Speaking of frost, sho’ ‘nuff, we got a light frost in exposed spots. So, I’m glad I didn’t take the more sensitive plants outside, and, I covered quite a lot outside last night too.
NWS had bumped UP the forecast a degree (F), late yesterday, and then actually recorded two hours at 3 deg. BELOW their forecast, early this morning. Typically, we are slightly cooler than they are, on chilly nights.
It was a busy (too busy) night. A raccoon has been about, and has learned to push off the trash can lid on the metal trash can I store chicken feed in. I’d almost convinced myself I was just forgetting to put the lid back on, or somehow wind was lifting it off.
Nope! I’d made sure the lid was on, last evening, and positioned a few pieces of hard hickory firewood around the can, so that if the lid “fell off”, there was a good chance it’s make a loud “clonk” to wake me up. Sho’ ‘nuff, a bit after 11 pm I woke up to a loud clonk, went out there, discovered the lid off, and found some grain & layer pellets scattered about. No critter could be seen, so I put the lid back on and retreated indoors where it was warmer.
A couple hours later, rinse and repeat, except this time I caught a glimpse of the ‘coon as it scurried off.
Then about 3 a.m., I heard the chickens squawking, and ran out to see just about the biggest opossum I’ve ever seen trotting off. I had my pellet pistol with me by now, but couldn’t get a clean shot before he / she disappeared into brush. Dang! That’s no good! That especially when we have one hen who doesn’t go back to either henhouse most nights. Where she roosts I’ve not been able to find. She’s a Black Maran and VERY elusive, but, still...
Then about 4:40 a.m., ANOTHER clonk from the trash can lid! By the time I blearily got shoes on (slip ons at that!), grabbed the pellet pistol and got out there, a pair of eyes briefly glowed back at me from the edge of the woods, then disappeared.
I guess I’ll move the live trap near to the feed (trash) can, and put a couple “dog safe traps” out by the chicken house(s).
There is a sturdier (than the hen’s runs / houses) “roosting cage/coop” between them. (An intruder-varmint would have to get through chain link fence and metal roofing to get in it.) It’s “open” air, but it’ll be warm enough the next several nights that the hens can join the “spare” rooster. I just need to put up a 2nd “roosting bar” — ie., a fairly walnut or hickory branch, so the birdies all have enough room to roost. Add maybe 1 more nest box. The “cage” itself is ~ and nearly 6’ tall, so, they’ll have plenty of room in there.
The rooster of course is deliriously happy at this turn of events. ;-)
I was gonna put some hens back in with him anyway —I was just putting off putting up another roosting bar, in lieu of all my other projects(!), and didn’t want to put in only 4-5 or so hens, as that few tend to get beat up by a viril / active roo’.
In a day or two, the chickens should be getting a protein boost of roasted ‘possum. :-)
If when I trap the raccoon, I’ll prolly take him over to the river & release him / her.
How does one tell when a Rooster is ‘deliriously happy?’ I’d like to see that, LOL!
We had a raccoon (”Ricky”) getting into our trash. The cans were large, plastic with wheels & the tops fit over the cans by a couple of inches. I don’t know how he was getting those tops off!
I came up with “Ricky Wraps”. I took rope, similar to clothes line variety & put it around the can vertically. I had a loop in both ends. The ends did not meet - I connected them with a heavy duty black rubber bungi cord stretched pretty tight. We had 3 trash cans & all 3 had Ricky wraps. I loved it when I saw Ricky footprints all over the cans & the tops were still securely on! :-)
I suppose almost everyone knows of the "trick" to use a little saliva (or a drop of water) to hold together loose ends of a cotton string or thread. However, I bought some 70 lb. braided Kevlar heavy thread (or call it darn small string), and despite being braided, the ends still fray somewhat easily, making it hard to pass through, say, a small eyelet. Saliva or water doesn't help much -- the Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that doesn't react "favorably" in this instance with water.
I wonder if soft clay rolled into the string would help?
Beyond that, I asked Brave Search for ideas on what would work best, and here is what it came up with:
https://search.brave.com/ask?q=What+adhesives+effectively+seal+Kevlar+fraying%3F&conversation=090a6c3d3a66a2a666589da83e2974a89651
We are getting a nice good rain - about to end for a while, and then it's forecast to come back stronger, later today. If we could get 2" total, that'd be great, despite it glopping things up, and I may or may not get a chance to grill today. The last round (grilling) a few days ago, the bluegill came out good and the chicken better. :-)
I love trying out new seasonings: Wally World yesterday had on clearance out one called Cosmos Dry Rub "Double Pepper Cow Cover", 10 oz, regular $10.98 (they say), marked down to $4.00. 2 out of 5 heat (mfgr. rating) and they claim: "Be warned, this rub may ruin barbeque restaurants for you forever."
;-)
They also had 30 oz. bags of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kat bars for $5, regular $14.98. Sell by is 10/26, but, these will be an "extra" for wifey for Mother's Day.* They'll surely be "gone" by 4th of July.
*Her "big treat" is going to a retreat Fri-Sat with our daughter -- that's what she said she wanted! Maybe Sunday "dinner out" if she's not too tired when she gets back. It's a significant drive, so, I'll drive her in and out to work on Th. so I can give the car a good once over. For sure one rear light needs to be replaced - I just noticed it being out when she pulled out this morning. (It's a sort of redundant tail light, but, still...)