Ducks got evicted.

[ruth]

Quote:
I think it does. The old timbers in the barn are lying on the ground, stacked up, never painted and they are almost like petrified wood - not a speck of rot or termite/bug damage anywhere. I think the only reason the two boards on front of duck house got eaten was because for many years the bushes in front were against them and they stayed wet.

Hubby says in old days they would cut the biggest and oldest trees and then use the heart of the tree - the densest part for the timbers and boards - never needed treating like today's cheapy wood. They just don't make em like they used to. We are having to use a drill to drill holes and then a sledge hammer to drive nails into this stuff. Hubby gave up long ago - it was too frustrating for him to see nails bending and not go in so I've been doing most of the renovations on the coops.

We still have some major work to do on the barn but will have to hire someone to do that - those boards aren't boards - they're trees. There's also a log cabin by barn that predates the house by many, many years - mid 1800s - that I would like to clean out and restore. I keep saying it would make a great little playhouse for the grandkids but my grown, adult, married for years kids keep reminding me I don't have any grandkids - to which I say "Yes, I know, hint, hint"

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Morning all nice job Ruth isn't it amazing what we can learn when we decide that we have to do things ourself LOL. Now for Penny's ? I really believe that the reason those old boards are so strong is that they weren't treated with the chemicals we use today. I also believe that the reason we have so much cancer is that they pump everything with perservatives but that is another topic.

Sorry Ruth didn't mean to take over your thread.

Thanks again for sharing I just love your place I am so happy you found it and are willing to share. I learn so much from you.

My next project is my coop. I am having a coop raising bbq. Something like a old fashion barn raiser. I called one of my 7 brothers (the one I actually like as well as love) with my coop plans and he was very proud of me, said it was a good plan where did I get it. I was proud to say designed it myself LOL. He helped me fine tune it and now I am collecting what I need to build it. LOL my plan is something on the order of, if you feed them they will help you build it.

 

[ruth]

By the way - the boards in the front wall aren't leaning or sagging - they were built that way - cut and hewn together. This was originally the smoke house from what I've been told - maybe there was a purpose for the large gaps and the way they made the front wall. Rest of building the walls are straight and fit together and there are no gaps.

 

[ruth]

Morning Zookeeper - I love your posts and that you follow and post on my threads. You are always so kind. It's always welcome. You're right about the old boards. When you think about it, we live in and breath the stuff they inject into the wood these days. Makes you wonder......

 

[MissPrissy]

Great minds think alike! My ducks got evicted from the barn this weekend, too. I am very sure the smelly loud ducks are what were causing my blue orp roo to act crazy. LOL

I love all the little buildings on your farm!

 

[lovemychicks9]

Oh goodie, another interesting thread to follow from such a great writer. Thankyou Ruth for sharing with us. I am so impressed with how inviting it looks. Aren't old buildings the best? It looks so good and I am sure the ducks are loving all the space now. I look forward to your next post soon. Trudy