#nestbox news

[ostdrossel]

This morning,

it really felt like spring outside. The Cardinals and House Finches were singing, the snarls of the Grackles and Redwinged Blackbirds filled the air, and it was so warm that I did not have to wear a coat. Variety and activity is still down but I am enjoying these sure signs of spring. I also serviced the nestbox the Chickadees used last year, it needed a new roof and some other repairs. The BB house is next. And here are some visitors. Wonderfully enough, the Grackle with the white dot on the neck has returned!

[ahedderick]

Shenanigans

Farm-wise, the last 24 hours have been a little. Fraught.

Last evening I went out around 8:30 to walk dogs and deal with chickens. Then new young hens need to be pinioned, ie have the flight feathers on one wings cut short to keep them from flying into the apple tree every night. I will need to keep them confined to the coop area for a while until they learn to lay their eggs in the nestboxes. A whole flock of hens hiding eggs all over the yard and around the barn would not be useful.

I had trapped two of the white ones in a dog kennel around dusk, so I started with them. I picked up the first one (lovely in the silvery moonlight) and she SCREAMED like she was being murdered. Rose-pup was on a leash standing beside me, very puzzled. I knelt down and carefully clipped the wing feathers, then put the squawking hen into the coop in a nice, clean nestbox full of hay. Enjoy!! The second hen was inside a dogbox in the kennel. I had to get down on my knees and reach w-a-y back to the back of the box to grab her, whereupon she SCREAMED. yada yada. I tried to pull her out, only to find that a lock of my hair near my temple had gotten hooked on a little uneven edge on the dog box. [LOUD SCREAMING] I'm kneeling in dirt, can't let go of the bird, had to contort myself to get my other hand up to disentangle the hair. Rosalie was looking Concerned™, but sticking right next to me. I pinion the bird and put her in the coop. Rosalie is dogging my heels, which is good, but also, a gray dog in low light is very hard to see.

I shook one low limb of the apple tree, dislodging two more hens. They flapped angrily down into the chicken run, and tried like the dickens to get away from me. Cue a bumbling low-speed chase while I pursue horrified hens around and around the chicken run and try to avoid stepping on an invisible dog. There was language. Rosalie decided to wait outside the run.

When I finally had four hens pinioned and settled, I went out of the run and started looking for Rosalie. She was standing in a shadow in the dappled moonlight. Fortunately, she came when I called her. "Here I am!" says the invisible beast.

Then she, Lady, Rocky, and I headed out to the far pasture for a stroll. And a bit of a jog. I Hate Jogging, and never let anyone see me doing it, but in bright moonlight on a crisp fall evening it wasn't so bad. Rosalie seemed to be paying attention to Lady and taking some dog-behavior cues from her, which is a good start. It was lovely, really.

This morning, when I was in town putting up artwork, my husband called me. He had taken her out for a mid-morning potty break, and after puttering around the yard a little, she suddenly bolted for the lane. Gone like a flash. He frantically pursued her, on foot and eventually in his truck. She ran almost a mile south along the road, turned and start back north, let him get n-e-a-r-l-y within touching distance several times, then vanished into thick woods half a mile from our house.

I won't detail all the searching that Husband and I - and Roommate - and Roommate's hound dog - went through during the day. Suffice it to say that when Husband finally located her, taken inside by a neighbor, it was 3 in the afternoon. Everybody's a little shaken and upset. Husband is out buying a very smol halter for her, since her extremely narrow head lets her 'slip' her collar too easily.

This Small Criminal Thought She Could Track Her Girl Down. But the Girl is 80 miles away at College.

[tetedurfarm]

i haven't taken any photos lately, i'm sorry. life has been a Lot lately and not just because of election shit, but here's an update anyway:

hotot litter still doing good, nestbox kits are doing good, and i picked up the second half of my rabbits off transport today. my new hotot doe had some chest clicks when i picked her up but her breathing is fine today. gave her a shot of draxxin anyway just to be safe. everyone else looks unhappy to be somewhere new, but healthy. i am very excited to get them through quarantine and in the barn. i am especially excited for chainsaw, the little mini satin doe, because it means i finally get to see if minis breed better than standard satins. i sureeee hope they do

anyway, i will do my best to take plenty of cute pics for you guys to help take your mind off of things in any marginal way that i can.

[bunposting]

Copy and pasting this from my one reblog since some folks were having some trouble with being able to like or reblog it, and I think it is important to get out there.

Nestbox culling (which is euthing kits shortly after they are born) is something that can sound unsettling and stirs up a lot of feelings. I get it! Baby rabbits (baby anything) are adorable, and it sounds so awful to kill them for any reason other than deformities or illness or lethal genetics. This is one of those times, though, where we have to think about it from a logical standpoint rather than from a purely emotional standpoint.

Think about how often rabbits are able to breed. Think about how many kits are in each litter. For many breeds, 6+ kits in a litter is the ideal. Even if a person only breeds their rabbits twice per year, that's 12 kits per rabbit every year. Ideally, a person would have at least two does - that brings our total up to 24 kits per year on average. This isn't even counting the breeds that average around 9 kits per litter (that would be 36 kits per year).

Now think about space constraints and financial constraints. People only have so much space for only so many rabbits. Even if they only breed once a year and only have one doe, that's still 12 kits. That's 12 kits that are going to need cage space. Depending on the breed, those kits won't reach a reasonable meat weight until well after they've been weaned, and by that time, bucks need to be kept in separate housing. If a person doesn't have the capability of attempting to keep their does in a colony or tractor, they'll need to keep each individual doe in a cage. That means that person who only started with two rabbits would need to have a minimum of 8 cages in order to grow those kits out, maybe more depending on how fast those kits grow and when they rebreed their doe. 8 cages can cost upwards of $400 if they're new, and still a similar price even if they are used. Now imagine a standard rabbit breeder, who would have likely at a minimum at least 4 does and a buck. 4 does producing an average of 48 kits every year. That means a breeder would need an absolute minimum of 29 cages. That's $1,450 spent just on cages. It's a huge investment to have a large amount of rabbits, and it's a huge investment to be making on kits that are obvious from birth that they will provide very little if any benefit to their breed as a whole. That's not even mentioning all of the extra feed costs (especially now with inflation being so bad) for feeding all of those extra rabbits.

Some breeds have very specific markings - like the rabbit in my pfp, for example. These markings are often able to be determined if they are mismarked or not from a very early age. Those mismarkings need to be culled for. In order to avoid the extra costs associated with having extra cage space you don't actually need just to grow out a bunch of kits that you already know won't cut it as breeders, the only other option is to sell those kits after weaning. No breeder is going to want them, so what are you going to do? You'll sell them as pets. CONGRATULATIONS - You've just contributed to the problem of rabbits in shelters, feral rabbits, rabbits suffering in pet homes that can't take care of them. Imagine even just two kits from every litter being mismarked and needing to be culled - if you've got four does and 8 litters, that's 16 young rabbits that will need to find homes in just one year.

And so, in order to avoid those things, a good breeder who knows what space constraints they have, knows what financial constraints they have, and doesn't want to contribute to the problems that ARAs constantly say we contribute to, may very well choose to cull kits in the nestbox that they know won't make it as potential show or breeding stock.

Just because a kit is killed so young, that doesn't mean it has to just get tossed aside or that it has no use. Talk to my cat about that - she absolutely loves a good whole prey raw snack. Or talk to any dog. Or any snake. Or large lizard. Maybe go talk to the raptors at a raptor sanctuary, or small carnivorous creatures at the local zoo or wildlife sanctuary.

None of this is even mentioning the benefits nestbox culling has on the doe and the other kits in the litter. Does may often have more kits than they can reasonably care for. Sure, some can be fostered by another doe, but why put the strain on another doe for kits you know won't make the cut anyways? By nestbox culling, it reduces the amount of stress on the doe. It also makes it so the kits that do have a chance at being utilized for breeding get a more ample supply of milk, and therefore all grow to be bigger, stronger, healthier, and overall more robust.

Nestbox culling is an act of animal welfare. It ensures that the breeder isn't trying to care for more animals than they can reasonably/financially handle. It ensures that animals aren't going to end up in shelters, or being freed somewhere, or suffering in homes where they aren't being cared for properly. This is extremely important in species that have a large amount of babies in each litter, which is something that I know can be very hard to understand when a person either only has experience with species that have very few babies per year, or has no experience with breeding animals at all - but it's important to understand, because it's the kind of thing that can bring even more stigma onto already stigmatized species such as rabbits.

[riverkentvalley]

First day in their new house. I bought them a boot-shaped nestbox.

[rockislandadultreads]

Book Recommendations: National Bird Feeding Month

How to Attract Birds to Your Garden by Dan Rouse

Make a difference to your local birdlife. Help reverse the decline in bird numbers by creating a haven in which they will thrive. It's a win-win. Provide the best shelter, feeding, and nesting opportunities for them and then you can reap the rewards as they sing and entertain.

No need to be an expert gardener already, or to break the bank - many of the most beneficial features can be installed easily and cheaply, and many you can build yourself or upcycle to be eco-friendly.

For the Birds edited by Birds & Blooms

From gift-giving treats to beak-smacking suets, this book offers 50 recipes that are sure to delight backyard guests and lure a variety of new species. No exotic ingredients are necessary - with just a little suet from the supermarket, some sand from the hardware store, scraps from the kitchen, and inexpensive seeds and grains, you can create wonderful recipes. You'll also find: a handy at-a-glance list that pairs all 50 recipes with the species they attract; instructions to make recycled homemade feeders, from hanging feeders made from coconuts and grapefruit to table feeders made out of muffin tins and apple boxes; tips on which plants, feeders, birdbaths, and nesting boxes are best for the types of birds you want to attract; and the best ways to keep pesky critters away. 

National Audubon Society North American Birdfeeder Guide by Robert Burton

This informative, beautifully photographed book covers every aspect of attracting, identifying, feeding and observing visiting birds. It provides detailed advice on creating a bird-friendly environment with specific plants; providing feeders, birdbaths and nestboxes; and interpreting bird behavior. 500 full-color photographs.

Gardening for the Birds by George Adams

You may already have a bird feeder in your yard, but you can attract a far wider range of species, and they will stay longer, if you create a bird-friendly landscape. Gardening for the Birds shows you how.

With the right native plants, arranged to mimic natural ecosystems, you will provide birds with food, water, shelter, and nesting places. Instead of just visiting your garden to snack, birds will call it home. With hundreds of native plants, extensive seasonal bloom and fruiting charts, and the techniques for creating a balanced ecosystem, this book helps you turn any space - from a small, urban terrace to a large suburban yard - into a home for a fascinating variety of birds. Close-up profiles of birds from across all regions of North America teach you their nesting, breeding, and feeding habits.

[airris-fr]

Painting new nestboxes for the coming breeding season!!!

[randofics]

Loosely based on (Batman- Future state)

🎶 Alice In Chains - Nutshell (slowed+reverb)

🎶 Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Heads Will Roll (A-Track remix) (slowed+reverb)

🎶 David Guetta ft. Flo Rida & Niki Minaj - Where them Girls at (slowed+reverb)

🎶 Justin Bieber ft. Niki Minaj - Beauty and The Beat (slowed+reverb)

🎶 Three Days Grace - Last To Know (slowed+reverb)

🎶 Chase Atlantic - Right Here

Disclaimer UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

-----------------------

Bruce stretched as he got off his couch. Joints popping and creaking as he moved. The small apartment was mostly dark aside from the sunlight peaking in through the blackout curtains.

He turned on the coffee machine before going to change clothes. Slipping out of his wife beater and pulling on a plain black tee with his charcoal grey jeans.

He turns on the TV to watch the news as he drinks his coffee.

-------

You rub your eyes. Still tired from your late night at work as you go out back to feed your chickens. Most of the small yard is taken up by the large dog kennel. The small four bird coop takes up the space next to the steps. Your girls happily chatter as you toss them salad scraps and four handfuls of pellets.

Checking the nestbox for eggs, you pluck a single blue one from the nest. "Thank you, girls!" Their tails waggle in contentment as they continue eating. Stepping back inside, you place the egg in the basket on your kitchen counter.

With your girls handled for the day, you get ready to go grocery shopping. Before you step out the door, you grab your purse and keys along with your grocery list. You walk down the steps glancing over the list and not really paying attention to your surroundings when you run into something. Your foot lands at an awkward angle, making you fall backwards.

As you brace for impact, you feel hands on you catching you. "You alright, ma'am?" A man's gravely voice greets your ears, and you open your eyes. It's your next-door neighbor who you've only seen a handful of times since he moved in. You hadn't even really seen his face yet.

He's a whole lot better looking than you thought he'd be. Your heart beats faster in your chest as you look him in the eyes. "Ma'am?"

A bright blush washes over your face as you snap back to reality. "I'm SO sorry, sir. I-I wasn't paying attention. And-and I was looking at my grocery list and-."

"Hey, it's fine. I know it was an accident." He helps steady you on your feet, crouching down to pick up your notepad.

"Thank you, sir."

"Please, call me Bruce."

"Tha-thank you, Bruce." You nervously hold the notepad in front of your face, only leaving your eyes visible. You can't seem to keep eye contact with him either. Your mind goes into a flurry.

He's so tall and well built. He's intimidating!

"You said you were going to the grocery store. I'm heading that way if you want to walk with me?"

"Su-sure."

He starts walking, and you trail behind. The both of you staying silent. After a minute, he stops looking back at you. "You don't have to stay behind me." He holds out his arm, both hands in his jacket pockets.

With another bright blush on your face, you gingerly grip his arm, letting him lead you.

The streets surrounding the grocery store were always bustling with foot traffic. It was always safer in the crowds than all alone for you. Still, there was always a threat of muggings and cat-callers.

Even though you were hanging on Bruce's arm, a couple of men whistled after you, throwing vulgar language your way. You didn't notice with your head hanging low that each time Bruce would glare their way, they would either snap their mouth shut or grumble to themselves in distain.

Walking across the street with the crowd, you finally made it to the grocery store. "Thank you, Bruce."

"My pleasure, miss...?"

"OH! I'm so sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Y/n y/l/n, but you can call me y/n."

"Alright y/n, my errand won't be long. Would you like to walk back with me?"

"Sure, I shouldn't be too long either."

You wave to him as he continues down the sidewalk. Walking inside, you start shopping. Going through your list one aisle at a time till you get to the bottom. Black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, and raw pumpkin seeds all for your girls.

The mealworms and pumpkin seeds come in small packages, but the sunflower seeds are in a five pound bag that's harder to carry. The girl at the register double bags it with the other two, so it's a bit easier to lift, but with Bruce waiting on you, maybe he would offer to carry it?

Walking out through the automatic doors, you glance around, trying to spot him. He's leaning against a light post with a hardware store bag in hand.

He spots you looking a bit surprised at the bags you're carrying. Five bags in one hand and a single in the other. "You need any help carrying that?"

"Here you can take this bag. The rest is relatively lightweight."

He gets a glance of the label. "You feed birds?"

"Yeah, I have a feeder next to my front landing."

He nods, moving over to the crosswalk with you. The two of you move with the crowd going back down the same way you came.

When you reach the apartments, he leaves the bag next to you on your landing, going back to his own apartment as you bring your groceries inside. You lock the door behind you, taking the bags into the kitchen and putting everything in its place.

Glancing out the back door at your girls who've decided to take a group dustbath, you let out a sigh. Thankfully, you didn't have work tonight, so you could stay home and relax.

-------

Bruce shucked off his jacket, tossing it onto the couch arm before going into his kitchen and pulling out the leftovers from last night. He re-heated them and once again turned the TV to the news.

He'd be heading out again once it got dark, but for now, food, then his gadgets.

-------

The hours passed, and the streetlights came on. You went back outside to lock up your birds and once again check for eggs. You took the three fresh eggs inside with you after petting your girls on their perch, and an idea popped into your head.

You took an old egg carton that you'd gotten from a neighbor and put in the freshest eggs from the basket. Taking a sticky note, you wrote a short message to Bruce. You'd give it to him tomorrow.

Taking a shower before bed, you let your mind wander. Usually, you only thought about your birds, work, or mostly TV shows and books you enjoyed, but you found yourself going over your walk with Bruce.

He was quiet, much like yourself, and seemed like a good guy. Those were rare in Gotham, at least from your experience. You wondered why you hardly ever saw him. Maybe he was a recluse or worked late nights like you sometimes did.

Then your mind wandered to not so wholesome places. He was well built from what you could tell, and he had a strong arm. He was much taller than you as well, which was kinda intimidating but also very attractive. Imagining him carrying you with your legs around his waist and him pushing you against the wall or standing with his arm on the doorframe grinning at you.

You blushed as you thought about him kissing your neck as you sat on the kitchen counter. Shaking your head, you finished your shower and got into your pajamas for bed.

-------

Bruce was having a difficult time concentrating as he was on a stakeout. He just couldn't get you off his mind. He'd seen you on occasion leaving your apartment but had never bothered to say hello.

He'd thought your stuttering was adorable. You seemed intimidated by him, but he could tell that you showed some intrigue towards him as well. When he'd caught you, he thought your blushing face was absolutely gorgeous. Those beautiful bright eyes and your chapped lips from the cold.

Movement below caught his attention as his target pulled up to the curb. Pushing his wandering thoughts aside, he focused on his mission.

-------

In the late morning, you got started with your day. Feeding your birds, then cooking an egg sandwich for yourself before settling in to watch your favorite show. Before you knew it, it was lunchtime.

The carton of eggs caught your eye, so you decided to wait till after lunch to give it to him. As you were eating again, one of your friends called.

"Hey girl! I know you're supposed to be off work today, so I thought maybe you'd want to go to the club with us tonight? Please? It won't be as fun without you!"

You sigh. "Ok, fine. I'll go as long as yall don't make me drink a bunch like last time. That means NO club games! You hear me, Jennifer?"

You can hear her in the background, making a disappointed sound. "Hear ya loud and clear!"

"Alright, I'll take a taxi to your apartment. What time?" You can hear them discussing amongst themselves.

"We'll text you what we decide, ok?"

"Ok, see ya'll in a little bit!"

The call drops, and you finish your food.

-------

Bruce is passed out once again on his couch when a nock at the door wakes him. He expected a door to door salesman or a confused delivery driver, but when he opened the door grogily rubbing his eyes, his gaze fell down to you standing on his stoop.

Nervously and with fleeting eye contact, you hold out a carton of eggs.

"What's this for?"

"As a-a, thank you for yesterday. Plus, I have four hens who all produce almost daily, so I have a surplus of eggs that I don't know what to do with and-"

"Thank you, y/n. I am running low on eggs. Meant to get some yesterday, but it slipped my mind"

"Ok, good. I thought you might not have needed any, but I wanted to at least check. I-I'm going out with my friends tonight and was wondering if-if you don't mind...could you lock up my birds for me?"

"Yeah, I suppose so. What time?"

"I'll probably leave before seven, and I usually lock them up around nine."

"Hmm, yeah, I can do that."

"Ok, thanks, you're a life-saver! I probably just woke you up, didn't I? I only just now noticed, sorry!" He's standing in the doorway in a white wife beater with grey sweats.

"Don't worry about it. I needed to get up anyway. Get some lunch..." He trails off.

"Okaaay, well I'll leave you to it then! Seriously, thanks!" He nods, taking the eggs inside and closing the door as you're walking away.

Back in your apartment, you flop onto the couch. At the same time, you get a text from your friends in the group text. "We decided to leave around eight so you can come around seven."

"Ok, I was thinking the same thing. Do any of you girls need eggs?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind bringing a dozen."

"Sure! I'll see yall later!"

-------

You call a taxi after getting ready for the club. Your striped maxi dress didn't keep you very warm, so you had a hoodie on over it. The ride to your friends apartment was short and uneventful. Last time, the driver had talked your ear off.

One of your friends greeted you at the door. She was much more the fashonista type. Dressed to the nines, all dolled up to get lucky.

"Hey, I'm gonna leave these eggs on the kitchen counter!"

Your friend in the living room piped up. "Ok, thanks!"

You set them down and walked into the living room where they had gathered on the couch. "We're leaving in about an hour, right?"

"Yes. And we haven't forgotten our promise either so don't worry. Oh, Amanda, can you hand me that makeup bag?" She tosses it over, and Jessica catches it. "Let me touch up your makeup y/n."

You scoot over letting her work her magic.

-------

His target didn't have the information he was looking for, but he did know who might. He just needed to bug him.

To do that, he needed to get up close. Luckily, most nights, he was at a local club, so he just had to get in and back out. Should be easy enough since he's done it so many times.

-------

You and the girls call a taxi and load up talking excitedly amongst yourselves.

"So what's your plan for tonight, y/n? You pause to think for a moment.

"I guess mostly hanging out with ya'll and keeping an eye on ya. Cause I know at least one of you is getting hammered. I'm not about to let you go off with a stranger either."

"Oh, c'mon y/n you should relax! Maybe take a guy home or something."

"That's not gonna happen if I'm drunk. As a matter of fact, if I've had any drinks at all."

"We know you get paranoid about things like this, but we really want you to have fun with us."

"I'll try my best, but I make no promises!"

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better, we won't have too many drinks. We can stay sober enough to pay attention. Right girls?"

"Yeah!"

You let out a sigh. "Ok, fine, I'll try for yall." They let out excited cheers, hyping each other and you up.

The taxi pulls up outside the club, and you can already hear the loud music from outside. There's a short line up the ramp to the main entrance. The bouncer checks each person's ID before letting them inside.

"Hello, ladies, are you having a good night?" He checks each ID as he speaks with you.

"Yes, sir! We're just gonna get tipsy and have some fun."

"Alright, you ladies, be careful about your drinks. Don't leave them unattended, and if you do, dump it."

"Understood, sir. we'll do that!"

He unhooked the felt rope letting you inside. Walking down the ramp inside, you're immediately immersed in the crowd. The lights flashing different colors with the music.

You push through to the bar in the middle of the building. One of the bartenders comes over to ask you what you'd like. As your friends order, you look out at the crowd. The bar area is elevated a couple of feet, so you get a good view over everyone's heads.

Jennifer hands you your drink. It's just a simple strawberry daqery that tastes like strawberry flavored hand sanitizer. You figure you could have a second one later, but that was your limit tonight.

Still looking out at the crowd, you swear you spot someone familiar but brush it off. You don't doubt people you've met might be here. It's a pretty popular club. You're suddenly dragged from the bar by Jessica as the others head towards an empty booth. When you sit down, you're once again talking amongst yourselves. The music makes it more difficult, though.

Glancing over at the bar, you spot a guy who looks like he'd fit in a mafia movie. Three bodyguards surround him, pushing patrons aside as he goes to order a drink. At the same time, you spot that same familiar face. Bruce comes up beside the men ordering his drink. Strangely, he's wearing glasses. Maybe he normally wore contacts?

His drink comes first. The simple glass of whiskey on ice, sparkling in the lights. As he turns around, he trips, splashing the mafia guys suit. Quickly, he apologizes and grabs some napkins, dabbing the alcohol soaked fabric. The man swats his hands away, and the body guards shove him back.

He once again apologizes and hands one of the men the rest of the napkins before walking away.

"What was that all about?" Trinity yells over the crowd.

"I'm not sure. Um, I'm gonna go to the restroom."

"We'll stay here! Keep an eye on your drink for you!"

Nodding, you stand heading toward the stairs, which also happen to be right next to Bruce. You try to blend in with the other people going down as you pass him, but you feel Ike he spots you. He's not looking at you when you glance in his direction from the crowd. Still leaning against the pillar.

Pushing through the crowd, you make your way to the bathrooms. The entry to the hallway marked with a neon restroom sign. A single security guard stands next to the entryway, making sure everyone is safe and that the hall doesn't crowd.

Inside the ladies' room, some girls are talking and touching up their makeup while another is hacking in one of the stalls from too much alcohol. You pick a stall and go sit on the toilet to do your business.

"Sharkisha, we told you not to drink that! You already had too much!"

"Sorry!"

"Listen, as soon as you're done puking out, your guts were heading home!"

You shook your head. There was no way you'd ever get that drunk. You preferred to have control of yourself and enough cognitive function to tell right from wrong.

Flushing the toilet, you go to the open sink and wash your hands. Worriedly, you look at the sickly girl in the reflection behind you. She's having a hard time holding her hair up as she wretches again. You sigh and pull the hair tie from your hair, walking over to her.

"Hey honey, you look like you're having some trouble."

"You don't know the half of it, lady."

"Let me pull your hair up for you."

"Thanks."

You gently comb her hair back with your hands and bunch it together into a ponytail, slipping the tie off your wrist into her hair and looping it over once more so it's somewhat tight.

"Is that ok?"

"Yeah, you're a life-saver."

You rub her back in soothing circles for a moment.

"Hey, be careful on your way home, alright. Don't skimp on that taxi ride. I don't want to hear about you on the news."

Weakly, she gives you a nod. And you walk out the door.

-------

Bruce watches the men as they move to the VIP lounge. His bug recording every word the man says. He'll eventually find the bug on his suit jacket, but by that time, he should have all the information he needs.

Motion out the corner of his eye catches his attention, and he glances over to the people walking down the stairs. His eyes widen slightly in surprise at seeing you. Your hair pulled up like normal, but you're wearing a tight fit short dress with stripes. Your platform heels make you a couple inches taller and excentuate your bare legs.

He shakes his head, focusing back on his mission. You did say you were going to the club tonight with your friends. He thinks he can see them at one of the booths.

His eyes follow you through the crowd as you make your way to the restrooms.

-------

Making your way out the entry back into the crowd, you're stopped by a man who's clearly drunk. He lightly grips your arm and pulls you aside to the wall. You feel his hands on you as you attempt to push him away. Grubby hands squeeze your rear, and you push them off.

This guy reaks of alcohol as he gets in your face, attempting to kiss you. Using your foot, you push into his abdomen leveraging against the wall. With one hard push of your leg, you shove him back into some people dancing.

They push him back up into a standing position, yelling at him to watch where he's going. He looks angry, and as he's coming back at you with his arm up to take a swing, you hold your arms up to shield yourself, squeezing your eyes shut.

But nothing happens. You crack your eyes open to see another man with his arm on the wall next to your head, his body looming over you as he looks back presumably at your assailant.

When he turns to look at you, your eyes meet his.

"B-Bruce?"

"You alright?"

"Now that you're here... yes." You jump up, wrapping your arms around his neck. You feel his one hand on your upper back as he holds you a bit tighter.

After a few seconds, you reluctantly let go.

"Let's get you back to your friends."

"They're up at the bar."

You hold onto his arm as he pushes through the crowd. He escorts you up the stairs but stops.

"I can't stay. I've gotta get back home. But maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Ok. OH, did you lock up my birds?"

"Yeah, and I left the key where you had it."

You suck in a calming breath, trying to steady you nerves. That was one worry off your back, though, so you were grateful.

Stepping up to him, you grip his jacket lapel pulling him down to your level and giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you, Bruce."

He looks a bit stunned for a second but stands straight again, clearing his throat.

"Again, it's not a problem, y/n."

You nod and wave to him as you jog over to the booth.

He jogs down the stairs back into the crowd, heading for the exit.

-------

As you sit down, you're bombarded with questions from your friends.

"Wasn't that the guy who tripped a little while ago?"

"Who is he!?"

"Are you dating him?"

"What happened?"

You take a long sip of your drink waiting for them to stop.

"He IS the guy who tripped earlier. He's my next-door neighbor. I'm not dating him! And he just saved me from some creep at the restroom entrance."

They exchange a look.

"You're into him aren't you?"

"How are you not trying to date him!?"

"Girl, he's a total catch!"

"You should've kissed him properly!"

"Ok, I don't even know him that well yet! I only really met him just two days ago!"

"Ok, just get to know him better then! Ask him out or something!"

"You make it sound SO easy!" Sarcasm drips from your voice as you give them a deadpan look.

"Hey, we wouldn't suggest it if we didn't think you could!"

You sigh in exasperation. "...maybe."

They giggle excitedly as you wipe your face with your hand.

"That creepy guy really soured my mood. I might just go home."

"That's totally fine. We can all leave cause if you're not having fun, then we aren't either!"

"Yeah, what's so fun about this if you're not with us!?"

"Yall don't have to do that. I've only had one drink, so I can get home just fine."

"No, we insist! Let's just go back to the apartment and watch a movie or something."

"I can't stay too late though cause I need to be home for my birds. And work too."

-------

The next day, you sleep in a little later than normal. Getting up after lunch, you go out to open the coop door. Your girls make irritated growls as they come out, clearly angry that you were late.

You toss them their feed, scratch, and mealworms, watching as they greedily gobble it up. Checking the nestbox, you find four from yesterday along with one that's still warm to the touch. You gather them in your shirt, taking them inside to put with the others.

The day seems to go by in a flash, and before you know it, it's time for work.

Pulling into the staff parking, one of your coworkers gives you a wave. She's leaving from her shift, getting into her car to head home for the rest of the afternoon.

You're glad you only have a five hour shift this time. You should be home in time to close up your birds.

-------

Bruce sits at his desk, working on his gadgets. His costume laid out on his bed. The sun set two hours ago, and it won't be long before he heads out on patrol.

A sound outside catches his attention, and he straightens up in his seat, closing his eyes as he tries to figure out what it is.

He hears it again this time a bit louder. It sounds like someone screaming. Quickly, he slips his shoes on and runs out the door, jumping down his stairs to the sidewalk below.

He pauses to hear the sound again. When he hears it, he zeros in on the location down the street. Looking around, he sprints, following the screams for help.

-------

You sigh as you walk down the sidewalk. You had to park quite far from your apartment because all the close spots were taken.

A couple of guys catch your attention as they come out from an alley ahead. One kicks over a garbage can spilling the trash across the street. You can hear them laughing and can barely make out their conversation, which, for the most part, sounds like foul language.

One of them spots you tapping another on the shoulder and pointing your way. They cross the street ahead of you, and you hold your head down, trying not to look at them. They wait for you to come closer before surrounding you.

You try to pass them, but they laugh and step in your way, holding their arms out to keep you there.

"Please let me through. My animals are waiting for me."

"Psh likely story."

"We just wanna have some fun with you girly."

Sucking in a breath, you let out a blood curdling scream.

They curse, pushing and pulling you into another alley. You let out another scream this time for help. Praying that Bruce is still at his apartment and can somehow hear you.

One attempts to cover your mouth as they search your pockets. You kick and scratch at them, trying to at least wound one of them. Maybe give one a black eye.

When the hand slips down to your chin, you take the chance to bite it. Your teeth sliced into the skin before you yank your head backward, hitting him in the face. Spitting blood from your mouth, the man yowls in pain, letting you go to tend his injuries.

You manage to scream again before another pushes you into the wall. You suddenly feel a hard impact with your cheek as his fist hits your face. Then, one of the others knees you in the stomach, making you crumple to the ground.

Coughing, you let out another more feeble scream. One of the men takes your purse and starts to go through it as you're pulled up by your hair.

"No one's coming to save you b***h."

With one last yell for help, you feel your fight leaving you. The tears start to flow as you're stood up and held to the wall. One of them pulls a switchblade from his pocket, and just before it connects with your skin, a familiar voice catches your ear.

"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU SONS OF B***HES!"

Bruce's voice is vicious as he yells out those words. You feel a bit of relief when you spot him sprinting towards you.

His fist connects with one guy's jaw as the others pull their knives. The guy he hit stumbles back behind the others as he regroups.

You notice Bruce isn't armed in any way. He gets into a fighting stance. With that serious look on his face, you feel like he might know what he's doing. Slowly, the men surround him, and now your confidence wavers. There's no way he can take them all on at once.

-------

The first lashes out at him, swinging his knife wildly. He clearly has no experience in knife combat. Bruce sidesteps and grabs the guy by the arm, flipping him over his shoulder to the ground. He hits a pressure point, making him drop the knife just as another comes at him.

Ducking, he kicks the knife away, and using his strong legs to leap forward, he grabs the second guy around his waist, smashing him into the opposite wall. He manages to slice through his sleeve and into his shoulder a centimeter as he leaps backward.

The other two attempt to charge him at once. One slice is taken by his forearm as he blocks his face. The other manages to catch his side, but it's only a glancing wound.

He swings around and kicks one of them in the head, the tip of the blade catching on his jeans and twisting the guys hand. The one he'd smashed into the wall comes back for more cutting across his chest.

He grabs the third by the arm, twisting it and making him drop his knife. Then he headbutts the fourth in the chin, teeth flying from his mouth.

With three down for the count, he only has one left. The third guy gets back on his feet and with a last surge of energy charges at him. Bruce dodges him and holds his leg out, tripping the guy. He lands on his face in a heap, knocking himself out cold.

-------

You let out a shaky breath, taking in the unconscious figures on the ground around Bruce. He looks from them to you, worry forming on his face.

"How bad are you hurt?" You look at him a bit surprised since he has the more grievous wounds. All you have is some bruising.

"I'm more worried about you! They managed to get you a couple of times."

"Nothing I can't handle, I assure you."

"You need to have those wounds cleaned! There's no telling what they've used their knives for!"

He walks up to you as you shake, tilting your head to look at him, he looks into your eyes.

"Your eyes are dilated, and you're coming down from your adrenaline. I suggest we get you home."

"Changing the subject, really?"

"I can stitch myself up. I'm more concerned about you than anything else right now."

"You need stitches."

Suddenly, you're lifted bridal style, and he gives you a glare, letting you know that you'll be doing exactly as he says. You'd probably be a blushing mess if you weren't suddenly so sleepy and a little nauseous.

You fight to keep your eyes open as he carries you down the street. The warmth of his body seeping into your skin makes you even more drousy as your head falls to his shoulder, your eyes finally closing.

-------

His wounds stung with each step as his muscles tensed under his skin. They pulled and tore just a bit farther open, and more blood dripped out onto his clothes and the concrete.

He walked up to his apartment door, knowing it was still unlocked, and opened it. Closing it behind him with his foot, he laid you down on his couch, propping up your feet to promote better circulation to your heart and brain.

You were in shock, so he had to monitor you till you woke. In the meantime, he needed to stitch himself up. He slipped off his shirt hissing as the drying blood stuck the fabric to his wounds.

[petnews2day]

Cat caught on camera at Pied Flycatcher nestbox

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/2fsfi

Cat caught on camera at Pied Flycatcher nestbox

Footage documenting the attempted predation of a Pied Flycatcher nest by a feral cat has highlighted the far-reaching impact that the pets can have on wildlife. The event, which was documented by a camera trap placed opposite a nestbox in the Conwy Valley in North Wales, occurred in the early hours of 26 May.  Footage shows […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/2fsfi #CatsNews

[furmity]

Had one of those perfect summer evening strolls with my beloved and Lilydog last night. Cool breeze but the earth and buildings still radiating the day's heat. Evening bird noise: galahs, honeyeaters, corellas. Spotted a rainbow lorikeet peeking out of a nestbox. Visited a beehive in a pepper tree. Met a new cat. Roses blooming everywhere, unripe figs, sour grapes, Hemlig reached to pick me an apple.

[ostdrossel]

Nestbox News: Hmmm

During my break, I continued to monitor my two nestboxes, and in the last week, there has been activity in both. A Bluebird couple has cleaned up the box, and I hope they will choose it. The other box has gotten a lot of interest from a Chickadee couple but they also have not started anything. There is a hole restrictor on that box so that larger birds cannot enter. I hope the Chickadees make a decision soon and before the House Wrens arrive so that I can fit a guard to the box in time. I am ready for this nesting season to finally begin.

[theappalachianhomestead]

Most likely due to the fact that we have never lived another lifestyle we have a very different outlook on feeding farm animals. None of them, including laying hens, were ever meant to live exclusively on factory made food. In fact, only more recently in history did those even become available. Because we have never relied on them as the sole source of nutrition for any animal we have not noticed a change at all in our egg collection. The majority of our birds diet comes from carcasses, scraps, scratch, and free ranging and the minority is from a feed bag. We have had a few people ask if we are concerned that they’re not getting all their nutrition needs met, the answer to that is no not even a little. When your flock is not healthy- it shows. Ours is and has always been. The reason we have this approach is because this is historically how it has been done in our family (and probably also the world). Never has there been a time like today when people are carefully measuring bag feed and mixing in so many different things to be sure their flock is matching up to the food pyramid created by the usda for chickens. Are we saying your hens don’t need to be well fed? No. We are just telling you that moving away from the bag being your crutch and towards what chickens ate before the advent of bag feed is an avenue worth exploring. So many of you are new to this, and anxious about it, we thought maybe a little talk about how new bag feeds actually are was in order. .. . . . . . . . #chickenfeed #layinghen #flock #hens #hensofinstagram #backyardgrocerystore #backyardchickens #chickencoop #crazychickenladiesofinstagram #feedingyourflock #freerangechickens #pastureraised #pastureraisedeggs #pasturedeggs #chickenfarm #ancestralwisdom #history #centuryfarm #familyfarm #farmwife #homecooking #cookingfromscratch #scratchmadeeverything #scratchmade #thegreatdepression #feedyourfamily #coop #chickencoopsofinstagram #nestbox https://www.instagram.com/p/ConEWa0Oulp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bunposting]

hey, I'd also like to thank you for explaining the reasons why breeders do nestbox culling. the original comment had a lack of context* + scout's response did make it seem really barbaric and cruel. TIL something new, and I appreciate it

(*not trying to blame the person who first brought up nestbox culling kits or anything, just that, to an outsider it sounded Bad)

No problem! I appreciate and thank you for your willingness to listen 😅

Context is everything! It's really easy for us to sometimes just say the things we know without realizing that folks who will see it don't have the same knowledge and might not be able to see the benefit without that context. I think that's a trap a lot of livestock owners and animal breeders fall into - we say things publicly or say "this is a thing we do" without actually fully explaining the various reasons why those things are done. Then people are left to either base their reactions on their initial emotions or the emotions of those they trust, or they get the information about those things from people that don't actually know the real reasons behind those things but sound official or knowledgeable enough to be believed. That, or we end up just being too exhausted from dealing with people attacking us constantly that we just say things and don't have the energy to give context.

It's all totally valid (we're all human, after all!), but it's important to know and recognize how harmful it can be, and try to minimize it where possible, I think.

[ahedderick]

Inside needed a good cleaning (yuk) and this high shelf need support.

It took us longer than it should have to actually get started this morning, but now the shelf is supported, the dust and debris is swept out, and new hay is in all the nestboxes. Hopefully the new hens will start laying around the end of the month. I'll finally have enough eggs again! And rooster stew.

Some of my tools are probably older than I am. If it ain't broke . .

Roooooster

Today's farm chore is going to be going out to the chicken coop and measuring for a piece of wood to support a sagging shelf. I'm going to confine the new hens soon, so they learn to lay in the coop instead of hiding eggs all over the yard. Also time to butcher some of the excess roosters. I saw one yesterday chasing another with murderous intent. Once they start fighting, you just have to get rid of all but one. Also, we have so MUCH crowing going on around here that I'm about to buy earplugs. Our neighbors' houses aren't very close, but I certainly don't want to be bugging any of them.

Murder birds. It's a shame.

Nicer news - three of the hens look exactly like their mama, Little Brown. I need to get some good grown-up pix.

[montereybayaquarium]

Welcome to the world, little birb! 🐧🎉

We’re unbirdlievably excited to announce that we welcomed a fluffy new addition to our African penguin colony!

The chick, whose sex is still unknown, hatched on March 24 and is being cared for by parents Walvis and Boulders. At its checkup on Tuesday, they weighed in at a happy 350 grams! You can currently try to sneak a glimpse of them on exhibit in the Splash Zone gallery—look for the fuzzy gray nugget in the nestbox closest to the gate!

The chick will remain on exhibit with their parents until they become more mobile, when they'll be moved behind the scenes for a few months to learn how to penguin and get their waterproof feathers. Stay tuned for updates as the chick grows!

[homeofhousechickens]

Trying to decide if i want to get two wire extensions for the wabitat or get a nest box for just one of them. The nestbox is expensive so i could only get one but if i got the cage extensions i could get two so both of the wabitats get an upgrade.

But if i get 2 wire extensions i might not have enough for some of the new platforms and treats i want to get the birds but if get only the nest box i should have enough 🤔

Eventually they will both get the wire extension and nest box so its just deciding what to get right now.

The nest box would be nice because i would put it on the bottom wabitat which means i can remove the nest boxes that are in the main part of the cage which would give alot more space and just look nicer

The wire extensions are also nice though because they come with a divider so if im moving birds around due to brooding or breeding purposes its easier to introduce and seperate birds

Ughhhhh decisions decisions

I also am going to get Loki some new toys i think ill get him one of those variety cat toys packs because he looove little balls and things he can throw around. One of his favorite things to do is to take the little fuzzy mice and "kill" them and then he drowns them in his water bowl