Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

[Tororider]

I think pit bulls can be fine in the right environment, but these dogs clearly aren't. With a dog that is aggressively attacking anything living, and clearly unsupervised by their owners, I wouldn't hesitate to dispatch of them. My main concern would be your boys, since they are the same age as my oldest I shudder to think about what could happen. Let us know how it goes.

Another thing, how close are your neighbors? If they find out that you shot their dogs are they going to cry foul to the authorities and will you get in trouble, or do you have just cause because you caught them in the act? Pictures of them attacking may not be a bad idea if you can get them right before you shoot. Just trying to think ahead to keep you from unwanted trouble.

 

[tony123]

I didn't realize the depth of the mud I was stepping into with this whole topic. I'd rather keep the nature of this thread on a lighter note, and intend to do just that.

I've been meaning to get this update out for nearly a week now and am just getting the opportunity. We had a blast at the church Fall Festival. It was a cowboy themed event and as you can see, I went as cowboy "little hat"!



I really enjoyed giving the hayrides, and everyone else had a good time with it. I had about a 3 acre field that I ran the perimeter of. The ride took all of 5-6 minutes, but was the right length for the young ones. I used a 20'+ trailer to haul my tractor there with. I also brought my...you guessed it...the $30 trailer aquired last fall that everyone laughed at me for. I was going to use the larger trailer for the hayride, but decided to stay with the small one figureing it was a bit safer and kept the line longer, which is good for business. I would fit about 10 people per run, and probably did 20 runs through the night. There's not many things as joyfull as a trailerload of kids all having a good time!

Here's a shot from the loading station.



and another from early in the afternoon...two cowboys planning our strategy.



And here's one of Indiana Jones on a horseride!



All in all, a great night, and I hope to be asked again next year to do the hayride!

 

[scgargoyle]

Great pics- looks like a good time was had by all- especially the guy gettin' seat time!

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

i want a trailer like that, so i can put coal in it and put it behind the garage during the winter.......then in the summer i can drag it up the hill

 

[tony123]

Come on man....you knocking my trailer? It's only good enough for coal storage? I think not! Really, it makes a big difference to have something that you don't mind abusing! Just last night I used it as a burn barrel! hahaha

You can keep all the shiney trailers...I'll keep this one.

 

[scgargoyle]

Hey- easy there. My truck looks a lot like that trailer!

 

[tony123]

So, let me bring this old, tired thread back from the depths of page 15 or something like that....

I've been on the lookout for some hens locally, and finally found some. I picked up three new girls yesterday and added them to the one I had left. They were from a guy that had them in a neighborhood in town and the neighbors forced him to get rid of them. He had 8 total, but I only took three. We learned with our first batch that three egg layers will do plenty for the family!

I put the box in the coop for a few hours to let them acclimate a bit to each others sounds, etc. Then I opened the box and out they came. My original hen is all kinds of PO'd. She's having a rough time and being a bit aggresive to the newcomers. I'm hoping the pecking order is sorted out quickly with minimal injury. Research on the net shows I should have put them in adjacent pen for weeks, etc. But that wasn't feesable.





The speckled one is a "Domonique". I hadn't heard of them, but apparently one of the staple breeds historically on the east coast. Beautiful bird. The other two appear to be some type of buff and a RIR.

We've really missed having chickens around, and are happy to have another group.

Out in the garden we have cauliflower and brocolli growing. It's still immature, but coming along.

Until next time,
Tony

 

[Tororider]

So glad the thread is back.

I would have thought that it was a laced wyandotte, pretty either way.

I will be interested to see how my girls deal with our first "real" snow, we have about 6" on the ground now.

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

Tony!

Great to hear from you!

What became of the pit bulls? I may have missed a post, but the last I recall you caught the pups in the act. Talk to your neighbors? Anyway - good luck with the 3 new ones and the one you already had. Hope 2009 is good to you and them!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Michael

 

[tony123]

Toro, good to be back. It's my nature to worry about them in the cold weather, but everything I read on the net says I should have no worries in my climate. Even the guys up in Canada fair well without heating devices.

Michael, Good to hear from you too. I'll just say I won't be having issue with those two dogs again.

Merry Christmas to your family as well. It's your first in the house! It will be special.

I've been watching the original hen all morning, and she is being VERY aggresive to the others. I'll probably pull her out shortly for a day or two and let the other hens establish themselves a bit easier. It's hard to watch.