Comments on: Ask me if I care

By: Tamar

Tamar — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:43 +0000

BNP — You’re right. Once the ground freezes, there’s no point in letting them out. I daresay they won’t like it, but they’ll be safe all winter.

Peggy & Mimi — We had worm problems last year. Roundworm, I think it was, and I discovered it when one came out the front end. The only thing more disgusting than a pile of cat vomit on the rug is a pile of cat vomit with a wriggling worm in it on the rug.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:02:32 +0000

Cat in distress photo is a winner! Fleas are a menace in NE; they are seldom seen (or felt) in Bend due to our extreme low humidity. Worms are a real threat for any free-range cat – ours last Fall threw up a 12″ tapeworm on the kitchen floor. Lovely. Owls and large hawks will make off with the cat, too. All part of the country mistique. I always viewed chicken predation as a rationale for supplementing our flock with new chicks, come Spring.

By: peggy

peggy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:32:53 +0000

oh, classic shot of the cat in misery. He may not forgive you for posting that! Fair warning to watch the back end of the cat… ours both got worms when they got fleas. They are pretty obvious if you just uh, watch back there for a little while. Totally gross but easily cured with a pill (and that’s a whole ‘nother care aspect).

By: beachnitpicker

beachnitpicker — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:10:53 +0000

It may be that the chickens are more visible to hawks now that a lot of your leaf cover is gone. Since the time of maximal leaf cover is also the time that’s most fun for free-ranging (I assume you’ll keep the chickens in the run once the ground is frozen or snow-covered), the window of significant vulnerability isn’t all that large. I’m glad the only casualty was some feathers.

By: Tamar

Tamar — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:57:37 +0000

Paula — I’m glad I’m not the only one. Perhaps we’ll both be more vigilant as a result of our mistakes. I hope your dog is doing well.

Ladybug — This is what I love about the Internet! I make an offhand remark about hermit crab care and somebody who really knows about it weighs in and alerts me to a site devoted to the subject. Thanks.

By: ladybug15057

ladybug15057 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:13:11 +0000

Many do believe that hermit crabs are easy to care for and to a degree they are. But they too have criteria that needs to be met so they can be healthy and thrive while in captivity. The initial set up alone is about $100. Please visit Crab Street Journal for further information.
And I live in the country and we have sparrow hawks and they will prey on any creatures during this time of year.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:41:47 +0000

Don’t feel bad. I let my poor dog go for about three weeks with a fever because I thought he was sulking. He evidently picked up a tick bite the same weekend we brought the dog rescue home, so I thought he was sulking. Turned out he had lupus. Poor baby. I felt pretty bad. It would be one thing if they could tell you what was wrong, but they can’t, so we have to stay on top of what’s going on with them. It happens.