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).

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.

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

Alpaca Hair Cuts - Professionals Required !!! OMG

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY! Rob Long at www.osagealpacas.info came today to give my Alpaca critters their annual trim and he is awesome. (I call him the Alpaca Whisperer.) Check out the photos below for the visuals on this amazing process where Alpacas are shorn. This is done once a year and does not hurt the animal. I will update next week with the 'after' shots but the pictures below are too cool. Each Alpaca is put next to a 'table' and strapped in before the table is flipped to what looks like a normal table position. Then the Alpaca is trimmed on one side, and flipped to the other side to finish the trim. It is really a site to behold!