FOWL AND FELINE ACCOUNTABILITY

This has been the hardest year on my chickens by far. We’re not sure if the Golden Comets purchased around Easter were less intelligent than our other black and red sex-links or if the predators were simply smarter. We are ending 2009 with only three of the 30 Golden Comets.

Daryl is our only remaining rooster. We lost Caesar, Other-Brother-Daryl, and Rocky aka Fred. Caesar and Rocky were the final roosters from the lineage of Boss Hog. Caesar did not go easy. He won the first round with the coyote or dog and came home minus all tail feathers. He had grown them back and was looking very buff when he lost round two.

Our efforts to develop a flock of guinea fowl have finally done well, (knock on wood) after a huge expense and many losses. We have a sturdy flock of 12 and hopefully they will make it until spring when we can add to them or perhaps they will multiply on their own. As we can best determine there are six male and six female which should work well since guinea fowl supposedly mate for life.

Our little cat family has also dwindled and the most tragic loss was the recent loss of Soccer Ball. She has been missing since November 18^th so I must concede that she was killed. She lived here when we moved in and was our only barn cat over the first few months. She was also our only bobtail cat. Gradually our cat family grew to around 16. Soccer Ball was always in charge and maintained order among the other cats. She was like a mother to our dog Slim. At last count our cat population is 7. Yes that does include the last three kittens, David, Goliath and Lil Bear.

We will have a new plan as spring approaches in 2010. That plan and crossed fingers will result in hopefully winning the competition of man against predator or at least increasing the score in our favor.

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I wish everyone a Rockin’ New Year and while you’re out celebrating, I’ll be here rocking what is left of my livestock to sleep. Be safe!