Listen in as we speak with Rai of https://www.instagram.com/covidcluckers/
on her favorite things, lessons learned, and dreams for the future.
Chicken keeping is a rewarding adventure. We must continue to be open to learning all we can about our flocks. I've made many mistakes along the way. I'm not ashamed to admit I've lots more to learn, even after 10 years.
Wilma and The Holler Gang would like to thank you for your support in 2021. We're super excited for the future. We're forever grateful.
Melissa
“Where education fuels compassion.”
Listen in as we speak with Rai of https://www.instagram.com/covidcluckers/
on her favorite things, lessons learned, and dreams for the future.
Chicken keeping is a rewarding adventure. We must continue to be open to learning all we can about our flocks. I've made many mistakes along the way. I'm not ashamed to admit I've lots more to learn, even after 10 years.
Wilma and The Holler Gang would like to thank you for your support in 2021. We're super excited for the future. We're forever grateful.
Melissa
“Where education fuels compassion.”
Hey friends. Welcome back to the very last episode of Wilma The wonder HenMel 2021. I know it's just mind blowing how fast this year flew by today's episode features a will. My favorite Ray of COVID collector. We are looking back at this year. Things that we loved, things that we, uh, would've done differently and our hopes and dreams for the future. So y'all help me welcome Ray of COVID Cluckers Hi, Ray, how are you?
Rai:I'm doing good. How are you?
Mel:I'm doing fabulous. I am so excited to see your face. Uh, your glasses are so cute. Mine are just old lady glasses, uh, but yours are always styling. I'm not sure where you get them. Like if that's local or online. Hey, y'all I'm Mel and you are listening to Wilma. The wonder hand, Are you a chicken mouth loving mama daddy together. We'll dive into the latest poultry keeping adventures chat about everyday life. We're the generous mix of some hilarious stories, Bringing you fascinating interviews with poultry owners from all over you'll find tips and basic advice from your local veterinarian. Along with new chicken, keeping gadgets and reviews. I'm gonna see what Mr.Jangles and Wilma has to say about that. We're going to encourage and help you build a stronger, healthier flop. Let's go see what Mr. Jangles and Wilma is up to. Let's go let these Heifers out.
Rai:I get'em online and this is less than 20 bucks. Like what? Yeah, I, I had that LASIK stopped on. Yeah. And it's so funny cuz I spent all this money on like my eyeballs for not having glasses and the pandemic happened and these are blue lake glasses. Oh. So,
Mel:Oh, I love that. Yeah. My daughter has some, uh, the blue reflector glasses and they're actually pretty Chi and cool, but they don't help old people eyes. But anyways, that's not the point of all this. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Uh, this is the last episode of 2021 on us with her presence and her thoughts on things that, um, she loved this past year things that she may have, uh, made a mistake and maybe she wants to share with us to help, you know, learn and teach us something new cuz she is a teacher and that is what she does. And any thoughts that you have for the future. So I'm gonna turn this over to Ray and just kinda see what, uh, things, uh, she could reflect on this year.
Rai:Um, well they all have respiratory infections this time of year<laugh>. Oh no. So that's been quite the hassle. They came straight off their malt and by the way, I didn't know that malting like took like four or five months. Like I thought it was like, you know, a couple weeks and they were done. No, they're still malting. So that's been quite a process.
Mel:Yeah. Mr. Jangles, last year it took six months to grow all of his long to feathers back.
Rai:But he's beautiful
Mel:Feathers, I think it really just depends on the breed of the chicken, the type of feathering. They have maybe all kinds of things, but so how did you realize that they had a respiratory infection?
Rai:Um, well we got a really weird egg. It looked like a lash egg and I did get it confirmed that it was. And so it was like the beginnings of like a pretty bad infection. And I was lucky cuz the vet who has seen my chickens before was like, I don't need to see'em again. I'm just gonna write you a prescription for all these drugs. And I was like, okay, that's fine. Oh, so that was, that was fantastic. Yeah. And she, like, she gave me a specific drug for the chicken. It was pompom. Um, so she gave me a specific antibiotic for pompom, which she refused to take and it was very difficult to dose her. And then, um, there was also an overall antibiotic that we put in water, which made it a lot easier. That was for everyone because they've all been sneezing and just they're uncomfortable. And like today it's in the thirties and yesterday it was 60 degrees.<affirmative>
Mel:Yeah. That's crazy today. It's uh, 68 I think. And tomorrow night is supposed to be 21.
Rai:So yeah. Uh, and I mean like our friends overseas, like to give you an idea, it's like going from like being in like the twenties and jumping down to like two degrees. So I mean, cuz I know that CELT thing. People get confused with our weather<laugh> yeah, yeah,
Mel:Yeah. They do. They're like, oh 27. That's nothing. And I'm like, wait a minute. That's Fahrenheit. That's not Celsius. So they're like, it's so hot.
Rai:I'm like, no
Mel:Man it's cold.<laugh> cold. Yes. It is challenging while it's challenging for some of us anyways. But
Rai:Yeah, I hate doing the math on it all the time, but I'm getting better with it getting a little quicker.
Mel:So you ended up putting them on an antibiotic. Did you think about giving injections to pump home or was that an not an option or so?
Rai:Um, I have a phobia of needles and um, oh, okay. That's fine. That's I mean like we're giving bridge and IV every day and um, I, I pass out sometimes, but I've been lucky that it's gotten a little better with her. Maybe it's just cuz it's, you know, my puppy dog and I love her so much, but yeah, needles I'll pass out or I'll scream, bloody murder. Like I always warn the nurses cuz like I don't want them to think like I'm crazy. It's just like, I'm terrified of'em and I will scream and I don't wanna scare other people in the hospital or any place else so that way they know. But um, yeah, injections. I don't, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do that unless I absolutely have to. So
Mel:That's okay. You don't have to. I just thought, you know, because that is an option. So I just wanted to make sure there, if there wasn't like some other reason, but that reason is perfectly legit. So
Rai:Yeah, I know it, but you know, like shoving the pill down her throat that works too. So
Mel:<laugh> yeah, yeah, yeah. That's fair.
Rai:It was, it was not fun.
Mel:<laugh> and how long do they have to be on? Are they still on it? Uh, no they're
Rai:Off. Um, we just finally they said to have a 14 day egg withdrawal and so I did longer because it was in the water, no matter how much I like scrub the bucket that their water's in. I was like, eh, let's just give it a little extra time. So, and they weren't really laying anyway. They just came back online with laying. So
Mel:What else have you been up to Ray? Um,
Rai:We're getting ready to put in like a six foot tall fence around our, our, um, yard. And once we do that, we to improve our run, like as we've like just been going through like this entire like journey, we love our run. It's fantastic. It's around a, um, a Magnolia tree mm-hmm<affirmative> and so it like provides a lot of shade, a lot of shelter and like it's interesting cuz there's all these bugs and stuff on it. We do have an issue sometimes with the birds, but they actually stay away. They, they seem to know that like if they go in there it's danger for them. So, um, it's not, it doesn't have a roof over it. So
Mel:It's been kinda like, yeah, not the
Rai:Best. We have like cute little umbrellas and it looks like a beach theme, but we're gonna put a roof on. And also like, as I'm getting older, I'm like, I really don't like crawling into my coop. Like my coop is about the size of a twin size bed and it's like maybe like two or three feet off the ground and I can get in there and do stuff. But like I'm thinking about like, this is like the long term. So I wanna have something that I can actually go into and just like, you know, sweep up and just be done with it. But it works right now and it's adorable, but you know, the bearded on, I we're gonna just, you know, redo some things and make it nice and make it the way we want it and make sure that it's gonna last a long time and it's not like an eyesore. I mean, not that we care, but you know,<laugh>
Mel:Right. I think the functional part of it is probably the most, well, I mean, I'm not saying aesthetically that's also, you know, I, you want something that it looks nice. I mean, I'm not saying that it has to look nice to, you know, house your chickens as long as it's clean and stuff. But uh, yeah, definitely getting in there is such a blessing to get in there and to clean it like that. And
Rai:I mean like I'm small right now. Like I'm, I'm a little bit over five feet tall and like I'm little petite and like I can actually crawl in like the side door and get in there clean stuff, but like that's not gonna last forever. There's just no way<laugh><laugh>
Mel:Oh, that's funny.
Rai:It is. It's pretty funny. Like the girls are like, what are you doing in here? What is going on?
Mel:And then you don't belong in here.<laugh>
Rai:Well, they all just wanna snuggle at that point. Like they're all like brushing me and like, it, it, it it's amusing. I'll have to video it sometime for,
Mel:For you<laugh> is there any kind of products that you use this year that you really, uh, you don't have to name who it is or whatever, but just the, the, uh, idea of it or something you found to be, uh, for other chicken keepers that, you know, something that's been very convenient for you or, you know, any of those things? Um,
Rai:I will say, hold on just one second. I gotta pick up bridge cuz she's yeah.
Mel:You pick up bridge. Uh, there is bridge. Yeah, she is
Rai:She? Yeah. Um, I did get some Gries I got the love tub cuz it was on sale and I use, I use your little coat. Yeah. Just getting those, like the black soldier fly larva. That seems so much nicer than the meal worms. Yeah. Like even the smell and everything about them. Like the girls really like them. There's
Mel:Definitely a huge difference even in size, so, well it's like
Rai:Why you put some open in like there's stuff on the inside and you're like, oh, what it, like, I didn't know. They had guts
Mel:<laugh> yeah. They dry the whole thing it's really grub farms is Gries is probably the best. And then, um,
Rai:I do wanna try the coffee grounds for the bedding. Have you seen that?
Mel:I have, I have not tried it yet. I have a lot of when I look to changing bedding, I have to think because I've got seven coops in an aviary. So, but if you try it and you like it, I like, you know
Rai:Yeah. Like, um, cuz my coop, I use sand on the inside, which is great. It's fantastic. It's just dusty. And like, I was like, well maybe if we tried the coffee stuff, maybe it would smell nicer and you know
Mel:Yeah. I've heard a lot of good things about it. I don't, I don't know anyone personally like in real life that has used it, but I'd be willing to kinda listen to their opinion on it.
Rai:Yeah. I'd like, I'd like to know more about it. So yeah.
Mel:So hit us up if y'all have used the coffee bedding or if you produce coffee bedding, you know, Ray would be open to using it and trying it and giving her honest opinion on that.
Rai:And I, I I'm, I'm very fair about things.
Mel:So yes, yes she is. She is very fair. That is the only reason why she is friends with me.<laugh> otherwise she would've tossed me long ago. Oh no,
Rai:No, no. We have too much fun.<laugh>
Mel:Have you come across any accounts online that you think that you, uh, could share with us that maybe have been influential to you in a positive way?
Rai:Oh, oh yeah. Um, I don't remember her name. I'd have to go and grab my phone, but um, she is a vet here in Maryland. I actually vet her your way because like she's actually on Instagram and
Mel:I think I follow her. It's
Rai:Like Rebecca, the chicken, something like that.
Mel:Yeah. I do follow her.
Rai:She literally, her practice is right down the road from where I used to live.
Mel:I was actually gonna send her a message. I think she is a vet on another show. Maybe. I don't know if there's like a, I don't know if she's exclusive or not, but we would love to, uh, speak to her. So
Rai:I doubt she is and I'm sure she would love to talk about it cuz like she's just, when I talk to her, she's just so passionate about it and it's just so nice to know that like
Mel:Even though like it's an hour away from where I live, I could still go there if I need Totie stop sniffing the microphone.<laugh> Aw, she's trying to talk.
Rai:She's mostly hungry. Aw,
Mel:Me too, girl.<laugh> all these, uh, extra Christmas stuff I woke up this morning and I was like gonna have a healthy breakfast this morning. Not gonna have, you know, leftover cookies.<laugh> so now I'm wishing I had leftover cookie<laugh>
Rai:I've given up,
Mel:She's given up a couple weeks.
Rai:It's fine. It's fine. Cause like my students, me stuff. So it's like, eh,
Mel:That's great. I just know for me, my stomach was just not handling it, so
Rai:Oh yeah. Like eventually it's like, okay, if you have one more cookie, you're gonna be really sick. And I'm like, Yolo, just like going,
Mel:Throwing caution in the wind baby<laugh>
Rai:Hey, it's worth it. You know?
Mel:It is, it
Rai:Is. I know it's I did have some people asking like questions on how to grow accounts because they wanna be more involved in the chicken community. Yes. You know? And like that was kind of like a really like interesting conversation to have, cuz like I was like, all I do is just like post nonsense<laugh> you know, our, our dumb adventure and like, you know, Jeff making weird noises and yeah. I mean like it, it's very interesting how people are asking those questions. Like just be authentic I guess is what happened with me. It's just, it's just who we are.
Mel:Yeah. We get asked that quite a bit. Uh, and I actually had a conversation with somebody the other day about this and it's actually in my note for me and me, I'm gonna talk about B. So I see all these other feeds that are just magnificent. They're just beautiful photos. I mean just uh, beautiful farmhouse pictures and beautiful eggs. And you know, all those majestic color are full things and I think, wow, that is amazing. You know? Uh, and then you're like, okay, I'm gonna focus on doing this, this and this, you know, to be better or you know, comparing myself my account to somebody else. And then I had to stop and think and I really thought about, and I'm like, uh, we are who we are<affirmative> and that is exactly who we are. So like me changing any type of humor or me changing any type of the way I speak. Um, obviously, you know, you wanna put your best foot forward, basically. You get what you get<laugh> and when you see our feed that's, that's just who I am. I decided that that's going, that was actually on my notes. I'm so glad you brought that up. It's because for me next year, that's just, my goal is just to be me. Mm-hmm<affirmative> you know, and that is my advice to like those individuals that you were talking to just be you. Uh, I know for Ray and know for me, we, where we are now is just from doing that. I know there's a lot of things that people try and get you to do online, to grow. And I don't think it's necessarily all about the number. I think it's about building a community mm-hmm<affirmative> of people that you look up to cuz it, you know, like Ray, I look up to her and there's a lot of people online that I look up to and would go to, you know, with a question or something like that or reassurance and you know, Ray hears a lot of nonsense that comes outta my mouth before y'all even see it. And there's a few other people online too. But like Ray said, just, you know, just be who you are and then it's not such a chore or disappointment. Um, when you compare yourself to some of these other feeds and those feeds are beautiful, not knocking them at all, they have their place. Uh, but we all bring something great to the table. That's different.
Rai:I don't know how they do it. Like they have like these pristine, clean everything. And I'm like, I'm like my house. Like we have toilet planners that we put our plants in. I mean, like we are that house in like our neighborhood and it's like, we don't even hide it. Like I, I don't have a problem walking back and taking a video. Oh, well there's a bunch of garbage sitting on the side of my house, whatever. And like I've had people say, wow, we're not the only people who do that. And it's like, no, you're not. Yes, everybody does it. And you know, like my mom grew up on a farm on a dairy farm and you go out there and there is stuff everywhere. Like it's never like perfect. It's never pristine and kudos. And those people who can have the beautiful white farm houses and the beautiful, like white everywhere, I, I couldn't do it. It made me crazy. But it, you can do it. Awesome. But like that that's not my authentic self<laugh>
Mel:At all. Yeah. We have piles of like tire old tires. Those are things that, you know, we do recycle them and use them for different things and stuff. But we have piles of wood, like different wood scraps. He owns his own remodeling companies. So he brings home lots of scrap stuff and that, and that's a lot of my coops were made from that. Be yourself, just be who you are. That is great advice. Absolutely.
Rai:And get to know people like that's like the fun thing. That's like the whole point of it is like, if you start going out there and start commenting on people's things and start dialogue with people like a genuine one, cuz like you see somebody, those like influencers, like, I mean, like we all see the big influencers and they're not really like interacting with people and you're like, why do I even bother following this person? Like I want a genuine interaction with somebody. Yes. Yeah, exactly.
Mel:Someone had mentioned the other day that, you know, they had felt like I comment, you know like when they comment, they, it made them feel good that I commented back. I was honored. I, I say I'm honored if you comment on any of my stuff, it's an honor to me that you took the time outta your day to stop and leave a comment. Mm-hmm<affirmative>. Now I will tell you that sometimes it is a little overwhelming because the messages and, and uh, and to treat those people that are leaving comments on your videos and photos and messages, make sure you don't get a big head is what I'm trying to say. Very with class, don't be a jerk. Don't be a Jack. If someone comments on your stuff, be, uh, open to comment back. And if you get negativity on your, uh, page two, we get a lot of negativity, but, and people are like, why don't you just delete it? Sometimes I do delete it, but I want it to be a learning experience. You know, maybe this person was uneducated on something anyway. Yes, yes. Yeah. That's a whole nother podcast. We could talk about growing your, uh, in page or whatever social media page that you choose to, uh, dedicate Alyssa
Rai:Would be a good person yeah. From Farside farm.
Mel:But there are ways that you can grow your account, uh, organically. It does take work and dedications,
Rai:Especially across all the pro platforms, you know?
Mel:And there's a lot of people, well, I'm not gonna say a lot of people, but there are people out there that try and take advantage of people as well. Mm-hmm<affirmative> you gotta be careful with your account and, uh, know that you do have value or that there's a chicken in my,
Rai:Who is
Mel:It?<laugh> it's little and his gang heard thems, trying to come in the, she shed how much Jesus<laugh>. Okay. Do you have anything in the future that you'd like to just talk about? What kind of dreams you got over at the clicker clan? Any big vision?
Rai:Um, so when we get our big fence, we are going to take the back half of our garden and we're gonna turn it into like an actual like garden garden. Yeah. Yeah. I'm gonna need advice on that because like plants are, they come to my house to die. It's like, there is no hope they come
Mel:In done. It's so fun. It's so fun. It's my favorite time of the year. I just placed another order to baker Creek's seeds, the heirloom company. It's a seed company. And for my upcoming spring garden, you gotta get in there early. Cuz that crowd goes fast. Yeah. Like Johnny
Rai:Seeds. Yeah. I tried doing like all that last year and I was like, I was like, just that much too late. But like I had just gone back to like work in person. So it was like just bizarre, like just trying to get everything like done at that point. But that's what our plan, we wanna have a little bit more sustainability because like, I don't know about you, but like there's a lot of stuff, like not on the shelves anymore. Like, and it's scary.
Mel:I just went to the store today. So bare and I was actually talking to an, an elderly gentleman. He just looked at me. He's like, I can't get such and such. He was looking for something for his wife and they're, they're an elderly couple. So, and I just thought, oh my goodness, what will happen to these people? You know, physically have the ability to seek out more sustainable living, uh, ways, you know, choices and, and do those things. And I think about the elderly and those that can't yeah. Doing the, all that you can to sustain your own without having to depend on other products from other people.
Rai:Well, it was really cute cuz we have a really nice peach tree out front and some ladies were walking by like the tree was physically break and we know nothing about'em, but it was like, like breaking because there were so many peaches and these ladies came by and they were like, oh we'll trade you peaches for these peppers. And like, oh and like all this stuff. And I was like, yes, that's what everybody should be starting to get on is like having like that community, like garden situation going on, cuz now they come down. Like I can't eat all the eggs that I get from the girls. Well now I can't am, cuz they're melting and going through that nonsense. But before I couldn't and cuz we were getting like 42 eggs a week, which is not a lot. I know. But like for the amount of chickens I have that's a lot. So they came down and we were trading back and forth. Like just that's a
Mel:Lot for two people. Yeah, absolutely.
Rai:It was fantastic. And like nothing was going to waste. And so it was just used to have like that sense of community. Like, Hey, we can trade this for this. And like, if something really went bad, if everything went sideways and we couldn't get something, at least we know somebody in the neighborhood has it and we could barter for it. Yes. And I know that sounds like tenfold hat. Like no,
Mel:I do that all the time. I mean I barter a dozen eggs for a loaf of banana bread. Yeah.
Rai:And I mean like it's also just nice to be able, like we're in a rare situation, we know all our neighbors and we're in a city. Like we know most of the people up and down our street here and you know, that's not as common anymore. Like we know the neighbors that we know their kids, we know who dog belongs to who like, and we actually talk to each other, you know, they'll come by and we'll swing by and like we'll have a chat, we'll hang out in backyards. Like things like that. So I mean like I, I just felt like the next step was like, okay, well we'll get our garden going and have no problem. Like just trading with people and interacting more with our community and just getting to know more people that have these types of like resources, cuz that's always good to know just in general. But that's like the big dream is get the garden going. Uh, Jeff wants to do more pumpkins<laugh> he loves his pumpkins. Um, we are thinking about getting a couple more chickens cuz my girls are getting older. Um, and it sounds like they're ancient, but they're only like two, but they're production hens and they don't unfortunately have a long life skin. So yeah. We'll, we'll see what happens cuz I mean, some people are like, yeah, my, my sex link is like six years old and I was like, well that is fantastic. That's great. I don't know. And the way that mine act, I, I don't know. They're very high STR
Mel:<laugh> I think, I think that's smart though. You're not, I mean you're not immediately like tossing'em out. Like you gotta go ladies. Uh, but looking ahead and thinking ahead there that's I think that's wonderful though that there's nothing wrong with that. That's a great, um, that's a smart way to go
Rai:About it and um, of course we're gonna do the chicks. Um, Ooh. Remember I sent you an article about that, um, avian flu up in Canada. Yes. Like that is some scary stuff. People like, you know, I'm not asking anyway to be paranoid, but, but just be aware like that biosecurity is something that like, you know, you shouldn't be messing around with. And I mean, my extension off has been telling people, register your flux because if we have a flu breakout, like they're gonna wanna come and make sure everything's okay. And you know, people just really can't play around with that. But that thought came in my brain because like, if we go and get more birds, they're gonna come from a hatchery. We're looking for like N P I P type situations. Like, you know, not just going and picking up pens just randomly<laugh> like off the street.
Mel:Wilma is actually working on her. N P I P right now that is so cool. I mean, we may do it just for hobby. You know what I mean? Not like for, I'm not saying we're gonna breed hundreds of chickens, hatch, hundreds of chicken chicks, you know, I think more for just a hobby kind of thing
Rai:And just have that option on the table if you wanted to, you know? Right. Which is always nice because
Mel:Biosecurity is so important. Yep. So stop taking your birds into the feed store.<laugh>
Rai:Facts. Absolute facts. Just stop. I just, oh, I cringe when I see that<laugh> I was just gonna say like, that's a soapbox I'm willing to stand up and just, that is the hill. I'm gonna die on biosecurity.
Mel:Me too. I'm not there
Rai:With you keep doing that. Keep doing all the good things. Um, my extension office, I found this out. It's kind of cool. And I, I wanna take the class, they teach you how to figure out, like what type of worms your chickens have or any type of like bacteria that they, I have in their blood. And I was like, oh, that is so cool. So I mean that fear needles, I gotta get over it, but yeah, you know, it would just be cool for the experience to be able to learn how to do it. And they have like a whole kit that goes with it. It's for poultry shows, but I still think that's really cool. And it would be just fun just to learn something new.
Mel:Are they giving you like a, a float, a, a fecal float, um, instruction, and then maybe the testing on how to do that. Like
Rai:It's a whole like microscope kit thing. And it's like going through like all the different pros that you're gonna run into and then like any type of worms. So they're gonna teach you how to do the techniques to like figure out like what's going on with your birds.
Mel:I have to find something that's similar to that. That's on. That's also on my list. I love that we kind of are smashing brains here, a little more of education, like hands on. You don't know what you don't know until, you know, you have a certain situation, you know, like giving injections, we can do that, you know, different things. But like what you mentioned, uh, more, more advanced I guess, is what I'm trying to say. More advanced, um, experiences and knowledge is definitely something on my list.
Rai:Yeah. And I mean like the cool thing about that is like, I know that like if I called my vet and said, Hey, I had this training and this is what I did. And here's what, you know, I just need, that's gonna kill this type of worm, but they'd be more likely to write me a script instead of me having to drag my whole flock in and have them like, you know, gimme a song and dance about something, cuz not all the vets around here treat chickens. And the one that does she's really nice, but she told me to feed my, one of my hens medicated feed. And I was like, no, no, no, don't do that. What? Yeah. I was like, that's not what that's for. And I was like, thank God I had been reading up on that. You know? I was like, no, no, it was really weird.
Mel:<laugh> I'm gonna say we are very blessed to have our alien veterinarian that we have, they are teaching. I can come in at any time and they teach me all the different things that you kind of discussed or whatever. But yeah, that's well,
Rai:She's that who sees chickens. Okay. And then, gotcha. And then we have like an actual like Evian specialist, but they're like 45 minutes away. I gotcha.
Mel:I understand.
Rai:You know, and you got a chicken that's like prolapse in there and like you're trying to like stick it in. Like you don't have time to right. Run all over the place. So
Mel:No, but I think that's a very good point though. I think everyone should look. If, if you know, they have the desire, uh, for look for more advanced training to provide that care where there is a gap, uh, for a specialist, but take upon yourself to, uh, seek out those places that do offer advanced training is a great way to be sustainable.
Rai:And people need to take more advantage of these extension offices. That's why they're there. You know? And every state has one.
Mel:Yeah, mine's right up the road. Say,
Rai:Say for me, mine's like less than a mile away. Seeing what the people who do, if your chicken dies, you send it for a Nero. Mm-hmm<affirmative> they're right up the street for me.
Mel:Well, mine for that's pretty far, but they, my veterinarian would send it over. These are things that you should be looking for, making a list of these things and seeking those out and having prior knowledge to where these people are low. Okay. And the contact information to get ahold of them.
Rai:Yeah. Good to be proactive like that how's Gibbs
Mel:Gibbs actually has to have surgery the 13th. So that is, that is our Christmas<laugh> for the whole family is to provide this tiny little dog. He, he is on a diet. He is lost seven pounds. Uh, he was, I think 12 pounds was the goal. So he is almost there. Uh COVID did him dirty. So<laugh>, he, he got a little chunky and uh, but yeah, he's, he is on medications to help with the P in, uh, the inflammation. But the January 13th will be his surgery and he will be, um, he will definitely have to have some rehab afterwards. And yeah. So that was our that's our Christmas.
Rai:Hey, it's the gift of Gibbs.
Mel:Yes. GIS.<laugh> I told him, I said, I, I asked him if he was really worth this. And he's like, yes, of course I am<laugh> so there's that? I don't know.<laugh> all right. You got anything else, SIS?
Rai:Um, I'm not making, I'm not doing meal worms anymore. I'm not them<laugh> oh,
Mel:I was gonna ask you about that. How'd that go?
Rai:Um, they were smelly<laugh>
Mel:They, and the people that grow them said they don't and I think they're just immune to it.
Rai:Um, I think it's just, I mean like the fact that I just don't like smells in general, like, and maybe it's just what I, I was starting with. I don't know, but they were gross cuz they're like creepy crawly all over the
Mel:Place and a lady on TikTok and she she's really sweet and she grows them, not for sale, but for her own flock, she's like, they're so easy, you know? Uh, you get them, they grow so big and you know, it's really not a big deal and stuff. And, and then I started reading about I'm like my shoe shed is already covered in everything. This is the only place they would go. And I'm not, I'm just not ready to make that commitment yet.<laugh> could
Rai:You imagine a pumpkin got in there?
Mel:<laugh> pumpkin is so bad. She went Brody again. No, yeah. She's laid two eggs. Well, three eggs so far since she out her baby quail and they are now out in the aviary and not obviously not the same time, but over a course of after she finally started going back to Lang and I took her outside, you know, she goes outside during the day, uh, to hang out with the rest of the flock. But anyways, little, little Joe was, uh, little Joe is very interested in her. So I went while she was outside. She can't have unsupervised time because she doesn't listen to the rest of the flock. She runs off and it's very bad. But I had went back to my, she said little Joe decided, you know, he was gonna make her, his girlfriend. And ever since that, she got up this morning, clucking and clucking. I noticed it yesterday, the clucking. And you can tell right away, she's coming into being her booty self again. And that is what she is. She is being booty again. But she is not getting any eggs right now. No,
Rai:No more in pumpkin. I've cut
Mel:Off all of them. We have three, currently three Rudy HES, and I've cut off all of them last year I caved and I'm not doing it this year. We're not having any more chicks right now. Not till spring Uhuh.
Rai:Nope. That sounds like a good idea. Cause who knows what this winter's gonna be like,
Mel:I know. Yeah. I'm not going out there in the maternity ward in a foot of snow. So that's
Rai:A lot to deal with. Yeah.
Mel:Uh, Reva hatched out babies last year at this time coan and his ladies were hatched out last year. At this time, December 30th. They'll be a year old. Oh
Rai:His
Mel:Out. He's absolutely gorgeous, but he's well, he's calmed down. Some young rolls are just really, uh, pains in the hen in when they're young. I am such an idiot today.
Rai:No, you're not. You're not, it's been, it's been a crazy week. I mean like Christmas that takes everything outta you.
Mel:Yeah. And it's kind of like sensory overload. You still have to go to work and you know, do all the other things and make sure the house is clean. Make sure, you know, things are scheduled to be cooked and you know, I'm grateful for all of that. I don't wanna sound like I'm not, but it's a lot. It's a lot to take in. And some of us do get sensory overload pretty easily.
Rai:You're talking to a teacher. I
Mel:100%. I couldn't, I couldn't. And now, because I don't love kids cuz I mean, I love, I think kids are great, but, but this, the constant noise.
Rai:Yeah. Try being a music teacher. It's like all the time. Oh there's no way I make Jeff crazy. I come home and like, I don't wanna talk. I don't wanna hear anything. Nothing. I just want silent for like 20 minutes and then I'm fine. But it's like, it's, it's like that pallet cleanse that like, yeah.
Mel:I can definitely appreciate that. I don't know. I don't know. Menopause just killed me. So
Rai:Yeah, that's
Mel:Coming.<laugh> menopause just took away any of my patients. I don't know. I'm not as patient as I once was. Okay. Well you got any last minute tips that you would give our listeners build the coup bigger. Yeah. That's definitely number one. Build the coup bigger
Rai:Chicken. Math is real.
Mel:Yes. Yes
Rai:It is. I, I feel like that's like the best advice you can give
Mel:Anybody. That's it. Top two tips of 2021. Woo. All right. Well we look forward to next 20, 22. We are. Yeah. Anyone who is listening to this, we really hope great things for you and your flock and we'll see you next time. Okay. And we'd love to hear what your plans are for next year. So you can send us a message or you can screenshot this and tag me in it. We would love to hear what your plans are for next year, but until then, bye. Bye I'm Mel. And you are listening to will wonder.
Speaker 3:I.