Yesterday night, the moon was full.
To most it's just a regular event. To the common farmer it's like hell.
I once heard a police officer saying that this day would make people crazy.
It does exactly the same with animals.
Last night, around 9, I was not feeling so well (disease - will probably talk about it one day) and I decided to go outside to breath some fresh air.
As I was walking down our land I could see a big orange spot moving on the third section of the land (our land is divided in 8 sections, I'll be back to it soon too). That was a fox, in his mouth, what would look like an innocent rabbit going to its death.
My heart made 3 jumps, could that be Coton or Neige my white rabbits? From where it was, probably not. But it could really be one of my fellow farmer neighbour. I ran to the garage and took a shovel. I am against arms so ... that's all I got.
I tried to advance on the land to see where it's den. Don't get me wrong there, my plan never was to kill, the showel was more like ... a safety thing in case the thing would attack me (not very probable I know!) but still ... better safe than sorry.
I never found it.
I went back home and tell husband to take a big glass of water ... pee was needed. Yeah that's the disgusting part but one of the thing that turn foxes off is ... human pee.
Husband and I went out again and took Cayenne with us. We were trying to check for clues on the land where the fox appeared again with another rabbit! I went mad! I started to scream with my shovel waving in the air. It ran.
We went to see our another neighbour, good for him it was not his rabbits. Still, someone has rabbits stolen.
I was coming back from the neighbour when I saw Soleil, the walker, waiting for me lying on the sidewalk. At first I had a lil moment of freaking ... what if she got hit by a car. No she was just there waiting.
"Soleil, don't do that, you might get hurt!" I said.
The moment I said that, Soleil looked at me and crossed the street!
My heart almost stopped again.
I achieved to go an pick her up on my neighbour yard.
I was bringing her to safety when a cat that I've never seen popped out of no where in the drive way, behind him, Paul (one of the gray cat) was gladly telling it to ran away from the top of its 5 months and 2 pounds! Like take someone your size for Pete's sake.
The intruder and Paul crossed the street in a hurry, of course a car was coming but was nice enough to slow down. I would have too considering that I was waving my flashlight like crazy in their direction (the cats one of course).
I managed to bring Paul back but as I was crossing the street, I could see Baptiste and Tom (Paul's brothers) in the middle of the street but like 50 feet farther.
Paul jumped out of my arm to go and see his brother.
Camille, (another cat, spiritual daughter of Soleil) saw the lil fellas there and since she is about their ages and so willing to be part of the game, she told herself "hey, let's go party!"
I was having 4 cats in the street now running like crazy.
Soleil who was still not far, decided to come and see what the fuss was all about. Little did I know I now had 4 cats in the street and Soleil near the sidewalk.
I was desperated to bring them back, when I realize that the fuss was about a dead bird that was "smashed" on the concrete. Husband that was now trying to help, took my shovel and came to pick up the bird, as I was trying to take the "kids" back to safety.
That's when she acted.
I couldn't believe my eyes, Soleil brought Camille to the sidewalk and was on the process to bring back the others to safety. I was like that cat is just too good to be true.
Any ways, I was able to take Paul and Tom and put them in a cage for a moment so they calm down...
Baptiste took the bird --- EW!
It was a crazy night, but this morning, we still have 9 cats, 5 rabbits, 1 dog, 11 hens and 3 roosters ...
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Hens - what I learned - Part 1
There is one thing that I hate about our project is the lack of information that are reliable and Quebec friendly.
There are tons of books on Homestanding, sadly they are all written in an american aspect. We, in Quebec, have a very bipolar weather. We have very hot and very humid summers (from 20 C to 45 C - and this can happen in a day) and very cold winter (well we are supposed to have very cold winters but since 2010, I've rarely seen the -35 C, that used to make us tough cookies). American books never really deal with that perspective.
I am super novice when it comes to hens (and when it comes to a lot of things to be honest) but I grab some amazing info through the words of Bernard Desourdy. The guy is amazingly colorful, he calls himself big mouthed, but geez, what a wonderful man! First, he knows everything about hens, he breed champions tons of time (you should see that house that is full of trophies of any kinds). Second, he is willing to share his knowledge to all proven of having good intentions.
So I've learned several things about hens that I want to tell you.
1. Those are hens, not cats, not dogs, hens. You don't cuddle them like a cat, and you don't pet them like a dog. Of course, you can pet a hen but you have to do it with the back of your hand, not your palm.
2. When socialized properly, hens - even roosters, can become amazing pets. You have to win their trusts ... each day!
3. You can feed a hen everything --- but EVERYTHING that is not eggs or meat. You should see them eating mac and cheese!
4. It's not true that a hen lays a egg a day. It's true if you "boost" them with hormones (mainly the "nourriture pour poules pondeuse - aka toxic poison that is on sale at all the COOP in Quebec). When you boost your end, you force them to lay eggs. Is this really what you want? When you force them to lay, you tired them. After a while, your hen will become tired, without feathers and full of hormones. After 2 years you can kiss her byebye.
5. A well treated and well fed hens can lay good eggs until the age of 5!
6. NEVER EVER give a hen eggshell (some say it gives them calcium) yeah it does. But would you agree to eat your own ovaries? Plus, if you give them shells, they are more inclined to eat their own eggs.
7. If a hen starts eating her own eggs, set her aside, and fed her all the shells you can find (hens one only) plus her regular food. Just like you would react after being fed all you can eat ice cream for three days, you might never want to eat ice cream again (or not for a long time).
8. Hens and rabbits, don't match. Never put a rabbit in the same park as a hen. The hen will kill it.
9. You can give oyster shell to your hen for calcium. (one that are on sale especially for that)
10. When you are a newbie like me, you go to the coop for your hens ... at the "journée poussin". Just like us you'll be offered "red hens" and "white hens". FYI the red ones are called "Warrens" and the white ones are called "Leghorns". If you are a beginner and have no choice to go there to buy you hens (they are somehow expensive) take the Warrens. For a beginner this is an easier birds. Leghorns are somehow nervous birds and they are way less sociable then Warrens. The coop also assure you than the hens are 20 weeks old ... sooooooooooo not true. I got a hen this year that started laying eggs a week ago (that would made her 12 weeks old or so!). If you can go to a specialist breeder go for it. We bought Anconas, Uccles and Sultan from Bernard and I really like the Anconas, that's a very good breed for Quebec.
11. Bloody stains on the eggs? Don't panic, it's just your hen first egg. (you should have see me freaking out)
12. 4 times a year you can vermifuge your hens using like the tip of your pinky size of a garlic. Do this for 5 days and prepare yourself for the day after shitting .... ewwww (btw this is just for hens, never try on another animals this is toxic)
13. Hens should be treated for fleas twice a year.
That's about what I learned.
There are tons of books on Homestanding, sadly they are all written in an american aspect. We, in Quebec, have a very bipolar weather. We have very hot and very humid summers (from 20 C to 45 C - and this can happen in a day) and very cold winter (well we are supposed to have very cold winters but since 2010, I've rarely seen the -35 C, that used to make us tough cookies). American books never really deal with that perspective.
I am super novice when it comes to hens (and when it comes to a lot of things to be honest) but I grab some amazing info through the words of Bernard Desourdy. The guy is amazingly colorful, he calls himself big mouthed, but geez, what a wonderful man! First, he knows everything about hens, he breed champions tons of time (you should see that house that is full of trophies of any kinds). Second, he is willing to share his knowledge to all proven of having good intentions.
So I've learned several things about hens that I want to tell you.
1. Those are hens, not cats, not dogs, hens. You don't cuddle them like a cat, and you don't pet them like a dog. Of course, you can pet a hen but you have to do it with the back of your hand, not your palm.
2. When socialized properly, hens - even roosters, can become amazing pets. You have to win their trusts ... each day!
3. You can feed a hen everything --- but EVERYTHING that is not eggs or meat. You should see them eating mac and cheese!
4. It's not true that a hen lays a egg a day. It's true if you "boost" them with hormones (mainly the "nourriture pour poules pondeuse - aka toxic poison that is on sale at all the COOP in Quebec). When you boost your end, you force them to lay eggs. Is this really what you want? When you force them to lay, you tired them. After a while, your hen will become tired, without feathers and full of hormones. After 2 years you can kiss her byebye.
5. A well treated and well fed hens can lay good eggs until the age of 5!
6. NEVER EVER give a hen eggshell (some say it gives them calcium) yeah it does. But would you agree to eat your own ovaries? Plus, if you give them shells, they are more inclined to eat their own eggs.
7. If a hen starts eating her own eggs, set her aside, and fed her all the shells you can find (hens one only) plus her regular food. Just like you would react after being fed all you can eat ice cream for three days, you might never want to eat ice cream again (or not for a long time).
8. Hens and rabbits, don't match. Never put a rabbit in the same park as a hen. The hen will kill it.
9. You can give oyster shell to your hen for calcium. (one that are on sale especially for that)
10. When you are a newbie like me, you go to the coop for your hens ... at the "journée poussin". Just like us you'll be offered "red hens" and "white hens". FYI the red ones are called "Warrens" and the white ones are called "Leghorns". If you are a beginner and have no choice to go there to buy you hens (they are somehow expensive) take the Warrens. For a beginner this is an easier birds. Leghorns are somehow nervous birds and they are way less sociable then Warrens. The coop also assure you than the hens are 20 weeks old ... sooooooooooo not true. I got a hen this year that started laying eggs a week ago (that would made her 12 weeks old or so!). If you can go to a specialist breeder go for it. We bought Anconas, Uccles and Sultan from Bernard and I really like the Anconas, that's a very good breed for Quebec.
11. Bloody stains on the eggs? Don't panic, it's just your hen first egg. (you should have see me freaking out)
12. 4 times a year you can vermifuge your hens using like the tip of your pinky size of a garlic. Do this for 5 days and prepare yourself for the day after shitting .... ewwww (btw this is just for hens, never try on another animals this is toxic)
13. Hens should be treated for fleas twice a year.
That's about what I learned.
More pictures and crazy ideas ...
Here are some pictures of the kittens, Baptiste, Paul and Tom.
They arrived on June 24th.
When the pictures were taken, Tom wasn't in love with me like he is now so I wasn't able to take him so we could make a close up. Now Tom L.O.V.E.S me ... but really. He climbs on the door the see me working in the kitchen. Even husband is not that obsessed!
I got a strange idea that is not so strange after all ... Cayenne has fur, tons of it, it's look wooly. I think I will spin it and try to knit with it.
I'll keep you posted.
They arrived on June 24th.
 |
| Tom (left) and Paul (right) eating |
 |
| Tom (left) and Paul (right) |
 |
| Baptiste |
 |
| Paul |
 |
| Baptiste |
 |
| Soleil (the mile walker) |
I got a strange idea that is not so strange after all ... Cayenne has fur, tons of it, it's look wooly. I think I will spin it and try to knit with it.
I'll keep you posted.
I just have 10 minutes ...
But I want to take those 10 minutes to tell how much happiness I feel right now.
I was talking to a friend this morning, and I wanted to tell her how happy I was, I realized that I couldn't find words.
Being here is all I've ever wanted. All that work is hard, but I don't see it as work. I see it as life.
Yesterday night, Husband and I spent the night studying several books. We study a lot. I realized too that writing here was like a way of processing the info.
I think I will soon write lil articles about my discoveries. I know that for some it would be probably common sense and things they know for so long but to me it's all brand new.
I also want to thank 1stman. Your comments mean a lot to me. When someone comments, it tells me someone reads, it's like my message in a bottle, is read. Thanks for commenting.
I was talking to a friend this morning, and I wanted to tell her how happy I was, I realized that I couldn't find words.
Being here is all I've ever wanted. All that work is hard, but I don't see it as work. I see it as life.
Yesterday night, Husband and I spent the night studying several books. We study a lot. I realized too that writing here was like a way of processing the info.
I think I will soon write lil articles about my discoveries. I know that for some it would be probably common sense and things they know for so long but to me it's all brand new.
I also want to thank 1stman. Your comments mean a lot to me. When someone comments, it tells me someone reads, it's like my message in a bottle, is read. Thanks for commenting.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Infinite Subject
Tonight, I was having dinner at my parent's home with my parents, 2 of my uncles, 2 of my aunts and my best friend. I suddenly realized during the dinner how infinite the subject of what we are living is. We talked about it for all the evening and it never got boring. There is something exquisite and infinitely poetic in what we are doing. some people were intelligent enough to see it.
I have a passion burning inside me when talking about my farm.
I am born again.
I have a passion burning inside me when talking about my farm.
I am born again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)