Chapter 46 (continued)
Shi Wen was patrolling the area, and knowing that Yan Kexing would be returning from his inspection soon, his mood improved.
That morning, Shi Wen finishing up other things at the ranch, Shi Wen took some pigeon feed to feed the pigeons.
Their pigeons have been hatched for about twenty days and are already able to eat on their own. They have also grown long feathers, but there are still some yellow downy feathers sticking up on their heads and necks, which looks rather comical and is quite amusing.
Before Shi Wen pigeons, I never imagined that their adult and juvenile bodies would combine and have an awkward period of about half a month.
Shi Wen carried a jug of mixed grains, intending to feed them.
The thirty-four pigeons could recognize people. As soon as they saw him carrying food, they immediately started cooing in their cages and even used their beaks to pry open the wooden fence.
Shi Wen casually reached into the cage and patted the head of the nearest pigeon. "Don't worry, I'll feed it soon."
The young pigeons under his command, "Coo-coo."
Shi Wen glanced at the pigeon feed in the feeding trough.
There was still some leftover pigeon feed in the feeding troughs from yesterday, not much, just a little bit left in each trough, and there wasn't much other stuff in them.
His pigeons have very good habits; they never poop or vomit indiscriminately, but they always have a habit of leaving a little bit of food, no matter how much feed he puts in.
Shi Wen checking, Shi Wen poured the remaining grain into the grain collection bin, intending to feed it to the sheep and pigs later.
Anyway, sheep and pigs aren't picky; they can be the ones to clean up the mess.
Shi Wen is a novice pigeon breeder. The pigeon feed he bought is commercially prepared young pigeon feed, which is a mixture of corn, wheat, sorghum, brown rice, peas, and hemp seeds.
He noticed that there were always quite a few peas left over after each feeding.
Perhaps it's because pigeons don't really like eating peas?
But books and pigeon-raising groups all say that peas are good for pigeons?
Shi Wen took a picture and posted it to their local pigeon-raising group.
He didn't choose a good angle when he took the picture, and ended up including the pigeons in several pigeon coops, waterers, salt pots, bathtubs, etc., making the picture look messy.
It doesn't look very professional at all.
However, this unprofessional photo still drew a lot of attention from group members:
[Erduowen, are these all young pigeons?]
Wow, where did you buy your pigeons? Why do you keep such a mixed breed?
[Newbie pigeon fancier?]
[It's so chaotic, I spotted three or four different kinds of pigeons at a glance.]
Shi Wen admitted it, then asked, "[The pigeons have a lot of leftover peas lately, I wonder why? Does anyone know?]"
Group member:
[May not be fresh.]
[They might be too big; they wouldn't be able to swallow them.]
[Perhaps they lack a sense of security and like to leave a little something behind.]
[Erduowen, you've really got a mixed breed of pigeons!]
[You're raising them very well! Your pigeons have really bright eyes! They're even better than the second-generation pigeons I've raised.]
Are these all racing pigeons? Why are several breeds mixed together?
[They are all racing pigeons, yes. But wait, buddy, why did you buy so many breeds? Won't they crossbreed if you mix them together?]
Shi Wen feeding the pigeons, the group chat was flooded with hundreds of messages.
Everyone is discussing the downsides of mixed breeding, and how unbelievable it is that Shi Wen keep such a diverse mix of pigeons at home, yet the pigeons still grow up quite well.
As they chatted, the group members mentioned that Shi Wen's family seemed to live in the suburbs of N City, meaning they were from N City.
Shi Wen looked at the newly displayed message, unsure how to explain, and simply corrected, "[I'm in the town below, I run a ranch.]"
Which town? I'm also in one of those towns.
[Sigh, me too. It's not a good place to roam around in the city, and there are a lot of cats.]
Shi Wen. Although I mostly lurk, I've gotten to know all the group members quite well.
He simply sent his location: [I'm here.]
This caused a huge uproar.
[It's in the town next to mine!]
[It's so close to me.]
[I've been to @. If the car drives forward and doesn't go to the side road, it can reach @ERDUOwenjia.]
[I know this road well too, Erduowen. Your ranch is huge! I often drive there and wish I could go in and visit.]
Shi Wen had nothing better to do, he said, "Come on in! I'll treat everyone to milk tea and hot pot mutton."
[Really? There's lamb to eat?!]
Wow, local sheep? Can I come too?
[Erduowen, bro, if you're serious, I'll pack my things and drive over right away.]
[Erduowen, I'd like to see your pigeons.]
Shi Wen: [Seriously, I've accumulated a lot of questions while raising pigeons, and it would be great if you experts could offer some guidance.]
[Your family's pigeon-raising ecosystem is truly remarkable. If you don't mind, I'd really like to come and see it; it's not far away anyway.]
[Yeah, me too.]
As they talked, they quickly made a decision: they would all bring their things to see the Shi Wen.
Shi Wen that the dogs were taking the two Hu Zai out to play, and then they were preparing to entertain the group members.
Two hours later, seven members of the group actually bought fruit and brought wine to visit him.
Everyone introduced themselves to each other, and soon they matched the people with their nicknames in the group.
As soon as everyone arrived at Shi Wen's house, they crowded around to see the pigeons he raised.
Upon Shi Wen, he immediately took his men there.
He kept the pigeons in a livestock shed, which was covered with felt for warmth and also had heating inside.
Even though the outside temperature is below zero, it's not cold inside. However, the smell of livestock and poultry is mixed together and a bit unpleasant, and the ventilation is not very good.
The pigeon coop and the goose coop were placed next to each other. When they passed by the pigeon coop, the geese in the goose coop honked.
Some of the more aggressive ones even stretched out their long necks to bite the guests, but were sternly stopped by Shi Wen.
When the group members saw it, they were all shocked. "Your pigeon coop is way too rudimentary!"