Best way to keep run from turning into a muddy quagmire?

[MROO]

I’ll be thinking of you over the next several weeks. When is your surgery?

I love the idea of metal siding as a roof. Can you put it on an angle so the snow slides off? If it’s flat I fear eventually it might collapse under the weight of snow. Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who only VISITS the snow for fun.

Check at your local building supply store. They sell the roofing panels, like the corrugated stuff you see on sheds. It comes in poly carbonate, steel, and everything in between. You can even get clear panels so the sun comes through.

 

[tweetzone86]

My small broody run (two by five) was a muddy mess until I started layering, this summer. I started with fine gravel, then a few bags of sand. Next came a thick layer of pine needles (free from a neighbor - YAY!) and now I just add leaves, compost and some of the cleaner pine shavings when I scoop out the coop box. We've had lots of rain in the last two weeks, and so far, so good!

As far as the "plumbing work" goes, I'm sorry you have to deal with that. It sounds like we share the same story ... been there, done that; I can commiserate! I promise, it gets better! The best advice I got was to be sure to give myself time to heal. Don't be ashamed to ask for help for the first couple of weeks - and yeas, weeks, not days. You'll feel much better, but don't push and you'll be through it more quickly.

It's not all bad, though. Once the surgery was over and I was feeling better, I realized that I can now wear white pants whenever I want! Khakis? No problem! You'll never have to sit out another swim party. And you can plan your vacation for whenever you want without having to count weeks. It's actually very freeing!

Those ideas for run mulch sound great! Thanks

I know it will I'm not going to be sorry to see that gone for sure! (Though I think that topic hijacked the thread a bit lol. Hope mods don't get cranky). I've had so much pain and so many problems these past 6 years that it effectively disabled me. I am stay at home mom and author anyway, but when hubby had internship for his mental health degree last year and wasn't paid we had to cut down to the bare bones of everything and live off savings and accumulate more student loans because I couldn't work even part time to help

It's very, very aggravating that I was misdiagnosed for so long, and the answer that it wasn't an incurable chronic disease but rather a curable one was a true gift from God! If this surgery means that I can get my life back and be active once more, then I am so so glad! I was so relieved to FINALLY get the real answer and that it was curable that I cried tears of joy! Then insurance reared its ugly head...

But that's in God's hands now and I have faith that if God had worked everything out so perfectly with this whole thing (one of my best friends has same diagnosis and she spotted it in me and told me to go to this specialist, got in 2 weeks later, turns out she was right, it's curable, AND this doc is one of only 40 in the entire country who is this specialized and is one of the best, is the ONLY one in Idaho, and happens to be at a hospital that does take my insurance (cheap jerks that they may be), and it's five minutes away from my house!) that He has a plan for this and maybe my prayers for healing are finally being answered If God wants me to be healed, He will make a way. I believe that with my very heart and soul.

The thing I'm most thrilled about is that I won't be in constant pain anymore (a minimum 3-4 every day, occasionally spiking. My worst spasm attack lasted 30 hours and put me in the ER and hurt worse than childbirth!), and I won't be anemic every time and going through nighttime items during the day and Depends at night. I won't be exhausted anymore from the effects of chronic pain on my body, and I will be able to fully function again

Some days I can function but the next two or three I hurt so, so badly. Shingles came off my shed during a windstorm a couple years ago. I fixed it one afternoon and put myself down for two weeks with severe pain. I won't be popping tylenol like crazy for days at a time every month (note- I build up a tolerance and don't want to trash my vital organs so only take it if I'm in sheer unbridled agony).

I will be able to be there for my kids without them using my bathroom door as a revolving door. I won't have to know where a bathroom is everywhere I go and I can finally stop the (incorrect diagnosis) medication that caused me to lose so much hair that my braid diameter is at most a half inch wide down most of the length (thank God I have very curly hair or I'd look like Gollum or close to it by now). My braid used to be almost 2" thick in each braid (2 braids) and today each braid was only as thick as a marker at the top and a pencil at the bottom.

Sorry if this completely hijacked the thread, but I really, really appreciate all your guys's support and reassurances and tips on this. I have a tough time recovering from surgery in general (wisdom teeth, then emergency appendectomy for appendicitis, then gallbladder removal due to non-function in 2016), especially as I need dilaudid and most surgeons are very hesitant to prescribe it because it's potent but it's the only one I can have due to severe allergies to most pain meds so I have to cease pain meds sooner than others. Plus, we're talking a more major surgery, even if laparascopic, than any of the other three I've had and between that alone, not knowing exactly what all needs to come out til they get in there, the fact that I already have anxiety, and insurance being jerks, it's been really tough these past few weeks.

Thank you all for your support!!! It is MUCH appreciated If the mods get cranky about the rabbit-trail we've gone down with my upcoming surgery, you guys are welcome to PM me more I would love to know as much as I can prior to the surgery happening so a) I know what to expect, and b) so I know what I need to prepare ahead of time for when hubby has to go back to work. Due to the nature of his job, he can't really take too much time off work (mental health therapist), even if legally he can take up to 12 weeks ethically he can't as a therapist who needs to see his clients.

So any tips you all have for recovery would be HIGHLY appreciated! Our church does meals post-surgery and such but with all my food sensitivities (mainly artificial/processed ingredients) it is difficult for people to be able to cook things I can eat without severe muscle spasms. I don't know if those sensitivities will still be there post-surgery but an attack right after surgery would be a bad, bad thing and quite possibly yank out internal stitches

Anyway, any tips you hysterectomy/endometriosis lesion removal veterans have for me would be GREATLY appreciated <3

 

[tweetzone86]

I’ll be thinking of you over the next several weeks. When is your surgery?

I love the idea of metal siding as a roof. Can you put it on an angle so the snow slides off? If it’s flat I fear eventually it might collapse under the weight of snow. Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who only VISITS the snow for fun.

Don't know yet. Still fighting insurance to get them to pay for it. When hubby was an intern last year for his mental health therapist degree/licensure, he wasn't paid (I think that should be illegal but the law hasn't caught up) and I couldn't work so we lived off savings and student loans and ended up on Medicaid. Medicaid gives a year after you start making money again (which hubby did when he graduated) to find another alternative. So I'm currently fighting with Medicaid to pay for it, it's up in February, and they are being incredibly tight-fisted about it.

But I had to do 6 weeks of physical therapy first anyway for the pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (quintessentially every muscle from waist to thighs is wound up tighter than a spring and won't loosen up), and I meet with the specialist again on November 13th when PT is done and hopefully by then Medicaid will fess up and pay for the surgery and we can set a date then.

Yes, a flat roof wouldn't work here. We can angle it- it's just a matter of what we're using for the framework and if attaching it from shed to fence will actually work or if it needs more framing than that. We do have reclaimed 4x6x10' heat treated oak beams from heavy equipment pallets that we're currently trying to configure a frame from, and just need to figure out the angles. Even our chainsaw balked at trying to cut through those things, so we're working on a solution.

But hey- they are freaking awesome beams and we got them for free Our friend works at a heavy equipment dealer and rental store and they can only use these once before their integrity for that purpose is destroyed and then they just throw them away! I'm talking backhoes and huge tractors and graders, etc. Not your son's tonka toys. These pallets were designed to hold several tons in weight (the cross beams are 2x6 heat treated oak boards). But that also means that they're a beast to cut down. In fact, when we finally get acreage we're going to use these for our barn timbers and possibly use the for parts of our house too.

But we're trying to figure out the best way to cut them because even our chainsaw isn't happy with the task. This is very, very hard wood. But once we can get them cut down, we can build the frame and get roof on. These are incredibly heavy beams though, and I can't lift them right now That's why I said a permanent roof will likely have to wait til spring after I've recovered from surgery and we can possibly get a strong, taller friend to help (I'm only 5 feet tall as well and hubby needs to be able to stand up in the run).

 

[tweetzone86]

Check at your local building supply store. They sell the roofing panels, like the corrugated stuff you see on sheds. It comes in poly carbonate, steel, and everything in between. You can even get clear panels so the sun comes through.

Oh the clear ones would be a fantastic idea! I know what you mean about panels- we will do our house roof in them when we go to build after we get acreage (hopefully we can next year). I didn't know they came in clear though- that would be perfect!

 

[micstrachan]

Don't know yet. Still fighting insurance to get them to pay for it. When hubby was an intern last year for his mental health therapist degree/licensure, he wasn't paid (I think that should be illegal but the law hasn't caught up) and I couldn't work so we lived off savings and student loans and ended up on Medicaid. Medicaid gives a year after you start making money again (which hubby did when he graduated) to find another alternative. So I'm currently fighting with Medicaid to pay for it, it's up in February, and they are being incredibly tight-fisted about it.

But I had to do 6 weeks of physical therapy first anyway for the pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (quintessentially every muscle from waist to thighs is wound up tighter than a spring and won't loosen up), and I meet with the specialist again on November 13th when PT is done and hopefully by then Medicaid will fess up and pay for the surgery and we can set a date then.

Yes, a flat roof wouldn't work here. We can angle it- it's just a matter of what we're using for the framework and if attaching it from shed to fence will actually work or if it needs more framing than that. We do have reclaimed 4x6x10' heat treated oak beams from heavy equipment pallets that we're currently trying to configure a frame from, and just need to figure out the angles. Even our chainsaw balked at trying to cut through those things, so we're working on a solution.

But hey- they are freaking awesome beams and we got them for free Our friend works at a heavy equipment dealer and rental store and they can only use these once before their integrity for that purpose is destroyed and then they just throw them away! I'm talking backhoes and huge tractors and graders, etc. Not your son's tonka toys. These pallets were designed to hold several tons in weight (the cross beams are 2x6 heat treated oak boards). But that also means that they're a beast to cut down. In fact, when we finally get acreage we're going to use these for our barn timbers and possibly use the for parts of our house too.

But we're trying to figure out the best way to cut them because even our chainsaw isn't happy with the task. This is very, very hard wood. But once we can get them cut down, we can build the frame and get roof on. These are incredibly heavy beams though, and I can't lift them right now That's why I said a permanent roof will likely have to wait til spring after I've recovered from surgery and we can possibly get a strong, taller friend to help (I'm only 5 feet tall as well and hubby needs to be able to stand up in the run).

Wow! What a fantastic free resource, but I see the challenge in using them right now. Sounds like you have some good ideas for dealing with an uncovered run of a temporary roof doesn’t come together.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Herbicide-free? A lot of hay/straw is sprayed with either aminopyralid or clopyralid, which are two very potent herbicides (to make their bales "weed-free") that can stick around in the soil for up to 30 years and make vegetable gardens impossible to grow. I am leery of compost in the stores for the same reason, so I am trying to compost our used chicken bedding and our composting pile is the run itself so the chickens can stir it up for me while looking for bugs

Plus, if I'm composting anything for the garden, it has to be herbicide-free. I can ask TSC and see if they have any herbicide-free bales but they are surprisingly hard to find...

I think they would since they carry animal safe products

 

[aart]

Larger wood chippings work best here to reduce odor and 'muck'.
Run has no solid roof, but my soil drains pretty well, so that helps.
If you do prop some 'roofing' up, have a roof rake ready.

 

[MROO]

Those ideas for run mulch sound great! Thanks
...
Sorry if this completely hijacked the thread, but I really, really appreciate all your guys's support and reassurances and tips on this.
...

Anyway, any tips you hysterectomy/endometriosis lesion removal veterans have for me would be GREATLY appreciated <3

1.) Make meals easy. Make up a bunch of simple, partially or pre-cooked meals for the freezer. Those are really easy for hubby to prep, even when he gets home late from work. If you are part of a church community, let them know when your surgery is scheduled. Ours was wonderful - arranging for hot, fresh meals every day for three weeks! It was amazing!

2.) Make a list of short tasks someone can do for you when they call or stop by to ask "How can I help?" Things like clean the bathroom, do a load of laundry, change the kids' beds, vacuum, sweep the floor (you'll be surprised how much that hurts for the first week or so!)

3.) Plan in-and out of the house play dates for your girls. They'll need a break from worrying about you. Mine were really young - one and three, so some of the church ladies brought their children to play with my babies for awhile. Kids love to help. I think every child in the church and my neighborhood walked my dog. He was in Puppy Heaven! My guess is that they'll be just as anxious to help with the chickens. Kids can help feed and water - Moms & Dads can pick up feed for you. See - I managed to squeeze in some chicken advice, so this is officially NOT a hijack!

On a side note, the neatest get-well card I got came from my best friend, who not only sent a gift card for our favorite pizza place, but added a handful of ones for tips. What a great idea and a helpful, thoughtful gift!

Okay - time to fetch my youngsters from Marching Band practice. As much as I enjoy the performances, I will be SO glad when the season is over!
Keep us posted!

 

[tweetzone86]

1.) Make meals easy. Make up a bunch of simple, partially or pre-cooked meals for the freezer. Those are really easy for hubby to prep, even when he gets home late from work. If you are part of a church community, let them know when your surgery is scheduled. Ours was wonderful - arranging for hot, fresh meals every day for three weeks! It was amazing!

2.) Make a list of short tasks someone can do for you when they call or stop by to ask "How can I help?" Things like clean the bathroom, do a load of laundry, change the kids' beds, vacuum, sweep the floor (you'll be surprised how much that hurts for the first week or so!)

3.) Plan in-and out of the house play dates for your girls. They'll need a break from worrying about you. Mine were really young - one and three, so some of the church ladies brought their children to play with my babies for awhile. Kids love to help. I think every child in the church and my neighborhood walked my dog. He was in Puppy Heaven! My guess is that they'll be just as anxious to help with the chickens. Kids can help feed and water - Moms & Dads can pick up feed for you. See - I managed to squeeze in some chicken advice, so this is officially NOT a hijack!

On a side note, the neatest get-well card I got came from my best friend, who not only sent a gift card for our favorite pizza place, but added a handful of ones for tips. What a great idea and a helpful, thoughtful gift!

Okay - time to fetch my youngsters from Marching Band practice. As much as I enjoy the performances, I will be SO glad when the season is over!
Keep us posted!

Thank you for the tips! At the moment I'm stuck in a major fight with Medicaid to pay for it (long story short hubby did his internship last year for his mental health counselor licensure but according to the (stupid) law he didn't have to be paid for it so we lived off savings and student loans and had to get medicaid and that runs out in Feb). They keep balking about how "uterine preservation is preferred" and how it's not "medically necessary" and "I haven't tried everything else" (which is BS because I've tried everything I can this past 6 years!).

So the doctor's office is fighting with them to pay for the surgery and I'm stuck in limbo til they decide to go ahead and believe the HIGHLY qualified doctor that I actually need it (in short they just don't want to pay for it and have this weird misogynistic attitude that a woman of childbearing age can't get rid of the uterus even if she's done having kids and it's a diseased organ).

Still in PT for it so still subject to lifting restrictions and unable to build the roof over the run til this is all over, but if any of you all pray please pray that the doctor's office can get Medicaid to suck it up and pay for it because we can't afford to pay cash for this surgery and thanks to hubby's work insurance costing $1,800 per month for me and the girls on a $47k before taxes wage Medicaid is the only insurance I have til Feb then I'm out of luck We don't qualify for a subsidy because his self-only premium is affordable thus thanks to a judge ruling a while back on this concept we're "offered" an "affordable" plan and turned it down thus don't qualify for subsidy. Hence, any plan on the exchange for me has to be full price, and I can only afford a $300 a month plan which carries a $6,750 individual deductible

So yeah- God willing Medicaid will suck up and pay for it. In the meantime, I've got to figure out a good solution to my run because I can't build the roof over it and a tarp won't work once it starts snowing. We're supposed to start the rain/snow mix on Nov 8 and it will soon transition to snow itself.

 

[MROO]

In the meantime, I've got to figure out a good solution to my run because I can't build the roof over it and a tarp won't work once it starts snowing. We're supposed to start the rain/snow mix on Nov 8 and it will soon transition to snow itself.

Put a picnic table in there and tack a piece of ply-wood against the windy side to form a lean-to wall. Not only will it give them a protected area to hide under when it snows, but you'll essentially double your "floor space," since they'll have a second story!