I had a white peahen show up in my yard and hang out with my chickens once. She stayed all afternoon, ate scratch with the flock, then just wandered off into the woods.

We’re in the northeast US, so she definitely wasn’t wild, and it took forever to identify her because WTF was a white peahen doing here 🤔

He is at risk of being injured or killed by a car, predatory animals, crazy people, etc. not to mention the damage that he and his friends are doing to the small wildlife in the area… Bringing friendly, adoptable strays to a shelter is the right thing to do.

⭐ gold star, nailed it on your first try

It’s definitely getting swampy after a couple rainstorms, there’s almost knee-deep standing water in some parts!

We’ve had a couple good rains, transforming what used to be a muddy creekbed into a clearly defined pond!

Yes! The ecosystem changes are what I’m most excited about. Not so much the mosquito swarms the next year or two, but once the rest of the food chain moves in it’ll be wonderful! I have seen a heron a couple times in the swampier parts of the creekbed and if he becomes a consistent visitor to the area I’ll be over the moon.

I will report back in a few weeks with more pictures! Also will probably be spamming them all over Lemmy because I just cannot shut up about how cool they are 😅

A beaver (or beavers?) moved into the creek deep in the woods behind my house last fall, and I am SO excited about the beautiful pond they are building.

https://apnews.com/article/brazil-kite-fighting-danger-bill-cutting-lines-c88d815e5c7b13028287ada709f4f5d9

Right now we have three orpingtons, two brahma, one cochin, three golden comets, two marans, two plymouth rock, one silkie bantam, two sussex, and one wyandotte.

I had more bantams but they are really really good jumpers because they’re so small and light, they can nearly fly, and they would insist on roosting in a tree… Their steadfast refusal to come in at night ended in their demise.

It is so hard when you lose one of the flock, and foxes, weasels, raccoons, whatever predators are in your area can smell them for miles and will snatch one eventually. But, for all the sobbing beside a pile of feathers I have done, I still wholeheartedly recommend that you go for it!

You should go for it, raising chickens is surprisingly easy and they are a hoot to watch frolicking around your yard.

However, fuck Tractor Supply for rolling back their DEI initiatives Search for local hatcheries to buy your chicks. Last spring, I bought ten pre-sexed female chicks (which, admittedly comes with the ethical concerns of what they do with the males) of random “designer” breeds for only $95 including shipping.

No, technically that is dressing

I assume you’re a better person than me and don’t do this, but right now I am absolutely fantasizing about just leaving the dishes and whatever is sticky all over the counters, moving house, and starting a new life… That’s what I imagine when you say you rent a house for thanksgiving and fully support it.

This was me watching Yorkshire puddings rise this morning. Like a delicious version of those shitty little fireworks snakes, it’s mesmerizing!

Congee is the ultimate squishy sick food. Cook a cup of rice in 6-8 cups of liquid, with salt to taste, until completely broken down so it’s thick and smooth. It’s super versatile, can be made savory or sweet depending on the liquid you use to cook and any seasoning you want to add. I like it cooked in diluted coconut milk for a dessert base, then mix in raspberries and honey. Make it savory by cooking it in broth and topping with a soft boiled egg.

Jokes are funny

This gives me the same feeling as being carded at the grocery store