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latest news: Pics from the weekend...
posted by Neil, 24 January 2012, 4:36pm [more]
Posted by Kateb in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-27 23:31:32
Cat Protection would give me a voucher but they have to be looked after while they recuperate and I haven't got the space to do that. Catching Lola is easy, not so for Kitten. She savaged me when she was tiny, dread to think what she'd do now!! Lola was in the cat kennel most of today and when I got home Caitlyn begged me to let her in. I had to explain about Emmett and Foggy and how they wouldn't like it, but I really want to let her in!
Cat Protection would give me a voucher but they have to be looked after while they recuperate and I haven't got the space to do that. Catching Lola is easy, not so for Kitten. She savaged me when she was tiny, dread to think what she'd do now!! Lola was in the cat kennel most of today and when I got home Caitlyn begged me to let her in. I had to explain about Emmett and Foggy and how they wouldn't like it, but I really want to let her in!
Posted by Kateb in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-27 23:26:28
OMG!!! The cat hater is going to be working with them?! You know they will all 'know' that you don't like them so will make an extra special effort to be all over you at all times!!! We're like volunteer-twins now! Hope you're going to post bits about the cats and what you have to do - will be good to compare notes and see what you think of your place. Is it a CP one?
OMG!!! The cat hater is going to be working with them?! You know they will all 'know' that you don't like them so will make an extra special effort to be all over you at all times!!! We're like volunteer-twins now! Hope you're going to post bits about the cats and what you have to do - will be good to compare notes and see what you think of your place. Is it a CP one?
Posted by Kateb in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-27 23:22:50
You're right I do, but no space at the moment. I think my cat (who is sitting on the desk next to me) just, er, what's the polite term? Broke wind. There's a terrible stink and everyone else is in bed!!!!
You're right I do, but no space at the moment. I think my cat (who is sitting on the desk next to me) just, er, what's the polite term? Broke wind. There's a terrible stink and everyone else is in bed!!!!
Posted by Kateb in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-27 23:20:10
I never see the cam any more because of this bloomin' Apple Mac. I've tried downloading and installing what it says it needs but it still doesn't work. There are other things that won't work too, such as the external drive hubby keeps his photos on. I think it was a temporary internet glitch last night. Seems fine now thanks!
I never see the cam any more because of this bloomin' Apple Mac. I've tried downloading and installing what it says it needs but it still doesn't work. There are other things that won't work too, such as the external drive hubby keeps his photos on. I think it was a temporary internet glitch last night. Seems fine now thanks!
Posted by Red in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-27 18:15:20
best: we are registered volunteers at - wait for it! - a cat rehoming centre! I really wanted either a dog place or a dog, cat and other animal place like when we helped with the cats at Animal Care...but the closest place to here (the others are all 15+ miles away) only has cats *sigh* As well as cat cuddling and cleaning we will be doing site maintenance, photography and video'ing the cats too
best: we are registered volunteers at - wait for it! - a cat rehoming centre! I really wanted either a dog place or a dog, cat and other animal place like when we helped with the cats at Animal Care...but the closest place to here (the others are all 15+ miles away) only has cats *sigh* As well as cat cuddling and cleaning we will be doing site maintenance, photography and video'ing the cats too
Posted by Red in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-27 18:07:30
And so you should be they are absolute lovebugs! You know you want to get some more hahaha ;) My friend met them last though and was flinching all over the place and screaming and wriggling his bum when they sniffed at him etc...I just thought he was going to crush one!! We put them away ASAP and will not be getting them out around him again! I need to take some more pics but my camera batteries are dying...
And so you should be they are absolute lovebugs! You know you want to get some more hahaha ;) My friend met them last though and was flinching all over the place and screaming and wriggling his bum when they sniffed at him etc...I just thought he was going to crush one!! We put them away ASAP and will not be getting them out around him again! I need to take some more pics but my camera batteries are dying...
Posted by chief chicken in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-27 17:56:00
Catch both and get them spayed? Would the PDSA pay?
Catch both and get them spayed? Would the PDSA pay?
Posted by ollie in UK in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-27 11:41:38
All's well now. I can hear and see a chook in the back of the coop and there's sparrow enjoying the spill from the feeder.
All's well now. I can hear and see a chook in the back of the coop and there's sparrow enjoying the spill from the feeder.
Posted by neil in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-27 10:50:59
I think the cam is down (well it was last night to this morning at least) - my Internet won't connect but that's an issue with my ISP but it would only affect the cam.
I think the cam is down (well it was last night to this morning at least) - my Internet won't connect but that's an issue with my ISP but it would only affect the cam.
Posted by LynnW in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-27 00:24:52
I've been having a problem for the last couple of days, Kate..but I know it's my connection..nothing has been right since our storms around here.
I've been having a problem for the last couple of days, Kate..but I know it's my connection..nothing has been right since our storms around here.
Posted by Kateb in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-26 23:16:57
It's back!! Think it must've been my internet connection or something. Anyway, all is good now!
It's back!! Think it must've been my internet connection or something. Anyway, all is good now!
Posted by Kateb in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-26 23:15:25
I don't know what to do about Lola and Kitten. She is being relentlessly pursued by the local tom cats, and if she isn't pregnant already she soon will be. If I go knocking doors and find she has an owner then there's nothing I can do about her and will have to hope that she doesn't have the litter in my car and that it survives, albeit being another feral litter. I could easily catch her, though she would be extremely distressed by it and I'm not sure I could cope with the guilt of taking her away from her grown kitten and hoping rehoming will take her and find a nice home. I could try to catch Kitten but she growls and is so far untouchable. She is also nearing the age where the toms will be interested in her. I am going to have...
I don't know what to do about Lola and Kitten. She is being relentlessly pursued by the local tom cats, and if she isn't pregnant already she soon will be. If I go knocking doors and find she has an owner then there's nothing I can do about her and will have to hope that she doesn't have the litter in my car and that it survives, albeit being another feral litter. I could easily catch her, though she would be extremely distressed by it and I'm not sure I could cope with the guilt of taking her away from her grown kitten and hoping rehoming will take her and find a nice home. I could try to catch Kitten but she growls and is so far untouchable. She is also nearing the age where the toms will be interested in her. I am going to have...
Posted by Kateb in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-26 23:09:51
That's great news Lynn!
That's great news Lynn!
Posted by Kateb in Seen something interesting? on 2012-01-26 23:08:37
I can't see the list of discussion threads - I only got to this via the menu on the left which only lists a few of the topics. Is anyone else having problems? (Not that I'll know if anyone responds!!)
I can't see the list of discussion threads - I only got to this via the menu on the left which only lists a few of the topics. Is anyone else having problems? (Not that I'll know if anyone responds!!)
Posted by Kateb in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-26 22:58:12
Its great to read how sociable they are. It makes a big difference to both the enjoyment you get from them and they quality of their lives. I'm still jealous as hell too!!!!
Its great to read how sociable they are. It makes a big difference to both the enjoyment you get from them and they quality of their lives. I'm still jealous as hell too!!!!
Posted by Red in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-26 12:06:13
Stupid, stupid charity...I just feel sorry for the small local branches. Our local RSPCA is a mess; understaffed, run down, in a dangerous underprivileged area. I dread to think what the rehoming kennels are like, there are no fields or paddocks for miles. I'd love to take a dog from their hands and give it a better life...
Stupid, stupid charity...I just feel sorry for the small local branches. Our local RSPCA is a mess; understaffed, run down, in a dangerous underprivileged area. I dread to think what the rehoming kennels are like, there are no fields or paddocks for miles. I'd love to take a dog from their hands and give it a better life...
Posted by Red in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-26 11:57:44
Posted By: KatebThere are some rat owners that use sawdust but that is because bad pet shops sell it to them!!! The studies I've read have all shown there is a very very minimal chance that dust-extracted sawdust will cause health issues in rats. The risk becomes realistic when it is non dust-extracted, is scented, cedar, or pine especially if not kiln-dried. But I'd still rather use something that was 100% safe. My dad came to see the boys last night - first time he's seen them since picking them up, and his first response was "Wow they've grown!" Had a nice play time with them and my dad got lots of licks and cuddles! He was amazed at how wick they are, especially Banjo leaping from one shoulder to another
Posted By: KatebThere are some rat owners that use sawdust but that is because bad pet shops sell it to them!!! The studies I've read have all shown there is a very very minimal chance that dust-extracted sawdust will cause health issues in rats. The risk becomes realistic when it is non dust-extracted, is scented, cedar, or pine especially if not kiln-dried. But I'd still rather use something that was 100% safe. My dad came to see the boys last night - first time he's seen them since picking them up, and his first response was "Wow they've grown!" Had a nice play time with them and my dad got lots of licks and cuddles! He was amazed at how wick they are, especially Banjo leaping from one shoulder to another
Posted by LynnW in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-25 06:47:04
The best..our power stayed on while the wind storm went through here..woo hoo..and now we are having a "Chinook Wind" blowing..it was 40 degrees a couple of hours ago..now with the Chinook wind it's up to 50 at almost 11 o'clock at night and all the ice is melting..I'll be able to finish cleaning up the mess in the back, where all the limbs are stuck in the ground with ice tomorrow. I'm sick of looking like a war zone around here.
The best..our power stayed on while the wind storm went through here..woo hoo..and now we are having a "Chinook Wind" blowing..it was 40 degrees a couple of hours ago..now with the Chinook wind it's up to 50 at almost 11 o'clock at night and all the ice is melting..I'll be able to finish cleaning up the mess in the back, where all the limbs are stuck in the ground with ice tomorrow. I'm sick of looking like a war zone around here.
Posted by LynnW in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-25 06:32:48
The RSPCA sure has a lot of gall calling you for a donation, after how they treated you when you called them!! Good grief do they have no brains at all??
The RSPCA sure has a lot of gall calling you for a donation, after how they treated you when you called them!! Good grief do they have no brains at all??
Posted by LynnW in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-25 06:28:15
Beautiful pictures, Neil..yep, now we know where Red gets her talent for taking great pictures from.
Beautiful pictures, Neil..yep, now we know where Red gets her talent for taking great pictures from.
Posted by Kateb in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-24 22:27:12
Surely they're not supposed to use their contact list for that? If he gets another call then report them to the ombudsman.
Surely they're not supposed to use their contact list for that? If he gets another call then report them to the ombudsman.
Posted by Kateb in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-24 22:21:30
I LURVE Millies muffins, but the shop in our shopping centre doesn't have many of them any more. Danny is a cookie monster though and will devour a box of 24 in no time. Bet there aren't many of yours left either Red!
I LURVE Millies muffins, but the shop in our shopping centre doesn't have many of them any more. Danny is a cookie monster though and will devour a box of 24 in no time. Bet there aren't many of yours left either Red!
Posted by Kateb in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-24 22:17:56
There are some rat owners that use sawdust but that is because bad pet shops sell it to them!!! I've always thought it strange that it's OK for mice but not rats. Maybe their lungs aren't as delicate / prone to myco etc. I didn't think you'd have used it, but just wanted to check in case someone stumbles along this thread and thinks it's a good idea. Never heard of using hemp but it makes me think of a Futurama episode where Amy is discussing all the uses for hemp with a spaced out college hippy (who can only think of one use!) She never mentions rat bedding though! I believe the cardboard is a recycled product so its environmentally friendly too. Only downside is storage but I bet that bag will last you a while.
There are some rat owners that use sawdust but that is because bad pet shops sell it to them!!! I've always thought it strange that it's OK for mice but not rats. Maybe their lungs aren't as delicate / prone to myco etc. I didn't think you'd have used it, but just wanted to check in case someone stumbles along this thread and thinks it's a good idea. Never heard of using hemp but it makes me think of a Futurama episode where Amy is discussing all the uses for hemp with a spaced out college hippy (who can only think of one use!) She never mentions rat bedding though! I believe the cardboard is a recycled product so its environmentally friendly too. Only downside is storage but I bet that bag will last you a while.
Posted by Kateb in Dogsblog dogs needing homes! on 2012-01-24 22:05:52
I think the phrase "... because they wouldn't sell" says a lot about society nowadays from all angles.
I think the phrase "... because they wouldn't sell" says a lot about society nowadays from all angles.
Posted by Kateb in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-24 22:02:55
Great photography obviously runs in your family!! Looks like a lovely place Neil, (huge butterfly centre!) I hate cheese Red - disgusting stuff! A woman at work once said to me " of course you like cheese, everyone likes cheese!" She just couldn't understand that I think it's disgusting.
Great photography obviously runs in your family!! Looks like a lovely place Neil, (huge butterfly centre!) I hate cheese Red - disgusting stuff! A woman at work once said to me " of course you like cheese, everyone likes cheese!" She just couldn't understand that I think it's disgusting.
Posted by Red in Dogsblog dogs needing homes! on 2012-01-24 20:58:24
Molly is a 2 year old Great Dane cross who was found tied up in a parking lot by a scarf just before Christmas, showing signs that she had just given birth to puppies. However they were never found. Molly loves people and other dogs, and kennel staff have never heard her bark! http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/42c3b037bd4d74826fc56a710228f45e.JPG http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/a59d0d587e6955ab4f9c811eaa5d2e20.JPG Scooby is a male 9 month old Collie pup. He is a friendly boy although doesn't like being grabbed by his collar, so possibly shouldn't live with children. He loves other dogs and seems okay with cats too. http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/3513544c68a71fb0b4b40865b2dc5e76.jpg Lots of Staffy and Staffy cross Collie ...
Molly is a 2 year old Great Dane cross who was found tied up in a parking lot by a scarf just before Christmas, showing signs that she had just given birth to puppies. However they were never found. Molly loves people and other dogs, and kennel staff have never heard her bark! http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/42c3b037bd4d74826fc56a710228f45e.JPG http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/a59d0d587e6955ab4f9c811eaa5d2e20.JPG Scooby is a male 9 month old Collie pup. He is a friendly boy although doesn't like being grabbed by his collar, so possibly shouldn't live with children. He loves other dogs and seems okay with cats too. http://www.imagepuppy.com/resized/3513544c68a71fb0b4b40865b2dc5e76.jpg Lots of Staffy and Staffy cross Collie ...
Posted by Red in Carrots and Bananas, what's your rant for the day? on 2012-01-24 19:23:04
rant: The RSPCA again They have Lyle's mobile number from when we contacted them about the rabbits being kept in horrible conditions. They told us back then (it was about 3 - 4 months ago now) they were too busy, there was nothing they could do blah blah blah, but keep an eye on it for them...then today they phoned Lyle up and asked if he'd like to make weekly donations to them!! When he asked why they were phoning him, they said they had his number from when he contacted them, and that they'd be phoning monthly to check!!! He asked to be taken off any contact lists and told them not to phone him again.
rant: The RSPCA again They have Lyle's mobile number from when we contacted them about the rabbits being kept in horrible conditions. They told us back then (it was about 3 - 4 months ago now) they were too busy, there was nothing they could do blah blah blah, but keep an eye on it for them...then today they phoned Lyle up and asked if he'd like to make weekly donations to them!! When he asked why they were phoning him, they said they had his number from when he contacted them, and that they'd be phoning monthly to check!!! He asked to be taken off any contact lists and told them not to phone him again.
Posted by Red in Our first dog :) on 2012-01-24 19:14:45
Oh, I used to LOVE Animal Hospital as a little kid!!
Oh, I used to LOVE Animal Hospital as a little kid!!
Posted by Red in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-24 19:07:28
best: went to Leeds today for the first time since moving to Yorkshire! We took a friend too and got a 24 box of Millie's Cookies to eat (I'd just like to say Millie's Cookies used to be my favouritest thing on Earth, and I hadn't had them for six years!!), then we went to Sushi which was funny because we were all vegetarians, but there was plenty we could eat. I got my first non-vegan chocolate from Hotel Chocolat, some cookies 'n' cream truffles, a really thick slab of half white and half milk chocolate, and some Christmas dinner turkey shaped chocolates too! After we'd spent all day eating we pretty much came straight back aha. Our friend came to see the rats and then took Kasper out for a walk with us. We're having veggie steak for...
best: went to Leeds today for the first time since moving to Yorkshire! We took a friend too and got a 24 box of Millie's Cookies to eat (I'd just like to say Millie's Cookies used to be my favouritest thing on Earth, and I hadn't had them for six years!!), then we went to Sushi which was funny because we were all vegetarians, but there was plenty we could eat. I got my first non-vegan chocolate from Hotel Chocolat, some cookies 'n' cream truffles, a really thick slab of half white and half milk chocolate, and some Christmas dinner turkey shaped chocolates too! After we'd spent all day eating we pretty much came straight back aha. Our friend came to see the rats and then took Kasper out for a walk with us. We're having veggie steak for...
Posted by Red in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-24 19:01:06
Posted By: ollie in UKI don't see vegan/veggie folk as abnormal I was listening to a radio programme with a woman who thought it was OK to shoot pheasants that had been bred for the sport but it is cruel to shoot wild ones! The truth is there's still a lot of idiotic people out there who look down on veggies / vegans. When I was about 17 I got told I must be stupid ("have a lower intelligence than other people") because I didn't eat meat - why, because I eat a healthier diet and am passionate about how animals are killed / kept?! Wow, that woman is an idiot... Like your pics dad! The boat and the puddles one are my faves.
Posted By: ollie in UKI don't see vegan/veggie folk as abnormal I was listening to a radio programme with a woman who thought it was OK to shoot pheasants that had been bred for the sport but it is cruel to shoot wild ones! The truth is there's still a lot of idiotic people out there who look down on veggies / vegans. When I was about 17 I got told I must be stupid ("have a lower intelligence than other people") because I didn't eat meat - why, because I eat a healthier diet and am passionate about how animals are killed / kept?! Wow, that woman is an idiot... Like your pics dad! The boat and the puddles one are my faves.
Posted by ollie in UK in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-24 18:18:37
Superb pics Neil. Exactly what I needed after a day in the doldrums when I just couldn't raise any energy. I can see you all having a lovely bounce in those puddles.
Superb pics Neil. Exactly what I needed after a day in the doldrums when I just couldn't raise any energy. I can see you all having a lovely bounce in those puddles.
Posted by chief chicken in Our first dog :) on 2012-01-24 17:07:36
...and Animal Hospital on the telly.
...and Animal Hospital on the telly.
Posted by neil in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-24 16:54:24
Helen also made a good point - she became veggie not on compassionate grounds but solely because she didn't want to run the risk of contracting Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease when it was all over the news. So it made perfect sense for her to continue to eat burgers (albeit veggie ones) or anything else for that matter. (And I suspect this also highlighted the pretty appalling / unsafe methods that meat is raised also, what with growth hormones, feed made from the same species of animal etc) And that was before we knew about all the various health implications and raised chances of cancers from eating meat... Anyway, back on topic: Thought you might want to see what we got up to this weekend, we spent it at Centerparcs with the fam...
Helen also made a good point - she became veggie not on compassionate grounds but solely because she didn't want to run the risk of contracting Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease when it was all over the news. So it made perfect sense for her to continue to eat burgers (albeit veggie ones) or anything else for that matter. (And I suspect this also highlighted the pretty appalling / unsafe methods that meat is raised also, what with growth hormones, feed made from the same species of animal etc) And that was before we knew about all the various health implications and raised chances of cancers from eating meat... Anyway, back on topic: Thought you might want to see what we got up to this weekend, we spent it at Centerparcs with the fam...
Posted by ollie in UK in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-24 11:50:28
I don't see vegan/veggie folk as abnormal any more than eg., Japanese, who eat food that you mostly can't tell what it is by just looking at it. I think the phrase "Eating dead animals" is more likely to put me off too. When I eat fish it does occur to me what a dreadful death they had. I was listening to a radio programme with a woman who thought it was OK to shoot pheasants that had been bred for the sport but it is cruel to shoot wild ones!
I don't see vegan/veggie folk as abnormal any more than eg., Japanese, who eat food that you mostly can't tell what it is by just looking at it. I think the phrase "Eating dead animals" is more likely to put me off too. When I eat fish it does occur to me what a dreadful death they had. I was listening to a radio programme with a woman who thought it was OK to shoot pheasants that had been bred for the sport but it is cruel to shoot wild ones!
Posted by Red in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-23 23:19:07
Posted By: KatebYou weren't using sawdust for the rats were you?! No, I always do my homework before getting a new pet, even if I've owned them before... We use dust-extracted for Pearl (and previously Bam) anyway though, which some rat owners still use. We opted for cardboard though, thought about hemp but liked this idea better. The boys seem to like it.
Posted By: KatebYou weren't using sawdust for the rats were you?! No, I always do my homework before getting a new pet, even if I've owned them before... We use dust-extracted for Pearl (and previously Bam) anyway though, which some rat owners still use. We opted for cardboard though, thought about hemp but liked this idea better. The boys seem to like it.
Posted by Red in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-23 23:15:04
Posted By: KatebEr, are they veggie chicken and sausage, or have you gone the whole hog (excuse the pun!) Eugh no! :P I'm having a hard enough time adapting to cheese (melted) never mind meat! Posted By: ollie in UKAll these "products" seem very confusing to me! Especially ones that are veggie/vegan but made to look alike meat! Why the pretence? Because it's fun and makes veggies / vegans seem more 'normal'! It's also nice to have such variety and meal choices. Plus, otherwise you have to make them yourselves, which takes a lot of time and is VERY hard to include the right nutrients and vitamins. You should have seen my home-made vegan meals to make sure I ate what I needed!! And just because I don't eat dead animals does...
Posted By: KatebEr, are they veggie chicken and sausage, or have you gone the whole hog (excuse the pun!) Eugh no! :P I'm having a hard enough time adapting to cheese (melted) never mind meat! Posted By: ollie in UKAll these "products" seem very confusing to me! Especially ones that are veggie/vegan but made to look alike meat! Why the pretence? Because it's fun and makes veggies / vegans seem more 'normal'! It's also nice to have such variety and meal choices. Plus, otherwise you have to make them yourselves, which takes a lot of time and is VERY hard to include the right nutrients and vitamins. You should have seen my home-made vegan meals to make sure I ate what I needed!! And just because I don't eat dead animals does...
Posted by neil in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-23 22:53:28
Scarlet hasn't used sawdust with the rats, just her mice I think (especially the one that had problems controlling his bowels and bladder!) I think we used to use it with our rats (the last pair were nine years ago) and luckily it was fine but I know there are better products out there now. I'd be tempted to look at reptile bedding too, but it might be either too hard or not absorbant enough I guess (and far too expensive).
Scarlet hasn't used sawdust with the rats, just her mice I think (especially the one that had problems controlling his bowels and bladder!) I think we used to use it with our rats (the last pair were nine years ago) and luckily it was fine but I know there are better products out there now. I'd be tempted to look at reptile bedding too, but it might be either too hard or not absorbant enough I guess (and far too expensive).
Posted by neil in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-23 22:46:36
I know some people can't get their heads around "if you want to eat veggie burgers why not just eat meat burgers?" - but it's convenience - if it's something you (and others) are used to preparing and is an easy and simple substitute, then it fits a requirement, especially if you are not eating meat because you don't want to eat murdered animals. I mean, who cares if a veggie option has fake skin, eyes and a mouth - it's more than likely being eaten because of what it's not, more than what it is. We just found it easy to incorporate veggie options in whatever we made for tea, whether it be quorn mince or cauldron veggie sausages. Even veggie bacon, though that's like eating coloured shoe soles!
I know some people can't get their heads around "if you want to eat veggie burgers why not just eat meat burgers?" - but it's convenience - if it's something you (and others) are used to preparing and is an easy and simple substitute, then it fits a requirement, especially if you are not eating meat because you don't want to eat murdered animals. I mean, who cares if a veggie option has fake skin, eyes and a mouth - it's more than likely being eaten because of what it's not, more than what it is. We just found it easy to incorporate veggie options in whatever we made for tea, whether it be quorn mince or cauldron veggie sausages. Even veggie bacon, though that's like eating coloured shoe soles!
Posted by ollie in UK in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-23 22:34:24
All these "products" seem very confusing to me! Especially ones that are veggie/vegan but made to look alike meat! Why the pretence? Manufactured and packeted foods cost such a vast amount. I'm not veggie or anything but eat very little meat as it always seems awkward to cook. Love fresh fish when I can get some, I freeze salmon. Winter sees me tucking into stir fry with some kind of (tinned) mixed beans or chick peas. While summer I have lots of what I call "Chopped salad" = anything cut up smallish with whatever protein is in the cupboard. I should eat more eggs than I do. Cheese doesn't agrre with me in any quantity. I wouldn't pay lots of money for foods of particular diet when they are made from simple ingredients.
All these "products" seem very confusing to me! Especially ones that are veggie/vegan but made to look alike meat! Why the pretence? Manufactured and packeted foods cost such a vast amount. I'm not veggie or anything but eat very little meat as it always seems awkward to cook. Love fresh fish when I can get some, I freeze salmon. Winter sees me tucking into stir fry with some kind of (tinned) mixed beans or chick peas. While summer I have lots of what I call "Chopped salad" = anything cut up smallish with whatever protein is in the cupboard. I should eat more eggs than I do. Cheese doesn't agrre with me in any quantity. I wouldn't pay lots of money for foods of particular diet when they are made from simple ingredients.
Posted by Kateb in Our first dog :) on 2012-01-23 22:30:06
He looks like he's been sent home from school sick so mommy has wrapped him up on the sofa. All he needs is a box of tissues and a drink and it'd complete the picture!
He looks like he's been sent home from school sick so mommy has wrapped him up on the sofa. All he needs is a box of tissues and a drink and it'd complete the picture!
Posted by Kateb in The best thing that has happened to you today. on 2012-01-23 22:25:45
Its good that they're getting crews in to help Lynn, I hope it gets sorted quickly and you can get power soon.
Its good that they're getting crews in to help Lynn, I hope it gets sorted quickly and you can get power soon.
Posted by Kateb in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-23 22:21:11
You weren't using sawdust for the rats were you?! I wouldn't recommend as it can get into their lungs (and its rubbish at keeping them clean - rats pee more than kids on a road trip!) I never tried cardboard but know lots and lots of people that did and swore by it. Also, a product called Yesterday's News. Its mainly a cat litter product but because its made from recycled newspapers (hence the name). My rats had died before I found out about it so didn't get to try it personally. Another good one is a small cat litter tray filled with sterilised soil (garden dirt has too many bacteria) and bury treats in it such as nuts or seeds or anything and they have a great time digging for them. In the summer you can use the litter tray as a...
You weren't using sawdust for the rats were you?! I wouldn't recommend as it can get into their lungs (and its rubbish at keeping them clean - rats pee more than kids on a road trip!) I never tried cardboard but know lots and lots of people that did and swore by it. Also, a product called Yesterday's News. Its mainly a cat litter product but because its made from recycled newspapers (hence the name). My rats had died before I found out about it so didn't get to try it personally. Another good one is a small cat litter tray filled with sterilised soil (garden dirt has too many bacteria) and bury treats in it such as nuts or seeds or anything and they have a great time digging for them. In the summer you can use the litter tray as a...
Posted by Kateb in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-23 22:11:41
Er, are they veggie chicken and sausage, or have you gone the whole hog (excuse the pun!) And biscuits made from animals - hang your head in shame!!!!
Er, are they veggie chicken and sausage, or have you gone the whole hog (excuse the pun!) And biscuits made from animals - hang your head in shame!!!!
Posted by Red in The Banjo and Okto thread! on 2012-01-23 21:38:06
Okto got across to the sink and was slipping about everywhere! They seemed to approve of the new bedding, and Banjo loved the hammock!
Okto got across to the sink and was slipping about everywhere! They seemed to approve of the new bedding, and Banjo loved the hammock!
Posted by Red in Post Yer Pics! on 2012-01-23 21:32:21
I've had a good food day today; a jam donight (drool), animal biscuits (haven't had them in years and they're just as tasty!), kitkat, chicken nuggets, sausages, and ravioli! And for price comparison, 4 chicken burgers for £1 as oppose to a tiny pack of vegan chicken pieces (that are really hard to find - vegan 'chicken' products are very rare) for £3.99
I've had a good food day today; a jam donight (drool), animal biscuits (haven't had them in years and they're just as tasty!), kitkat, chicken nuggets, sausages, and ravioli! And for price comparison, 4 chicken burgers for £1 as oppose to a tiny pack of vegan chicken pieces (that are really hard to find - vegan 'chicken' products are very rare) for £3.99
here's whats happening in the chicken coop right now:
and try again (it might take a minute to start). Still experiencing problems?We hope you like the new streaming audio & video!
about the cam:
Thanks to Exa Networks for the help & support on keeping this site going!
Made possible by Streaming Webcams - solution by Camstreams [help]
and try again (it might take a minute to start). Still experiencing problems?
What could be better than a webcam pointing at chickens?
Even MORE webcams which MOVE pointing at chickens of course!
We hope you enjoy our even better big-brother style coverage of the hens!
February 2010 News
Sadly Milly our beautiful chicken passed away on the morning of 26th February 2010. You can read about this extraordinary little hen and see a snapshot of her life in pictures here. She will be sadly missed...
about the cam:
Hopefully you can see Milly, Tilly and Penny going about their chicken life in the coop! (Milly is the big fat white hen - sadly no longer with us, Penny is the cowardly chicken and Tilly is the ruler of the roost!)
history:I first had the idea for a live streaming online webcam in our chicken coop sometime around the summer of 2005. I did a bit of research and after some failed attempts with a USB webcam (too many wires in the chicken pen!) I saved up and bought an indoor wireless IP cam from ebay for around £100. It was cheap and quite basic, but it did more or less what I wanted, and formed the basis of the early days of the webcam. Unfortunately, as it was an indoor camera, it started playing up after a few weeks outside - I couldn't really complain as it had been out in wind rain and snow! With the help of my wonderful new henpals I was able to purchase a whole new cam system - a proper outdoor CCD camera which was even submersible in water! The upgrade was originally suggested by the Vasalini (of Vasalini's chickens fame) and took place on 12/03/06
The new camera provides a much clearer picture, and the new images are extremely high quality. The system is also running much faster and is a lot closer to the true streaming that I originally envisaged. Of course if you want faster streaming, you have to sacrifice picture size and quality, but hopefully I have struck a happy medium.
The original hencam was an IP cam which connected wirelessly to my wifi network which gave it access via ftp to the webserver serving these pages via my adsl connection. Thankfully the new camera is much more stable and gives a much nicer view.
My bandwidth limit and PC use can slow the hens upload speed sometimes but hopefully this should get better as I upgrade various components of the system. Hencam is very thankful for the help and support of Exa Networks - thanks to them you can see these pages, and their technology has enabled our fastest, smoothest and best high-quality webcam images yet - I hope you notice the improvement! The streaming technology used is cutting-edge, and made possible by those great people at www.camstreams.com - if you need to stream anything, they are the guys to talk to!
The first upgrade I was able to carry out was a large IR lamp in the coop, so you can still see the hens even in pitch blackness! You can watch them sleep, it's amazing how they seem to grab the odd forty winks in little naps through the night.
If you have any technical questions regarding the setup, please feel free to email me and I'll provide you with as much info as possible. I've already helped several would-be webcam users get started which has been great fun!
Thank you to earthcam who made hencam one of their top ten webcams of the week, they are (in their own words) "chosen by EarthCam based on quality of image, uniqueness of content and overall technical achievements in webcam technology" - whoo many thanks for the award! We were listed just below the Olympics!!! :)
