First, the new bear in town destroyed all my bird feeders and ran off with my fresh beef suet AND the special orange suet net. He stuck around until Wednesday and was then seen on Water Street down nearer to the village. He was described as a "big" bear.
It took me awhile, but I was able to locate a very old, broken, smaller bird feeder. With the help of silly glue and some spare parts from the destroyed bear feeders I was able to piece together a replacement feeder.
The sparrow crew from the forsythia bush seem satisfied.
I bring it in at night.
The 4 heritage chicks in the brooder in my bathroom have been growing leaps and bounds.
As much as I love hearing them cheep to the wild birds early every morning, my bathroom was crowded and getting that unmistakeable poultry-in-the-house-smell. Even though I cleaned the brooder every 24 hours, as they grew, it made no difference.
So yesterday morning I emptied Mavis' former large dog crate of all my potting soil and planting containers and moved the flock into their new condo. I also put the condo downstairs in the mudroom/laundry room/back porch, near the heating ducts.
They have lots more space, a roost and constant conversation from all who enter and exit the house.
Its a much more social spot for my future snail killers.
They are able to dine on more treats since they are closer to the kitchen area.
This morning they had some kefir and whey with their crumbles.
I made them a little shavings back splash to keep their bedding inside their crate and not out on my floor.
This morning they were perky.
They seem satisfied with their move to the first floor.
As much as I missed their sweet chirping early this morning, I was thrilled to have the bathroom ALL to myself. I enjoyed my extended hot shower minus the 4 sets of eyes and the flying practice that has taken place for 2 weeks everytime I was in the shower. I had my rug back and my towel too.
I never realized what a luxury having a bathroom to oneself was.
For a few days I will enjoy this, as my brooder is now ready for the rare breed ducklings that hatched yesterday. They will be coming here soon. They will be big fun in the bathroom.
Right now, all the birds, as well as the adults, at this address are now content.
Mission accomplished.
~
Bear! Oh my! I would have been terrified to go outside.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful chicks! Quite good looking!
ReplyDeleteLoved the flying practice during showers!!
ReplyDeleteThe "scariest" things to visit our feeder was a messy raccoon and huge wild turkey (in our very suburban area). I am excited to read about your chicken/snail adventures. Would love to be raising chickens here but the condo association doesn't approve ;)
ReplyDeleteYour posts ALWAYS put a smile on my face!
ReplyDeletePhew, that bathroom DOES smell better now.
All joys,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
P.S. ALL bears look big to me, but you should see our moose!