Monday, May 28, 2012

Alpacas looking awesome and much cooler!

I finally posted pics of the 'pacas' after their haircuts.  It has been so hot that the fans have been running almost daily, and I have been hosing them at least once a day.  They are too funny in regard to how they fight to be hosed first, and then inevitably roll around in the grass/dirt which makes it hard to tell the white ones from the brown ones!  The most important thing is that they are all healthy and comfortable.  For me, it is such a privelege to watch these majestic but goofy creatures run and frolic out my kitchen window.  It's cheaper than blood pressure medication and doctor bills:):)

Chick Flicks and Pics

My first round of chickens for this year are about ready to be released permanently.  They have been outdoors but kept in a coop until they are close in size to the ones I got over the last 2 years.  This group consists of 4 Plymouth Barred Rock (Domineckers?), 3 New Hampshire Reds, and 4 Black Link Pullets.  Check out their pic below and how big they have gotten!  My second round are 10 'caunas', which I have in 2 separate cages because they are too big to be in the same one.  Their colors are gorgeous and they love to spread their wings.  Chickens are not 'flightless', but I guess they are if you clip their wings.  Some people do this but I personally don't believe in it, nor do I want to do it to them.  My older chickens fly up 6 feet and roost on a chain link panel by the Alpaca girls.  They are pretty consistent and start this process about 7:30pm every night.  When the old birds(:) ) roost, I let the newbies out of their cages so that I can clean/feed them, but they actually go back in voluntarily (security feeling).  There is always a feeling of trepidation when I let the young ones with the 'veterans', but they usually get along just fine.  It helps that I don't keep them in a coop as I have heard they get territorial and even cannibalistic (yuck!).  There is enough yard for everyone:) 

Dog Days of Summer showed up early :(

Well, the heat is not man's best friend nor mine.  I took Dutchess (my big Mastiff rescue) and Sampson (my white chihuahua rescue) to the vet last Saturday for their shots.  They did pretty well but I have to admit it was funny watching my vet get Dutchess up on the counter!  She is 80 pounds, and Sampson is 12 pounds.  Because of the warm weather and overabundance of insects, I had them both tested for heartworm and THANK GOD, they were both negative:)  Daisy and Moe, my cavaliers, are also due for their shots but I have a small car so they will go on a separate trip and get trimmed as well.  I will post pics of all my canine critters in the next couple of weeks.  Little Delila won't be due for her shots until October.  I am glad I got more chickens as the bugs this year are awful!

May 28, 2012