Chicken Challenge 2010 Ends

Okay, so it wasn't much of a 'challenge' per se. Dad pretty much took care of them, no contest was held. So much for that.

But now I can report that the chickens have fulfilled their destiny and were delivered to the butchers this past Sunday.

Of approximate 102 to start. 38 made it to Butcher Day. Puh-thetic. 60% attrition! Blight, escape, raccoons and coyotes had their way with the flock this year.

Had I been a diligent blogger you would have been captivated by reports of raccoon break-ins, mass murder, reinforcing the perimeter, breaking through the perimeter, checking in with CTU, Sam the dog corning raccoon in the old combine, Peter solving the problem with the 22, another raccoon moving in, more 'lead poisoning', etc. But I was a crap blogger (as has been established) and you missed all that.

Point being - REALLY crap year for chickens.

For all those making the trip this past weekend, the average weigh-in was somewhere between 3 and 4 pounds. Please inquire with Mom for exact measurements.

Harvest time..

AKA...Farm Machinery Repair Season.

Peter returned from a day of cutting the other day with a big black eye. Questions about the hay bine (cutting machine thingee) received no reply. On the upside, said hay bine is still out in the field and not crowding out the baler awaiting repairs in front of the shop.

Yay.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Bythe dim light of a huge moon (GORGEOUS shot included), the intrepid troupe of me, Dad and Peter headed out to separate the chickens.

Yup, they're almost growed up now, time to expand the coop.

33 of the roughly 90 surviving flock were relocated to the new digs.

They're slow and stupid-er at this time of the evening. They've settled down and won't run away. Smarter chickens would be INSIDE, but not these ones.

So, it's just a matter of putting them in the crate, carting them to the other coop and disgorging.

Then they're all settled in for the night.

Cluck, cluck.

A cunning round of card play by Peter

Slapped down a card in our round of canasta last night...."I'll show you where the bear sat down in the buckwheat!"

(I have no idea....)

State of Emergency declared in the garden

Mom says there's never been a year like it. The garden is a write off.

- Record rain fall has turned half of it into a rice paddy...too bad we forgot to seed
- The brand new rototiller remains idol...would just get stuck
- Weeds are rubbing their pollen-laden leaves together in glee
- Potato bugs have infested the few brave potatoes that are struggling forth
- Peter powered the bugs last night
- It rained and washed the powder away
- New potatoes were planted today...trying again
- Bulls have trampled the carrot patch

The only hope remains with the cluster of raised beds across the road. It's looking promising and Chris and I did some seeding yesterday. A little sun would be appreciated.

Looks like we'll join the masses in the checkout line at Superstore this year...

Time to go fishing.

Secure the perimeter

Coming into the yard after walk and Dad zoomed up on the quad. Turns out three bulls have busted out. They were in isolation in the corrals...guess they didn't like that. Have I seen them?

Um...no. But I heard the cows making a ruckus over there... He perked up. Zoom!! Off to the yard fence. I trudge after him - no quad hitching for me.

We peered into the field...and who did we see? Hawaiian Bulll (known for his swivelling hips) and the little black bull, who as it turns out, is actually a steer. Somehow no one noticed his lack of balls until quite recently. In isolation until the meat wagon shows up. But, apparently feisty, he was one of the escapees.

It seems they are about to cruise into the yard...they're on the people-side of the fence. Dad zooms off. I continue to watch the action. I hear a 'hey!' from Dad...I rush over to consult. Does he need help? Shall I saddle up the golf cart to leap into action? Turns out he's just telling me to move...the bulls are going to come my way. Oh.

What can I do? He has no idea what the plan is yet. Have I seen Peter? I point him in the direction of the sound of the other ATV. Zoom!

I head into the house to capture the action on memory card. I zip up to tell Julia about the drama unfolding outside her window. She's dozing...I go away.

The guys have a plan....open the yard fence gate to the pasture and let the bulls in. Brilliant!

All goes well...barring some significant hoof prints in the lawn.

Soon, escapee #3 shows up and follows his pals into the pasture.

Original bull is last seen posturing atop a dirt mound, making sure the newcomers are clear that this is HIS herd. Men.

Tomorrow...move the whole gang to a new pasture and peel off the three back to corrals. Good luck with that!

UPDATE:
Apparently the bulls left a trail of very deep, very soggy hoof prints in the garden. Right through my row of carrots. Bummer.

No bull

The beef supply was getting low, time to replenish.

Peter quickly ID'd the junior bull with an ornery look in his eye as the new hamburger source.

The deed was done yesterday morning.  Less than an hour from field to abbatoir...that's fresh. 

Sadly Junior didn't even have a chance to sow his oats, but on the other hand, neither was he shunted into the icky feed lot system. 

His days ended chewing fresh grass on a green, dew-covered field.

Updates

Well, our little highway is open again, the waters have receded and are obligingly flowing UNDER the bridge.  Yay!

The swaths being mowed in the yard are gaining ground, although the front yard pond is still flourishing.

Unclear as to the outcome of the birds nest.  Peter made it out there to investigate a few days ago, but the nest was empty.  No clear indication of foul play or successful hatch.  We'll never know for sure.

There are, however, other VERY protective blackbirds around the yard.  Go in the wrong area and some severe dive bombing is sure to occur.  Sam has a lot of grief during the day.

Mosquitos are still ruling the roost, so to speak and continue to torture everyone all hours of the day and night.

I am trying out a new Insect Defend Patch.  It appears to be a dose of B1 Thiamine that you wear like a nicotine patch to deter bugs by radiating whatever you radiate while wearing it.  I know you're waiting with bated breath to see how it works.  I will be sure to update you ASAP.