What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

We're back to the 100° range here and supposed to stay that way for the week. Nights are feeling pleasantly nippy though... down in high 60's. Think everyone here's about done molting and no hard molts except the green pea boy I got this year. He looks like the rattiest thing right now! So I upped his protein and giving him extra fresh veggies daily.

Normally my winter gardens planted and growing well by now but I'm behind this year. It's not too late though so that's probably this week's work. Once I empty the beds to replant, the critters will be stuck with mainly alfalfa for a bit. I only have a few year-round greens, but the grape vines and sweet potato vines will keep being harvestable for a while. No variety but still good veggies. Lost my watercress in that crazy summer heat...but should be cool enough to get some restarted. Minari survived the summer well and has a lot of overgrowth....so I can trim that back and share some with the pets. Summer was hard on my yard this year! for a kind winter.

EWWWW 100s??? IN OCTOBER? Remind me to never live in Arizona hahahaha. I've been complaining about the forecast calling for 90 on Thursday. I want FALL weather dang it! Cold mornings, the smell of cool air, cinnamon apples, cozy clothing...summer is TOO long here! So, I have started some winterizing...but not as much as others. It's just been too hot still! Need to get ready for the rain though...cuz we will go from summer to relentless rain in the blink of an eye, and I don't want to be out in the mud and rain trying to put up tarps again haha...that is just not at all fun! I decided to take down the run that attaches to one of my Omlet coops and replace it with no-dig fence and bird netting before winter. The run has become a rat haven and for some reason the mud builds extra badly and then everyone is muddy and gross. Not gonna do that again! Gonna claw up the ground and wreck all the rat tunnels and remove a bunch of the dirt and fill it with Koop Clean straw. No more mud, I'm determined!

 

[kurby22]

O... decorated for Halloween yesterday....thought our cactus monsters were kinda fun .View attachment 3660773

Hehehee, these are awesome!

 

[kurby22]

Boy, this talk of cooler weather has me hopeful that our winter will show soon. This week, the mornings have been cool but heating up with humidity, which makes for an uncomfortable day. Surviving the last months of hot days is in slow motion. Hard to be patient when October, our cloudiest month holds the warmth in. Yard has done surprisingly well with my assist this year.View attachment 3660944
Still harvesting starfruit, soursop, bananas, oranges and papayas!!
Trimmed Seymore View attachment 3660945
Mostly, just making it through the days here. No decorations. After I finish a few more bags.... after I wash 2 trucks and AJs car.... after I wash the floors and finish laundry...outside of all my regular chores... I may get motivated to dig out some decorations. Maybe, I just won't rake leaves and call it good.

I did shut the door to the run this morning after washing and filling waters. Only 6 girls down here, so they should be fine. In shock from being confined, but fine.
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My latest molters could use a new outfit...and heads!! Must be a Halloween trick.
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Little pullets doing well ♡ and the most seasonal thing, next to leaves that I have going on.

I did find a dead toad in my compost bin and wonder if that is what the littles got in to.

For my winter prep, I need to remove and restaple a cut feed bag to this door
View attachment 3660950
Little victories. Also, get my bug zappers and bug suck er uppers hooked up.
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Kittens are wonderful. The antibiotics were VERY helpful! LOTS of playing, bouncing and cuteness, good poops and appetites ♡

And Spiders feral babies. Hanging out, staying close and just doing what they do. Very cute ♡View attachment 3660954

Love all the pictures! It makes me feel like I'm there and can enjoy all your greenery from afar without the humidity! Haha. The kittens and pullets are all ADORABLE and precious. I'm so glad the kitties are responding to the meds!

The amount of chores you have to do just makes me sooo tired! Try to pace out the chores, you will end up washing the cars just so the weather can come mess them up again...hahaha, that is how it always seems to work here.

 

[TropicalBabies]

flocks...I think I made a terrible decision breaking up Puff and Fluff because of their bond. He was never the same and Aria still blames me for his decline. She has been so very distraught over Ducky Jr. since his girlfriend died too, but I think in this case it's best that she died and not the other way around. He seems to be doing alright and making progress to regain the weight he's lost due to mites and molting...but she would not have recovered if she'd lost him. She was soooo reliant on him and would sleep under him at night. He took care of her and loved her though.

This just makes my heart so sad. Just does. I'm so sorry

 

[TropicalBabies]

Love all the pictures! It makes me feel like I'm there and can enjoy all your greenery from afar without the humidity! Haha. The kittens and pullets are all ADORABLE and precious. I'm so glad the kitties are responding to the meds!

The amount of chores you have to do just makes me sooo tired! Try to pace out the chores, you will end up washing the cars just so the weather can come mess them up again...hahaha, that is how it always seems to work here.

I know. I'm gunna start sighing off as Cinderella. I am getting so stressed. I feel like I did as a single mom... everyone just staring at me to make it all work. Grrrr. I need a fly swatter and a squirt bottle

 

[kurby22]

This just makes my heart so sad. Just does. I'm so sorry

Yeah, me too. My guilt over Fluff hurts still.

Aria goes out every night and tucks in Ducky with a stuffy blanket and checks to make sure his crop is full. She has a beautiful soul.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Hope y'all didn't really believe I'd use a pressure washer on me hens. I'll probably need and old fashioned foot tub and soak their bums one at a time in it with some No More Tears Shampoo. They are really that dirty. I could take a picture of a few. The RIR's are not bad. It's those Cornish Cross hens in their coop with a White Giant Rooster.

I was JUST using a power washer and imagined using it on Spicy Tuna's butt cause she needs it desperately. However effective, and funny to picture in my mind, i dont think it would end up an overall success

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I know. I'm gunna start sighing off as Cinderella. I am getting so stressed. I feel like I did as a single mom... everyone just staring at me to make it all work. Grrrr. I need a fly swatter and a squirt bottle

Thats a sign you need a break from the hens! Or, everything! Take care

 

[TropicalBabies]

Yeah, me too. My guilt over Fluff hurts still.

Aria goes out every night and tucks in Ducky with a stuffy blanket and checks to make sure his crop is full. She has a beautiful soul.

I think we just do the best we can, with what we have, at the time. I mean, hindsight is 20/20. The would have, should have, could have is terrible, we cant see around cornwrs. We learn everyday (hopefully), and when we know better we do better. You are a smart lady and put all you have into all you do. You are no slouch ♡♡♡ I'm sure it was the right decision at the time, you could not foresee the outcome. ♡♡ be kind to yourself.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Thats a sign you need a break from the hens! Or, everything! Take care

Fly swatter and squirter bottle is for.the humans. Chickens are near perfect as always