Yesterday morning I took the Husquavarna over to the barn as the grass and weeds around the drive in area were getting a little ridiculous; I’ve expended so much energy on the pasture itself, I had neglected those spots that I have to walk through to get to Sully every day. So I spent an hour or so mowing knee high grass, and another little bit trimming around gates and rocks and such; at one point, I ran the mower up under the electric fence and caught quite the zap. Now that the days are longer, that Patriot fencer has some juice! Wow, not something I’d really like to repeat

Once I got all that out of the way, I decided a short ride was in order, so I grabbed Sully and off we went. We didn’t go far, but it was a nice little work out for him.

When we got back, Mom had called to say she was on her way, so I had some time to kill. So I rasped Sully’s hooves. I’ve found that setting his foot on a concrete block is perfect; it’s high enough that my rasp doesn’t hit the ground, but low enough that he’s comfortable standing there for however long is needed. Plus the rough surface of the block means he has some grip and doesn’t slip around. I really wish I’d thought of it years ago

In all that stuff, I don’t ever recall hurting my hand. I’ve been having trouble with my right wrist for months. I had to stop my Yoga last fall because I couldn’t do any of the poses that required using that hand. But it’s been a bit better in the last week or so. However, I got home yesterday at lunchtime, had a shower, and by the time I was done, I couldn’t move my hand/wrist. The fleshy area below my thumb was swelling, and to do anything with it about brought tears to my eyes. It was throbbing non-stop no matter how I held it.

I iced it throughout the afternoon and evening. I took Advil. I kept it elevated. I tried a brace, but that made it worse. I couldn’t get dinner, do laundry or dishes, and could barely get myself ready for bed.

Surprisingly, it did not keep me awake last night. And when I awoke this morning, though still very sore if used in certain ways, it feels much better. I can do normal things! I just have to be careful. The swelling is down, too, though it is still a bit puffy.

So I don’t know what I did to it, but I sure wish I did so I could avoid doing it again! I actually wondered if the electric shock could have burst a vessel in there somewhere, causing it to swell and be sore. But I don’t see any bruising. The shock was the only thing I remember out of the ordinary, though.

So weird.

Rocky’s Roost

Spring finally showed up. Some days have felt more like the earliest days of summer, but you will not hear this gal complaining! The leaves have popped out overnight, and now that the Equine is on pasture 24/7, he’s lost his girlish figure. That’s okay, we’ll work that pad right back off.

Due to mowing on Monday and poop-moving on Wednesday, and some pretty gusty winds all week, we only got in one ride. Sully also developed a small crack in one of his hind hooves; it doesn’t appear to be anything at the moment, but I’m keeping an eye on it. It has required me to do a little of my own impromptu farriering. We did get out yesterday, though. He was a real monster before the ride, so much so that I almost called it off. Instead, I longed the heck out of him, and then had one of the best rides of our year to date. Apparently we just had to get our pecking order sorted out again! The above photo was taken last night at feeding time.

But, I did get the pasture mowed, and about half of the poop redistributed. I will do some more of that next week.

In addition, I’ve biked a lot this week. Some days I’m getting in two rides, but I think I’ve gotten in at least one every day this week. I’m not as out of shape as I thought; My times are about 5 minutes longer than at the end of the season last year. I’m already back to where I can ride all but the two biggest hills, and those I just get off and push.

The chickens are doing a fair bit of free-ranging now. I stay close and check on them frequently, worried mainly about Blue. They’re already about bigger than the cats are interested in messing with. But Blue has chicken dinner on the brain.

Immediately after this was snapped, he lunged and pinned Marshmallow (the one to the far right) against the fence. I hollered, he let go, and she booked it back to safety. She’d just been trying to keep a little morsel of pear all to herself and didn’t even hear him coming. And this was after his being loose all morning, hanging out with me watching them roam. I punished him, and he’s been pretty good since.

I don’t expect him to like chickens, but I do expect him to tolerate them at least as well as he tolerates the cats.

Marshmallow was unscathed; I’m not sure it wasn’t more of a warning on his part. I’m thinking about putting a bell on him for a little while. That way they can hear him coming.

Rain and thundershowers for this afternoon, and a few days ahead. On to my housework and homemade spaghetti dinner…

Steve had a ridiculously late night at work on Friday, and didn’t get home until after 9pm. I’d had Mom and Dad over for chili verde, and by the time Steve got home, all he wanted was chicken and rice soup! He was beat. So he took the weekend really easy, did a bit of mowing and a lot of resting.

Saturday morning I got to watch a chicken being butchered. I feel confident that I could handle the trauma, now that I know what to expect from each step. I’ve had no interest in my extra roosters, and as badly as I thought I wanted a Silver Laced Wyandotte roo named Carson, as the little bugger matures, he’s just not very likeable! The Buff Brahmas are much more affable. So I have a feeling I’ll be trying my hand at some home-strangled roaster! I’d like to thank Jenny for allowing me to witness the carnage

Afterwards, I got an impromptu lesson in the mechanics and operation of a walk-behind zero-turn mower. I’ll be trying it out this morning, as the pasture needs it again already. I’m steeling myself as we speak! It may not be pretty, but I bet I get it done.

Steve and I treated ourselves to a delicious fried chicken lunch at a local diner after all that excitement. And yes, even though I’d just witnessed a chicken meeting its maker, I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. The rest of our Saturday was spent chillin’ out max and relaxin’ all cool, in the infamous words of the Fresh Prince.

I got in 2 bike rides on Saturday, and Sully and I did 6.6 miles on Sunday, in spite of below average temps and gusty winds. He was spooky but good until we ran into a wagon pulled by a couple of misbehaving Halflingers. I wasn’t sure how he’d react, so I made the snap decision to voluntarily dismount as soon as I saw them; boy am I glad I did. I’m not sure I could have controlled the 12-foot monster he turned into as they approached! He almost got away from me anyway! I had to walk him out a little afterwards before I got my nerve to get back on him. We were very close to home, and I could have walked, but I didn’t want to reward his meltdown. He was very good the rest of the way, even stood for me to mount.

At one point he blew so hard that he gave himself a bloody nose. That hasn’t happened in a long time.

Over all, I was happy with the ride and how we both handled the things that cropped up. I never felt in danger, and he’s starting to learn to maintain contact with the bit, and my consistency and rhythm is really improving, as well.

The chickens got a little outdoor time on Saturday; then this cold front moved in and it was too cool and windy to sit out with them; I had to put the lamp back on them last night as temps dipped into the thirties. They’d been without it overnight for almost a week. They’re growing like little weeds; about the size of large pigeons now.

Off to mow this morning; then we’ll see what the rest of the day holds!

They hardly knew which way to go first!

This Dark Cornish follows me around like a puppy. She even jumped up on Mom’s knee yesterday. I’m not sure how Mom felt about that

Marshmallow – always on the alert!

Violet and our still unnamed roo.

The other Dark Cornish; she got separated and couldn’t figure out how to get back with the others. I think she’s a little Blonde. I’ve been calling the two Cornish Laverne and Shirley.

The Public Baths – there are three of them there in case you can’t tell.

…yeah. I should give him a thought bubble.

Partridge Rock – on the outside looking in!

Until they are full size, they won’t get any unsupervised range-time. But already I have to scare them away from the gate before I can go in or out, and as soon as they hear me come out the front door, they’re all standing at it like meerkats. I might have to rethink my former opinions about chicken intelligence…

The dark brown ones, just a week old or so here;

And here just a few days ago.

After much head-scratching and question-asking over these guys – or gals – I am about 90% certain they will grow into these:

Courtesy of Murray McMurray Hatchery

That is a Partridge Rock, a hen that will finish out around 7-8 lbs, is cold-hardy and a prolific layer. They also easily go broody and usually make good mothers. I love the coloring, and am actually relieved they are not the Dark Cornish I originally thought they were; I like the 2 I have, but 7 all of a kind? Plus, the Cornish aren’t as known for their laying as for their meat, even being a dual purpose.

But, watch them prove me wrong! It should become very apparent their breed in the next 2 to 4 weeks.

However, everyone has softer coats and has maintained weight on half the ration of dog/catfood. Sully is almost completely slicked out and his hair is a completely different texture.

Blue ignores the dirt on his food. The cats try to pick around it, but don’t seem to mind too much anymore. And Sully is now licking even the corners of the bucket clean, as long as I damp his down so it’s not dusty.

Rate of feed is 1 Tablespoon for 50lb Blue, 1 teaspoon per cat, and 5 oz, or roughly 3/4 cup for Sully. Sully’s I divide in half and give half with his morning ration and half with his evening.

As far as the chickens go, I will be mixing 1 cup per 50lb bag of feed, and then adding a good amount to their dust bath. I will be doing that as soon as this rain passes.

But the d.e. has another invaluable use for me; indoor pest control! Like many this time of year, we suffer from a scourge of tiny ants in our kitchen. Every year I put out ant traps and spray raid and ultimately end up calling the landlord who sends out an exterminator. This year, though, when I found the first 20 or so ants grouped around the kitchen sink, I flicked a little d.e. on them. They disappeared! I flicked a little in all the areas that I know they come in, and the ants have virtually disappeared. Every week to 10 days, a few more might wander in, but I just flick a little more d.e. on them, and voile! It’s fantastic. And I don’t have to worry about using pesticides in the area where I prepare our food. I’ve used maybe a teaspoon’s worth to eliminate this 5 year long ant problem.

Once the spiders and earwigs start, I will be putting d.e. down for them, as well. And if the thrips are bad again this year, I’ll be sprinkling it in the windows, as well.

In short, d.e. is well worth the cost. I’ve easily saved $50 in dewormers, delicers and Raid so far this year. And the $18 bag of d.e. is still 3/4 full.

Violet. And me with not even any treats!

Day One

It was a busy day yesterday, in a good way.

First of all, I had the vet out for the animals’ needles and Sully health and dental check. Everything checked out, and everyone got their rabies vacs. I asked the vet about Sully’s weight, as a few people have commented on his being ribby. She said that since he’s a draft cross and genetically prone to both obesity and founder, he’s absolutely perfect. So I can stop worrying! His teeth also checked out, so he won’t need floating until next spring, which cut the vet bill in half

While I waited on the vet to arrive, I started moving some manure around the pasture. In an effort to both nourish the grass and to change Sully’s grazing pattern so he’s not eating it bare in some spots, I’ve decided to take my wheelbarrow and pitchfork and redistribute poo. That sounds like a beaurocratic position, no? I picked up, broke up and spread about 5 wheelbarrow loads in just under 2 hours. It was hard work, but I didn’t mind it. It will be an ongoing project this summer, but really good exercise

Sprinkled between was some housework, yardwork, cow wrangling and, of course chickens. Today I am getting the tire garden cleaned out and washing horse blankets. Speaking of which, I’ve come up with a really good way to do the latter. I took my garden sprayer/feeder and washed it out, added a scoop of Oxy Clean and set it to the jet spray setting. I have gotten the rain sheet cleaned using this method, and it seems to be working really well, except that I ran the well dry! I have to wait for it to fill back up before I can do the heavyweight one. I’ll let you know if they look/smell clean when I’m done with them!

…and today.