Saturday, June 23, 2012

Mad Catter

Not sure but think I may have a permanent 'property cat'.  There has been a momma cat and kittens on my property for a couple of months.  The kittens aren't nursing any more but Momma cat and the 2-3 babies were starting to chase my newer chickens.  I set a trap and caught one of 'them'.  After checking to make sure it wasn't a nursing mother cat, I fed it, talked to my vet and other locals to see if anyone wanted a 'barn cat', but the vet was full, and since this is a female cat, I feel bad but released it back at the edge of my property.  It didn't seem fair to dump her somewhere else but if she goes after my chickens, it won't be good for her.  I fed and watered her while she was in the trap (humane live trap and probably kept her safer than she would be in the 'outdoors').  The good news is that I haven't seen the other I am assuming related felines since.  Please pray that she is a good mouser and leaves my chickens alone...

Mighty Mo and the Mole

Mo and Daisy went to the vet today to get their shots.  They also got their nails trimmed and Daisy got an 'ear cut'.  She is such a baby when it comes to being poked or prodded.  Colleen and I can try to hold her still to trim her nails or matts in her ears but she gets so upset that we really can't (translation (I can't) stand it).  I wish I was a dog groomer since mine (for my Cavaliers) is always sooo booked it is hard to schedule and I have grass, not concrete, which doesn't help.  Poor girl Daisy was trying to scratch her ear and got her nail caught in an ear matt and wound up with her back leg caught up and walking really funny for a few minutes until I could untangle her.  Hence she and Mo will be getting dental work done and then going straight to the groomers (another one with more openings).  Mo turned 7 on June 15 and Daisy will be 7 on July 4 (true firecracker).  If older dogs get too much tartar, bacteria can get into their system and cause heart and other organ damage so it is definitely worth it, they deserve it:)

New Chickens getting Big and Beautiful

I can't train dogs let alone chickens.  However I am happy to see that one of my favorite 'cauna' girls has started roosting at night with the 'old girls' in the barn with the girl Alpacas.  (Sort of a girls night in.)  I hope the rest will follow suit for their own safety but this happened by chance.  I was on the riding mower and since it has headlights (and 4-wheel steer which is awesome), the newbies pretty much had to fend for themselves.  I have been letting them out all day for the last week or so to socialize them with each other.  The 11 'oldest' newbies had all gone back in the coop, and the newest newbies (minus 1) had all returned to on top of the 2 cages they have been spending the night in.  I was relieved to find the missing (minus 1) in the barn with the older ones...  Some are starting to 'nest' and I can't wait to see what color eggs, how many, and how soon they will start laying!!!  Their colors and 'toes' are too funny.  It may seem ridiculous to some but I find chickens very entertaining creatures and they are awesome at pest control (ticks, mosquitos, etc).

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Gianni Versace and Gus

Versace is such a goofball.  He always seems to have grass hanging out of his mouth and loves to stand over Gus (acting like the herdsire he thinks he is).  Anyway, it has been SOOO hot and humid that they spend most of their time in the shed by the fans, and come out when they see me with the hose.  The only activity I like in this weather involves the hose so I water them and then me and then my tomato plants:)

This year's chicks getting big:)

Today I let all 20 of the 'new' chicks out at the same time so they could mingle with (and survive) with the older residents.  They really enjoy spreading their wings and are fun to watch.  Colors are really cool, and I can't wait to see what color eggs they lay.  If it is like last year's bunch, they will start laying around September.