Some of you who are on Facebook already know that Dan the Man and the Country Chicken Girl have been having trouble with an unknown predator at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch. On two separate mornings they have been greeted with a horrific sight upon awaking and checking on the chickens. Something has been getting in with the meat birds and killing them. This predator is ruthless and cunning... it would appear as if it is killing the poor chickens in their sleep, since there is no warning from the chickens that danger is amongst them.
The predator has ripped the heads off of 4 chickens, leaving the rest of the body untouched, had injured one severely enough that Dan the Man had to put the chicken out of it's misery, and has partially eaten one that it tried to drag away, but couldn't get it out of the fence surrounding the chickens. One of the headless chickens was found right inside the chickens' shelter.
Since Dan the Man and the Country Chicken Girl are no longer crazy, wild and party-all-night kind of people, they decided that an all-night stake-out was out of the question. And being poor-as-dirt, they couldn't afford to hire someone to hunt down this cold-blooded chicken killer, so into effect went...
Project Predator!
Watch the story unfold in this riveting award-worthy video...
I think the grasshoppers decided to have a rally here at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch similar to the motorcycle rally held each summer in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Motorcycles lining the main street in Sturgis.
Grasshoppers, or should I say Grasschoppers, lining the street at the Open A Bar 2 Ranch.
The street was so crowded that some choppers opted to park on the sides of the buildings.
This local pedestrian was extremely annoyed at all the extra traffic.
The other day Dan the Man was checking the cattle down on the creek and stumbled upon a weird phenomenon.
I know this doesn't seem like a rare occurrence, this squash plant, but let me go on to explain.
The Squash plant is growing almost 1/2 mile away from the house, and I, nor did anyone else in our family plant it where it is growing.
Not only that, but there are about 6 squash plants down there growing in the middle of a non-irrigated pasture.
And I have never seen any squash that look like these. The pictures don't show the true color of the squash. They are a bright orange, just like a pumpkin.
Then I remembered that last year, when I was cleaning out my garden in the fall, I had thrown several zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and pumpkins over the fence to where the cattle were grazing. I knew that the cows would enjoy the pumpkins. Did you know that cows love to eat pumpkins?
After the cows were done grazing in that pasture behind the garden, we moved them down on the creek.
Apparently, the cows planted the seeds by way of the cow patty planting method. The seeds germinated and produced squash that are a cross between the zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and pumpkins.
Dan the Man picked them and the laying hens are enjoying them now.
The other night Dan the Man and I took a walk down on the creek to check on the cattle that we have grazing down there. It is so pretty and peaceful down in the small ravine where the creek flows. It is my favorite place on our property.
Dan the Man and his Country Chicken Girl
Although we spend the majority of our time together working, we often forget to spend quality time together just enjoying the company of one another. When we take walks together, go on purposeless drives through the country or enjoy a meal alone at a restaurant, it helps me to see the man that I married who is not only my husband but my best friend, my soulmate, my partner and my lover.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.
Ephesians 4:26-27
26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
I've often heard that opossum "tastes just like chicken!"
Although I have never actually heard it from someone who has actually ate possum.
I had just finished my evening chores the other day when I was on my way back to the house. I was walking between the shop and the house towards the back door, my normal route, when I thought I saw a cat drinking out of a pan I have under a leaky faucet. I have the pan there specifically for the benefit of the cats and egg layers (chickens) to have fresh water when ever their little hearts desire so seeing something drinking from it was not out of the ordinary. But the WHAT that was drinking out of it caused me to take a double take and blink my eyes a couple of times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.
Holy cannoli! A POSSUM!! In the middle of the afternoon, well, late afternoon, around 5'ish. THAT was unusual. Aren't possum nocturnal??
First picture of possum, behind the lawn chairs.
Never wanting to miss a photo op, I rush into the house to get my camera before it scurried away. When I got back out to the shop, it was behind some lawn chairs. I couldn't get a very good picture of him/her, so I cautiously began to move the chairs away, all the while envisioning some horrific scene playing out that would be re-enacted on some tv show like "When Wild Animals Attack Stupid People Trying to Get Photos of Them!"
Second picture, trying to get closer from above. Good thing I had boots on and not flip-flops, He could have bitten my big toe off (at least that's what went through my mind!)
For some reason this possum was pretty docile. Maybe it was sick and rabid! That was a scary thought that also went through my mind! And I know what you are thinking... anyone with half a mind would not be messing around trying to get a picture of an opossum. Go ahead and say it! Thank heavens my mother doesn't know I do such stupid things.
Third picture after moving the chairs away and getting down on his level. Seriously, what was I thinking getting so close. I was 3-4 feet away on my hands and knees.
Here kitty, kitty! I mean possum, possum, possum. You be nice and don't attack me!
Remember you can see a full screen view of the pictures by clicking on them. Hit your brower's back button to return to the blog.
Thanks for the nice pictures dude. I guess I won't know if possum really taste like chicken or not. Oh, I've heard they are greasy too!
Meatball was incubated in LeAnne's kindergarten class 7 or so years ago.
He is the kindest, most gentle rooster I have ever know.
Actually I think he might be the kindest, most gentle rooster in the WORLD.
Such beautiful coloring he has. Look at those gorgeous tail feathers!
Dear Whitey, Take note. You could have chose to be nice like Meatball.
Meatball has spurs on the back of his legs that have got to be at least 3-4 inches long. We are talking scary, powerful, wicked weapons folks! I never knew those spurs could get that long. Good thing Whitey's were not that long.
LeAnne loves Meatball and Meatball loves LeAnne.
Awww, such love between a girl and her rooster can not be matched.
Not sure what was going on in this picture, but I thought it was cute and wanted to use it anyway.
Dear Whitey, Why oh why couldn't you have been like Meatball?
My rooster attacked me for the last time on Monday. I was squatting down in the back yard doing some yard work when all of the sudden, out of the blue, without warning something SMACKED me right in the back.
"What in tarnation was that?" I said to my self with a few other words I don't care to repeat. The force almost knocked me over but I caught myself with my hands. As I was wondering what in billy-blue could have done that, I knew right away that it was Whitey, the rooster.
I don't wish to share everything that transpired after that, but I can tell you that Whitey is no longer with us and I have a large red welt on my back from the attack. I was lucky I had on a sweatshirt and a coat! Whitey was not so fortunate.
Dear Whitey,
I can't believe that our love/hate relationship is over. I only wanted to be friends, but obviously you just didn't share the same sentiments. I didn't want to do what I had to do, but let's face it, you forced me to. I never did anything to hurt you so I just can't understand why you would attack me out of the blue when ever you felt like it. I can only come to the deduction that it must have been a mental problem that you had.
Anyway, we had some good times and I will miss your morning cock-a-doodle-doos, but not your incessant crowing all day long. I will miss your beautiful white tail feathers that blew in the wind, but I am sure the girls (the egg layers) will not miss you chasing them through the yard and herding them like you owned them. Dan the Man might miss you since you never attacked him, but the neighbor girls (which you also attacked) and my mother-in-law, Penny, who all took care of you while we were gone to Japan will not miss you.
Did you know that I never even wanted you. Last year when I got my first batch of meat birds I also purchased some egg layers from Murdoch's and The Mercantile. I had all the chicks together in one brooder and as they got older, I could tell you were not a meat bird, and I didn't purchase any white egg layers. I don't even know where you came from! I don't know if you were a mistake from the hatchery we get the meat birds from or if you were a mistake from Murdoch's or The Mercantile!
I will say one thing, it sure is quite around here without you. The hens sure seem to be enjoying their new found freedom and are going wherever in the yard they wish to go. You did provide wonderful sound effects for some of my videos, but I can always pipe in a crow if I have to.
Rest in peace dear Whitey. I'd love to say I miss you, but that would be a lie.
DAVE: You ready for that "you were in a car wreck feeling" again?
COUNTRY CHICKEN GIRL: Uh, no!
DAVE: Well, we're going to do it on Saturday. We'll start at 10 am. Can you come?
COUNTRY CHICKEN GIRL: Ya, I'll be there.
DAVE: How about Dan the Man, can he come?
COUNTRY CHICKEN GIRL: I don't think so.
DAVE: Why not?
COUNTRY CHICKEN GIRL: You'll have to take that up with him. Here I'll put him on the line.
DAVE to Dan the Man: Can you come on Saturday?
DAN THE MAN: I'll be in the fields on Saturday, gotta get this alfalfa corrugated. Sorry.
DAVE: No problem, just didn't want you to feel left out!
This event that Dave refers to as "you were in a car wreck feeling" is the annual branding of his calves. I got roped into helping (willingly) last year and when we were done I did feel like I had been in a car wreck. Although I must confess that I have been extremely blessed to never have been in a serious car wreck, but I can imagine what it feels like. It took me several days, weeks, months... to fully recover from last year's branding.
Those of you who have never branded cattle are probably wondering what in tarnation could be so physical about branding calves that you feel like you were in a car wreck when you are done. Well let me just tell you.
Even though these are calves, some of them weigh as much as I do. They also have four legs which have little hard hooves at the end that are perfect for kicking and if they happen to land a kick on your shin or thigh, you are going to get a bruise. If they happen to land one right on your kisser, you're going to get a bloody lip. They might even land one right smack in the middle of the back of your hand, that really smarts on your knuckles! These are feisty little creatures who have a pack with each other to give a good fight while they are being wrestled to the ground and are being held down.
Here's how it goes down. The "back man" goes into the herd and grabs the back leg of the calf and pulls him out of the herd all the while the calf is doing everything he can do to get away. The calf will kick and buck trying to break your grip on his back leg. Meanwhile you are doing everything you can to hold on and not let him loose. This often feels like your arm is going to get pulled out of it's socket. When the "back man" gets the calf out of the herd, the "front man" joins in on the fun and grabs the calf's front and then together as a team the "front man" and the "back man" gently take the calf down on it's side. The "back man" positions himself and gets a hold of those back legs of the calf so that he can't kick and the "front man" positions himself so that the calf can not move his head or front legs.
Note: Remember you can click on the pictures to see a full view of them. Just hit your browser's back button to return to the blog.
The "back man" going in for a calf. Notice the tongue action! This take great concentration so that you don't get kicked!
The "front man" holding down the calf.
When the calf is subdued, the "brander" moves in and brands the calf. Then the "vaccinator" moves in and vaccinates the calf. This only takes a few minutes and as soon as this team is done, the calf is released. Then the process starts all over again.
Cori filling up the syringe.
Cori as the "vaccinator."
Dave as the "brander."
We branded around 80 calves at one location before lunch and ate lunch before we headed over to the next location to brand the other 80 calves. Cori made submarine sandwiches for every one and we ate together. The sandwich, chips and Little Debbies tasted delicious and the soda hit the spot as we let our bodies recuperate.
I don't know why this is fun, but it is! I think it is just the comradery that takes place while you are working with other people in this capacity. Someone will get kicked and someone will say something like "ooo, that was a good one, you okay?" or "Ouch, I bet that hurt!" even "wow, I heard that one clear over here!" and "that's going to leave a big bruise!" After all the calves are done some of us even compare our injuries. But not all talk about their injuries, some don't mutter a word about any of their battle wounds.
When the calves are reunited with their concerned mothers, the mooing of the mothers calling for their calves and the calves calling for their mothers is deafening! What commotion and blessed happiness when they reunite and the calf is quickly comforted by their mother's utter!
If you've never helped with a branding, you don't know what you are missing out on. It's hard work, but it is also enjoyable. I was lucky this year and didn't have to wrestle any of the calves down. I took the easy chore and ran the gate! I also took lots of pictures and tried to stay out of the way.
It amazes me how many people show up to help. Dave posted on Facebook "Looking for a Nebraska branding crew this weekend weather permitting. Time for that old car-wreck feeling again!!!! I'm talking to you Lyman Volunteer Fire Department, Chicken Girl, Johnsons, etc......" and the call was answered. Dave even had an old friend come up from Cheyenne to help. This friend use to work for Dave's parents at their ranch in Colorado. Then come to find out, this friend of Dave's had recently married my sons' (Chris & Skyler) kindergarten teacher from when we lived in Laramie. What a small world for us to run into each other at a branding in the middle of no-where Nebraska!! We hadn't seen each other or been in contact for 10 years! It was crazy.
Gotta love days like this in the country. Wouldn't trade them for anything. This is the stuff that memories are made of. Don't tell me that one day in the country isn't worth a month in town! I do love being a country girl!
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day along with a video.
Calves waiting their turn!
Don't know what was said, but it must have been funny!
I think this is my favorite picture of the day!
Is that dirt on your face Mr. Trouble or a 5 o'clock shadow?
Concerned mothers.
Boring...
Kids are the best subjects!
Gotta LOVE these boots!
Dude, that's gotta hurt. (This is what happens when a hoof connects with a chin.)
Notice Max playing with Lance's hat!
Max, do you think those boots come in my size? Maybe I could try yours on?
Hold on Michael! Don't you let go!
Man who takes his job seriously!
Victor, a REAL Marlboro Man!
No, you can not brand your wife's behind!
How's that tasting?
Can we still be friends?
Chris reunites with his "first love"(his kindergarten teacher from Laramie) Shauna!
Note: If you are having trouble viewing the video, try pausing it and letting it load for a while and then play it. If that doesn't work, you need a faster internet connection. (You know who you are!)
I grew up in a small Western Nebraska town, Mitchell. My stepfather was a piano tuner and my mother was a legal secretary. I feel like I grew up under normal circumstances, what ever normal is!
I have lived several places and have held many different occupations from my first job, working at a doggie grooming salon, to fast food joints, waitressing at a country club to family diners, ski lift operator, administrative assistant, restaurant manager, piano tuner, bank teller, para for SPED kids in junior high school, construction worker, to my husband's hired hand.
My husband and I married in 1996 and have four boys. Nick who is currently stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, serving our country in the United States Airforce, Colton who is currently attending South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Chris who lives in Kearney and works for Charter Communications and finally Skyler who is a senior at Morrill High School. We own and operate our own family run business, Open A Bar 2 Ranch, LLC which is an all natural beef operation and a pastured poultry operation.
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