tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90909075688931249372024-03-14T01:52:58.560-07:00Blissful in the BooniesEscaping to the country, living the dream, and battling the blackberries.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-26096796100025715682014-02-28T22:59:00.001-08:002014-02-28T22:59:49.778-08:00New turkeys!Brought home three new turkey hens two weeks ago tomorrow. More later, but for now, Legs is one happy tom. <div><br></div><div>Can't keep his eyes off his new girls...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0YQpsTew5KTEwhQ8pO0m7zyzVemP9MmfO1bpnwZl_JfSQpIFOnLElXeePvohOqWGDUCDgfn0MpM_PFT71vTGGra2k1EwaWcSG7qd_s0maUMHoLoZlpdD7DKxQVZCcmaUMOeb3fbpD2Ri/s640/blogger-image-1366894314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0YQpsTew5KTEwhQ8pO0m7zyzVemP9MmfO1bpnwZl_JfSQpIFOnLElXeePvohOqWGDUCDgfn0MpM_PFT71vTGGra2k1EwaWcSG7qd_s0maUMHoLoZlpdD7DKxQVZCcmaUMOeb3fbpD2Ri/s640/blogger-image-1366894314.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-61851449670836999922014-02-10T18:40:00.002-08:002014-02-10T18:43:17.869-08:00GO Abby! First goose egg of the season!Just had to post, as this is my only real record of when things happen. Saw Abby in the A-frame hut for the first time yesterday. Today, I discovered her first egg! Now, if I can just witness Beefy getting his business underway, and the weather warms up so eggs don't freeze, I'll let her start building a clutch. Gotta remember to email the gal I got her from and share the good news. Apparently Abby hatched a batch last year, so we'll see how it goes. If nothing is fertile this year, we may need to add another gander to the flock... and what that means for Beefy? I dunno. Anyhoo, goose eggs leave me feeling that spring weather and longer days aren't far off. :)<br />
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<br />Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-15743043782429163872014-02-07T11:50:00.000-08:002014-02-07T22:09:54.014-08:00Updates/changes on the farm! New birds, fluffy goat and sheep...A few changes over the last 6 months or so.<br />
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We have increased our muscovy flock. Merle now has two more girls in addition to Maggie and Frieda. They're young, and I expect they'll hit 1 year in late summer. Man, can these ducks fly. We had to clip wings, as they enjoyed flying all around the backyard and over in the chicken yard. <br />
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New girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6kH_uS-xEGqj8oVgX08q9z7Bffq72bXv5434kNo2vXT_8nTlgU5tQVWbw1FN1NYe-8dwB8GntBnnFY0JbNuT7W_lE2fiaDBsR9dqnOqQLeEPv9lB9puVated32vJdtVSRC03NohK_xE1/s1600/new+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6kH_uS-xEGqj8oVgX08q9z7Bffq72bXv5434kNo2vXT_8nTlgU5tQVWbw1FN1NYe-8dwB8GntBnnFY0JbNuT7W_lE2fiaDBsR9dqnOqQLeEPv9lB9puVated32vJdtVSRC03NohK_xE1/s1600/new+girl.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Of the scovys hatched last year, we butchered all but one drake. We also butchered our goose Broccoli, Beefy's girl/boy friend. Pretty sure Broccoli was a boy, and low boy on the totem pole to Beefy. Beefy was entirely uninterested in Broccoli, and would mount the ducks instead. We never saw Broccoli mount the ducks, but I'm guessing because Beefy was so dominant. Anyhow, the crazy thing was that the two <1yr old scovy drakes that we butchered dressed out at nearly the exact same weight as that goose! Nuts!<br />
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We ended up getting a pilgrim female for Beefy, and named her Abigail. Great thing about a pilgrim is that we KNOW it's a girl, due to the sex-linked color. Yay! Crusty is in LUUUURVE with Abigail (Crusty has a goose fetish, having grown up with geese) and likes to follow Abigail around while doing her sexy duck dance. It's highly amusing, but Abby doesn't care much for it. Added plus, the gal I got Abby from has pied guineas. She's supposed to give me a call this summer when she has keets, and we'll be able to get Deputy Guinea some friends. Ah, I can already hear the guinea chorus. Sigh.<br />
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We kept one chocolate drake from last year's hatches, Choco Taco, and got him two girls as well. Only one of the 4 total new girls has a name. Chad named her Hennifer Grey. :) She's a pretty gray/brown, and a really calm and petite little girl. <br />
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Choco, the muscovy drake we kept, is a big beautiful boy. He was attacked by our trio of turkey toms a few months ago and they just about scalped and blinded him. Time in a crate and treatment with bluekote, and he's growing his feathers back on his head, and still has both eyes, though his beak is a little gnarly on top. He was really a mess for a while, but is back out there terrorizing the roosters and lovin his girlfriends. We also only have ONE tom left... his brothers were very tasty (seasoned with "these damn turkeys attacked my Choco").<br />
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What else, what else... Traeger and Weber, boer goat and katahdin sheep, are fat and sassy and slated for slaughter on the 19th. We'll kill/gut/skin here at the house, and then take the carcasses to the butcher for further processing. Very ready for them to go, as it's almost time for pigs! We're debating taking the hides down to a guy in Clackamas to be processed, as they're really nice and fluffy from the unusually cold weather we've experienced over the last few months. We could try to do it at home, but their coats are so nice... I think we'll practice on the next deer we get, and just have these professionally done.<br />
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So, that's about it for the moment. Not too much else exciting.<br />
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More soon!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-54872025791929550832014-02-06T13:05:00.001-08:002014-02-06T17:12:04.490-08:00New duck hut<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Despite the cold weather (<20deg this morning), the ducks have started laying again. Front pen contains Beefy and his new girl Abigail (Broccoli is in the freezer), Merle, Maggie, Frieda, Crusty, Olga, and two new scovy girls (Sven is also in the freezer). We're only getting 1-2 eggs a day, but the girls are making pretty little round nests in all the huts. They didn't like the new hut last night, (the geese swore at it for hours and the scovys wagged their tails and bobbed their heads), but today the straw on each side was swept into pretty little nests. Hoping the low dark doors and nests being in the back of the hut will help dissuade the ravens from sneaking in to steal eggs. Stupid ravens.<br />
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Beefy is not impressed.<br />
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But I'm pretty happy with my work. :)</div>
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Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-21748715969498481032014-01-15T19:47:00.001-08:002014-02-06T20:21:34.825-08:00Wow. Long time no see!Didn't realize quite how long it's been since I've been on here. Blogger got pretty non-smartphone friendly, and it just wasn't convenient to post anymore. Add to that a new boss, busy at work, busy at home etc, and blogging fell by the wayside. Gonna try to get online on an actual computer at least once a week this year. Looking forward to catching up on everyone's blogs, and posting some updates on our critters and happenings. Hope everyone is enjoying a great start to the new year!<br />
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Deputy Guinea says hello and hopes to have some pied guinea companions in a few months!</div>
Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-22827428515171364902013-10-18T18:42:00.000-07:002014-02-07T22:10:32.561-08:00New 'scovy hens!As the weather turns colder, I'll slowly get back into blogging. For now, we added four new young muscovy hens to the farm this afternoon. The two larger girls went out with Merle, Maggie, Frieda, Olga/Sven, Crusty, and the geese. The two younger are going in the chicken yard with the chickens, turkeys, Choco Taco (Chocolate 'scovy drake hatched here this spring), and 4 scovys from a later hatch. I sure do like these ducks!<br />
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<br />Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-191536630150292552013-07-06T00:20:00.000-07:002013-07-06T00:20:05.138-07:00Raspberry vinegar?<div class="mobile-photo">
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Maybe, if I'm lucky. Had extra raspberries from a flat we purchased down the road at one of the local berry farms. 4c of berries and 5c of white wine vinegar per my Ball preserving book. Recipe says to stir every couple days, and taste once a week til desired strength is achieved. We'll see how it goes. Only cost me about $8 in vinegar, so no great loss if it doesn't work, right? Right.
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Hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th!!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-52389114260525627472013-07-02T18:54:00.002-07:002013-07-02T22:25:47.561-07:00Poultry run, summer busy, and critter update<div class="mobile-photo">
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This is why I haven't been posting. The new poultry run has eaten up all my time between rain and then too-hot-to-work weather. Been crazy busy. It's almost done, and I'll post pics once it's totally finished and I've moved on to another project.<br />
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I've got some family and friends pretty ticked off at me lately because I've disappeared. Thing is, it's summer. I work full-time already. Then, because it's summer and mostly not raining and light rather late, I spend all my not-at-work time doing all the stuff I can't do when it's "not-summer". I really really don't have the time to go spend a day at the farmer's market, or antiquing, or just generally farting around. There's mowing, and weedeating, and the garden, and the animals, and all the baby animals, and house projects, and the chicken run, and the new steps we need to install, and fruit that needs picking and preserving, and a coop that needs repainting...etc etc etc. I get home from work, change my clothes, and go work outside. We might take one day a month to go do something not home related, like going to yard sales or mushroom hunting. That's it.<br />
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So, really quick update. <br />
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<strong>Birds</strong><br />
Goldy-hen and 4 duck babies are still in the chicken tractor and doing really well. Goldy is turning out to be a super mom.<br />
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Turkey eggs: 4 weren't fertile, 2 stopped developing halfway, 2 got broken by the hens, 3 pipped and didn't get any further, 3 hatched. The three poults are doing great, and are in a different chicken tractor with Bellina, who I know is a kickbutt mom. My kickass S&BiL hatched out some turkeys earlier this season... maybe they'll trade with me so I can mix up the bloodlines.... haven't asked yet what they're planning on doing with their turkeys. Add that to my list. If not, I can always just sub some purchased poults next year. Heck, I don't even know yet what the sexes are of my 3 piddly poults. Should be able to make a guess in just a couple weeks. I really want to have a tom and a couple hens. Want my own farm-hatched babies, and not have to purchase our turkeys every year.<br />
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The two chicken eggs I stuck under Smaug so she'd stop stealing nests didn't hatch. Weren't fertile. The two black copper maran "pullets" I bought turned out to be cockerels. I think I need to keep one. Hubby doesn't agree. I'm thinking along the lines of, "tough, I'm keeping one". :)<br />
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More 'scovy eggs are destined for the incubator. I have 15, and should have 17-19 total come Thurs when I start the incubation. If Freida goes broody, I'll let her sit, but if the ducks hatch any more babies themselves, they'll go into the chicken tractor until the babies are big enough to not be easy raven pickins.<br />
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<strong>Brush-mowers</strong><br />
Traeger and Weber are doing great. Weber is growing like crazy, but Traeger (the goat) isn't growing nearly as fast. Shocking, considering how much he eats. We're really impressed with Weber, a katahdin sheep. He mows down blackberries and other brush just as fast and happily as the goat. I'm thinking we may do this breed again. Very very happy with him.<br />
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Annnnnnd... that's about it for now. Work to do. Have a fun and safe 4th!!</div>
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Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-46028451964100466092013-06-26T19:14:00.000-07:002013-06-26T19:14:25.397-07:00Why ducks line the fence when they see "the cup"<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qsENkFliLBsmy9LbzO9_DyhwChcS6rTvBh-G3SX-n3mrnZcysfW-8mFrRVNUiBpYQTSFwW6ZtpM3sAdul-ueSatrOVsJvAN41_tMp5WiY0Fj5Zz1LLnWaG3NcqH9UMSuP9IPwXHGDyVa/s1600/image-799096.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893978035150907218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qsENkFliLBsmy9LbzO9_DyhwChcS6rTvBh-G3SX-n3mrnZcysfW-8mFrRVNUiBpYQTSFwW6ZtpM3sAdul-ueSatrOVsJvAN41_tMp5WiY0Fj5Zz1LLnWaG3NcqH9UMSuP9IPwXHGDyVa/s320/image-799096.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOlbvonNX7U5N7Xk0jjYn0T4Y0weNlAouvrWwm9Sw_2BSUGxZhNsRjZweD88rF-YK1tJmVxfIv_8lbXjUDNcjdCd-Uq-7G9lMZRG4ZLbi3JejeCuPXk6vtwwrPCESXZhWW-R13CvWcFxS/s1600/image-701166.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893978042874966354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOlbvonNX7U5N7Xk0jjYn0T4Y0weNlAouvrWwm9Sw_2BSUGxZhNsRjZweD88rF-YK1tJmVxfIv_8lbXjUDNcjdCd-Uq-7G9lMZRG4ZLbi3JejeCuPXk6vtwwrPCESXZhWW-R13CvWcFxS/s320/image-701166.jpeg" /></a></div>
If I walk outside, carrying "the cup", they watch... And wait. This was the 2nd cup of slugs collected this evening. Oregon sure is great for slugs (of manageable size... WA is ridiculous. Damn banana slugs).
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The slugs especially like the places where the chicken tractor and its assorted poultry have rested. Easy pickins and happy waterfowl. :)
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Must use the cup, as slugs have different sorts of slime. Some thin, and some like glue which literally has to be SCRAPED off... Absolutely will NOT wash off. Yuck.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-25528299695444424102013-06-17T17:19:00.000-07:002013-06-17T17:19:17.467-07:00Lost 5 ducklings... New lesson learned :(All 6 of Maggie's ducklings were out there this morning. As of this afternoon, there was one. I'm about 95% sure that the culprit was the local raven. It's huge, and "quorks" instead of cawing. Totally not a crow. I saw it go after a duckling last week, but the other birds chased it off. Figured that was the end of it. But, down to one duckling with no trace of the others, and no grass was flattened around the edges of the pen, so nothing climbed the fence and stole them. I don't see a hawk stealing off with 5 freakin ducklings. But I've observed a raven return several times within an hour to the same campsite to steal, each time, a piece of bread from a torn breadbag. So. I'm putting my money on that damn raven. It steals eggs too. $&@! I took the last duckling from Maggie and slipped it in with Goldie. Hopefully Maggie decides to set another clutch.<br />
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Hard lesson learned: next batch of ducklings will go into a chicken tractor with momma for 3 weeks or however long til they reach a size that will deter the raven... If said raven is still around come the next hatch. Funny, it is the only raven I've seen in our area. Always alone.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-14657401731588928532013-06-15T12:45:00.002-07:002013-06-15T12:45:32.576-07:00One of these things is not like the other...<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET28DWZs2JmGukW_0uOBO36R5pq8_RYC4BHrr6FkyYoK8pai5Td-uYyrkIPyjNGLiLuo9d6tWCn9oF2TDz56bAyVweBflQmp9KbWXg2Fah-GccWDXuFU51QXec7wFpkOuqtg7gFXYwAJq/s1600/image-700372.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889797318240481634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET28DWZs2JmGukW_0uOBO36R5pq8_RYC4BHrr6FkyYoK8pai5Td-uYyrkIPyjNGLiLuo9d6tWCn9oF2TDz56bAyVweBflQmp9KbWXg2Fah-GccWDXuFU51QXec7wFpkOuqtg7gFXYwAJq/s320/image-700372.png" /></a></div>
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One of these things just doesn't belong...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQtIGuo0670esTFKGeGTL6J5Eo7WNkBKyj5ZBly8p0CFnencw68zoNyXRc6ZJYJg8axs3zDwPdGkwehANPZR-YTlLrbAcByG7UQRXv2j-H1z2XfUgHC44XcEExUgKUXgXdUsQWeO5_n_b/s1600/image-702340.jpeg" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889797328087935426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQtIGuo0670esTFKGeGTL6J5Eo7WNkBKyj5ZBly8p0CFnencw68zoNyXRc6ZJYJg8axs3zDwPdGkwehANPZR-YTlLrbAcByG7UQRXv2j-H1z2XfUgHC44XcEExUgKUXgXdUsQWeO5_n_b/s320/image-702340.jpeg" /></a><br />
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Well, at least Goldie doesn't know any different. :) She hatched out two, btw. The two that I hope will be black and white like Freida. The brown one in the back is Maggie's, but injured its leg, so I snuck it in with Goldie. She seemed happy to have it!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-38422921611069141342013-06-14T21:02:00.000-07:002013-06-14T21:02:09.486-07:00More muscovy duckling pics!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uOfGTrEbzESt4MsdiwGSmnZZDtaykycQzs88G5aS9sAKlvCD32YV5CSQf9DNiskPlpxKrHoAXX6d1OsZCUJzZ3Sqdq0Ycw4pkbye-9MHu7iUdZqETVIT2pGaSb-yDH5sxp_ixCdghxz5/s1600/image-774805.png" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889554115113801938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uOfGTrEbzESt4MsdiwGSmnZZDtaykycQzs88G5aS9sAKlvCD32YV5CSQf9DNiskPlpxKrHoAXX6d1OsZCUJzZ3Sqdq0Ycw4pkbye-9MHu7iUdZqETVIT2pGaSb-yDH5sxp_ixCdghxz5/s320/image-774805.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcehmj803L_yB6Hkg0oawEWwTY07IsHeeLtFWWR9xLHYiGdEu0sXT7Xfdu4akr6ynRxAClFJ09L_E8IyslIf_HFufdkdLRoNkwbo_i7Y-DSRJVfCR0oqzH3h6v1oNNBvZKUsYK-FCVu4Ss/s1600/image-772565.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889554105746787202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcehmj803L_yB6Hkg0oawEWwTY07IsHeeLtFWWR9xLHYiGdEu0sXT7Xfdu4akr6ynRxAClFJ09L_E8IyslIf_HFufdkdLRoNkwbo_i7Y-DSRJVfCR0oqzH3h6v1oNNBvZKUsYK-FCVu4Ss/s320/image-772565.png" /></a></div>
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They're quick little buggers. So difficult to get a good pic!<br />
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Goldie chicken came away with two, and while all of Maggie's babies appear to be brown like Merle and Maggie, the two Goldie hatched seem to be pied black/white like Freida! We'll see when they get feathers, eh? :) Pics of the Goldie babies soon.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-46716338921961228652013-06-10T09:30:00.000-07:002013-06-10T10:39:43.161-07:00Our first farm-hatched ducklings!!!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx16PHGWTku9sBoHoiOREXsVp8zte40PEWfqLZUU0FLe9ijHx4tqLF-ZGoYst8_YBsIfSIFblEABVKKCArXfOXTeOP40gfYbyAhqDEcPbShKoMr-hD5LF1nL78FSZOQWcLlOpoXWLp2-l6/s1600/image-729150.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5887892196295043506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx16PHGWTku9sBoHoiOREXsVp8zte40PEWfqLZUU0FLe9ijHx4tqLF-ZGoYst8_YBsIfSIFblEABVKKCArXfOXTeOP40gfYbyAhqDEcPbShKoMr-hD5LF1nL78FSZOQWcLlOpoXWLp2-l6/s320/image-729150.jpeg" /></a></div>
Maggie was off the nest this morning for a drink and a bite to eat, so I went out to check the nest. Lookie what I found!!!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-52038044687443386172013-06-01T19:11:00.000-07:002013-06-01T19:11:42.378-07:00Broody butts!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aEv4J3s53vrXcIlsXX1hQ22pqWipksln7fVEKG2WgghvKwFNssGJ3OxQyhchm3DnJTMoIYWRO65r9uqYhWw_tZC00C_PxC5KTizQ1JqZe0GHiuynW1VAaUoosvrFHYh_dLtp63oAWrbb/s1600/photo-714593.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5884701405006559986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aEv4J3s53vrXcIlsXX1hQ22pqWipksln7fVEKG2WgghvKwFNssGJ3OxQyhchm3DnJTMoIYWRO65r9uqYhWw_tZC00C_PxC5KTizQ1JqZe0GHiuynW1VAaUoosvrFHYh_dLtp63oAWrbb/s320/photo-714593.JPG" /></a></div>
Left to right... Goldie (5 duck eggs), Bellina (5 turkey eggs), Smaug (2 chicken eggs so she'll stop trying to steal the other hen's nests), unnamed buff (4 turkey eggs).Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-38672145065264040992013-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:002013-05-30T17:17:20.682-07:00At least someone loves blackberry vines!<div class="mobile-photo">
Weber and Traeger going to town on blackberry vines. Num num num!!</div>
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And yes, they're wearing old dog collars. We have a Rubbermaid tub full of old dog stuff, and the first thing we did, before we even put them in the pen, was dig out collars for them. Gotta be able to catch the buggers in case a coffee can full of grain doesn't do the trick!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK_bi9QBofxt7zef70Js91FeikB_WJwpnnBL0O9eYY8YQWtvV78HLpFzu9BPEmHiozXs38zwGplfxxAHe66GkyB31DUT1fbwOufGMkWejjslD8jJ5mn8os62wMwJkJLnEbcZ1AH44YUCC/s1600/image-711163.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5883855278431318802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK_bi9QBofxt7zef70Js91FeikB_WJwpnnBL0O9eYY8YQWtvV78HLpFzu9BPEmHiozXs38zwGplfxxAHe66GkyB31DUT1fbwOufGMkWejjslD8jJ5mn8os62wMwJkJLnEbcZ1AH44YUCC/s320/image-711163.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAUKrICrRrKlkxjiZ5DdYPlIoPnWveO2u1kUwOHaHphRcShyphenhyphenUPftuCTpKCP5Ab9dtR3nDRLL4f9tzkCb-9O_oyHgmH-rwUHcDpJicWSbc9nF8H4f23uHJBqK4vsflzKoz2IlbqI9ON_TB/s1600/image-712910.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5883855288391146274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAUKrICrRrKlkxjiZ5DdYPlIoPnWveO2u1kUwOHaHphRcShyphenhyphenUPftuCTpKCP5Ab9dtR3nDRLL4f9tzkCb-9O_oyHgmH-rwUHcDpJicWSbc9nF8H4f23uHJBqK4vsflzKoz2IlbqI9ON_TB/s320/image-712910.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBWcmkkG1PbwKqa7Ycl6-NNoG3Jw4_0c9W3ZckWdfJuVs9q4AAbfEFA5Ud9Sw74MbAJMjlJ9y_rxFGtXmmWyLJk4STseP7SKn9PTD2XTtmOVO0BVj5KspFohHMdLlPO0HciEKspJvsiyS/s1600/image-713953.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5883855288635652306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBWcmkkG1PbwKqa7Ycl6-NNoG3Jw4_0c9W3ZckWdfJuVs9q4AAbfEFA5Ud9Sw74MbAJMjlJ9y_rxFGtXmmWyLJk4STseP7SKn9PTD2XTtmOVO0BVj5KspFohHMdLlPO0HciEKspJvsiyS/s320/image-713953.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGq8mEr-DVeH8PGb8m_1JddESiekj4jOgWpXAHYS_COeG4RlHYfAwgpXhZ8KiG1h86568FMjNktCanV53O1ID85yy-LX8b74ZiIxNDNJRjMZdvOcv34ZKZ8Ttd8-erqj3i7jvfDc2vtH2/s1600/image-715234.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5883855294821839490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGq8mEr-DVeH8PGb8m_1JddESiekj4jOgWpXAHYS_COeG4RlHYfAwgpXhZ8KiG1h86568FMjNktCanV53O1ID85yy-LX8b74ZiIxNDNJRjMZdvOcv34ZKZ8Ttd8-erqj3i7jvfDc2vtH2/s320/image-715234.png" /></a></div>
Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-63510839631773556062013-05-24T18:22:00.001-07:002013-05-24T18:28:17.410-07:00What's a few more? Hello turkey eggs!!!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5L5FxnsbwLe8RxoP2aT1e8nOUS8GC0C98FpseuozrGQ2nwjONW1hfdnHy5rQQulh7BXtiFO2vtQLgYsEt7YRFs5sPgyZCPWBp4LA1fxZrzGXsws6Bu3jRXEtxa4RgZzx_CIYAHd9Z5X3/s1600/image-737527.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5881719505688517170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5L5FxnsbwLe8RxoP2aT1e8nOUS8GC0C98FpseuozrGQ2nwjONW1hfdnHy5rQQulh7BXtiFO2vtQLgYsEt7YRFs5sPgyZCPWBp4LA1fxZrzGXsws6Bu3jRXEtxa4RgZzx_CIYAHd9Z5X3/s320/image-737527.jpeg" /></a></div>
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We have ENOUGH critters? Huh? What? Nah. Why not add a few more!
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After work I picked up a dozen turkey hatching eggs from a gal I found on craigslist. Actually, 14, as she threw in a couple extra. Some are Narragansett/Bourbon cross, but most are pure Narragansett. Planning on sticking half under Smaug and half under Bellina. I really want a turkey pair so that we don't have to buy poults every year. Yeah, a closely related pair isn't the best thing ever, but I want to pick out the best behaved and beautiful babies that have been raised with the chickens and learned their manners accordingly. This is the only way I can figure to do that. No one seems to sell sexed poults, and I don't want to purchase (at $10-15 a pop) a handful of straight run babies to see what I get. Nor do I want mature birds that are more likely to not go to bed at dusk or respect the fence. So, there you have it. Turkey eggs. Wish us luck!<br />
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Oh, and the current list of critters?<br />
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Around 30 chickens<br />
1 guinea<br />
4 turkey poults (brooder)<br />
3 pheasant chicks (brooder)<br />
6 ducks<br />
2 geese<br />
25 meat chickens (to butcher on Tues)<br />
1 meat goat<br />
1 hair sheep (also meat)<br />
22 duck eggs being incubated (16 under Maggie Muscovy and 6 under Goldie Ameraucana)<br />
And tomorrow there will be 14 turkey eggs between 2 broody chickens<br />
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Fun fun!!!!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-43717298088878346922013-05-19T17:59:00.001-07:002013-05-19T17:59:05.697-07:00More goats in cars... This time it's personal<div class="mobile-photo">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Actually... A goat and a sheep... And a truck, not a car. OUR truck.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjS33zTdCC2xdk6_q-s8NfDkoBIynwBnMYrRn_M5pH-qmhM-MxyPc6jm78FQeIddfKQ2HB-nh8_kxWsAH1I_ZzJasQp694y0PF2Iz7KaRA6IirodTW4qjPHtd_Q5G2XEqRnvsOT-NuKgw/s1600/photo-736906.PNG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5879857203418910178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjS33zTdCC2xdk6_q-s8NfDkoBIynwBnMYrRn_M5pH-qmhM-MxyPc6jm78FQeIddfKQ2HB-nh8_kxWsAH1I_ZzJasQp694y0PF2Iz7KaRA6IirodTW4qjPHtd_Q5G2XEqRnvsOT-NuKgw/s320/photo-736906.PNG" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meet Weber (katahdin sheep) and Traeger (boer goat). Both are wethers (that's a castrated male, for those not in the know). The BBQ names are based on the condition I set down for hubby... We will NOT be keeping these guys forever. They go to butcher in the fall. They are currently installed in our front goose pen, mowing down the grass. They'll eventually go in the back pig pen, to take care of the grass and brush back there all summer. Omg... I have a freaking goat again... Doing my best to not panic... Lol.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh, and deputy guinea is NOT pleased! He will not shut up. He absolutely does not approve of the intruders. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Weber doesn't want anything to do with us, so I wasn't able to snap any good camera phone pics of him... Traeger is all about the camera, though.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd59XseEi4ykQnkBllIcaYLYoHndLFEyj6AzqkDl9XQdOUpP8qHAW-T6LhqDUbO0PP2xsFV3CqQf4JVWig2Sjzjj-JqPgqlLcyriICIq1G22waN7eIpMPY-EYKQgNF6dDlxEHDZmP8fru/s1600/image-739261.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5879857214610141442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd59XseEi4ykQnkBllIcaYLYoHndLFEyj6AzqkDl9XQdOUpP8qHAW-T6LhqDUbO0PP2xsFV3CqQf4JVWig2Sjzjj-JqPgqlLcyriICIq1G22waN7eIpMPY-EYKQgNF6dDlxEHDZmP8fru/s320/image-739261.jpeg" /></a></div>
Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-41060696803841549252013-05-14T18:51:00.000-07:002013-05-14T18:51:20.818-07:00No home butchering this yearHubby's schedule has been a bit up in the air, which could make getting the icky chickies butchered a bit of an issue. Especially since we try to schedule help from friends. So, he called our local poultry butcher and managed to get a spot! Ickies go to butcher the day after Memorial Day. I'm actually a little relieved that someone else will be doing it. Yeah, it's cheaper to do it at home and fun having friends over to help, but I was stressing pretty hard over whether everything would come together. This way, no worries and no mess. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders!<br />
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In other farm news, two scovy eggs in the incubator are due to hatch over Memorial Day weekend. Maggie is happily sitting on her big beautiful nest, and the chickens are sharing scovy egg incubation in the coop. Whenever Smaug gets of the nest, Goldie swoops in and steals it. Goldie! My freaking ameraucana is broody. First one we've had go broody of that breed. At least she's not a biter, and she's just big enough to cover those 6 eggs. Fingers crossed!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-65233889518807825572013-05-10T20:49:00.000-07:002013-05-10T20:49:53.287-07:00Maggie is finally setting!!!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2zsDeRVK6dD4n7DjBj_v02zZ9j2AIGBfa5eE4INRK-DovLI8LhmOmQrbZVkJZZVsROQwJ8iXkmc69CVuAk2QO6m0ZN54Ppo0oBwtjNOcaF2mWbWq8uHF5V6gv2Lj4MJjdtyt_lEL2Cq8/s1600/image-725148.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5876562493279404978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2zsDeRVK6dD4n7DjBj_v02zZ9j2AIGBfa5eE4INRK-DovLI8LhmOmQrbZVkJZZVsROQwJ8iXkmc69CVuAk2QO6m0ZN54Ppo0oBwtjNOcaF2mWbWq8uHF5V6gv2Lj4MJjdtyt_lEL2Cq8/s320/image-725148.png" /></a></div>
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Pretty little Maggie</div>
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Maggie, our chocolate Muscovy has FINALLY set! Woohoo! She's rather small, so I decided to keep her down to 16 eggs. Every day, we've pencil-marked new eggs with a big X on one side and the date on the other. She got up to 16 a week ago between her eggs and Frieda's, and every day since, I've been pulling the two oldest eggs and replacing them with the newer eggs. Finally, she accepted that 16 was her lot. Hopefully, a little more than a month from now, we'll have a batch of 'scovy babies. Fingers crossed!!<br />
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We're also debating sticking additional 'scovy eggs under Miss Bit€#¥ aka Smaug (LJ read The Hobbit last year and feels this name is quite appropriate) who is very bitey pecky broody and refuses to give it up. Couldn't hurt to try, eh?Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-72982281108893135482013-05-09T11:39:00.001-07:002013-05-09T11:39:44.499-07:00I whacked it with a stick... Stupid llamasDid you know that there are llamas in the woods? Well, there shouldn't be. Neighbor came up to the house last night. He and his daughters were riding horses in the woods near our place, and out of nowhere two llamas appeared and attacked their horses. The girls bailed off the frantic horses, and said horses took off... Followed by the llamas. One horse was still missing, so I grabbed a walking stick (critter whacking stick since I didn't want to get my pistol out) and headed into the woods to help search.
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Ran into neighbor's wife, who was riding her stallion on the search, both because she could cover ground more quickly, and because he was hollering loudly every few minutes for his girls. Figured that might help locate the missing mare, I guess. She and I split up, and I walked round the long way back to the house. It was near dusk, and there's cougar and bear in them there woods. I wasn't gonna stay out til dark. I was rounding the last bend when I heard crashing in the woods to my left. Yay! I'd found Maggie! Nope. Two llamas came trotting out. They spotted me, and one of them laid back its ears and started coming at me. Wth! Good thing I had grabbed a stick. When waving my arms and yelling didn't shoo it away, I gave it a good whack. Pretty sure the stupid creature was planning on stomping me. Anyhow, didn't want ANYTHING to do with me after I smacked it.
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I posted a lost and found on craigslist. Hope someone finds and catches those stupid llamas. And to think I'm usually on the lookout for cougars. Never figured I'd get charged by a freaking llama in the middle of the woods. Stupid llamas.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-7057131896161974602013-05-06T11:49:00.000-07:002013-05-06T11:49:35.304-07:00Beefy, the bath-hog gander<div class="mobile-photo">
It's HIS bath. He's the biggest, so it's his, right? Waves must be made. Water must be sloshed. Pool must be nearly emptied via bath time play before anyone else gets a shot at it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtCjSxHJvtbfB2oS5-h7nNMmeiOuVQL8Oc0gvJmLuI-TxWs6MZZRDWFIEjQXQUDVhLPoGNed5RxGhH_2G_FzRuPasgB1m4LcUNQdpTLQG-kr8y8z3qla3oStMJqa6sKCrU9fPb6wReD-F/s1600/image-723813.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5874881430501899362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtCjSxHJvtbfB2oS5-h7nNMmeiOuVQL8Oc0gvJmLuI-TxWs6MZZRDWFIEjQXQUDVhLPoGNed5RxGhH_2G_FzRuPasgB1m4LcUNQdpTLQG-kr8y8z3qla3oStMJqa6sKCrU9fPb6wReD-F/s320/image-723813.png" /></a></div>
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"Back off mud-demons! You will not soil these waters! MINE!!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iTanQdLIGOtjhhwPIr2L5vkYPnJqikCbTzw2FqXmrDuysvOGQ1k5K_h9yw19rOi1FY7i5g_JNIgxav2hIubm2h7QuIoHrEvMM4T-Pbw0ZVwDK8uCrOWe0XWFLKQe6wq7r-nzhUzdLHYU/s1600/image-730405.png" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5874881453907093218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iTanQdLIGOtjhhwPIr2L5vkYPnJqikCbTzw2FqXmrDuysvOGQ1k5K_h9yw19rOi1FY7i5g_JNIgxav2hIubm2h7QuIoHrEvMM4T-Pbw0ZVwDK8uCrOWe0XWFLKQe6wq7r-nzhUzdLHYU/s320/image-730405.png" /></a></div>
Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-67513177171113219012013-05-01T19:32:00.000-07:002013-05-01T19:32:40.075-07:00More goats in cars<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVs3DEr-tcJXQ7HjQt3f0p8MlUHkG5YRPXqy2gD24xTxgdsUwqrRvNlqS6oMOj8gfUg9seCle8r1MJNKgQ2Xmo_OaMtO89kW63VHCeRCS2TvKog4QuwH4HXaiutjeER8i-A2XJNKsH3Rr/s1600/photo-713699.PNG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5873192602219635394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVs3DEr-tcJXQ7HjQt3f0p8MlUHkG5YRPXqy2gD24xTxgdsUwqrRvNlqS6oMOj8gfUg9seCle8r1MJNKgQ2Xmo_OaMtO89kW63VHCeRCS2TvKog4QuwH4HXaiutjeER8i-A2XJNKsH3Rr/s320/photo-713699.PNG" /></a></div>
Or maybe they're sheep? The one on the right looks like a sheep. This pic was taken in nearly the same place on the highway as the <a href="http://www.blissfulintheboonies.blogspot.com/2013/03/just-when-we-were-feeling-like-hicks.html?m=1" target="_blank"><b>last one</b></a>. Gotta love it!Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-43482949555504974312013-04-29T11:06:00.000-07:002013-04-29T12:20:50.864-07:00Our FREE duck<div class="mobile-photo">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Went to a local poultry swap this weekend, just to look around. We happened by the booth run by the folks that own our favorite local feed store, and there was a big dog crate under the table. I peeked in, out of curiosity, and there was a sign that said "free duck" and a lovely Muscovy hen inside. Free duck? Heck yeah!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">The gal that owned her had made arrangements for a new home, but the person she'd arranged to meet never showed. Lucky us!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Isn't she pretty! Her feathers are in excellent condition, and I think this duck was well-loved. She doesn't really want to be caught, but sits quietly when held. Look at the lovely green and purple sheen of her feathers. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvjvbODCxVzTNH_HbiMwhrSE9nZ8FaymQC7lcm-PBDlszgKY4Lkt0a6POScy52N50WJJmrjSdJ8GKwGjtjK71KC9hW05MdpRDPZN3oazx2bBSUcnewunvwM-EOGU3bwiQCwVwr3DahNKm/s1600/image-740995.png" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5872286053419301954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvjvbODCxVzTNH_HbiMwhrSE9nZ8FaymQC7lcm-PBDlszgKY4Lkt0a6POScy52N50WJJmrjSdJ8GKwGjtjK71KC9hW05MdpRDPZN3oazx2bBSUcnewunvwM-EOGU3bwiQCwVwr3DahNKm/s320/image-740995.png" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Merle immediately recognized her as "his kind" AND that it was a "she". He was already waddling our way as we entered the pen, and (so not exaggerating) he "claimed" the new girl less than 5 seconds after I put her on the ground. Poor gal didn't get as much as an introduction before Merle decided she was his new girlfriend! We found it fascinating that Merle knew immediately that this new duck was his kind and a girl (he isn't the slightest bit interested in either Crusty-runner or Olga-blue swedish). </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Other than a little harassment from Maggie, the new addition was quickly welcomed to the flock. We named her FriedaK. Pronounced "freeduck"... Frieda for short. :)</span></div>
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The trio... I guess 'scovys really do flock together. They don't really mix much with the other birds.</div>
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<br />Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-25099649727628372762013-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:002013-04-25T07:27:26.011-07:00Critter musical chairs<div class="mobile-photo">
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We played a little musical chairs this weekend with the birds, as the meaties had enough feathers to go out, and were reaching the 3-week old "omg, they stink, I can't keep up with the volume of poop" stage. But before the meaties could go outside, their chicken conestoga had to be vacated.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVJzYKLZsbpOP3FrCRq_wUT3PQ2Sr4aObDzdR43MpcPvHPB4nxf61i-DBi3eE4-816tYG3iYN6eKFKdQkZ4SFTCC7hTQuy-HcxQE-1A2WgwJNd-bZmZECgO2jh0TIurTfQjYI773UXFR7/s1600/image-708727.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5869723540161545458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVJzYKLZsbpOP3FrCRq_wUT3PQ2Sr4aObDzdR43MpcPvHPB4nxf61i-DBi3eE4-816tYG3iYN6eKFKdQkZ4SFTCC7hTQuy-HcxQE-1A2WgwJNd-bZmZECgO2jh0TIurTfQjYI773UXFR7/s320/image-708727.png" /></a>So, the 11 pullets were rudely snatched from their chicken tractor and <strike>thrown to the wolves</strike> moved to the chicken yard. Miss Speckles was extremely mean, and a couple lost some feathers, but the other hens pretty much just ignored the new additions. Deputy Guinea dictated the rules of the barnyard (go to bed promptly at dusk, stay in the yard, no fighting) and herded them around for a while. Other than that, not a whole lot of excitement there. The Fayoumis kill me. They're so tiny, they just run in and out of the fencing, like it wasn't there. Ugh. The Fayoumis are the ones with the white heads. They're roughly the size of a Stellar's Jay. No joke.<br />
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The meaties were hauled out to the chicken tractor, where they'll live til Memorial Day weekend, at which point they'll transition to freezer camp. Can't wait for the day. Grody birds. Tasty grody birds. On Tues, 4 BBW turkey poults took over the newly vacated brooder in the shop. Love turkeys. Love love love. Wish I could keep a BBW tom. They're great. <br />
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(pics from last year)</div>
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We installed two nucs last Saturday, and the new bees seem to be very happy (knock on wood). They're very local bees, as there's a big bee place about 2 miles away as the crow flies. I did totally biff it while carrying a frame, and it was nearly a disaster. But I did my best to control the fall and didn't jar the frame much (but did land on my left arm and totally torqued my shoulder). Anyhoo, two hives are up and running, and LJ is copying the design of the cardboard nuc boxes to make some swarmcatchers to put around the property. They'd also double as a catch kit to keep in the car. If they work out well, I'll post an entry on how he made them.<br />
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Hm... what else. None of the 17 duck eggs in the incubator were fertile, so I chucked em and put 7 of Maggie Muscovy's eggs in there. We'll see how that goes. She's currently filling up a nest out in the duck hut as well. I want cute little waterfowl babies! (that turn into fat tasty freezerbirds). :)<br />
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<br />Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090907568893124937.post-78068929656921797042013-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:002013-05-01T19:35:03.498-07:00The things my chickens will eatI peeked out at the hens this morning before work, and saw them swarming something on the ground. Whatever it was, they were going crazy over it. Then, I caught a glimpse of white/brown fluffiness in the middle of the ruckus. Aw crap. Figured something got one of the hens between hubby letting them out when he got home from work, and me getting up to go to work. Anyhow, I found a pair of shoes and tromped out to take away their "treat".<br />
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Happily, it wasn't a chicken. It was a headless rabbit. I'll spare you any photos. Something must have killed it last night. The hens did not appreciate me taking their prize, and one of them attempted to latch on to it as I gingerly pinched the rabbit by the toe and carried it out of the yard. At least it had been dead long enough that the fleas had all vacated the premises. In case you ever wondered, wild rabbits are COVERED in fleas. Anytime I shoot one, I let it sit for 10 or 15 min before I'll go pick it up. Nasty nasty things. EwEwEW.<br />
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So, to conclude, headless rabbit joins mice and <a href="http://blissfulintheboonies.blogspot.com/2011/05/snake-snack.html" target="_blank"><b>small snakes</b></a> on the list of things my chickens will happily devour. Ew.Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769150016495656772noreply@blogger.com5