Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Terri O]

Hi all! Great visit with Cuties' clan tonight. We were going to head to the fair but by the time we had decided it was nearly 9! Poultry barn was already closed for the night.

Has anyone raised hair sheep? I've had goats and loved them, but I'm looking for something to keep the grass down in my orchard when I sell the horses. Goats will be too busy trying to eat the trees. And I do not want to deal with shearing. The hair sheep I have seen so far seem a little expensive, but they shouldn't cost much to feed. And I can trim their hooves myself.

THe Romanoffs that I have shed their wool. They are not really considered a hair sheep though. They are very easy to take care of...unless they get out of their enclosure! Scott(Cuties DH) and I hunted mine down today and got them back in. With the goats I just have to yell...the sheep must be deaf?

You know Jim... My son really does ride the short bus, so I really should open my can of whopp @ss on you. Unfortunately, parts of you would come to attention that haven't for years, and I'd be laughing so hard I'd get no whooping done. So i'll give you a pass, and just let you play with your little berries.

Well, what did I tell ya?

Well, with all of this rib talk, I'd like to chime in that DH has a cracked/dislocated rib as well. It happened while he was playing soccer, his team mate fell into him and the guys shoulder went into Nate's rib. I had to laugh because he was asked to go golfing today with some buddies and had to decline! He has to let it heal as he is going down to Tennessee next Friday to help my dad move up here.
Now that's a whole 'nother story. The reality just hit me (last night) that my dad will be living with us in 8 days!

I haven't lived with my dad in over 20 years, so this is gonna be an adjustment!!!!

I dont know How I would do living with my Dad...all I know is that I would be doing a lot less sitting around! That guy is like the energizer bunny!

evening, just sitting down to a quick meal. We are now in full swing for the fair- DD and DS(11) had archery this afternoon- 1st year for both of them, they both did well and had fun- we won't get the results until sometime next week during fair. Tomorrow DS(8) plays 2 baseball games and we have to start washing the chickens and turkeys that DD will be showing. 6 chickens total which will be easy enough to get through and 4 turkeys- this should be interesting as DH will not be helping us this year- he will be attending his cousin's funeral. DD came up with the idea of using a small pool so we can walk the turkeys out and they can step into it- hopefully it will work as I don't think I will be able to lift them into the tub.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

Good luck with the bathing! I am really glad I decided to take a year off! It feels real good to be able to stay at home this week! Good luck at your fair Erin and Cade!

anyone know what these are?

They do look like turkeys...I made the pic bigger to try and see...I dont think they are but they sure have a thin body...

Deli- could those be turkeys?

LOL! OK I need to go to sleep...it is so nice outside I wish my porch was screened...talk tomorrow! TerriOheadingouttolockupnow

 

[delisha]

Deli- could those be turkeys?

They sure look like they might be..someone said they are peahens..They had them dropped off on there porch.They just want to know what they are. I figured someone on here would know. I thought turkeys of some kind. Possibly wild turkeys.

DELI!!! You dirty rotten traitor! Now you're going on about strawberries and jam! Grumble grumble grumble... I can't even mock you about playing with your "little berries" cause you don't have that equipment.

I am now ignoring all berry talk. I will not see it unless it says "Bigfam, I have jam, jelly, or butters for you." So says I.

Had a Riga chick die. Had a new chick hatch. Lots of poop in nesting boxes to clean out again. Gah-Ross!!! Smells so bad when they store it up and then do it in the box.....

Gotta get kids to bed.

It looks really yummy too. The whole house smells so good.

Riga is a bad mom. Hopefully she will do better next time. Next time she needs a batch of barn yard chicks to practice on.

 

[babylady4]

The local hospital is where you find the quacks around here..... if you have anything more serious than a bloody nose head elsewhere. So I will not be taking my duck there.

Speaking of Taffy, she was standing with both feet down tonight and her wings were not tightly tucked to her sides, but they were not dragging on the ground either. I think I will have the kids fill a washtub for her tomorrow and see if she would like to do a little swimming. Get the weight off that foot but still get her to move it a bit. She did lay an egg yesterday, but not today. She is also starting to make a little bit of noise, but not very much.

I would join your party down South.........

 

[chikenscratch]

Deli- I do not have any type of fruit tree unfortunately, but I was referring to TO's comment/offer on her full pear trees. What type of crab apple do you have? There is a kind that is used for fruit preserves and a kind that is too small (my mom has that kind). I think that bird pic looks like a peahen in the face/head plus it has an extremely extended tail.

TO-my dad is also the energizer bunny! It is not gonna help that he will want to micromanage because he will be bored initially. The man is 70, retired, has lived alone for 26 years....oy vey!!!! Please pray for my sanity

Is anyone else seeing random wilting on their tomatoes? I've checked them, mind you it is not all of them, but they do not have pest damage, fungus, Vert. virus, plenty of water, etc. I think that the inconsistent weather has rendered them unable to adapt to temperature swings. We have been up into the 90s then down into the 50s all in a 24 hr period. The ones that are effected are all heirlooms however, which could mean that they haven't been modified to withstand temp swings

Any other ideas are welcome!

My ameras are honking, one of my blk orps is constantly talking loudly, my husband is ready to kill off some loud birds, and I just wish they'd all settle down! One positive is that my roos aren't crowing...yet.

Del- here is a question for ya....if the cross beak is suspected to have been created by high hatch heat, wouldn't it stand to reason that the effected birds would not pass that trait on to their offspring? I'm REALLY curious!

 

[cuties]

Had a very fun evening with teri this evening!!

I will be taking up more room with pics tomorrow ;-) (if the smart phone will allow)

Irish :'( I hope you start to get better. As I type, I know it is impossible. But you need a break girl!

I have to work a tourney tomorrow. So nite all!!

Melaniereallywantingsomebabycallsofherown

 

[chikenscratch]

I'm doing some research on tapping maple trees and the first question is those of you that tap, do you use metal or plastic buckets?

 

[delisha]

Deli- I do not have any type of fruit tree unfortunately, but I was referring to TO's comment/offer on her full pear trees. What type of crab apple do you have? There is a kind that is used for fruit preserves and a kind that is too small (my mom has that kind). I think that bird pic looks like a peahen in the face/head plus it has an extremely extended tail.

TO-my dad is also the energizer bunny! It is not gonna help that he will want to micromanage because he will be bored initially. The man is 70, retired, has lived alone for 26 years....oy vey!!!! Please pray for my sanity

Is anyone else seeing random wilting on their tomatoes? I've checked them, mind you it is not all of them, but they do not have pest damage, fungus, Vert. virus, plenty of water, etc. I think that the inconsistent weather has rendered them unable to adapt to temperature swings. We have been up into the 90s then down into the 50s all in a 24 hr period. The ones that are effected are all heirlooms however, which could mean that they haven't been modified to withstand temp swings

Any other ideas are welcome!

My ameras are honking, one of my blk orps is constantly talking loudly, my husband is ready to kill off some loud birds, and I just wish they'd all settle down! One positive is that my roos aren't crowing...yet.

Del- here is a question for ya....if the cross beak is suspected to have been created by high hatch heat, wouldn't it stand to reason that the effected birds would not pass that trait on to their offspring? I'm REALLY curious!

I honesty agree, however these I did not breed and I am only quoting what the breeder stated. Foley said he does not have cross beak and it was more likely a heat issues. If it is a heat issue it should not be passed down. I do not know enough about these birds, how they were hatched etc. They are such a new line and development. I simply do not know. I have one cross beak and I was going to keep it with the layers, however, I am having pullets turn into cockerels this week. I guess it is going to be dinner.

Crabapple..not sure about size difference. I have only seen one size. They are a very small apple. 2-3 inches across?

I'm doing some research on tapping maple trees and the first question is those of you that tap, do you use metal or plastic buckets?

I ordered some maples for taping. I am not positive but think all maples can be taped? Yes? I am not sure. I do not have a Maple on the property and I am planting one by the new coop for shade. I have seen all kinds of buckets hanging on trees. I am not sure what is right.

 

[Cindlady]

Hi All!

Kristpi.... Too bad your garden got so chewed up. Yep, guineas can be bullies so watch for it. My first batch were pretty good, this batch, not so much.

TO...Yes, you can try a poultice made of plantain, comfery root (if you have some) and calendula and/or St. John's wort. These are all in the goop too. Plantain is the most important! Just don't know how to keep it on her.

Delish... I've been meaning to say, Yes, I know what vet in Burlington your talking about. He is pretty good. We've been going to him since he first came here. Having had lots of reptiles it was nice to have him here! If anyone needs an bird or reptile vet...Molitor Pet & Bird Clinic in Burlington, WI is a veterinary hospital offering 24-hour emergency services, 7 days a week. Call at 262-763-8113
As far as I know all maples can be tapped. some are just better than others.

irish.... hope you feel better soon.

cs... Hope DH heals quick! Yea, it can hurt like h#ll and ain't much you can do. Good luck wit your dad! No mater ow much you love him, I'm sure your going to want to blow off some steam here!

H&R... Good luck at the fair!

Bl4.... It's going to be awhile before we can get the Goop Party going... maybe you could make it.

Goop Party here will be fine and fall would probably be best since I have no A/C in the main part of the house. CC yep, we can get you in here and you can move around. There are 3 steps in the foyer but there is a lift chair, someone will just have to get your wheels up. There is 1 small step to the back yard but I have portable ramps

and big ramp to the yard!

2nd son and daughter both showed up while I was shopping but ot to spend some time with them. Nice to have all my kids here at once for a change! But no one brought grand kids.

Good news! Found my "lost" turkey hen! She is nesting by the berry patch! Hope the skunk doesn't find her!

More good news! I ave an apple and a pear tree and there was one smaller one that looked like a fruit tree put never had fruit since we were here, Well, there are little green apples on it!

Maybe I will make some spiced pears this year. Crab apples are good spiced too!
BigFam... I have berries too! Had to rub it in!

Guess that's it.... Night All

 

[babylady4]

CS, Cuties would be the one to ask about tapping trees...... if you do decided on the bags, FF has all of their tapping supplies on clearance up here so it would be a good time to pick up supplies.

Cuties, you will have to supply us with your Syrup site!

Work beckons once again........ I am really looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow......

 

[JustJohn]

I'm doing some research on tapping maple trees and the first question is those of you that tap, do you use metal or plastic buckets?

I like 5 gallon pails washed and rinsed with vinegar to get the soap out. and a lid. Or, I have used those blue plastic jugs that drinking water comes in. they work well also.

Any maple can be tapped. Try to wait until the trunk is at least a foot across.

I have tapped walnut trees too and the syrup is good but different, not mapley, just sweet.