Devonviolet Acres

Devonviolet

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Nope. I keep checking. But all tail feathers are the same so far. I keep watching & listening, and have narrowed it down to one of 2 ducks. They are all getting big!

I'm looking forward to getting some eggs. But that could still be a while they are 17 weeks, and I think it could be somewhere around 20-24 weeks before they start laying, right?
 

CntryBoy777

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Not sure about your breed, but we had some that started around 17-18wks...we have Khaki Campbells and Rouens...we have 4 that are not laying yet....all the dotties are. :)
 

Devonviolet

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We had a busy day on Devonviolet Acres today!

After lunch we went out & started our big burn pile burning. We tried burning the smaller pile, but I guess it was too damp tp catch fire. We'll just have to try again another day.
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While the burn pile was going, we started cutting into brush & bramble in the woods closest to the chicken yard. I figured since it was all devoid of leaves, it would be easier. So here is the before and after.
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After a bit of a break :old, we grabbed a pair of scissors and went out to clip wing feathers, on our younger birds. We have been noticing they can fly pretty well, and don't want them taking flight once we let them start free ranging.

So, I caught chickens & held the right wing out while DH cut the feathers. As we finished a bird, I tossed it out the chicken run door. When all was said & done, we clipped wings on 27 birds. :th

This isn't the clearest of shots. But, here
Are some of the birds enjoying some chicken scratch.
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CntryBoy777

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Boy, y'all did have a Productive day! A portable propane torch does Wonders for those hard to get started Damp piles, and it doesn't singe the hair like gasoline. :) After all that it'd take me 3days to re-coop...:th
 

Devonviolet

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Thanks @CntryBoy777.

We actually did use a portable propane torch. We have learned that if we soak rolled up cardboard in oil, it is a great fire starter. They worked great on the first burn pile.

We are going to soak up several big chunks of rolled up cardboard and try it again.
 

Latestarter

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Those crushed cardboard egg cartons work really well also. Pour old motor oil or some such in the cups and wait ~10 minutes for it to absorb then put a match to it.
 

Devonviolet

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I just came from @Latestarter's journal. He reminded me of our gray, dreary weather [thanks LS!] :th :lol:

That reminded me that I was going to mention, that after we clipped the wings on the first two birds, it started raining. :thI'm not talking sprinkling. I'm talking full out RAIN! :thBut hey, this is Texas homesteading at it's finest. So, what do you do? You pull up the hoodie and keep working. After all . . . that's what hoodies are for, right? By the time we finished, we were soaked. But we got the job done! :celebrate
 

frustratedearthmother

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That's the Texas spirit! Couldn't tell ya how many times I've worked in the rain. It' actually one of my favorite times to pull weeds in the garden. They come up pretty easily from the wet ground and you can do it for a lot longer since you are essentially 'rain cooled'! Hope we get some good gardening weather this year! :)
 

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