The lovely Hermione!
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Where does time go??
It seems (and is!) a very long time since I last posted on this blog!!
Things are very hectic here at the moment. My lovely lurcher had a litter of puppies with a wonderful miniature poodle! Grace has been a fantastic mummy, and had 6 lovely pups. I sat up with her all night - her labour started at 5pm and she had puppy number 6 at 4.15am! It was a very long and worrying night. Puppy number 4 was the only one which had problems, he was a big boy and needed an assisted birth - only to find he wasn't breathing. I had genned up on what to do if this should happen and I had purchased a bottle of 'Dopram V' which is a stimulant, administered under the pups tongue. As soon as the little chap was born and I realised there was a problem, I administered 2 drops under his tongue and started rubbing him, at the same time as warming a wheat lavender bag in the microwave for 30 seconds. Still no signs of life after 1 minute. I had read some pups (as calves and any other animal) could possibly need help draining the fluid from their lungs. So I alternated rubbing with swinging the pup. I held him with his fingers between my 1st and second fingers, putting my other hand in the same position on the top, and swung him. It seamed a little rough, but I had been advised, should this happen, I would need to swing the puppy from above my head down to in between my legs. 5 minutes after he was born and still no signs of life. I was about to give up. I felt I had failed both the pup and poor Grace. Whilst sobbing, I had one last check in my book, too find on rare occasions, it can take a little over 5 minutes to revive a puppy! With re kindled hope I rubbed and swung and prayed. 6 minutes 24 seconds after being born, the pup took a gasp of air! Then another, and another!! I had done it!!
After that, he didn't look back! He and his litter mates are all very happy, healthy puppies, all living as members of new families. Apart from Hermione - our lovely little loon!!
Things are very hectic here at the moment. My lovely lurcher had a litter of puppies with a wonderful miniature poodle! Grace has been a fantastic mummy, and had 6 lovely pups. I sat up with her all night - her labour started at 5pm and she had puppy number 6 at 4.15am! It was a very long and worrying night. Puppy number 4 was the only one which had problems, he was a big boy and needed an assisted birth - only to find he wasn't breathing. I had genned up on what to do if this should happen and I had purchased a bottle of 'Dopram V' which is a stimulant, administered under the pups tongue. As soon as the little chap was born and I realised there was a problem, I administered 2 drops under his tongue and started rubbing him, at the same time as warming a wheat lavender bag in the microwave for 30 seconds. Still no signs of life after 1 minute. I had read some pups (as calves and any other animal) could possibly need help draining the fluid from their lungs. So I alternated rubbing with swinging the pup. I held him with his fingers between my 1st and second fingers, putting my other hand in the same position on the top, and swung him. It seamed a little rough, but I had been advised, should this happen, I would need to swing the puppy from above my head down to in between my legs. 5 minutes after he was born and still no signs of life. I was about to give up. I felt I had failed both the pup and poor Grace. Whilst sobbing, I had one last check in my book, too find on rare occasions, it can take a little over 5 minutes to revive a puppy! With re kindled hope I rubbed and swung and prayed. 6 minutes 24 seconds after being born, the pup took a gasp of air! Then another, and another!! I had done it!!
After that, he didn't look back! He and his litter mates are all very happy, healthy puppies, all living as members of new families. Apart from Hermione - our lovely little loon!!
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Not a good week.
Well, where do I start?! It seems to be one of those weeks were one thing after another happens. (And it's only Wednesday!)
Monday morning, whilst I was opening the upstairs windows to let some of the lovely summer air in, something caught my eye on the grass next to the yard. Someone had hit Middle Son's cat on the road and killed him. At least the driver had had the decency to move Flick form the road, if not the decency to knock on the door to tell me. Poor Flick, he was a lovely cat with a wonderful personality. Middle Son is obviously distraught.
Middle Son had a doctor appointment yesterday, as he suffers from gripping stomach pains, which come and go, along with shooting headaches. I have kept a food diary, as was suggested the last time we saw a doctor about this problem. There is no real link to any foods, apart from possibly wheat - if Middle Son has weetabix for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner. Although, I think that much carbohydrate would affect anyone!
I suggested it was stress related, as Middle Son does have problems at school, both with his work and he is being picked on by another child. Hubby and myself are always going in to school to see Middle Son's teacher, who assures us 'things are being done'. Hmmm. I am seriously considering home or flexi schooling at the moment.
To my shock, the doctor said she would like Middle Son to go for blood tests. She requested a fasting test for diabetes, thyroid function, Celiacs and full blood count. All we can do is pray he has nothing serious and that if anything, it is just a slight allergy. He has the tests booked in for next Tuesday.
Just to top everything off, whilst I was in the yard yesterday early evening, bedding the horse down, my geese and ducks ran from the garden, whilst making a huge racket. This can only mean one thing. Fox. I raced to the garden just to see said fox making off with my lovely Copper French Maran hen. He had already taken my Blue Maran hen, ex battery girl and my lovely Indian Runner drake. All of this was going on not 20' away from me, (plus the dogs were with me), whilst the rest of my family were in the lounge, which has a window onto the garden. I can't get over how quiet and sly this fox is. I yelled at it as it was trotting off with my hen, and to my surprise, the fox stopped, looked over it's shoulder at me and just wandered off!! It wasn't scared of me! (I think this is due to a lady who lives just down the lane from us, feeds the 'lovely little foxes', so they are almost hand tame and have no fear of humans!) Today, I have kept the remaining poultry in their runs, and am off to borrow a fox trap from another farm for later this evening.
Fingers crossed for a better few days.
Monday morning, whilst I was opening the upstairs windows to let some of the lovely summer air in, something caught my eye on the grass next to the yard. Someone had hit Middle Son's cat on the road and killed him. At least the driver had had the decency to move Flick form the road, if not the decency to knock on the door to tell me. Poor Flick, he was a lovely cat with a wonderful personality. Middle Son is obviously distraught.
Middle Son had a doctor appointment yesterday, as he suffers from gripping stomach pains, which come and go, along with shooting headaches. I have kept a food diary, as was suggested the last time we saw a doctor about this problem. There is no real link to any foods, apart from possibly wheat - if Middle Son has weetabix for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner. Although, I think that much carbohydrate would affect anyone!
I suggested it was stress related, as Middle Son does have problems at school, both with his work and he is being picked on by another child. Hubby and myself are always going in to school to see Middle Son's teacher, who assures us 'things are being done'. Hmmm. I am seriously considering home or flexi schooling at the moment.
To my shock, the doctor said she would like Middle Son to go for blood tests. She requested a fasting test for diabetes, thyroid function, Celiacs and full blood count. All we can do is pray he has nothing serious and that if anything, it is just a slight allergy. He has the tests booked in for next Tuesday.
Just to top everything off, whilst I was in the yard yesterday early evening, bedding the horse down, my geese and ducks ran from the garden, whilst making a huge racket. This can only mean one thing. Fox. I raced to the garden just to see said fox making off with my lovely Copper French Maran hen. He had already taken my Blue Maran hen, ex battery girl and my lovely Indian Runner drake. All of this was going on not 20' away from me, (plus the dogs were with me), whilst the rest of my family were in the lounge, which has a window onto the garden. I can't get over how quiet and sly this fox is. I yelled at it as it was trotting off with my hen, and to my surprise, the fox stopped, looked over it's shoulder at me and just wandered off!! It wasn't scared of me! (I think this is due to a lady who lives just down the lane from us, feeds the 'lovely little foxes', so they are almost hand tame and have no fear of humans!) Today, I have kept the remaining poultry in their runs, and am off to borrow a fox trap from another farm for later this evening.
Fingers crossed for a better few days.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
New Chickens.
What a lovely weekend we are all having. The weather is perfect. Lovely hot sunny days, with just a slight sea breeze.
Yesterday, 3 boys, baby girl, their grandparents, (my parents) and myself trundled off to a Rare and traditional breed poultry auction.
After the recent visit from the mink and previous visits from the fox, I needed to re stock my flock. All my hen houses are now fox/mink proof and ready for some new residents.
I love the poultry auctions. The adrenaline of the bidding, the noise of the birds and all the different characters there. From elderly farmers, with their weathered faces, leaning on their stick putting the world to rights with their fellow farmers, to the 'new' country dwellers, who have moved to the country from towns and cities, and in their minds already know more than 'real' farmers ever will!! Who talk too loudly, dress impeccably, and wear too much scent! All are a wonder to see and hear. Cages upon cages of every type of poultry you could ever imagine - along with some you couldn't! Standard poultry, bantams, domestic ducks, wild fowl, turkeys, geese, pheasants, peacocks, quail and doves. All trying to be heard over each other! I love it!
We got our bidding number and a catalogue - with over 2000 lots in it! A coffee for the grown ups and hot chocolate for the children, gave us a chance to peruse the catalogue and mark the lots we fancied a look at. Drinks finished, we had just enough time to check out the birds we were interested in - just to check they were in good health - 2 legs/eyes/wings etc!! Plus, to make sure there had not been a change to the catalogue listing.
With Baby Girl in my arms and boys close by, we made our way into the scrum of bidders, all staring expectantly up at the auctioneer on his podium. The first lot number I was interested in was near the beginning of the auction. She is a French Copper Maran, who lays eggs with shells the colour of chocolate. Typical, there were 4 other people interested in her!! I try to set myself a budget, and try not to exceed it. I bought the hen for £1 over my budget!(£26).
There was a long gap until the next lot numbers which had caught my eye. Plenty of time to look at all of the other lots, to give Baby Girl a breast feed and a chance for more people watching.
The next lots which took my fancy were a pair of Cream Legbars who are 15 weeks old and 4 Cream Legbar cross pullets at 12 weeks old. Legbars lay eggs with blue shells and are becoming increasingly popular! I think, as the 2 lots were only young birds, not many people were interested, as most want things which will lay or breed almost at once. I managed to buy these 2 lots for £4 and £8! Way under my allowed budget!!
There were only about 10 lots between the Legbars and the next lots I wanted to see go through. Whilst waiting, we listened to the other birds being sold. None of them making the usual huge amounts of money. I presume there were not many people there as the World Cup has just started and England were playing USA. Just before the 2 Blue Ma ran hens I quite fancied, there was a single black German Langshan hen waiting for the hammer to fall. Nobody was interested in her. No bidders. OK, so she looked a little dishevelled and has black spooky eyes, but that is still no reason to be unloved!! I bought her for £1!!!
We bought 2 Blue Maran hens and 2 Rhode Rock pullets and that was that! All done. Bacon rolls all round for lunch. Yum!!
Everything paid for, time to load up and head for home. Easier said than done!! For whatever reason, all the birds I bought were in the top cages. Which meant stretching on tippie toes to attempt to grab the birds before they made a bid for freedom out through the open cage. On the floor of the cages were wood chippings - that was until the chickens panicked at being grabbed, and whilst flapping madly shavings flew out of the cages, all over me! In my eyes, up my nose, in my mouth, in my hair and down my t shirt!! Great!! Baring in mine I had bought 6 lots, that was an awful lot of shavings! I looked like a snowman!! Ho hum!
After a peaceful night, all the adult birds were let out to roam the garden and farm. They have fitted in a treat! Boris, my cockerel, thinks it's his birthday, with all these new ladies for him to look after! He has spent most of today showing them around, calling them to feed at the trough, and to come running when he finds a tasty grub!!
The younger chickens are in an arc at the moment, just until they grow a little. This way I can feed them growers pellets and keep them safe.
I'm pretty sure they will enjoy their new life with us. I'll keep you posted!!
Yesterday, 3 boys, baby girl, their grandparents, (my parents) and myself trundled off to a Rare and traditional breed poultry auction.
After the recent visit from the mink and previous visits from the fox, I needed to re stock my flock. All my hen houses are now fox/mink proof and ready for some new residents.
I love the poultry auctions. The adrenaline of the bidding, the noise of the birds and all the different characters there. From elderly farmers, with their weathered faces, leaning on their stick putting the world to rights with their fellow farmers, to the 'new' country dwellers, who have moved to the country from towns and cities, and in their minds already know more than 'real' farmers ever will!! Who talk too loudly, dress impeccably, and wear too much scent! All are a wonder to see and hear. Cages upon cages of every type of poultry you could ever imagine - along with some you couldn't! Standard poultry, bantams, domestic ducks, wild fowl, turkeys, geese, pheasants, peacocks, quail and doves. All trying to be heard over each other! I love it!
We got our bidding number and a catalogue - with over 2000 lots in it! A coffee for the grown ups and hot chocolate for the children, gave us a chance to peruse the catalogue and mark the lots we fancied a look at. Drinks finished, we had just enough time to check out the birds we were interested in - just to check they were in good health - 2 legs/eyes/wings etc!! Plus, to make sure there had not been a change to the catalogue listing.
With Baby Girl in my arms and boys close by, we made our way into the scrum of bidders, all staring expectantly up at the auctioneer on his podium. The first lot number I was interested in was near the beginning of the auction. She is a French Copper Maran, who lays eggs with shells the colour of chocolate. Typical, there were 4 other people interested in her!! I try to set myself a budget, and try not to exceed it. I bought the hen for £1 over my budget!(£26).
There was a long gap until the next lot numbers which had caught my eye. Plenty of time to look at all of the other lots, to give Baby Girl a breast feed and a chance for more people watching.
The next lots which took my fancy were a pair of Cream Legbars who are 15 weeks old and 4 Cream Legbar cross pullets at 12 weeks old. Legbars lay eggs with blue shells and are becoming increasingly popular! I think, as the 2 lots were only young birds, not many people were interested, as most want things which will lay or breed almost at once. I managed to buy these 2 lots for £4 and £8! Way under my allowed budget!!
There were only about 10 lots between the Legbars and the next lots I wanted to see go through. Whilst waiting, we listened to the other birds being sold. None of them making the usual huge amounts of money. I presume there were not many people there as the World Cup has just started and England were playing USA. Just before the 2 Blue Ma ran hens I quite fancied, there was a single black German Langshan hen waiting for the hammer to fall. Nobody was interested in her. No bidders. OK, so she looked a little dishevelled and has black spooky eyes, but that is still no reason to be unloved!! I bought her for £1!!!
We bought 2 Blue Maran hens and 2 Rhode Rock pullets and that was that! All done. Bacon rolls all round for lunch. Yum!!
Everything paid for, time to load up and head for home. Easier said than done!! For whatever reason, all the birds I bought were in the top cages. Which meant stretching on tippie toes to attempt to grab the birds before they made a bid for freedom out through the open cage. On the floor of the cages were wood chippings - that was until the chickens panicked at being grabbed, and whilst flapping madly shavings flew out of the cages, all over me! In my eyes, up my nose, in my mouth, in my hair and down my t shirt!! Great!! Baring in mine I had bought 6 lots, that was an awful lot of shavings! I looked like a snowman!! Ho hum!
After a peaceful night, all the adult birds were let out to roam the garden and farm. They have fitted in a treat! Boris, my cockerel, thinks it's his birthday, with all these new ladies for him to look after! He has spent most of today showing them around, calling them to feed at the trough, and to come running when he finds a tasty grub!!
The younger chickens are in an arc at the moment, just until they grow a little. This way I can feed them growers pellets and keep them safe.
I'm pretty sure they will enjoy their new life with us. I'll keep you posted!!
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Mink
I have just got in from clearing up the carnage in my garden. Last night a mink manages to get into my hen house and ripped apart 2 of my hens and a chick before I managed to get outside.
It was in the early hours of the morning when I heard a huge racket outside my bedroom window. I have the poultry houses in the garden, just below my bedroom in order to make the fox a little more wary of visiting, as it would mean he would have to go out of his comfort zone and come very close to the house. As soon as I heard the hens, I lept out of bed and threw anything I could get my hands on, at the coop. A long, dark creature ran from the hen house, into the hedge. I ran downstairs and out into the yard in my nighty. In the short time of me hearing the birds clucking frantically, to throwing things out the window, the mink had killed 3 of my chickens. I'm just grateful for being a light sleeper, as it could have been the end for all my birds had I not acted so quickly.
So, from now on, the remaining, traumatised chicks will be sleeping in the woodshed, which is a locked brick built 'room' next to the kitchen door of the farmhouse, where the dogs sleep and they will share the woodshed with my cats. The other hens will now sleep in a very secure house at night, which has a heavy gauge mesh on the bottom of the run part, so the mink will not be able to even dig his way in, let alone get the door open to the sleeping compartment.
All I can hope is that the mink gives up when he realises he can't get at anymore birds. Fingers crossed.
It was in the early hours of the morning when I heard a huge racket outside my bedroom window. I have the poultry houses in the garden, just below my bedroom in order to make the fox a little more wary of visiting, as it would mean he would have to go out of his comfort zone and come very close to the house. As soon as I heard the hens, I lept out of bed and threw anything I could get my hands on, at the coop. A long, dark creature ran from the hen house, into the hedge. I ran downstairs and out into the yard in my nighty. In the short time of me hearing the birds clucking frantically, to throwing things out the window, the mink had killed 3 of my chickens. I'm just grateful for being a light sleeper, as it could have been the end for all my birds had I not acted so quickly.
So, from now on, the remaining, traumatised chicks will be sleeping in the woodshed, which is a locked brick built 'room' next to the kitchen door of the farmhouse, where the dogs sleep and they will share the woodshed with my cats. The other hens will now sleep in a very secure house at night, which has a heavy gauge mesh on the bottom of the run part, so the mink will not be able to even dig his way in, let alone get the door open to the sleeping compartment.
All I can hope is that the mink gives up when he realises he can't get at anymore birds. Fingers crossed.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Home scholing
Does anyone have any experiences or advice re home schooling or flexi schooling for 6 year olds? Anything will be gratefully received!
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