What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

What is happening with your machine? I am finding that my needle had to be changed, so now I'm using one for denim. Also, the bag doesn't want to advance evenly, so have had to guide it through. I might try putting masking tape or something on the bottom of the foot and on the plate for more traction.et us know how the material works. Of course, I won't be making them again until summer or later. One handed won't work too good.

Oh, sounds like you need oil ♡

** maybe a cleaning too! Start with that and I hope it saves you some frustration. When my machine quits feeding it is def time for a clean and oiling. ♡♡♡
Good luck! I need some partners in crime
Think I de-strung 200 bags between yesterday and today. Insane but feels great. When I look at I in that quantity it feels more like a dent out of the landfill and makes me happier.
Recruiting dh to contact schools to see if they want some fundraising projects in their home ec class. Good for kids to think outside the box and may be fun.

 

[Shetland lover]

Thank you for your sympathy. I am doing ok, just a little sad. I am concerned about how her buddy Lani will do without her. They were raised together. I got them as rescues. All my friends here have been so helpful and supportive to each other, and for you, I am grateful.
As advised, will worm the rest when I get a drier day. Valbazen on bread. Have to devise a better way of making sure all get dosed. Many of them are not easily wrangled, and with only one hand...not sure I want to stress them out with a fishnet. In hindsight, Pua may not have gotten a chance at the dose the last time they were dewormed. I have never given Corid to the flock. Do you think I should? Evidence of more bloody poops before she died.

Chickens do grieve, I'm firmly convinced they do. When Alice passed Gladys moped for months afterwards. She was even worse when we lost Maud, they were my last full-size hens and inseparable She only really came out of it when she formed an attachment to Stan. Just keep a close eye on Lani and give her lots of extra attention, she'll eventually form new bonds. I always let the flock spend a bit of time with their deceased flockmate, I think it helps them understand they're gone.
I don't actually routinely worm mine. I send off a poop sample every 3 months for a worm count which cost roughly £10. To buy wormer each quarter is between £30-£40. Every sample I've submitted so far has returned a result of 0 eggs. There's increasing resistance to most wormers over here so I won't worm until I need to.
I do think in your situation it's probably a good precaution to worm your entire flock.
I'd just monitor the rest of your birds for bloody poops and be especially vigilant for anyone looking even slightly off. If, after worming, there's still blood, then give Corid.
Is there any chance Pua could have had access to water with algae in it?

 

[Shetland lover]

Congratulations, well done!
How is your clavicle today?

Thank you!
It's really sore today. I think I've been over-using my shoulder if I'm honest.
Enjoy your trip to Hawaii. It will wonderful!

 

[Shetland lover]

Poor kiddo, and of course chickens.

It is. I have seen that as well. The only problem is I haven’t had problems fabric. It’s a brand new machine too. I have 2 (honestly could even be 3) other machines. But one of them is from my Aunt who passed away and her machine keeps breaking needles. I haven’t had the time to work on fixing that one. I can’t remember what was wrong with the other either. I remember it starting out ok but then something (can’t remember) went wrong. I have such bad luck with sewing machines. My mom has had hers since I was a kid. Even ok, even my grandma’s sewing machine hated me. She used it until she passed away and I got it. Plugged it in and the dang needle would just go all crazy.

My mom has the machine she sewed her wedding and bridesmaid dresses on in 1972. Still working perfectly! I've borrowed her spare machine and i just bet i break it! I have my great-gran's 1910 Singer but i can't get a drive belt for it. Even if I could, I'd probably destroy that too!

 

[Shetland lover]

@Gammas Bearded Babies is the seamstress so I hope she chimes in.
My limited experience is . Make sure machine is cleaned and oiled, thread matches and machine is correctly threaded and then adjust from there.

For me- most times is because machine needs oil or not properly threaded.

I have honestly tried everything! Tension upper and lower, brand new needles, changed the thread type, given the machine a deep clean and oil, made sure it is threaded properly...

 

[kurby22]

We did the pee trick. Our neighborly resident fox then proceeded to pee where we peed...not only hilarious, but his potent pee (smells a bit skunky) is what I believe really keeps the rodents away from the coop...well, that plus he hunts them.

I know people think I'm nuts that I actually love having foxes around, but if you've ever seen a Fox tilt his head listening intently to the ground, then do a high jump pounce, and come up with a nice, fat rodent in his mouth...well, it's kinda adorable & I do appreciate the dude's rodent duty efforts. My flock is safe in predator proof pens & coop, Foxy has never even tried to dig a hole, he just hunts rodents & kinda follows me around sometimes, accompanies me to my 1/4 mile walk to the mailbox & lays down at the firepit when I have a fire going. & No I do not feed him (my neighbor does, though). When I take photos of sunsets, he sits & gazes at the sunset with me. He also chased off the coyote...now that is one mean dog there, coyote boy ran right up to the pens, was looking at my flock & licking his chops, even gave me a shiver.

My Foxy...he thinks he is my dog. I told him he's a good boy taking care of the rodents but don't get any idea about chicken dinner. Well, since I've moved here & had Pigeons since 2006 & Chickens since 2015, my neighboring fox family & their kits have been awesome, somehow we've got a lucky synergy here. Tons of wild rabbits here too, foxes have only gone after moles, mice & rats. Go figure. Now if I could only teach him to chase off hawks. The Crows do, but they don't patrol here daily.

Here's my fav boy, Foxy.
View attachment 3456210View attachment 3456211View attachment 3456212

Ohhhh I just love red foxes! I’m so jealous ! How neat you have a fox friend! I’d love a fox friend to catch my rats!

 

[kurby22]

Just got my exam results...

I got a Pass with Distinction which is 70% or more according to RCVS assessment and award regs. Just 3 more exams to do...

Thank you everyone for your good wishes. They obviously did the trick!

Congratulations!!!

 

[kurby22]

She went to chicken heaven over night. RIP sweet Pua.

Oh no! I’m so sorry about Pua She was a big beautiful girl that was clearly loved. Hugs friend

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

She went to chicken heaven over night. RIP sweet Pua.

No! Oh I am so sorry to hear that!!! And the others aren't showing any signs of illness?
I hate how chickens can hide an illness til they are nearly at deaths door! Makes it so difficult to figure out and try to treat.
You and your DH did everything you could just as soon as you saw her not doing well! Hugs to you!

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

@Gammas Bearded Babies is the seamstress so I hope she chimes in.
My limited experience is . Make sure machine is cleaned and oiled, thread matches and machine is correctly threaded and then adjust from there.

For me- most times is because machine needs oil or not properly threaded.

Um I told yall my brain don't work so well anymore...DH had bought me a new sewing machine when I was making the prayer quilts cause I could never get my mother's to work (from 70s).
So that's why I am literally hand stitching a new back on my daughters prayer quilt that she insists on taking with her for delivery Wed. She wears that thing out! My Granny had already put 1 new back on it before she passed away and now it's all ragged and hanging. So my back is killing me from holding arms up and stiching...I got almost 1 side done!
@FBMcrazy8 I'm sorry I'm not much help!