coop once she starts laying lol.

 

[kurby22]

Hope everyone had a good weekend! Here’s to a great week ahead of us

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good morning it is wet here arthritis does not like it .. We needed the rain bad ..

 

[kurby22]

Good morning it is wet here arthritis does not like it .. We needed the rain bad ..

We desperately need rain too! We’ve gone over 195 days in the Sacramento area without measurable rain. It’s record setting :-( I would be sooo happy for some real rain! Sorry it’s hard on your arthritis though!

 

[kurby22]

Today was a long day…I’m still pet sitting the naughty lab puppy and he’s been a challenge! In the past 5 days, I’ve caught him on the kitchen counter, he’s dug a hole in her flower garden, broke a vase, and was sprayed by a skunk—thankfully not all in one day haha. He gets 90 mins of walking a day, which is about 6.5 miles (so my legs are ready to fall off) and spends all day outside on a 1/2 acre lot, and still gets bored!!

Today I came to stay for the evening and discovered the Koi pond water pump wasn’t on and half the house had no power and the front door wouldn’t latch shut. Blah! So I’ve spent much of the night flipping breakers, fixing the door, and checking on the fish pond.

I’ve been up since 6:30, walked 6 miles, cared for all my animals at home and then spent all evening dealing with someone else’s animals! I’m beat, and ready for her to come home!

I did get some cuddle time with Fuzzy (and my daughter did too) and Betty White before coming to stay for the night and that was nice. Betty White has always been less than thrilled at being held or pet…so I felt honored she tolerated me tonight She also got harassed by my budding rooster so maybe she was happy for some time away from him! Haha. He’s clearly a young teenage boy though! She was squawking and I looked over and he was trying to hold her by her head feathers and she had maneuvered away so he was holding her and facing her instead of behind her…and started mating the ground near her head I informed him that is NOT how things work and he needs to leave her be till he can be a proper man! poor Betty! He’s really pretty gentle for a rooster, but still pretty for Betty would rather be NOT.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning still raining may give you a picture of holes in the coops floor where they make their dirt baths

 

[TropicalBabies]

Aloha kakahiaka all!
Sorry about your arthritis @penny . I'm sure it makes everything harder and less fun. Maybe good time to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy the view ♡
@kurby young boys are pesky. Thank goodness they grow out of it and have a chance at being fine men... maybe... hopefully... . I hope you don't have much longer housesitting and can get back to your home. Your story cures me of wanting a lab pup ever. Thanks lol.

Well, I got back up the mountain a little late Monday. Mom is a challenge for sure, also, this going back down on weekends makes me feel like I am neglecting both flocks. And to prove my feelings right Dusty abandoned her nest in the forest and she was loaded mites. I figured it out when I came up on Sat eve to check/ top off feed and freshen waters. I opened the gate and they were crawling on my arm. (I had just cleaned and changed all nesting and bedding on Friday) So I figured it was from her hoping on the gate to get her meals and water. It was raining and that just made everything a crawling mess. So now I am dealing with it... yuck. Can't stand mites.

Forest rats have also found us and now I believe they are stealing eggs, also the gnats have been relentless. I'm sure if I had the coop set up simular to how I do down the mountain I would have a few less complaints but I feel like I am ready to go home. Mini coop is at a stall but almost done. I nudge my honey with a promise to come down soon. I will miss my solitude and will probably come back up next year- just later and leave earlier.
Oh! And grain mites came out with a vengeance. Thinking of tossing my worms and simplifying my small life.

I have to say, knowing what I know now about cooler weather location vs warmer weather locations I think I would opt for the warmer. I think the warmer weather pest are easier to deal with and I am surprised I am saying that. Think the gnats pushed me over the edge... maybe it was the mites and the rain oh Noa! It was the big forest rats!!!

Kitties are yet one more challenge and form of guilt. Kahili is barely friendly. She needs more meds and KHS is in talks with a feral cat group to see who is going to help her. Meanwhile her cough came back and because I am an idiot... I signed up for a mass trap/spay/neuter program this is going to go out in mass and capture as many feral cats as possible and get them fixed to do a mass feline control. They -of course- are not making it to my side of the isle and certainly not up Koke'e so I'm thinking I can fill 10-20 traps to help out. That is absolutely nothing in the big scheme of things... but it beats doing nothing.
And then... lol. I volunteered to care for tiny kittens for KHS. With a preference for bottle feed or high maintenance.

What did I do with my flock this week? Not enough. I do plan to take my pretty new chainsaw out in the forest and cut some 5" Dia X 5' logs for my new coop and old run so we can head down the hill soon. Where I will be able to get back into my/ our routine.
That will mean possibly placing Forest and Kahili into the care of others and taking on my next kitty chapter.

I did manage to get my morning hike/walk in after a stationary weekend with pasta. That kind of put everything in perspective and all seems managable and kind of fun and easy.

Young man who was thinking of taking my hens has gone quiet. I'm sure he will figure it all out.
You folks have a nice day!!! ❤