misfitmorgan
Herd Master
This needs to be submitted for POW
It is the busy time of year, all the animals look really good!
rachels.haven's Journal
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This needs to be submitted for POW
It is the busy time of year, all the animals look really good!
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- #52
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Thanks! That means a lot. We were lucky and survived the winter well this year, I think.
That particular broody has chicks hatching as of this morning.
She's a very happy broody.
My last chicken that likes to brood is watching the chicks jealously. I think I might put some golf balls out and see if she will sit.
That particular broody has chicks hatching as of this morning.
She's a very happy broody.My last chicken that likes to brood is watching the chicks jealously. I think I might put some golf balls out and see if she will sit.
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- #53
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Well, it's been a while. The doctor thinks I've got either rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, so started some meds. I gave away my dilute muscovy girls, because next year I'll likely wind up hatching more, and I don't quite want a muscovy-pallosa this year while I'm figuring out my meds and exactly what I've got. I'm probably going to ease up or just quit breeding rabbits, since they're not essential and one of my kids is starting to show signs of being allergic. We're still doing goats this year, because I'm not ready to give up yet. Dear Husband started work on the goat house last weekend. There's also a 50% chance we'll be moving in the next few months, but we're probably going to keep all the beasts we have at the time since they are what I do all day when children fighting, trying to injur themselves, or rejecting all food and then fighting gets to me. At least the beasts eat what I feed them and have basic self-preservation instincts.
Last night I started worming/de-miting my birds, since as soon as the "warm" weather hit I found some mites on some of the hens. I also found a hen that appears to have dry fowl pox symptoms, so everyone 8 weeks and older are getting the vaccine that arrived from jeffers today, tonight and no selling birds this spring-maybe in the fall. We also have 6 new baby muscovy-was 7, but one appeared to be defective and survived three days and died (normal, I guess). All six were pinioned last night so all keepers can be kept in pens and away from hunting vermin during the fall and winter as around here escapees tend to get eaten (that's how extra females sell so well, unfortunately). Also I live by the interstate and two busy roads so human/bird road safety is a concern in the (24/7 multi lane traffic on all three roads). I usually pinion because duck rodeo to clip feathers is just a pain (sometimes literally if you mess up and the claws get you), and if done early enough, ducklings don't bleed because almost all blood supply is going to the body and legs for following mom. Yesterday is 4 days. I consider 10 days too late. Four days appeared to be the perfect time. Last year I did a week, and most of them bled a drop or two, which I do not like. So in the future it will always be 4 days, I guess. Should always be less traumatic than just being held.
Ducklings are so cute, but no pictures today though. It's too windy and cold.
Last night I started worming/de-miting my birds, since as soon as the "warm" weather hit I found some mites on some of the hens. I also found a hen that appears to have dry fowl pox symptoms, so everyone 8 weeks and older are getting the vaccine that arrived from jeffers today, tonight and no selling birds this spring-maybe in the fall. We also have 6 new baby muscovy-was 7, but one appeared to be defective and survived three days and died (normal, I guess). All six were pinioned last night so all keepers can be kept in pens and away from hunting vermin during the fall and winter as around here escapees tend to get eaten (that's how extra females sell so well, unfortunately). Also I live by the interstate and two busy roads so human/bird road safety is a concern in the (24/7 multi lane traffic on all three roads). I usually pinion because duck rodeo to clip feathers is just a pain (sometimes literally if you mess up and the claws get you), and if done early enough, ducklings don't bleed because almost all blood supply is going to the body and legs for following mom. Yesterday is 4 days. I consider 10 days too late. Four days appeared to be the perfect time. Last year I did a week, and most of them bled a drop or two, which I do not like. So in the future it will always be 4 days, I guess. Should always be less traumatic than just being held.
Ducklings are so cute, but no pictures today though. It's too windy and cold.
Pastor Dave
Herd Master
Well, it's been a while. The doctor thinks I've got either rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, so started some meds.
we're probably going to keep all the beasts we have at the time since they are what I do all day when children fighting, trying to injur themselves, or rejecting all food and then fighting gets to me. At least the beasts eat what I feed them and have basic self-preservation instincts.
Sorry to hear this. Praying it isn't as serious as they suspect and ypu will receive healing!
Sounds like child rearing in Michigan in the big city is abt the same as Indiana in the sticks.
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- #55
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Lol, you've got boys too?
And thanks. I'd love it to all be nothing, or for it to all be manageable and/or for it not to cause any more trouble. I've got things to do, of course. I will always be grateful for all the prayers I can get going in that direction.
And thanks. I'd love it to all be nothing, or for it to all be manageable and/or for it not to cause any more trouble. I've got things to do, of course. I will always be grateful for all the prayers I can get going in that direction.
Sorry to hear about the health issues... neither is a good condition to have to deal with. Hope the 50/50 potential move is by choice rather than a forced event. Not easy with a bunch of animals to deal with for sure. Kids can be a challenge and it's good that you have the animals as an "out" when you need to de-stress rather than de-head. 
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- #57
rachels.haven
Herd Master
If it happens, it will be a husband changing to another part of the company kind of move. Mildly stressful, but not as stressful as it could be. I'm grateful for that.
Bruce
Herd Master
Let us know on the health thing . DW has had RA for maybe 15 years, she is now 56. She was on Enbrel for most of that time, just switched to Humira. Without a doubt she is walking and functional because of those drugs. But you need insurance, without it Enbrel is about $33K a year, Humira $29K.
. DW has had RA for maybe 15 years, she is now 56. She was on Enbrel for most of that time, just switched to Humira. Without a doubt she is walking and functional because of those drugs. But you need insurance, without it Enbrel is about $33K a year, Humira $29K.
Pastor Dave
Herd Master
Not that I like wbat you said Bruce, but I can imagine the pharmacy costs, and your encouragement to Rachel is from experience.
Yes Ma'am, Rachel. Jill and I have an 8 yr old son and almost 5 yr old son. Mortal enemies one minute, and best friends the next. The 4 yr old wears the same size shirt and waist of pants, but a head shorter. Gonna be a Hoss.
Yes Ma'am, Rachel. Jill and I have an 8 yr old son and almost 5 yr old son. Mortal enemies one minute, and best friends the next. The 4 yr old wears the same size shirt and waist of pants, but a head shorter. Gonna be a Hoss.
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- #60
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Yeah, insurance is something we'd probably need for the rest of our lives, even before my health things came up. Husband has late stage glaucoma and wants to keep the remaining 40% of his vision. I guess I'll need it to keep my immune system from eating my body. If you just looked at our medical bills you'd never know we were young people. Funny. Those meds you mentioned are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. Hope we're never unemployed because that would be terrifying for both of us.
