The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads!

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

Journey to the Cross-roads
The Two Towers Edition

Come on! Come in! -if you would like to have some seedcakes and a pint and relax a while. (If it is a special occasion, we still have a few bottles of the old wineyards left!)

Our first thread ( New Zealander builds Hobbit hole ) reached 4,100 posts, and we thought that was big. Our second thread (The New Hobbit Hole ) held us for over 48,000 posts, and we loved it dearly. We talked about moving to a new thread for the last 38,000 posts, but we are really slow to muster! Finally, the time has come. Tomorrow (at 12:01 am, to be precise!) The Two Towers comes out, and we start a new chapter.

[2Jedismom]

It's getting very dark outside...but I don't see any thunderstorms on the radar.

The thing is, they just pop up out of no where! I'm going to be monitoring all morning.

[RosieCotton]

We haven't had a thunder storm since last fall, or even late last summer. They don't seem to like cold weather, for some reason.

I almost wish we WOULD get one! I know it's crazy, but I kinda like thunder storms. It's so cozy being inside and hearing those things tear through making a racket!

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah - They take heat, so when we get thunderstorms here they are just fireworks and kindof fun for me too.

[2Jedismom]

I like them too!

Remember last year (or did I ever tell you?) when I was sitting on the floor and the lightening struck right outside our house and shocked me through my hands. I was leaning back on them and I felt the jolt come up through the slab. Josh felt it too, through his feet and it caused quite a bit of consternation with him!

[2Jedismom]

I'm thinking of getting a couple of chickens. Just to have hang out in the back yard.

Anyone know anything about having a couple of chickens?

[RosieCotton]

We used to all go upstairs out at The House (sorry for stealing that term, OT, but it works!) when it stormed. The house basically sits on a big rock, and for whatever reason, if you're downstairs and lightning strikes nearby, it CAN shock ya!

[2Jedismom]

This looks like a nice chicken...a couple of these would be fun!

[HairOfTheDog]

I know a little bit about that.... What would you like to know about having a couple chickens?

Do you have good fencing that would keep them in and keep dogs out? They can fly a limited amount over short fencing if you don't clip their wings.

[HairOfTheDog]

Little bantie hens would be fun. Little birds, little eggs.... not too messy.

[2Jedismom]

Yes, and they do make good pets, from what I am reading...here:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh.... I guess it is all in the definition of good pet!

Seriously, I would like to have farm birds, if it wasn't for bird-dogs.... and Gidget is even more of a killer than the two hunting dogs were.

Maybe I could train her not to eat a duck. HA! - Fat chance.

[HairOfTheDog]

I would find out if your neighbors would mind the noise.... I wouldn't mind rural sounds in the suburbs, but some might. Even if you never have a rooster, there will be clucking.

[2Jedismom]

Geese fight back!

The boys are just really wanting a pet, but I don't want something permanently in the house. I was thinking a chicken because

1. It's probably cheap.
2. If it dies, we can get another one because they are cheap.
3. I want something cheap.
4. If it lays eggs, I don't have to go buy expensive eggs at the store.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think ducks are more personable, but are messier. Still, it would be fun to have two ducks in a kiddie pool.... Just have to move it and clean it alot. In my experience, ducks will tolerate being caught and pet more than a chicken will. A chicken will not love your boys like a pet. And I don't know how well outside birds would survive your winters... would need a hutch. and warmth. One or two in a coop can't generate the kind of heat a bunch can.

[2Jedismom]

This is the description of the bird that I posted the picture of...

Orpingtons
Size: Standard
Colors: Black, White, Buff, Blue, and patterns Temperament: Docile and Sweet

The Orpington is a large bird from the English Class of chickens. The best known type of Orpington are buff in color but they were original developed in 1886 as black by William Cook in a village called Orpington. The black Orpington was bred using black Langshans, Minorcas and black Rock crosses. Cook also created white and buff colored orpingtons between 1889 - 1895 using buff Cochins, Dorkings and Gold Spangled Dutch fowl. Orpingtons come mostly in solid colors and the American Poultry Association recognizes black, white, buff and blue. Other colors and patterns include laced blue, porcelain, white spangled black, barred, red, buff-laced black, partridge, speckled, mottled, birchen and white-laced buff.

Orpingtons are heavy dual/general purpose birds that weigh seven to ten pounds. They lay between 110 to 160 eggs a year and they do not stop laying in the winter. Eggshells are yellow/brown in color with a size range of medium to large. They have excellent meat quality. Orpington can get broody and make very good mothers.

Orpingtons have medium sized single red combs. Wattles and Earlobes don't tend to get very large. Earlobes are mainly red and can have some white. Orpingtons are cleaned legged, without beards or crests and have the standard 4 toes. The skin color is white. They are hardy and their feathering lets them deal with colder weather them some breeds. Lighter colors do better then dark ones in heat. They are not very flighty and they don't have much lift but may still need their wings clipped.

Orpingtons have laid back personalities and are very docile. They are great foragers and do well in confinement. Orpingtons are very nice looking birds make great affectionate pets. Due to their timid nature Orpington chicks tend to be on the bottom of the pecking order when raised with other breeds. -- Daniel M. Garcia

[Overtaxed]

Well, that's sounding better.

Well the others have gotten their second offer letter....think I'll just tell them to forget it! < /gripe>

[ksen]

Weinstein: ROTK 'unstoppable'
5/07/03, 9:17 am EST - Xoanon

Zip writes: I came across this quote on NataliePortman.com discussing the reason for moving her latest movie "Cold Mountain" back until 2004. 'The official reason will be that "the climate is not right" (an insider says) for a movie whose central character is a deserter. Unofficially, Harvey Weinstein has seen a rough cut of Return of the King (he is an Executive Producer) and says that it is "unstoppable" as a Best Picture winner."

[Corin Stormhands]

Sheesh! I'm at home "working" in the yard. Just came in to check my cable modem again. It went out a couple of hours ago. Called Comcast, minor problem. We're back. I will now go catch up.

[Corin Stormhands]

You know... you sound a lot like the_doc... LOL!

That's the worst think Smeagol has ever said to Corin...

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Before you get one (or two) you should check for any ordinances or zoning restrictions that may apply to your neighborhood... chickens are often considered "barnyard animals", and lots of places put restrictions on them inside city or community limits.

Good morning!