Daydream fund challenge part 4

lostinrates

RAS wrote: »

Did you lose any birds, lir?

A bit stunned by kiwi; he cannot be much bigger than a vixen?

We like foxes on the lots; but we have no hens. They keep the rats down; just wish they were as good with pigeons.

No, there was an indignant hen already perched up who had lost some feathers...but no birds lost.

Kiwi was no bigger that the fox ( vixen, but doesn't seem to be in whelp or have whelmed). Bit taller, but shorter in the body. About the same weight. My guess is he took her by surprise. ( edit for obvious reasons of sensitivity, which I think go beyond game or rats I'm not posting the pictures...but I have a couple for posterity. )

RAS

CTC

I got the plucking job last Christmas; they had been hung for a while. Fine re contents but because they had been around a while, burgers to pluck.

I would be tempted to pluck a couple if they are fresh and eat now, then keep a pair and skin next week?

if you tweak the beak, oldies are less pliable than young birds. You can roast young'uns but casserole oldies.

Pluck outside in still wind (or the greenhouse)

RAS

OK - whose eating the thanks buttons? Not choccie, you know?

Davesnave

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Davesnave what do you do with yours?? don't know whether to feather them, or just take the skin off??

I skin mine. No mucking about with feathers and I don't like them too gamey, so asap for me.

Loads of vids on You Tube. Yer's a posh one!:rotfl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbwSGPtLUxw

A bit run off feet. :eek: Catch up later, perhaps .

Well done to Kiwi! :T:T:T

alfie_1

LIR.... sounds like it might have been a this years youngster. a full grown vixen would have put up a more "experienced" fight .... also wonder if it was injured/ill to be in the house ? [with a chook!!] i believe if a death is quick and im sure kiwi was... then so be it. natures way. if it was injured/ill ,kiwi did a favour .. p.s none will be in cub till the new year. i was asked the other day if i was ready for any orphans next year but im debating after losing buttercup and albert went to work today and got asked to "take all of today if need be to find out what the f**k happened to the old street lamp outside her other house.... there are 4 in an area. one stunning wrought iron hanging lamp and 3 antique street lamps [well 2 now] after ringing everyone in the chain of command the conclusion [so far] is that these foul new led lights are replacing them :eek: but not decomissioning the old and leaving in situ !!:eek::eek: i quoted thier own recomendations of leaving them but the one that "disapeared monday evening between 10.30pm and midnight seems to have slipped the net :mad: i have told them it is not on and they are blaming...wait for it.... the NFDC conservation officer as HE ok'd it ive told them that its not on and would be in our local paper... getting some replies tomorrow does make my blood boil tho... boss was happy as she says im a battleaxe with authorities :D

choille

Foxes do go in the house to 'wait' they are incredibly cunning. Pine Martens do this too. Often the hens won't go in, but often they do & you can shut them in with the predator & bingo you get a reet fright when you let them out in the morning.

Of to Inverness tomorrow for hospital appointment, so I'd better get myself organised as it's an early start.

alfie_1

choille........... boots in the post

lostinrates

Remember Alf, when the chooks perch up, they are above head height, with no way up for a fox. Only the geese or heavier/ older birds can't get up. Occasionally when the lighter birds get left out they'll perch up on a high rafter.

A failed leap would send one of my birds up quick smart.

You'd know better on age than me. She looks ok, not fat, but not too lean, no old wounds, good coat. Kiwi was not as quick as a hound. . But not too slow.

He's not'backwards' about things. He'll stand up and see big dog ( no shrinking violet) off his bone, for example. He doesn't start confrontations with dogs, but the breed profile suggests that if others start them kiwis will finish them. . Its cos they look so sweet and act so cute, but.....he's a terrier.

choille

Alfie this is sooooooo kind of you. I can't wait, but will have to.

I still fancy a Malamute so am going to fill in the Malamute application for adoption at the rescue place for them.

I was down the gorge earlier today - obviously as it's pitch black now, and there's four trees come down down there. I have cut them into manageable lengths in the past when that's happened & dragged the trunks up.....but it's all a bit Donkey work. Am I being a fantasist to think I could use a Malamute to pull up the lengths - that's what they do is pull, albeit slow, unlike Huskies who pull fast.

alfie_1

choille wrote: »

Alfie this is sooooooo kind of you. I can't wait, but will have to.

I still fancy a Malamute so am going to fill in the Malamute application for adoption at the rescue place for them.

I was down the gorge earlier today - obviously as it's pitch black now, and there's four trees come down down there. I have cut them into manageable lengths in the past when that's happened & dragged the trunks up.....but it's all a bit Donkey work. Am I being a fantasist to think I could use a Malamute to pull up the lengths - that's what they do is pull, albeit slow, unlike Huskies who pull fast.

i would suggest something like one of those flat sleds [kids/adults ] with a harness on the dog [well padded shoulder straps and you lead it] and bobs yer uncle gal i really think the dog would love it and would be as natural as you can get for it... plus imagine snuggling with that gorgeous thick wooly lump :D