During the day, yesterday, the wind was all bluster. Big fat round bluster. My hair looked wind -blown -fantastic. The storms came in later, at dusk and without any warning switched feet and kicked from the opposite direction, wooshing the tarp off the chicken tractor, slamming propped doors, scattering sheep. Of course the Tank hens were fine, but I got drenched in the thunder and lightening using the now inclement wind to help me put the tarp back on top of the pen the fattening chooks were in. Dinner began without me as I darted to and fro, opening and shutting doors and gates, annoyed that I had not seen the storm coming. But it is tornado season, though usually here this only means severe storms. I should have checked the weather more often yesterday but I so seldom do and the clouds came in very fast.
I had let the cows out onto the field after lunch. They are free ranging a bit at the moment, I have not started the electric fences, as there really is not a lot of forage, certainly not enough for them to graze 24 hours a day yet, but I cannot bear the terrible looks Queenie gives me when I try to lock her off the fields.
Most of the fields are just closed until I get the required 8 inches.
Daisy came out into the field next to the Queenies Flerd so she could have a proper munch too. Her mastitis is flaring up again so this time we are trying Oil Of Oregano. It comes highly recommended. But this is a chronic condition so we will see. It comes and goes. I just wish it would Go more than it Comes. The green grass will help. For the record last night she gave 55 pounds of milk, a record for her. (There are just over 8 pounds to a gallon).
The cows and calves galloped in before the storm and were safely in the barn.
The dogs and I have been combing the banks of the ditch the last few days and yesterday afternoon before the storms I think I may have discovered the mink burrows. There are three of them. Very close together. Probably connected. Two are fairly new. My research (how would we survive without Google) seems to point to them being Mink burrows. Both the burrow entrance and the scat correspond with online images. The only other rodent living down in the creek, that is really a ditch, is the muskrat (I am rather fond of muskrats and their primary predator is the Bastard mink) but the muskrats seldom burrow in and almost never that high. So I am going to shift the traps closer to these sites and see if I am not more successful there. What do you think? Have you ever seen a mink burrow? Ron?
Well time for me to get to work.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
56 responses to “Storm Season”
Apropos Spring and Summer and something nicer than Bastard Minks, I don’t know whether you saw the post The Five Plants Bees Love Best (http://romancingthebee.com/2013/01/16/the-five-plants-bees-love-best/). I remember you saying you were encouraging dandelions for your bees and thought you’d enjoy adding these beautiful and versatile – and very pollen rich – wildflowers to your garden fields. Thinking of you in the storms, hoping the farmy’s safe and snug. 🙂
One of these hour by hour and day by day times again! What can I say but that I am holding all fingers and toes crossed – it is said life was not meant to be easy, but I dunnu it was meant to be as hard as this! love and hugs from where the sun is shining and the current mild breeze about 5-10 kms: wish you were here 🙂 !
sounds gorgeous, the wind is down at this moment, it is dusk so glass of wine is on order. c
Who is counting Milady ?
Not me that is for sure, however this bottle is rubbish.. such a disappointment when one opens a bad bottle of wine. Ah well, time for bed.. ni ni..
sorry . . . just had lunch and mine was OK . . . . . ni-ni!!!!!!
Great that you found the burrows. And I’m watching that grass grow greener.
it is almost lime green at the moment, the new growth is that bright.. c
How encouraging that must be, after the grey of winter.
“While mink can dig their own burrows, they highly prefer to use ready-made den sites such as burrows under tree roots, bridge crossings, rock piles, log jams, ditches, crevices, as well as abandoned beaver dams, muskrat burrows, hollow logs and holes in streams and river banks.” Hmmm … I’m still astounded at your energy!
mm.. lazy as welll!.. probably a rabbit, with any luck the wildlife camera will give us a clue.. c
Fun!
i remember as a kid, my great aunt had a mink hide nailed on inside wall of her chicken house.
she said it was a warning to the next mink that even thought about coming into her poultry palace
and this generation thinks i’m nuts
Those are some threatening clouds. Glad you are all ok. Good for you on finding the burrows. Take the war to them! 😉
Stay safe C. Weather can be so damaging.
Hope you get those mink soon!
Have a beautiful day.
🙂 Mandy xo
It’s day two of solid rain here. Yesterday it was raining so hard that I was soaked in a minute running from the shop to my car. Today’s it’s pouring again and I should be glad it’s not snow but it makes my head hurt. When you trap the mink, can you at least sell the pelts?