I finally got caught up. I fell behind getting birds ready for the auction in Inola. Arriving there at eight o'clock put me in a line of trucks filled with chicken cages, and the steady creep and stop probably burned more gas than the entire trip up there. Note to self: Leave earlier to avoid the long line of late-arriving chicken sellers. Second note to self: Leaving earlier puts a person in a long line of early-arriving chicken sellers. 
It worked out, though, since I got a chance to visit with Joe's family, Lisa, Staci, and Kim. There were a few new acquaintances made, and lots of folks were eager to talk chicken.
Even though my birds were in the second-to-the-last row, I still did well in sales. I also managed to make a few purchases from the huge lot where multiple auctions are run simultaneously throughout the day. It rained on and off, so buyers disappeared and reappeared if they'd come unprepared for wet weather. I think the best deals were made by buyers when the thunder, lighting, and rain were in full chorus.
I bought a Craftsman toolbox bench for the barn. Now I have a place to keep my tools and no longer need to walk to the shop. I also bought an old boat trailer, which will become the mobile base for my pastured egg house. The hens will get lots of grass and bugs in their diet, and I can know that they are fertilizing as they go. My most significant purchase was actually a shared deal. I'd waited all day, in the rain, and it was quickly getting dark, so I was shocked and frantic when I saw that a friend, Kim, wanted to stacking brooder, and I wanted the stacking brooder, so we agreed that only she would bid and we'd split the cost and the units. I cam home with the four-legged base, a grow out compartment, and a brooder compartment. She went home with a grow out compartment and two brooders, which included the top section that has the metal cover. Her husband is good at building things, so she assured me he could construct an appropriate base. I'd paid $65 for a single brooder unit at another auction, so paying less than $25 apiece for these components makes me a happy hatcher.
Happy Easter! I need to go feed and water before it gets all the way dark.
for that!
