This and That

Here are some pics I am working on at the moment

Future Herpetologist

Sun coming through the leaves

Flower reaching for the sun

Predators!

I don't know what to think! I don't know what is worse! We live out in the county but still in a neighborhood, we have neighbors beside us, with the exception of an empty house on the market, we have a neighbor behind us with a deep lot which is cornered by businesses, we have a candle factory not big mind you but busy, then an auto body shop not open to the public a contractors shop of some sorts and a distribution center for portable things or something like that. Anyway, our yard is rather large and completely fenced in, we have 1 huge main gate that is by the driveway side of the house and a smaller gate on the other side of the house plus a smaller gate on the back fence which leads into our neighbors yard. I think I painted a pretty good picture of how our yard lays.

About predators. We have all kinds around us but we have not seen any personally, only a couple of times have we seen evidence of their passing, a foot print, droppings, fur etc. We have hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes, possums, skunks, raccoons, stray dogs, cougars, foxes, rats. I know in the natural order of things they need to eat and everything loves eggs and chickens. I don't want to ever lose a chicken to anything so I think we maintain a safe haven for our girls.

But the biggest predator that bothers me is the 2-legged kind. Honestly, if you are that hungry or that desperate and need food all you have to do is ask. I have been finding the hen house door open and unlatched. I make rounds at night before I go to bed and the first thing I do in the morning is grab my coffee and let the girls out of their run to free range for a bit. We have been missing some eggs and I just don't want to wake up and be missing my girls!

I guess it is time to buy locks and lock them up good but if they are that desperate they will go right through that window, there is no way of locking the window. 

Benji Lee part 2

I have never seen doggy diapers before and when we brought Benji home and rummaged through his bags sure enough there are diapers and pads just for him. So far he has been good at not going in the house, we had 2 accidents but after learning it is ok to go outside and us establishing routines he is getting the hang of it all. 

He loves to go out and play

doggy diapers and training pads

 Our next biggest chore is getting his hair cleaned up, trash is not to get into and food is eaten out of a bowl not our hands.
Plus he is learning that the chickens are here and not to be chased, he seems to just let those 2 legged half flying/half running creatures know he is the king of this back yard.

On the list of things to do:
1) get him proper dog toys that he can actually play with
2) learn to eat out of a bowl
3) chickens are not to be chased
4) get proper grooming and shampoo supplies
5) get his tags on his collar, a bright new shiny tag is being sought after

Benji Lee

We went out Sat morning had breakfast and headed for some yard sales. I was hunting up some great bargains of picture frames and maybe milk glass pieces. Unknown to us we would fall in love with this tiny little Yorkshire Terrier Named Benji Lee, we didn't realize he was for sale, he jumped right into my hubby's lap and right into our hearts.

Benji Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So after hashing out the what ifs and can our hearts handle another dog after the great heartache we felt losing our beloved Dottie. We agreed, Benji Lee would come home with us. The lady who bought him from his original had trained him to puppy pads and doggy diapers, until his second owner who we bought him from was trying to train him to go outside on his own and be rid of puppy pads and diapers but she ended up getting job and having no time for his training.
We scooped the matted little fur ball up and headed home.
He has a long way to go, we have got to get all the hair mat and knot free, letting him know it is ok to go outside and do his business and other things :)
More pictures of Benji Lee to come!

Our Chicken Adventure

In the beginning we decided to get chickens, I loved the thought of those big beautiful yummy fresh eggs. It all begin when our son brought home 2 bundles of fuzzy fluffy feathers. They grew fast and we had to think fast on what to do with them. My sister and I built a temp coop built for 2 out of metal we found on the property that we just bought.
http://s462.photobucket.com/albums/qq345/1crazydaysee/Chicken%20Coop%20Project/

Meet Egghead and BBQ, our first chickens

Sadly we were at the beginning of learning all about backyard chicken keeping, we lost our first 2 which were a pair, they both died of heart failure and since we didn't at the time what happened to them we buried them deep in the soil, they soon were replace by 2 other hens who were living in a large flock by a friend, a predator got into their pen and killed all but these 2 girls:

Mrs. T and Honey B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos I am working on

I am working on some photo editing programs and when I am done they will be available to sale.