Consolidated Kansas

[sharol]

I was laughing so hard when I read this that I ended up reading it aloud to my class (they are done with the final and killing time until the bell rings). I can see you running along carrying that dog trying to get the car stopped. I'm glad it ended well.

Sharol
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[Ivywoods]

Ivy, you crack me up!

I've learned something very valuable today. I didn't realize a woman could just TAKE the chainsaw when DH wasn't looking!!!! LOVE that idea. Anytime I ask him to show me how to use it he fusses around about how he's afraid I'll get hurt without him home to help me. Sheesh. So I wait, very politely, for him to get crack-a-lackin' with the thing. Alas, he's too busy building breeder pens!!! If I get caught, I'm going to blame it on the crazy chicken ladies! Snicker. Better yet, I could man up and ask for my own for my BD next month, Stihl, you say? I'll just tell him his little piece of junk is too dangerous for me.

Stihl. Yes. They are the best. Mine is a 180C that has an "easy start" to it. It also has an upgraded chain and will cut about anything I want to tackle. It's not as heavy as my old one but works just as well and cuts all but the great big trees.

Here's my two boys helping clear some stuff in the pasture. That's the chain saw sitting on a stump. I didn't use it at all that day. The two boys were arguing over who got to run the saw and who had to clear the brush. My older son won the day (the one in back) and my younger son (the string bean) ended up clearing brush most of the time.


Karen-I like the way you talk about your kids. It is obvious you are really in tune to them. The story about your son helping the other child is great. I love to see and hear things that kids do to help others and to help themselves feel good. You are obviously in tune to more than just "do this-do that, no, no, no, etc."

I'm pretty proud of my boys, too!

 

[averytds]

I've known 2 other ladies in my lifetime with their own chainsaws. I know one of them, her's was a Stihl too. I almost never use it, but I have my own tiller. I have my own lawnmower and other assorted outdoor stuff. I've got far more indoor tools though. Mostly blue and if not, many marked because my DH walks away with them. In all fairness, I've claimed several of his Snap-on tools as my own. Sometimes I wonder if his dealer thinks he's nuts because he has to get another set of whatever, because his wife took the first set.

My latest surprise fav was bought as a stocking stuffer. I bought 2 sets of those 3 piece, multi wrenches in one sets. Loved it so much I kept both sets for myself. Lol


My new chicken catching net came in yesterday. Need to head to Wally world to look at telescopic fish nets for a new frame. After seeing it in action, I just had to have one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FISH-POULTR...740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415662b53c

 

[chicken danz]

HEchicken, Funny story. Too bad you didn't have someone video taping. That could be a winner on Americas Funniest Videos. Do post the pictures of the car loaded up.
David, I am thinking your chicken needs a few days of Vitamin E. I don't believe that is wry neck. I'm like Ivy I was thinking that was something they were born with. I believe it is either a vitamin deficiency or she got her head injured some how. The clues to getting her cured for this is to take her out of the general population so she doesn't get picked on. Open a Vitamin E capsule (I just bite a hole in mine cause it is faster.) Just squirt it into her mouth at least twice a day. It may take 2 weeks or so depending on the severity. Give her plenty of good food and water. Make sure that she can drink. The problem with some of these birds thriving is getting their head cocked around enough to get the water and swallow. I have one monstrous Cochin who got injured and I didn't think it was going to come out of it and it drank upside down for months after it was cured. Try to introduce some probiotics and give him plenty of fat and rich foods. Even if it means drizzling a tiny bit of veggie oil on top of her food. The worst part about this condition is that because of their awkward position they have trouble getting enough caloric intake.

Aw Karen those pics of Chop made me smile. I told you I was afraid of that. Chopper gets aggressive to the other birds if he gets a little jealous. If he figures out he can still be special I think he will stop that. He's been the goose leader lately and they all considered him master so he's kind of been at the top of the pecking order any way. I hope Quackers keeps him in line and he stops being a bossy duck. The only place Chopper has been in the water is the bathtub and little tub out in the goose pen.He's never had anything deep enough to swim in. Like I said he would always wait until I splashed him before he would start really enjoying the bath water and playing. Maybe the other ducks will start splashing at the pond and he'll get the idea.
I had 21 more keets and some baby ducks in the hatcher when I got home last night. I haven't checked this morning. I forgot to add water before I left yesterday morning so I sure hope I didn't kill any ducks from too low humidity. It is so hard to take on much else when you have things hatching. I have another large batch of eggs to pull tomorrow.
I stopped at Walmart to pick up a gift for my son's birthday on the way home, and got confused so left without it. Some of the new electronics are just too similar in name and I couldn't remember which one I was looking for accessories for. I did pick up some rosemary and some more thyme. I have some but I absolutely love the smell of all the herbs. I have them in with my front flower bed and the different smells and textures totally stimulate my senses.
I was actually looking for lemon mint. Not Bee balm but actual lemon mint. I found some orange mint instead. I wasn't convinced it really smelled like oranges but I thought it would be awesome to brew in tea or even coffee.
Today I have a ton of eggs to get washed and taken to town. I have buckets full of them. I also need to take the tractor and load up all the sand I have and put it in my garden, plus a large pile of chicken litter I took out last fall that is now nice rich dirt. Then maybe I can begin planting finally. I am going to be short on time, because I really want to get it planted before the weekend rain. I am going to Lindsey's tomorrow to NPIP test so I won't have time tomorrow.

 

[pikeman94]

Pikeman-New coop by the weekend?

You are funny! Actually, I have been going about getting all my wood sourced via Craig's List. Today I will pick up the wood for the frame and I will get the siding in the next few days. Then, I think I will have break down and get the plywood from Home Depot. So far the investment is only $80. Oh and I am going to build the 4x8 version of the design I found here: http://poultry.purinamills.com/NUTRITIONMANAGEMENT/HenHouseHutchDesign/default.aspx

The design looks solid. I am changing it up though. Nesting boxes will go on the sides, main access door will go up front along with the chicken door. I am thinking the chicken door will go in the middle of the access door and then the access door will open to the left or right. Of course that part is still subject to change. Also, I am thinking about putting a narrow vent window in the front and back. I hope to get the framing started later this weekend. I will send pics as I get the build going.

Does anyone know how to do roofing on this type of coop?

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Chopper update, I just got back from checking on him and he's swimming and splashing around with the others! I'm so thrilled! He has moderated his pecking to just touching the other ducks when he wants them to move. He's not used to ducks sticking so close together, yet. I took food down there just in case they need some during the day. They usually turn their noses up while they are at the pond, but I thought for the new ones it may be best. I love my ducks!!!! Thanks so much Danz! It's such a joy to watch them enjoying themselves. Gotta run...

 

[chicken danz]

Oh I forgot to remark that I too own a chain saw. DH has a Stihl but because my right wrist is fused I can't pull a pull rope to start anything. So I have a 16 inch electric one and miles of extension cord. When I start using it nothing is safe. I just keep finding things to cut. I have a plethora of hand and power tools and implements I bought for myself. Pikeman sounds like your coop plans are coming along.
BTW HEchicken, that coop looks amazing so far for such a short time.
Aw Karen, that is really great news. He is such a lucky duck!

 

[JosieChick]

Oh I forgot to remark that I too own a chain saw. DH has a Stihl but because my right wrist is fused I can't pull a pull rope to start anything. So I have a 16 inch electric one and miles of extension cord. When I start using it nothing is safe.

Hahahahha!! Danz- This is ME! I am a chainsawing fool!! We borrowed my in laws two Stihls and my DH thinks I am nuts down in the woods cutting stuff down!!!!

Karen-Thank you soooo much for having us all yesterday!! It was a blast and so much fun to meet everyone!!! I am going to plan a get together here for everyone so some of the folks up this way can hopefully make it!

Ivy- You are FAR away! I thought you would be closer than that, sorry I get East and West mixed up sometimes...I am from Maine, we use left and right because no road in Maine just goes south or north.

Ok, I have to gooooo!! My eggs are at the post office, I have to get the trailer loaded with stuff unhooked and hook the horse trailer up to go pick up my other pony because DH said I could get a pony for my birthday and I got a two for one deal but they are both stud ponies and I am wondering what I got myself into because they are kinda WILD!!!! Yikes!! Maybe Danz can help me catch the little rascal up in the top pasture tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ivywoods]

You are funny! Actually, I have been going about getting all my wood sourced via Craig's List. Today I will pick up the wood for the frame and I will get the siding in the next few days. Then, I think I will have break down and get the plywood from Home Depot. So far the investment is only $80. Oh and I am going to build the 4x8 version of the design I found here: http://poultry.purinamills.com/NUTRITIONMANAGEMENT/HenHouseHutchDesign/default.aspx

The design looks solid. I am changing it up though. Nesting boxes will go on the sides, main access door will go up front along with the chicken door. I am thinking the chicken door will go in the middle of the access door and then the access door will open to the left or right. Of course that part is still subject to change. Also, I am thinking about putting a narrow vent window in the front and back. I hope to get the framing started later this weekend. I will send pics as I get the build going.

Does anyone know how to do roofing on this type of coop?

If it was me, I'd probably just use corregated sheet metal or metal siding. Easy, fast and can often be "scrounged" which is often my first criteria. Otherwise, you could shingle it., Layer of tar paper, first row of shingles at the bottom upside down, next row right on top of that all the way to the top and just finish the top edge with a piece of angled metal stripping.

 

[Trish44]

Wow, you guys were busy this morning posting, I had to read for quite awhile to catch up! There is no way I'm going to remember what all I read, so I'm not going to try to respond to everyone.

HeChicken, your coop looks awesome so far, be sure to take pics along the way so we can see your progress.

You women & your chainsaws, I just had to laugh at that. My DH would have a heart attack if I used his chainsaw, he just got a new one last summer, a Stihl. I do have some of my own hand tools because he buys expensive ones for work & doesn't like me using them. He brought home a drill & driver that was supposed to be for both of us to use, but I get griped at all the time about them. I tend to strip out bits, but I buy new ones for it, so he shouldn't complain.

KarenS, I'm so glad Chopper is adjusting & having a good time in his new home! I loved the pics of the ducks & the pond. You have a great place there, I'm so envious of your craft room, even if you do have to share it with chicks & your other outbuildings are great. What I would do to have all of those buildings, wow! I loved your pool too, that's great that you got that put in, I'll bet your kids have a wonderful time in the summer out there. Thanks again for having us all yesterday, it was so much fun!