Check out the poultry page, The Ms evaluated some of her Ancona ducks and has several young ones available. Breeding was Pip(old lavender duck), Chocolate Duck(that the damn coons got!), black and white drake and chocolate drake(that again, another coon got a few weeks ago) Stock all originates from the Holderread line. Some nice spotting, a few that are a little solid but will make great additions to a breeding program. I'll try to add a few photos this week, that is after we get done with the damn coon and her child! Shot gun is now sitting by the door with the flash light handy. It's been a sleepless few nights this past week.
Also--I have a dear friend who is getting out of dogs, at least for now. Health reasons are making it hard to keep going with the big dogs(she has bull mastiffs). She asked us to come by and take some photos and see if anyone might be interested in some of the stuff. I have photos to post in the next couple of days but here's a beginning list of what she has:
1- 4x4 cocker/puppy pen. Perfect condition with grates and pans.
1-Large Petmate kennel-perfect condition, no chew marks; blue
1 4x4(aprox) wooden whelping box. Pig rails, fold down front so momma can get in and out easier. Ventilated on sides and includes raised wooden floor. comes apart very easily for storage and is pretty light to carry.
1-3(?) gal heated plastic water bucket, blue
1-4x5(?) silver shade cloth
2-large puppy saucers
1-small space heater
1-lectokennel heating pads
Several thermometers-as in wall type for use in whelping area-couple regular ones and couple battery operated.
2-heat lamps and 2 extra red bulbs
2-human heating pads-the old kind that don't shut off!
2-40 lb stacking food bins
1-set PVC weave poles-can take apart for travel
I know she's got a few other items and will post those as she gets me the information. Contact me at fogebotom at yahoo dot com and let's make a deal!
Later gators...
C
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Long hot summer....
....and one bored Ms.
Moose and Pete have become her victims.
Old Halloween costumes-a pretty blue princess outfit that fits the big boy just perfectly. Oh and a tiara too.
Believe me, the Peterman did not appreciate it and looked totally put out. Snookie? He loves it because......
.....it coordinated well with his fuchsia toenails.
Photos will follow soon.
Later gators....
C
Moose and Pete have become her victims.
Old Halloween costumes-a pretty blue princess outfit that fits the big boy just perfectly. Oh and a tiara too.
Believe me, the Peterman did not appreciate it and looked totally put out. Snookie? He loves it because......
.....it coordinated well with his fuchsia toenails.
Photos will follow soon.
Later gators....
C
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Smile!
Later gators...
C
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Post-It note dilemma
I promise, this is the last one for the day....
We've all had experiences with dogs getting into stuff, puppies is no different and actually much more into stuff they shouldn't be.
Let's call this the Post-It note dilemma.
Too hot for the babies to go out and play. So the Blues Clueless gang is raining havoc on the house, the big dogs(though Connor LOVES it) and finding things I never knew I even had in the house.
River and Malcom are in the back room, bothering Daddy. You can here the grumps, the barks and Cy getting pissed off that he's not in the mix. Soon a racing sound comes through the study, to the kitchen. They cross over the gate and I hear "thuwump", scuffle scuffle and more racing little paws.
In comes Malcom and River, each holding a section of a post-it note pad. Not just any pad, but an accordion pad.
I get up to look in the kitchen, when I notice a string of post-it notes that end at the gate, then start up again through the kitchen. Yeap it's like unrolling a ball of yard and having it wound around the chair legs.
Eddie looks at me and goes, "I didn't do it and I have no idea who those furry things belong to and....no I didn't teach them that either" Uh huh, sure you're innocent in this whole thing dude.
So we go around and pick up accordion piles and strings of post-it notes. In the meantime, Kaylee and Malcom go into the kitchen, notice someone left the paper cupboard open and now we have ziplocs and napkins all over the house.
Eddie is so not a good baby sitter.
Later gators....
C
We've all had experiences with dogs getting into stuff, puppies is no different and actually much more into stuff they shouldn't be.
Let's call this the Post-It note dilemma.
Too hot for the babies to go out and play. So the Blues Clueless gang is raining havoc on the house, the big dogs(though Connor LOVES it) and finding things I never knew I even had in the house.
River and Malcom are in the back room, bothering Daddy. You can here the grumps, the barks and Cy getting pissed off that he's not in the mix. Soon a racing sound comes through the study, to the kitchen. They cross over the gate and I hear "thuwump", scuffle scuffle and more racing little paws.
In comes Malcom and River, each holding a section of a post-it note pad. Not just any pad, but an accordion pad.
I get up to look in the kitchen, when I notice a string of post-it notes that end at the gate, then start up again through the kitchen. Yeap it's like unrolling a ball of yard and having it wound around the chair legs.
Eddie looks at me and goes, "I didn't do it and I have no idea who those furry things belong to and....no I didn't teach them that either" Uh huh, sure you're innocent in this whole thing dude.
So we go around and pick up accordion piles and strings of post-it notes. In the meantime, Kaylee and Malcom go into the kitchen, notice someone left the paper cupboard open and now we have ziplocs and napkins all over the house.
Eddie is so not a good baby sitter.
Later gators....
C
And another pupdate
Ron sent me some photos of the very grown up AnnaMae. She's doing awesome on obedience class, working towards her master gardner certificate and is now to up a Level 5 Lap Sleeper! Last vet visit, she weighs around 19 lbs and thats just a little over 5 1/2 mos old. That's absolutely perfect by my past records. Also considering she's a Dove daughter, being a little light isn't unexpected. My goal of working towards moderating my bloodlines is actually starting to show progress. I don't want to lose bone, but need to get my dogs more in the middle of the standard.
My issue is that with one litter I went HUGE on the size of my dogs. That's not a good trend. Trying to back down on that is hard and takes a lot of thinking and planning. Today's cardigans are loosing a lot of their correctness with being too big, too much bone, not enough importance on correct movement(too many think correct is great extension with dogs moving on their hocks-that's not right!), or I'm at fault at this, coat issues. Granted I have Eddie the Grand PooBah of Fluffinators, but when breeding with him, I am picky about what I intend to keep and go forward with and making sure it is correct. But I fear too many people are not being hard enough on their own stock, wanting to or "having" to keep something rather they say, it isn't exactly what I want or need to go forward with.
Anyway, off the soap box. I got word that other Dove kids are right in the same weight range with Bates going a little heavier-he's male and carries a little more bone, but he's only a couple lbs more then the sisters.
Here's the pretty AnnaMae as I promised.....
Later gators...
C
My issue is that with one litter I went HUGE on the size of my dogs. That's not a good trend. Trying to back down on that is hard and takes a lot of thinking and planning. Today's cardigans are loosing a lot of their correctness with being too big, too much bone, not enough importance on correct movement(too many think correct is great extension with dogs moving on their hocks-that's not right!), or I'm at fault at this, coat issues. Granted I have Eddie the Grand PooBah of Fluffinators, but when breeding with him, I am picky about what I intend to keep and go forward with and making sure it is correct. But I fear too many people are not being hard enough on their own stock, wanting to or "having" to keep something rather they say, it isn't exactly what I want or need to go forward with.
Anyway, off the soap box. I got word that other Dove kids are right in the same weight range with Bates going a little heavier-he's male and carries a little more bone, but he's only a couple lbs more then the sisters.
Here's the pretty AnnaMae as I promised.....
Later gators...
C
The Boys
Suzie sent me the greatest set of photos of The Boys. This is my favorite. I guess Jayne had been chewing on all parts of Gilbert(the dane), got not response so turned his attention to the nylabone. Charlie has settled in well with the giants, but being a very good big brother, never lets Jayne too far out of his site. I could not ask for a better home for my sweeties.
Later gators...
C
C
Ears 101
This is so not the best photo shoot, but here's a little ear taping demo for those wondering. Yes, I used duct tape, this happens to have pretty little butterfilies on it-Malcom was so not impressed. But when you have siblings still in the house, anything else comes off too easily and you spend a large portion of each day retaping.
For the collies we use a special Japanese ear tape and therefore have medical adhesive remover in the house. You can also use Goo-Gone to remove tape but make sure to do some alcohol, witch hazel or waterless shampoo afterwards. For the cardigans, I typically let it fall off on it's own, but use the removers if I need to take it off sooner.
This litter has ears bouncing all over the place. As noted, River has had one up for like 3 weeks now. They just need a little help to keep them up, so no bracing.
Rotate photo and you'll see how her's will look-heehee.
The before...
I usually use a 8" or so piece, starting at the middle of the inside of the ear, low on the ear.
And Alec being the pro at this, had it done before I could take more photos. Ugh.
How about the other ear? Wrap it around the base of the ear, to the back, then bring it back up around to the front.
We usually add "tabs" on either side to help support the ear and then when finishing up on the front wrap, we shorten the strip to make the ear cup rather the making it flat. Of course the photos don't show it and I know you're asking, huh? I want to have the ear be curved at the base and not flat, gives a better look and stays up better.
Ta Da! Doesn't she look happy?
I'm impressed as much as they chew on each other's tape, all the babies still have it in, it's flat and neat like it's supposed to be! I'm figuring it'll start falling off by the weekend and they will have nice up right ears. Wash and Jayne did it all on their own, no need for tape.
Later gators...
C
For the collies we use a special Japanese ear tape and therefore have medical adhesive remover in the house. You can also use Goo-Gone to remove tape but make sure to do some alcohol, witch hazel or waterless shampoo afterwards. For the cardigans, I typically let it fall off on it's own, but use the removers if I need to take it off sooner.
This litter has ears bouncing all over the place. As noted, River has had one up for like 3 weeks now. They just need a little help to keep them up, so no bracing.
Rotate photo and you'll see how her's will look-heehee.
Later gators...
C
Photo hog---lots and lots of photos!
As requested and super hard to fulfill, an afternoon of candids with the Blues Clueless gang.
River contemplating-big pool or little pool....
C
Weekend rap up?
I had a "three" day weekend. Working weekend that is. Picnic, judging and poultry work.
Recap then...
Picnic-sorry no photos. We were all having such a great time eating and talking that the cameras, though out, never got used. For those that cancelled due to weather--OMG, it was like 85 at our place, overcast and some sprinkles. PERFECT! Food was great, Liz's brownies are the hit in the house and dare I say, almost gone! I got my slice of apple pie--thanks Pete/Peter. The dogs were on their best behavior. Penny and the Blues Clues were in and out of the pools, under the chicken house and well, entertained everyone. Overall, we just had a great afternoon.
Poultry-sorting time. We got all the ducks figured out-some available, please call and some really nice keepers. Though the best duck of them all was born with a crooked leg-we're keeping her as a breeder-she's a tri-silver, black and white.
Judging....was HOT. The Ms and I went down to Iowa City and the Johnson Cty Fair to judge our last assignment of the summer. When we left, 104 and only God knows the heat index. Went well, we had fun and it's a great group of kids. We'll be down there next year again.
And photos.....just a teaser now, next post will have tons more....
Later gators...
C
Recap then...
Picnic-sorry no photos. We were all having such a great time eating and talking that the cameras, though out, never got used. For those that cancelled due to weather--OMG, it was like 85 at our place, overcast and some sprinkles. PERFECT! Food was great, Liz's brownies are the hit in the house and dare I say, almost gone! I got my slice of apple pie--thanks Pete/Peter. The dogs were on their best behavior. Penny and the Blues Clues were in and out of the pools, under the chicken house and well, entertained everyone. Overall, we just had a great afternoon.
Poultry-sorting time. We got all the ducks figured out-some available, please call and some really nice keepers. Though the best duck of them all was born with a crooked leg-we're keeping her as a breeder-she's a tri-silver, black and white.
Judging....was HOT. The Ms and I went down to Iowa City and the Johnson Cty Fair to judge our last assignment of the summer. When we left, 104 and only God knows the heat index. Went well, we had fun and it's a great group of kids. We'll be down there next year again.
And photos.....just a teaser now, next post will have tons more....
C
Friday, July 20, 2012
Six degrees or less
It's times like this that my faith in the human spirit is renewed. I mean seriously, of recent the back stabbing, stupidity of some people has made me want to give up everything, move to the Yukon(yes I know dear, your dream).
Email this morning that came from a friend who's sister found an older rough collie sitting on their porch this morning. Little matted but otherwise, very nice and well behaved. Gave me the location where it was found and asked if anyone knew of a dog in that area, people that might have lost one, etc.
I replied, let me give a jingle to a friend of mine out there and see. And yes, she just might know who it belonged to.
In the end, a dog was returned home through the networking of wonderful people. The owners are happy to have the dog home and he's no worse for the wear. Sometimes things just happen, but it's when people react in a timely matter, regardless of any other matter at hand, then usually the end results are good and quick. Then again, as noted above, there's no hope for some of humanity, for some pride gets in their way and nothing can be done to correct that. Sigh, oh well.
Later gators....
C
Email this morning that came from a friend who's sister found an older rough collie sitting on their porch this morning. Little matted but otherwise, very nice and well behaved. Gave me the location where it was found and asked if anyone knew of a dog in that area, people that might have lost one, etc.
I replied, let me give a jingle to a friend of mine out there and see. And yes, she just might know who it belonged to.
In the end, a dog was returned home through the networking of wonderful people. The owners are happy to have the dog home and he's no worse for the wear. Sometimes things just happen, but it's when people react in a timely matter, regardless of any other matter at hand, then usually the end results are good and quick. Then again, as noted above, there's no hope for some of humanity, for some pride gets in their way and nothing can be done to correct that. Sigh, oh well.
Later gators....
C
You know you live in Iowa when....
...the temperature drops to 90 and you think it's a little chilly out!
Of course nothing good ever last, judging the last 4-H dog show of the year for a county south of us on Monday and it's supposed to be the hottest it's been all year! 100-110-ugh. All the 4-H shows this year have been hot, Alec's done three so far. Not a good omen for State Fair-he's judging that one this year too.
Picnic tomorrow--hope everyone close decides to come regardless of the heat. I'm waiting for a piece of apple pie--I didn't get one last year-hint, hint. Liz is coming from MN, few others from close by. Chicken's defrosting, corn will get bought at market in the morning. Pools ready, just a little bit of mowing and clean up left.
On a fun note, Moose and Penny went to Petsmart last night. I was working with a gal who is training her dog for it's upcoming TDI test. We had lots of fun and Penny's confidence levels are increasing. She's just like her mom and wants to do things on her own terms and when it's not on her's, she gets a little shy. But nothing fazes her-cars, horns, boxes dropping, groomers and silly dogs. Moose on the other hand spent the night laying on the cool floor encouraging kids to come up and pet him. I also got to teach a few people about how to meet a new dog, and some dog safety rules for a kid handling a very, too outgoing lab pup.
And for those wondering, I seriously have tried to get photos of the blues clueless gang, but either we are dealing with Kaylee the blur or dead camera batteries or in yesterday's case, a shutter issue with the Ms camera. We'll work on that tonight and I hope for picnic and puppy photos after the weekend is over.
Later gators...
C
Of course nothing good ever last, judging the last 4-H dog show of the year for a county south of us on Monday and it's supposed to be the hottest it's been all year! 100-110-ugh. All the 4-H shows this year have been hot, Alec's done three so far. Not a good omen for State Fair-he's judging that one this year too.
Picnic tomorrow--hope everyone close decides to come regardless of the heat. I'm waiting for a piece of apple pie--I didn't get one last year-hint, hint. Liz is coming from MN, few others from close by. Chicken's defrosting, corn will get bought at market in the morning. Pools ready, just a little bit of mowing and clean up left.
On a fun note, Moose and Penny went to Petsmart last night. I was working with a gal who is training her dog for it's upcoming TDI test. We had lots of fun and Penny's confidence levels are increasing. She's just like her mom and wants to do things on her own terms and when it's not on her's, she gets a little shy. But nothing fazes her-cars, horns, boxes dropping, groomers and silly dogs. Moose on the other hand spent the night laying on the cool floor encouraging kids to come up and pet him. I also got to teach a few people about how to meet a new dog, and some dog safety rules for a kid handling a very, too outgoing lab pup.
And for those wondering, I seriously have tried to get photos of the blues clueless gang, but either we are dealing with Kaylee the blur or dead camera batteries or in yesterday's case, a shutter issue with the Ms camera. We'll work on that tonight and I hope for picnic and puppy photos after the weekend is over.
Later gators...
C
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The drought it over!
Made ya' think on that one, didn't I?
I love my friend over at Exercise Finished and her comment about the weather around here--From the famous quote---"Is this Heaven?" "No, It's Iowa" --- she says, "No, Iowa's one of Dante's Seven Rings of Hell".
It's been hot, unbearable hot. We sorted ducklings last night for evaluation, moved Mr RoadRunner and his partner to the Chateau Quack. I stood there afterwards staring at and evaluating the ducklings, spraying the adults off with water-which they really love, and felt the sweat continue to roll down my back, front and legs.
But the drought I'm talking about is the egg drought. The usual nest spot had 14 eggs in it last night! We've been luck to get one or two as of late. Several things have happened-first we changed feed to a high quality layer mix. Second-David found the previous way-out of the way hiding spot of eggs and cracked or removed them all. Third, Missy and her fellow fowl friends are hanging close to the Chick Chalet looking for more strawberry handouts.
Can't wait to see if it's a full fledged deluge of eggs now or just a temperary downpour and we'll be back to the drought by the weekend.
Later gators....
C
I love my friend over at Exercise Finished and her comment about the weather around here--From the famous quote---"Is this Heaven?" "No, It's Iowa" --- she says, "No, Iowa's one of Dante's Seven Rings of Hell".
It's been hot, unbearable hot. We sorted ducklings last night for evaluation, moved Mr RoadRunner and his partner to the Chateau Quack. I stood there afterwards staring at and evaluating the ducklings, spraying the adults off with water-which they really love, and felt the sweat continue to roll down my back, front and legs.
But the drought I'm talking about is the egg drought. The usual nest spot had 14 eggs in it last night! We've been luck to get one or two as of late. Several things have happened-first we changed feed to a high quality layer mix. Second-David found the previous way-out of the way hiding spot of eggs and cracked or removed them all. Third, Missy and her fellow fowl friends are hanging close to the Chick Chalet looking for more strawberry handouts.
Can't wait to see if it's a full fledged deluge of eggs now or just a temperary downpour and we'll be back to the drought by the weekend.
Later gators....
C
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Just a little nuts
Dinner last night was grilled chicken salad with berries and almonds. I've had dogs beg the strangest things off me.....
Lace eats craisions like they are going out of style.
Pete hates apples but loves fruit loops.
Topaz used to love ruffled potato chips.
Connor is a drueling fool over pasta with a garlic marinara sauce.
River does anything for ..... almonds.
The Ms had her on her lap while she was finishing her dinner-bad bad habit. Offered her one, she tasted it, chewed quickly, and begged all night for more. Now all you have to do is go "River? Almond?" and that fluffinator comes out of no where, offers a sit and has focus like Clairee did.
What next? Little red hen with a strawberry addiction and now a puppy with nuts on the brain
Later gator....
C
Lace eats craisions like they are going out of style.
Pete hates apples but loves fruit loops.
Topaz used to love ruffled potato chips.
Connor is a drueling fool over pasta with a garlic marinara sauce.
River does anything for ..... almonds.
The Ms had her on her lap while she was finishing her dinner-bad bad habit. Offered her one, she tasted it, chewed quickly, and begged all night for more. Now all you have to do is go "River? Almond?" and that fluffinator comes out of no where, offers a sit and has focus like Clairee did.
What next? Little red hen with a strawberry addiction and now a puppy with nuts on the brain
Later gator....
C
Boomerang
Happen to remember that we went to the poultry show short two birds? In particular, a certain welsummer hen?
As predicted, we got home, released the show birds and who walked out of the Chick Chalet?
Seems she gets up before the rooster crows, heads out over the fence and is off freeranging all day, comes back just in time for dinner service.
Just dandy--can we get a GPS collar for her?
Later gators....
C
As predicted, we got home, released the show birds and who walked out of the Chick Chalet?
Seems she gets up before the rooster crows, heads out over the fence and is off freeranging all day, comes back just in time for dinner service.
Just dandy--can we get a GPS collar for her?
Later gators....
C
Monday, July 16, 2012
Corgi Picnic--five days and counting!
Just a quick reminder and feel free to cross post, pass the message on or come yourself....
Iowa Corgi Frap
Saturday July 21st
Central City, IA
11ish, 12ish till ?????
BBQ Chicken, Grilled Sweet Corn, iced tea/lemondae and table service provided.
Please bring a sense of humor, lawn chairs, ezups if ya got'em, a salad or dessert to share.
Full fenced yard with agility equipment, pools to cool off in.
Ducks, Chickens and horses to bark at. Trip to the creek for those adventurous(though the creek is really dry right now)
Corgis, Corgi Mixes and Corgi wannabes welcome. Oh and their hoomans too!
And if you just are interested in corgis but don't have one, come on out and hang with us for the day.
RSVP--I'll send you directions as well as knowing how many chickens(from the great chicken fiasco) to grill up.
See you Saturday!!!!
Later gators...
C
Iowa Corgi Frap
Saturday July 21st
Central City, IA
11ish, 12ish till ?????
BBQ Chicken, Grilled Sweet Corn, iced tea/lemondae and table service provided.
Please bring a sense of humor, lawn chairs, ezups if ya got'em, a salad or dessert to share.
Full fenced yard with agility equipment, pools to cool off in.
Ducks, Chickens and horses to bark at. Trip to the creek for those adventurous(though the creek is really dry right now)
Corgis, Corgi Mixes and Corgi wannabes welcome. Oh and their hoomans too!
And if you just are interested in corgis but don't have one, come on out and hang with us for the day.
RSVP--I'll send you directions as well as knowing how many chickens(from the great chicken fiasco) to grill up.
See you Saturday!!!!
Later gators...
C
So what's your easy weekend like?
Someone asked me yesterday at the poultry show, what an easy weekend was for us? Well, this weekend was.....
Saturday The Tall Kid, Ms and I, left Hubby at home and went out to do errands. Dog food, groceries, hunt for cage building materials, banks, more groceries, chicken food, etc. You know the drill-we were out of paper towels, TP and strawberries.
And to top it off, my new card from the bank had not been received yet, so I'm using a lot of cash and checks, which is a pain when several of the stores we were shopping at don't take checks!
We got everything, but the cage materials. Going to go online and order some nice ones from at place in WI so the Ms can start building her racks for her show and breeding pens.
Then spent the afternoon cleaning peaches and strawberries. The Ms spent the afternoon getting chased by Missy(Hubby's girlfriend) when she rattled the garbage bucket. It was full of strawberry hulls which the little red hen goes ga ga over. We debated washing chickens and ducks, oh and a goose, but opted to wait since we had had RAIN!!!!
A four letter word missed greatly around here. We got at least 1/2-1" from Thursday through Friday night. Made it a delight. Then it rained again on Saturday afternoon.
Oh forgot the great chicken caper of 2012. I fear due to be repeated in about another 6 weeks. See, we sent 43 meat birds to the processors about 2 weeks ago, maybe 3. Just no time to get them back home. Hubby and the Ms road tripped it north on Friday and then the chaos started. Where in the heck do you store 43 larger then average(another lesson learned) frozen chickens? You use coolers, loads of ice and beg, borrow and steal freezer space. You also do a serious freezer cleaning that tickled the poultry flock.
Mom has a few now, the down stairs freezer is full, I've got a few birds defrosting in the fridge for a mass grilling tonight. And THANK GOD for Dana!!! She took her own, found friends who wanted chickens and then came back for more. I can now fit a few more packages of hamburger in the down stairs freezer.
Kids and Hubby have asked that we plan on a cow next year as they aren't sure they will ever be able to look at a chicken nugget again.
Back to the weekend. Rest of Saturday was spent getting things ready for our first poultry show other then the huge county fair. That's where the cage material comes in-some shows require you to provide your own cages. And as noted above, we are going to buy as well as build both breeder, show and exhibit cages soon. In the meantime my dog crate addiction came in handy! Plus xpens, we are all set to go.
Then we went looking for birds to wash Sunday morning. Such a big mistake that, well, we left for the show short two birds. One just wasn't nice enough, the other-AWOL. Rotten little hen. Go figure, she'll be back in time for dinner.
One chicken, four ducks and one pissed off goose later, we are all wet and giggling. Loaded up and off we go to Wyoming IA.
Small show compared to ours, in serious need of some Jackie attention, but fun and relaxing. I didn't offer to help-this time sat in my chair, braided the Ms hair, chatted with everyone else and waited, and waited and waited some more.
The runner drake got lots of attention in his pen all day long. Ended up with a reserve champion on him--dog gone it, beat by that ugly black duck of Michael's. The threat is to throw some bleach on it so it's got white spots! Not really, but it's all in good fun. Ms's white ameraucana pullet got a blue, just not mature enough yet. No biggy.
The ancona ducks got blues, the hard part there is that the judge has seen a lot of the Ms' birds and tends to be really picky with her on that breed. Which is good and she got some great breeding advice on them. We're headed down to Glen's farm and breeding operation in a few weeks for a tour and swap some birds.
Sparkles, though, was funny. Sparkles is the goose, fyi. She was pissed off about the bath, the crate and the ride. The xpen was somewhat okay. The cage up to be examined was okay, but when the Ms left to go take another bird back--that was not. How dare she leave her up there all alone. Oh, Sparkles was Grand Champion Goose!!! Full disclosure, she was the only one :)
And of course, totally not ready for a showmanship class, all the exhibitors were entered(no fee for that class) and the Ms again, took up her duck-the silver ancona drake, and WON! She figures she and Michael are even-he won the last two breed classes and she's won the showmanship classes. Even got a big plaque for it. She's beaming.
Load up, boy did it get hot. Head home. Walk in the house with an urgent need to pee(you really didn't need to know that did you?) And realize, we had shut up the house because of the heat, but no one, no one, turned on the a/c! Stuffy but not 1/2 bad in the house, but after the bathroom break I went over flipped the switch and turned it down!
The Tall Kid, was down in Washington, IA to judge their county fair dog show. All I can say is that someone seriously needs to have a chat with them about how to run a show and how to train kids. None of them, none of them, were any where prepared for an obedience show and he had to argue with them about the score sheets, that the kids were not trained in what actually them needed to perform and they just made up how an exercise would be done. I feel for them, they would all have a horrible experience at state fair should they go. You can ask me more about this later, Tall Kid was so not happy.
And that my dears, was a slow weekend for us! How about your's????
Later gators....
C
Saturday The Tall Kid, Ms and I, left Hubby at home and went out to do errands. Dog food, groceries, hunt for cage building materials, banks, more groceries, chicken food, etc. You know the drill-we were out of paper towels, TP and strawberries.
And to top it off, my new card from the bank had not been received yet, so I'm using a lot of cash and checks, which is a pain when several of the stores we were shopping at don't take checks!
We got everything, but the cage materials. Going to go online and order some nice ones from at place in WI so the Ms can start building her racks for her show and breeding pens.
Then spent the afternoon cleaning peaches and strawberries. The Ms spent the afternoon getting chased by Missy(Hubby's girlfriend) when she rattled the garbage bucket. It was full of strawberry hulls which the little red hen goes ga ga over. We debated washing chickens and ducks, oh and a goose, but opted to wait since we had had RAIN!!!!
A four letter word missed greatly around here. We got at least 1/2-1" from Thursday through Friday night. Made it a delight. Then it rained again on Saturday afternoon.
Oh forgot the great chicken caper of 2012. I fear due to be repeated in about another 6 weeks. See, we sent 43 meat birds to the processors about 2 weeks ago, maybe 3. Just no time to get them back home. Hubby and the Ms road tripped it north on Friday and then the chaos started. Where in the heck do you store 43 larger then average(another lesson learned) frozen chickens? You use coolers, loads of ice and beg, borrow and steal freezer space. You also do a serious freezer cleaning that tickled the poultry flock.
Mom has a few now, the down stairs freezer is full, I've got a few birds defrosting in the fridge for a mass grilling tonight. And THANK GOD for Dana!!! She took her own, found friends who wanted chickens and then came back for more. I can now fit a few more packages of hamburger in the down stairs freezer.
Kids and Hubby have asked that we plan on a cow next year as they aren't sure they will ever be able to look at a chicken nugget again.
Back to the weekend. Rest of Saturday was spent getting things ready for our first poultry show other then the huge county fair. That's where the cage material comes in-some shows require you to provide your own cages. And as noted above, we are going to buy as well as build both breeder, show and exhibit cages soon. In the meantime my dog crate addiction came in handy! Plus xpens, we are all set to go.
Then we went looking for birds to wash Sunday morning. Such a big mistake that, well, we left for the show short two birds. One just wasn't nice enough, the other-AWOL. Rotten little hen. Go figure, she'll be back in time for dinner.
One chicken, four ducks and one pissed off goose later, we are all wet and giggling. Loaded up and off we go to Wyoming IA.
Small show compared to ours, in serious need of some Jackie attention, but fun and relaxing. I didn't offer to help-this time sat in my chair, braided the Ms hair, chatted with everyone else and waited, and waited and waited some more.
The runner drake got lots of attention in his pen all day long. Ended up with a reserve champion on him--dog gone it, beat by that ugly black duck of Michael's. The threat is to throw some bleach on it so it's got white spots! Not really, but it's all in good fun. Ms's white ameraucana pullet got a blue, just not mature enough yet. No biggy.
The ancona ducks got blues, the hard part there is that the judge has seen a lot of the Ms' birds and tends to be really picky with her on that breed. Which is good and she got some great breeding advice on them. We're headed down to Glen's farm and breeding operation in a few weeks for a tour and swap some birds.
Sparkles, though, was funny. Sparkles is the goose, fyi. She was pissed off about the bath, the crate and the ride. The xpen was somewhat okay. The cage up to be examined was okay, but when the Ms left to go take another bird back--that was not. How dare she leave her up there all alone. Oh, Sparkles was Grand Champion Goose!!! Full disclosure, she was the only one :)
And of course, totally not ready for a showmanship class, all the exhibitors were entered(no fee for that class) and the Ms again, took up her duck-the silver ancona drake, and WON! She figures she and Michael are even-he won the last two breed classes and she's won the showmanship classes. Even got a big plaque for it. She's beaming.
Load up, boy did it get hot. Head home. Walk in the house with an urgent need to pee(you really didn't need to know that did you?) And realize, we had shut up the house because of the heat, but no one, no one, turned on the a/c! Stuffy but not 1/2 bad in the house, but after the bathroom break I went over flipped the switch and turned it down!
The Tall Kid, was down in Washington, IA to judge their county fair dog show. All I can say is that someone seriously needs to have a chat with them about how to run a show and how to train kids. None of them, none of them, were any where prepared for an obedience show and he had to argue with them about the score sheets, that the kids were not trained in what actually them needed to perform and they just made up how an exercise would be done. I feel for them, they would all have a horrible experience at state fair should they go. You can ask me more about this later, Tall Kid was so not happy.
And that my dears, was a slow weekend for us! How about your's????
Later gators....
C
Friday, July 13, 2012
Never done this before and making it fun
So August is coming closer and closer, which means shows within a reasonable distance every weekend through the fall. Problem is that there are a couple weekends with two great shows - so which one do you go to? Judges are both great those weekends, Penny isn't old enough to hit the first set but can on the second. Biggest issue is that Loki is looking for majors and more so, Cy.
Cardigan people are pretty easy to talk to and figure who's going where, help make the majors when you can, etc. Akita people too, but collie people, that's a royal joke. Leaves us in a pickle and guess it's time to dip into the dog show fund and do something I've never done before....double enter shows and go where the most points are. I hate doing that because if the one makes majors, and the other doesn't, who's to say that by pulling out of the lower count, we don't screw someone who needs those 1 or 2 points. Then again, there's always someone willing to screw the major just to deny it to Cy. The one big reason that I really don't deal with the area collie people. Most are rude, most are underhanded and unless you buying and showing their dogs, you're nothing.
Fudge buckets. I guess we can't make everyone happy, just going to concentrate on making ours fun.
Speaking of fun, it's not so much down in the pasture. We've all taken random walks down there and the creek is in sad shape. Bogs are almost gone, you can cross the big parts without getting your feet wet. Considering we are the headwaters for Indian Creek, this is so not a good thing. Though this morning I awoke with rain splattering the north windows and a little lightening and thunder. 2/10th by the time we left for work, more on the way. With almost 8" shortage, this doesn't do much, but anything is welcome.
Weekend looks to be fun though, just hoping I get my new bank stuff today. See someone hacked my account while we were busy with fair. God Love my Bank! I got all the charges either disputed/refunded/denied so just waiting on one company to do it's fraud thing. But now I have no debit or charge card. And how many places really like taking checks anymore???
Poultry show nearby, Ms is all ready to take a few birds over. So tomorrow is wash day. Hope it stays a little dry so all that hard work doesn't go to waste. I'm looking forward to seeing Jackie and the family at the show. The Ms is still determined to beat Michael's black duck-the war is one between the webbed feet wonders!
Well, hoping everyone has a great weekend! I'm enjoy reruns of a "local reality show", I mean seriously, can't people just do what needs to be done and quit rehashing the past? Then again, it does make it fun to see what will happen next-never ending cycle-predictable but there's always a twist.
Later gators...
C
Later gators.
Cardigan people are pretty easy to talk to and figure who's going where, help make the majors when you can, etc. Akita people too, but collie people, that's a royal joke. Leaves us in a pickle and guess it's time to dip into the dog show fund and do something I've never done before....double enter shows and go where the most points are. I hate doing that because if the one makes majors, and the other doesn't, who's to say that by pulling out of the lower count, we don't screw someone who needs those 1 or 2 points. Then again, there's always someone willing to screw the major just to deny it to Cy. The one big reason that I really don't deal with the area collie people. Most are rude, most are underhanded and unless you buying and showing their dogs, you're nothing.
Fudge buckets. I guess we can't make everyone happy, just going to concentrate on making ours fun.
Speaking of fun, it's not so much down in the pasture. We've all taken random walks down there and the creek is in sad shape. Bogs are almost gone, you can cross the big parts without getting your feet wet. Considering we are the headwaters for Indian Creek, this is so not a good thing. Though this morning I awoke with rain splattering the north windows and a little lightening and thunder. 2/10th by the time we left for work, more on the way. With almost 8" shortage, this doesn't do much, but anything is welcome.
Weekend looks to be fun though, just hoping I get my new bank stuff today. See someone hacked my account while we were busy with fair. God Love my Bank! I got all the charges either disputed/refunded/denied so just waiting on one company to do it's fraud thing. But now I have no debit or charge card. And how many places really like taking checks anymore???
Poultry show nearby, Ms is all ready to take a few birds over. So tomorrow is wash day. Hope it stays a little dry so all that hard work doesn't go to waste. I'm looking forward to seeing Jackie and the family at the show. The Ms is still determined to beat Michael's black duck-the war is one between the webbed feet wonders!
Well, hoping everyone has a great weekend! I'm enjoy reruns of a "local reality show", I mean seriously, can't people just do what needs to be done and quit rehashing the past? Then again, it does make it fun to see what will happen next-never ending cycle-predictable but there's always a twist.
Later gators...
C
Later gators.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Pupdates
So the blues clues bunch is now 9 weeks old. I apologize that the website is not updated-just no time to sit at the computer at home and load stuff up. Should be able to get to that in the next week or so.
BUT...for those wondering, Wash has gone to his new show home and from the emails, seems his destined for greatness. Jayne is now in NE and totally digging the great danes and being spoiled rotten. Charlie went out with him and from the reports, has totally suckered Robert.
Kaylee will be going out to Karen's in August along wtih her mom, returning home. Many, many thanks to Karen for allowing me to have Cora here for a litter. Wish I could do another one with her-I need my own blue girl now :)
River is in limbo, still trying to decide what direction to go with the fluffinator. She's got a gremlin streak and we are working on the not feeding after midnight but the wet part-her brother totally did not read the care instructions.
Speaking of Malcom, aka Pretty Boy, he just takes my breath away each and every time he walks through the room. Not a care in the world, beautiful stride and yes, he's a water dog. Just like his daddy.
Here's a few 9 week old photos and remember, 9 weeks is totally not the time to evaulate puppies-they look goofy as they grow at this age, especially Kaylee-heehee.
Now I talk about River going gremlin but Kaylee took it to a whole new level when I attempted to get a photo to show how her ears might look once they are up-she wanted to eat the camera!
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Little more serious Kaylee, though any attempts to bait were pointless, she just got too excited and could not stand still.
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River protesting, she's typically a limp fish when you pick her up.
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Again, after a little pep talk, she said sure, why not,but hurry with the photos, I got things I gotta do!
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And finally Mal. He loves to frog out in the kitchen waiting for a big dog to come through-usually Connor.
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I was trying to get a natural stacked photo of the blue blur but Connor said what's up and Kaylee went - ME!
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Tonight-road trip and the kids all get to go to the Ms' riding lesson and play at the barn. Leash walking down the stall aisles and lots of new people to meet.
Later gators....
C
BUT...for those wondering, Wash has gone to his new show home and from the emails, seems his destined for greatness. Jayne is now in NE and totally digging the great danes and being spoiled rotten. Charlie went out with him and from the reports, has totally suckered Robert.
Kaylee will be going out to Karen's in August along wtih her mom, returning home. Many, many thanks to Karen for allowing me to have Cora here for a litter. Wish I could do another one with her-I need my own blue girl now :)
River is in limbo, still trying to decide what direction to go with the fluffinator. She's got a gremlin streak and we are working on the not feeding after midnight but the wet part-her brother totally did not read the care instructions.
Speaking of Malcom, aka Pretty Boy, he just takes my breath away each and every time he walks through the room. Not a care in the world, beautiful stride and yes, he's a water dog. Just like his daddy.
Here's a few 9 week old photos and remember, 9 weeks is totally not the time to evaulate puppies-they look goofy as they grow at this age, especially Kaylee-heehee.
Now I talk about River going gremlin but Kaylee took it to a whole new level when I attempted to get a photo to show how her ears might look once they are up-she wanted to eat the camera!
I was trying to get a natural stacked photo of the blue blur but Connor said what's up and Kaylee went - ME!
Later gators....
C
Friday, July 6, 2012
Hi Ho Hi Ho, off to Omaha we go
Or close to.
What a whirl wind week this has been. One puppy off to his new home-can not wait to see him in the show ring soon. 4th Antique hunting - got a few nice things. Fair over.
Now to find the remains of the garden, damn japanese beetles. Have to replant a lot of stuff.
But this weekend we are off on a road trip to deliver Jayne to his new family. Charlie too--he's going to live with Jayne, Suzie, Robert and a herd of Great Danes. I'll miss both boys, but hoping the house is a little quieter? More then likely not.
Oh and Luanne and family are meeting up with us too--the Ms and Tall Kid want to see how Emmett aka Buster has grown up.
Hoping everyone is handling the heat and humidity-stay cool, get out the pool and sprinkler and have a cold one for me!
Later gators.....
C
Oh forgot--Dawn helped with a photo session-the boys would not cooperate, but the girls did. Here's Kaylee and Ms River(who is available to a select home). Now these were very quick and impromptu - Kaylee was totally following the toy and River looked like she would rather be anywhere but the table.
What a whirl wind week this has been. One puppy off to his new home-can not wait to see him in the show ring soon. 4th Antique hunting - got a few nice things. Fair over.
Now to find the remains of the garden, damn japanese beetles. Have to replant a lot of stuff.
But this weekend we are off on a road trip to deliver Jayne to his new family. Charlie too--he's going to live with Jayne, Suzie, Robert and a herd of Great Danes. I'll miss both boys, but hoping the house is a little quieter? More then likely not.
Oh and Luanne and family are meeting up with us too--the Ms and Tall Kid want to see how Emmett aka Buster has grown up.
Hoping everyone is handling the heat and humidity-stay cool, get out the pool and sprinkler and have a cold one for me!
Later gators.....
C
Oh forgot--Dawn helped with a photo session-the boys would not cooperate, but the girls did. Here's Kaylee and Ms River(who is available to a select home). Now these were very quick and impromptu - Kaylee was totally following the toy and River looked like she would rather be anywhere but the table.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Lab results
We finally have the results in and can now publish our paper on the Puppy Theorm.
X= number of puppies in litter
Y=number of puppies in litter minus the one that just left
Z=number of puppies that just left x 10
X x Y x Z = noise level in house.
Yes folks, when you take one out, the noise level does increase. Significantly.
Wash left for MN and the Red Dog household. Good luck Dawn! I'm going to look for my earplug!
Later gators....
C
X= number of puppies in litter
Y=number of puppies in litter minus the one that just left
Z=number of puppies that just left x 10
X x Y x Z = noise level in house.
Yes folks, when you take one out, the noise level does increase. Significantly.
Wash left for MN and the Red Dog household. Good luck Dawn! I'm going to look for my earplug!
Later gators....
C
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Oh My EGG!!!!
Just got off the phone with my good friend Jackie.
Yesterday at the Fair Livestock Auction, the eggs produced during the poultry show were auctioned off. Also presented to the fair board was the funds from the Chicken Dinner Raffle.
The funds covered the purchase of the new cages, a donation to the Lynn Dunn Memorial Fund and for future needs for the 4-H'ers at the fair.
Then someone prior to the egg auction stepped forward and said any monies raised would be doubled.
Hold your hats folks...
Chicken Dinner Raffle-----$334.00
Egg Auction-----$2000.00
Double that and total to the Fair Board and Lynn Dunn Memorial is a whopping $4668.00!!!!
I joked with Jackie, never doubt the feather friends. Poultry Power!!!!
Way to go!!!
Later gators...
C
Yesterday at the Fair Livestock Auction, the eggs produced during the poultry show were auctioned off. Also presented to the fair board was the funds from the Chicken Dinner Raffle.
The funds covered the purchase of the new cages, a donation to the Lynn Dunn Memorial Fund and for future needs for the 4-H'ers at the fair.
Then someone prior to the egg auction stepped forward and said any monies raised would be doubled.
Hold your hats folks...
Chicken Dinner Raffle-----$334.00
Egg Auction-----$2000.00
Double that and total to the Fair Board and Lynn Dunn Memorial is a whopping $4668.00!!!!
I joked with Jackie, never doubt the feather friends. Poultry Power!!!!
Way to go!!!
Later gators...
C
Gotta run!
Quick update-FAIR IS OVER!!!! Now to find my house again, the yard and oh my the garden. But that all will have to wait until the heat subsides-if it ever does.
Yes folks, I remember the summers like this growing up. Wished we didn't have to deal with them again. We have an excessive heat warning from today through Saturday! Crushes the 4th of July plans. Short trip to Mt Vernon for Antiques. Home to meet up with Dawn and Darryl. To Marion for more antiques. Home to spray down chickens, ducks and horses.
So quick up date on Fair-Grand Champion in the Poultry show was Michael's Cayuga duck--Meredith was Reserve to him in the class and subclass! Her Ancona ducks did well, as did her Ameraucana Hen and Ancona Hen. Mr Road Runner not so well--he's available to a freezer, farm or who ever wants him--FREE. Ameraucana Roo did well also. AND the MS WON her intermediate showmanship class. Judge pulled her aside after the announcement and told her that it's almost impossible to win using a duck :)
Horse, not so good. Glory is now official retired from 4-H except for a riding class next year. Torey was 5th in a large aged stock gelding class-that's awesome when you are competing against kids who have horses that were bought for 10's of thousands of dollars. But he only managed two riding classes before he started to over heat. She didn't get trail or her last class of the day in. Ms was smart and got out of the class, cooled him down and told Dad, load up and lets go home, we're done.
More later on the poultry show and oh, puppies! Big time photo shoot tomorrow-it's been just too hot and not enough time in the day to do any sort of photos.
And more on Charlie too. Big news in his life.
Later gators...
C
Yes folks, I remember the summers like this growing up. Wished we didn't have to deal with them again. We have an excessive heat warning from today through Saturday! Crushes the 4th of July plans. Short trip to Mt Vernon for Antiques. Home to meet up with Dawn and Darryl. To Marion for more antiques. Home to spray down chickens, ducks and horses.
So quick up date on Fair-Grand Champion in the Poultry show was Michael's Cayuga duck--Meredith was Reserve to him in the class and subclass! Her Ancona ducks did well, as did her Ameraucana Hen and Ancona Hen. Mr Road Runner not so well--he's available to a freezer, farm or who ever wants him--FREE. Ameraucana Roo did well also. AND the MS WON her intermediate showmanship class. Judge pulled her aside after the announcement and told her that it's almost impossible to win using a duck :)
Horse, not so good. Glory is now official retired from 4-H except for a riding class next year. Torey was 5th in a large aged stock gelding class-that's awesome when you are competing against kids who have horses that were bought for 10's of thousands of dollars. But he only managed two riding classes before he started to over heat. She didn't get trail or her last class of the day in. Ms was smart and got out of the class, cooled him down and told Dad, load up and lets go home, we're done.
More later on the poultry show and oh, puppies! Big time photo shoot tomorrow-it's been just too hot and not enough time in the day to do any sort of photos.
And more on Charlie too. Big news in his life.
Later gators...
C
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