zek
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Everything posted by zek
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Heres some pics of my old system (when it was new). Zek.
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Some rats (it only takes one) can turn canabalistic and steal the young shortly after they're born. Throw in a big dog bone as they love meat and marrow and something to chew on, and it takes their mind off eating pinkies. I'll be very suprised if the adults don't suffocate the young - rats love companionship, and I've lost countless litters because of 12 adults piled on top. However, if you get away with it, let me know as I'm always open to ideas. As you say, water is very important - it's amazing how much of it they drink. And apart from tumors as they get older, mine have been
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Now that looks really good. I used to have a hutch system raised up off the ground. You might have a problem with lack of ventilation in the nest boxes, as it will get quite warm in there - I had that problem - the timber was continually damp, and it wasn't very healthy for the rats. The wire floor is a good idea. Another problem I encountered was when the young were born, other females piled in on top of the litter and they died. I'm wondering about a concrete area, 8' x 8' wired off, partially covered with separate nestboxes here and there. It would be a walk-in afair, and could be
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Yes, I've a Kestrel and a Buzzard, and use the rats for feeding. Having said that, I haven't bred any now for a couple of months - I don't have an ideal system for bringing on large quantities of young ones. I like the look of your hutch - Has it got wire mesh on the inside? What about wire mesh on the floor for their droppings? Btw, I can't access your link to your previous post. thanks, Keith.
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Her temperament is fine - tho' it's important to handle them young, even more so in this case. I suspect, in some measure, breeding with wild stock is not to be recommended as it may produce a nervous/wild rat. I suppose it's a bit like crossing a wolf with a domestic breed of dog. However, I did want the 'real McCoy' or as close as possible! Zek.
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Generally you either love them or hate them - I'll have to confess to a bit of both. Either way, they certainly make good pets - and good sport! Zek.
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Young female. A few years ago I crossed a wild buck with a white female to get the wild colour. Zek.
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Young female. A few years ago I crossed a wild buck with a white female to get the wild colour. Zek.
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I'm wondering about having a well or spring at the end of my garden. I'm thinking of having a pond, and a water supply for plants and livestock. There's a few springs in the neighbourhood. My neighbour has a spring just a few feet from our fence that fills his pond nearby. However, there's no access for vehicles. I wonder if there is a company in Ireland that specializes in this type of business? Zek.
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A couple of nights ago I tried limpets for the first time - rubbery and tasteless IMO. Also tried Sea Lettuce (a variety of seaweed) - we fried it, and yes, it tasted good. Some of these days I intend to try 'Wheliks' as the locals call them. Zek.
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The 'eyes' on the wings will give you a clue - it's the name of a bird, Zek.
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Sorry, mate; What the f*ck Does " DV " mean? Only it's honestly bugging the shit out of me and I just can't work it out! I means 'God willing' - I think it's Latin, but I'm not sure - some folk in the west say 'please God'. Simply put, I'm not presumming. That aside; Good on ye for working on ye 'Family Tree' I'm at it most days and nights here myself. In fact, I've just finished a particularly gruelling session this evening. Great though, isn't it? Sometimes it's fun, sometimes I think, 'what's the point?'. Sometimes I think 'there's a lifestyle in these few miles of countr
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In the course of researching my family tree, I chance upon this far out relative a couple of days ago. Living up a long lane on the edge of the Sperrin mountains (Northern Ireland), he's coming 77 yrs of age, keeps a few sucking cows, and apart from a few cats, he lives all alone. And I almost forgot, he bakes his own bread. I didn't have long to spend with him, but in the short time that I was there, the stories and memories were awesome. I intend to call back DV. I remember, 20 years ago there were a few such homes in that part of the country, but most of the folk have passed on - this
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Really good photos - thanks for sharing! Zek.
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Well, you learn something ever day! I've included the story of the seal I mentioned (previously posted on a skull collecting group). And btw, I've still got the skull. Ah, memories! "I remember about 13 years ago, working as temporary manager in a supermarket, in the West of Ireland. One evening, after work, while exploring the coastline I chanced upon a dead grey seal - very fresh and with what looked like a bullet hole in his forehead. Being unprepared and unequiped (shame on me), I made my way to a nearby village (very rural), to purchase a knife. The only shop open (it was
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I really love the first shot. Note the small scar behind his left eye. I've noticed this once on a dead seal - it was between the eyes, but slightly higher. I assumed it was the entry wound of a .22 or something similar. However, when I cleaned the skull, there was no mark on the bone. I then assumed the bullet had passed through the flesh, missing the actual skull - I doubt if this would kill the animal tho'. So back to the drawing board - maybe these scars are simply marks left from fights. Zek.
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Hope I'm not hijacking this thread - what about the flat greyish coloured fly (bit bigger than a house fly), that is found between the feathers of a bird. A couple of times I've picked up a roadkill Owl or Jackdaw, and the next thing, one of these flys is on my arm. I've slapped them, sqeezed them, swipped them, to no avail, I just can't kill them. They really give me the creeps - Anyone got a name for them? Zek.
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Tell me more - are they of the carrot family? Can they be safely eaten? Were they used by folks of past generations? Zek.
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Are the two spots nearest the body fused? There is a 5-spot as well. I'm always on the look out for the yellow variety, but so far with no luck, Zek.
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Thanks for that - I think that's the one I tentatively identified last week around the coast. The flower is enclosed in a large green 'leaf' just before it opens. Zek.
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Now that's good - thanks for sharing, Zek.
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One hit the windcreen of the car last night, along a country road. I reversed and saw it lying on the road. As I approached it, it flew off. I wonder how many come to grief on the road? Zek.
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Try the right habitat on the Mullet Pen. if you're ever out that way - I reckon there's plants and animals out there still to be discovered Zek.
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You can see the marks left by his toe nails just in front of the toe prints. You can see the partial registration of the other foot as well - should be able to tell if he was walking slow or fast, but I've long since forgotten the method. Zek.
