Winter Losses

We're back to work and wanted to update a few things. The hen "Lazarus" is back in the coop. We are applying antibiotic ointment to her pecked back and putting menthol rub around the site to deter the pecky hens. So far, she is not back to her old self. Still trying to keep her eating and drinking. The other hens are looking much better. Their feathers are becoming more shinny and healthy looking. I think the infrared lights are giving them some night time but still keeping them warm. They have been able to go out into the barn and forage around. We are still giving them warm oatmeal with a couple of hand fulls of dry cat food for extra protein. A couple of sad things happened over the last few days. We found Captain, the white cornish cross that talked Ted into saving him from the butcher, dead this morning. I guess he just out grew his heart. I don't think that they are made to live long. He did have a good life while he was here. The second sad event happened a couple of days ago. We were so excited Monday night to see two young moose yearlings in the yard. We stood still and they came to within 10 feet of us. However, about 5:30am one was hit by a semi tractor-trailer. Kevin and Cheeta, our neighbors across the street, called the game warden and he came and "tagged" the moose. Kevin took it to the butcher and we will have moose meat. The moose was hit in the head and no damage was done to the body. At least it happened quick and we will have the benefit of it's loss. I have never eaten moose meat before and am kinda looking forward to it. At least nothing goes to waste. I am coming to the conclusion that winter provides a natural culling of things. We try to change the natural scheme of things and sometimes we can. Sometimes we just have to let nature take its course. I hope we aren't getting "culled" anytime soon. Take care and have a safe and warm night. Love from Mainely Ewes Farm.