Good Morning

So it's 9:30 in the morning and I have already butchered 3 of the meat birds, cleaned up the butcher area and taken a shower.

 

I am rather pleased with myself because the big rooster is in that pot. I did not think I was going to be able to do him myself since he has gotten so big and had taken to biting me whenever I got into the pen. I did manage to get a hold of him though and he was heavy but didn't bite me.
I started the fire at about 6:00 this morning and I sweat to death the whole time doing it. I bet it was 80 F here at 6 o'clock this morning and we are working our way up to 100 F again today.
Anyway, the day has started out so well, I think I'll see what else I can get done.

Chick pics

 

I don't have a lot to write about lately so thought I would post some pictures of the new chicks this year. These first ones are of some pyncheons that were supposed to be pure but obviously I was lied to. Still they are really cute. The last two are birds that were hatched this spring. The hen is now laying but the roo is not quite mature yet.

Here are the baby quail that hatched today and last week. There are 7 so far. 

This is just another picture of the monster meat birds that I can't find time to butcher.

I won't be able to do it this weekend either since we are having my daughter Michelle's 18th birthday party on Sunday. 

Good Day

And then I came home to this:

I am so sick of snakes this year! I had a heck of a time getting him out of that cage and then the area in front of the cage is very small but he didn't get away. This one was in one of the quail cages and I only lost one quail to him.

10 Days

And no posts from me. Sorry about that. You see we are missing this:

 

My grandson Christian and his mama and daddy have moved to Ft. Hood Texas. 

Who knew it was going to be this hard? We didn't. 

They already have a cute little house with a nice fenced in back yard for Christian to play in and we are so happy for them but would give anything to be in Texas right now.

Snake and Roasters

Here is the snake that I found in the pen this morning. He had killed 7 of my chickens in all-5 chicks and two adults. Called Phil to find out what he had done with the loppers (brush cutters) the last time we killed a snake but he didn't know so I moved snake cage and all out in the yard where I had more room (yes, it was scary) and he made a run for it through the bars and I had a shovel waiting for his neck. Took several tries but I finally got him. I haven't stretched him out yet but he is 5 or 6 ft. I'm sure.
I took care of him before I butchered chickens this morning. I only got the two oldest meat chickens butchered because for some reason my phone was ringing off the hook this morning. I left them as roasters since they were such nice meaty birds.

Another Update About Nothing

So it is my vacation. We aren't doing anything and that is the way I like it. Phil does still have to work. It also is my last weekend with my little grandson, his dad and my daughter-in-law before they are gone to Texas so every moment is precious. It is Tuesday and I feel like I haven't really done a thing; none of the things I said I was going to get done this week anyway.  I could give my my excuses but lets just keep it simple.
Tomatoes are still growing and we seem to have chased the deer away but we don't have many because they kind of had to start growing all over again.

 There is a squash on the volunteer squash plant in the old compost pile. The vine grew a runner out on the lawn (which Phil cut off!) and then grew another right up over the new compost bin and down the other side so I haven't seen any more squash besides this one but there might be some in the bushes on the other side of the compost bin.
The monster meat birds are still in the pen. They were my major task for this vacation. Maybe I will do a few tomorrow or Thursday or, heck, maybe this weekend but I do know I need to get going on that (we are almost out of chicken!).

I have two pens of quail now and several eggs in the incubator. I will likely be culling male quail as soon as I can tell which are the males in the second pen.
We have another snake. I know he is there because he left me 4 dead birds this morning. Three chicks in the outdoor brooder and one black tailed white Japanese bantam hen which he tried to eat and couldn't; you can always tell by the slime on the head of the bird. I am glad he was not big enough to eat it but it scares me that he was big enough to think he could eat it. I spread the "Snake Stop" powder but if I find the snake, you'll know because I will have a picture of him without his head. I have been out to check on the birds several times today but Mr. Snake hasn't stuck his head out yet.
That is really all that is going on here. Don't give up on that pine needle basket, it is on my "agenda" for this week too (ok, stop laughing!) along with the yogurt that I have to make tomorrow and a few other things.