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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Catch up.

What is the news at Come By Chance? Here's the catch up.... not to be confused with ketchup... or catsup for that matter... Yeah, I'm on the old cold medicine again can ya tell??? Sick to the bones again.

Last evening I sluggishly slipped on my boots and grabbed my jacket. I was just far too tired to muster the energy to slip on the old coveralls. I choose to freeze over the expenditure of energy. I slowly walked down to the first gate and struggled with the latch. I considered walking around the pasture and going through the barn door but o how those few kilometers looked like miles in the eyes of the sick and tired.

I finally made it through the gate and walked the girls to the barn. I took notice how fat Jasmine is looking these days. I think perhaps I need to cut their grain back as booth of them are looking a little pudgy. I finally had the girls snug in the stall and then proceeded to feed Milo his evening snack. The cat food overflowed as I stood there nodding off into a dream like state. Finally I finished the chores and sat down on the milk stand to catch my breath a bit. I looked over at the manger, to noticed that it had been comfortably slept in by something.... looks rather comfortable I thought... aye I can see me know "Leigh fast asleep in the Manger". I mustered the energy to head back towards the house but this time I took note in how long it took me to latch the gate. "Ill walk the miles instead".

I walked out of the door and noticed Belvedere perched quietly on the fence.  I decided that I ought to grab him and put him in so his fate wouldn't be sealed like Jeeves. Belvedere is slightly less friendly and much wilder than what Jeeves was. He saw me sneaking up on him and jumped down making a run for it in the night. "CRAP"! I thought. He is fast and aggressive, He will be fine tonight I thought and I walked back up to the house.

This morning I woke to find that Belvedere is indeed fast and ferocious but it just wasn't enough. Sis and I were saddened by this mornings findings. He put up quite a fight. Much more than the others. His feathers were found on the north south and east sides of the barn. He fought hard I believe. Sissy angrily reminded me that I should have let her catch him the morning before,

"I am the best chicken catcher around, ya know", She reminded me.
"I know Sis", I said.

I should have set the trap the night before. I knew there was something wild out there. I have just felt really run down and tired from this cold that just wont go away. I feel bad that my animals suffered the consequences of my laziness. Part of homesteading is pushing yourself even when ya just don't feel like it.

Poor fella no more than received his name before his life was cut short.

I wondered now that all the free rangers are gone if I should even set the trap now. BUT, I fear that my predator isn't something that just eats chickens. At first I thought perhaps I had a lazy little opossum now I think I am working with something bigger and faster. Maybe a fox or a coyote. I have Milo at the barn that I have to think about as well. So I think I am going to set my trap but before I do, I suppose I need to see if I can release what ever I catch at the game reserve.... I just don't think I have it in me to kill it... even if it did take out our precious Jeeves. At first I was out for blood but now... now that I have had time to think about it, how can I hate something for surviving? That's what life is about right, surviving? Aye maybe its the cold medicine talking... Either way it would be nice to know who is visiting us at night... I REALLY NEED A GAME CAM!

Anyways so we have had a rough week here but soon things will turn around. We will be embracing something new and exciting that will make up for this weeks losses.

6 comments:

  1. Leigh don't beat yourself up too much. It's all just a part of the circle of life and the way things are. We lost a broody hen and 8 of her 12 chicks to a fox. She was inside the barn, right at the edge, and the fox snatched her right off her chicks. It drug her off and in the process killed 8 of the chicks. We found them scattered round the yard and her body down in the pasture. As you said, the fox was just being a fox and we didn't kill it. 'Possums get shot around here because they are carriers of EPM and while I've never lost a chicken to a 'possum, I won't risk my horse getting sick. I'll bet you've got a fox or a coon. If you catch it, and can't release it on a game preserve, just take it a looooong way from your place to let it go. I sold all my birds back in June (am getting more in Spring) but mine free ranged during the day and then roosted in the hen house at night. I'm suprised your boys didn't go in at night.

    Anyway, I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, and that you are having a rough go with this predator. It's never fun when Mom gets sick! Hang in there and get well soon!

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  2. Goodwife,
    Thanks, I look forward to the easy times, tis the hard times that makes us appreciate those though.
    Yes when you haver horses EPM is definitely something to worry with. Our old neighbors horses ended up getting that. Nearly withered away and died before they could find out the cause of it.
    All the best,
    Leigh

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  3. Leigh, I am so sorry. I feel so bad for you. I know it is easy to take the blame, but it's not your fault. Like the Goodwife said, it's all a part of the circle of life. You provided the pen and a beautiful hen house for them. You even tried to catch Belvedere but he wouldn't let you. It's not your fault. And for the record, since you didn't just go to bed and give up, you ARE doing your best! Get yourself some Vitamin C, either in a candy or in some orange juice. That should help a lot. Get well soon friend.~~<~<~@

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  4. I am also sorry...but you are right it is just a part of the circle of live,no matter how you look at it.
    Sure hope you are feeling better. :)

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  5. Sorry to hear bout your losses. I recently put my 2 remaining free range roos in the pen with girls. Mostly for the warmth of the hen house since its so cold out lately.
    Hope you get to feeling better girl ; )
    I tried commenting the other day but alas it didnt go thru. I just read where you were having problems with it. It was a long comment too..Lol
    Take care girl and Feel better soon!
    P.s. On my comment I did ask about your kickin the habit and how that has gone so far.

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  6. Thanks for the support everyone. I'm feeling better and we are pushing through. I'm now really excited to get a game cam, looking forward to getting to know who we have been feeding. :)

    Tberry,
    I hate it when I write a really good un' and loose it! lol
    I haven't smoked in a long while (I have already quit counting the days). When I failed to quit with shear will power alone I did get on Chantix. I dont think I would have quit with out it. I just weigh out the consequences. I was taking a risk by smoking and taking the risk with the meds made sense seeing how I knew I wouldn't be on them forever. I took them for two weeks... I did have adverse side effects though but I toughed it out and feel better now.

    Its weird. I not only physically feel better (in general minus the cold) but I feel like I have a healthier spirit about me. I don't know if that makes any sense but I am very happy to be rid of the habit. It was holding me down. :)

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