I wasn't sure where to put this since it is a mix of a rant, and complaining of every animal we have, and what's going on, lol.
So I shall start with the chickens, it has been 2 months now, and we haven't gotten any eggs. Myself, and a few other chicken herders I've spoken with think that since this is their first real molt, it's really hard them which is why we've lost eggs for the time being, and it's taking so long. Along with that, their not as hefty as I would like, so they're no good for meat right now either. :evil:
Then comes the rabbits. As much I love them, and their grow rate is very nice, I have been trying like hell to breed, and get kits so we can stock out freezer for winter. Yet, I swear my does are allergic to getting pregnant, lmao. All the does were due early last week from the first breeding, none popped. I did rebreed the does 20 days after that first breeding as no one was showing any signs of pregnancy, so I'm once again waiting to see if any magic happened. "with doubt in the back of my mind." My only Cal doe I really thought was pregnant, because she had gained so much weight so quickly, and her stomach sticks out the sides, and is still rather firm to the touch. She was the only doe to flat out refuse the buck, she'll grunt at him big time, and go into this.... Sneezing fit? And she ONLY does it when he tries to mount her, and she firmly plants her behind to the floor of the cage, and WILL NOT lift for any reason. So I honestly have no idea what is going on with her. The other does will give the bucks a good chase, but will surrender in the end.
The quail are not laying yet, but yesterday I did hear one of the males start crowing. So hopefully they will start mating, and laying soon so I can get the incubator full. The incubator is starting to tick me off as well. The first 10 days of running it did fine. Held the temp at 38.2 C (hate that it's in C, but I learned the conversion so that's ok,) and the humidity settled itself within a few days. Then around day 11 the temp started to drop for no reason at all. I tried everything I could personally think of to up the temp, but each day it wants to drop more little by little. Today is day 14 so I need to remove the egg turner, and up the temp, and humidity, and I am not sure how well that is going to go. Quail eggs only take 17-18 days to hatch. I only have 3 eggs in there, with one that I know for sure is developing. The other 2 I am not so sure about.
For the last week my husband, and I can't seem to get along. I don't know if it's due to stress over the animals, or something else, but he seems rather distant, and I seem to be very distracted with all of the animal issues. We're constantly butting heads, and irritated with each other over the tiniest of things. He is also not at all happy with my cat who is 13 years old, and (no one understands) is my best friend. *in the animal sense.* She's a great cat, but this last week she started pooping on the floor near her litter box. No urine, nothing runny, but normal poops, and I can't figure out why.
I've been feeling very swamped, and out of my mind lately. Meaning that I feel like I am just going through the daily motions, but that's about it. At night when everything is said, and done I WANT to just cuddle with J (my husband,) and watch TV, but my mind wants to drag me to 900 different places at once.
Sorry for the drawn out post, just needed to get somethings out, and HOPE that this will all calm down soon, and we can get back to enjoying the homestead, and each other soon!
So I shall start with the chickens, it has been 2 months now, and we haven't gotten any eggs. Myself, and a few other chicken herders I've spoken with think that since this is their first real molt, it's really hard them which is why we've lost eggs for the time being, and it's taking so long. Along with that, their not as hefty as I would like, so they're no good for meat right now either. :evil:
Then comes the rabbits. As much I love them, and their grow rate is very nice, I have been trying like hell to breed, and get kits so we can stock out freezer for winter. Yet, I swear my does are allergic to getting pregnant, lmao. All the does were due early last week from the first breeding, none popped. I did rebreed the does 20 days after that first breeding as no one was showing any signs of pregnancy, so I'm once again waiting to see if any magic happened. "with doubt in the back of my mind." My only Cal doe I really thought was pregnant, because she had gained so much weight so quickly, and her stomach sticks out the sides, and is still rather firm to the touch. She was the only doe to flat out refuse the buck, she'll grunt at him big time, and go into this.... Sneezing fit? And she ONLY does it when he tries to mount her, and she firmly plants her behind to the floor of the cage, and WILL NOT lift for any reason. So I honestly have no idea what is going on with her. The other does will give the bucks a good chase, but will surrender in the end.
The quail are not laying yet, but yesterday I did hear one of the males start crowing. So hopefully they will start mating, and laying soon so I can get the incubator full. The incubator is starting to tick me off as well. The first 10 days of running it did fine. Held the temp at 38.2 C (hate that it's in C, but I learned the conversion so that's ok,) and the humidity settled itself within a few days. Then around day 11 the temp started to drop for no reason at all. I tried everything I could personally think of to up the temp, but each day it wants to drop more little by little. Today is day 14 so I need to remove the egg turner, and up the temp, and humidity, and I am not sure how well that is going to go. Quail eggs only take 17-18 days to hatch. I only have 3 eggs in there, with one that I know for sure is developing. The other 2 I am not so sure about.
For the last week my husband, and I can't seem to get along. I don't know if it's due to stress over the animals, or something else, but he seems rather distant, and I seem to be very distracted with all of the animal issues. We're constantly butting heads, and irritated with each other over the tiniest of things. He is also not at all happy with my cat who is 13 years old, and (no one understands) is my best friend. *in the animal sense.* She's a great cat, but this last week she started pooping on the floor near her litter box. No urine, nothing runny, but normal poops, and I can't figure out why.
I've been feeling very swamped, and out of my mind lately. Meaning that I feel like I am just going through the daily motions, but that's about it. At night when everything is said, and done I WANT to just cuddle with J (my husband,) and watch TV, but my mind wants to drag me to 900 different places at once.
Sorry for the drawn out post, just needed to get somethings out, and HOPE that this will all calm down soon, and we can get back to enjoying the homestead, and each other soon!