Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm really enjoying the stories and trying like mad to catch up. Only 11769 pages to go!

Don't rush yourself. The end will come soon enough. I'm very glad you are enjoying it.

 

[BY Bob]

Regarding ground rods. If you have your ground rod relatively close to a building or semi-protected spot, people will dump water around ground rod to keep soil moist. Also, if ground is very rocky/gravely/sandy, if you can use an auger/post hole digger, and put some peat and decent soil in auger hole, then drive rod, it will help 'some' with retaining moisture/being effective regarding electricity. It does need to 'pull' from an area, so just the 8-9" diameter hole filled with decent moisture retaining soil alone won't 'fix' the issue of dryness, but will go a long ways to helping, especially if you dump water on area regularly (as needed)

You are so handy!

 

[Marie2020]

View attachment 3313746
So, today, i cooked some tofu and a homegrown potato, put some cheese and pepporini bits on it, then finished it off with parmesan. With the scale being so tiny, it took about a hour.

So what have i learned today? Never put effort into making a good meal for your chickens. They literally shook their heads. They were so picky about the few bites they took, to. If it was to cooked they didn’t want it and all in all only one chicken ended up swallowing *some* of it.

Yeah im not cooking for my chickens again.

 

[Marie2020]

What’s going on? Why fireworks? 12:40am and ver there - I hope you are getting some sleep

They are completely crazy. I was nodding off too sleep and bangers went off. I can't sleep now.
My neighbour is being good now i have to try not to wake him.

 

[Marie2020]

It's Coop Fixing Time

I obtained new plywood for the roof of the coop today. 2 sheets cost as much as all the materials I bought when I built the coop, sans the window. It is crazy what wood costs these days.

View attachment 3313892

I will be starting early tomorrow since i have to get the new roof in place in time for them to sleep and there is more involved than just replacing the roof.

First of all the birch tree is dying. The front fork has died completely this year and needs to come done. You can see a piece of it broken off but still hanging in the tree.

View attachment 3313893

This makes me very sad. I love that tree. On a good note, I think I have a replacement growing right next to it.

View attachment 3313894

Once I remove the current roof, I will remove the floor and bring in the ladder to cut down the dead portions of the tree. That is going to take some time.

I am also going to rework the roosts by splitting the main roosting bar into 2 sections. This will prevent any hen from "running the roost" and knocking everyone off of it.

I am going to reevaluate the ventilation in the coop as well just to make sure there isn't a better way to do it. I really don't remember what I did when I built it.

It's going to be a big day. Hopefully I can get it all done by dusk.

I hope you're not over doing it all.

 

[ValarieF]

 

[rural mouse]

What’s going on? Why fireworks? 12:40am and ver there - I hope you are getting some sleep

Guy fawkes day

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

 

[rural mouse]

Regarding ground rods. If you have your ground rod relatively close to a building or semi-protected spot, people will dump water around ground rod to keep soil moist. Also, if ground is very rocky/gravely/sandy, if you can use an auger/post hole digger, and put some peat and decent soil in auger hole, then drive rod, it will help 'some' with retaining moisture/being effective regarding electricity. It does need to 'pull' from an area, so just the 8-9" diameter hole filled with decent moisture retaining soil alone won't 'fix' the issue of dryness, but will go a long ways to helping, especially if you dump water on area regularly (as needed)

What about tying into the electrical ground? Or putting the ground in near the septic system drain field? Would an existing fence post work for a ground?

 

[rural mouse]

Guy fawkes day

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

Shra

 

[bgmathteach]

What about tying into the electrical ground? Or putting the ground in near the septic system drain field? Would an existing fence post work for a ground?

Most fence posts don't go deep enough, and are painted steel. Copper or copper coated steel rods are usually used for grounds for fencing because the copper is a much better conductor (hence why many electrical wires use copper for homes)

If you are close enough to tie into the House ground, I would *suspect* that would be fine. Most house ground rods are long/deep. That said, I am so not an electrician, so hoping someone else here could answer regarding the safety of that (? maybe @micstrachan hubby might know - not an electrician, but I believe he is a carpenter/house builder, so he might.) @Kris5902 has also said she has done a fair amount of research for her solar stuff. She might have an idea, too. You could probably also call someone like Premier fencing and they could answer this, I bet. Careful, though....you might be going 'a fowl (a foul)* of building codes here.

I suspect near the septic system is okay. Just keep the following in mind: most septic systems are in WELL DRAINED soil; if raised, fill is gravel for drainage; and need to be careful regarding rod placement -you don't want to hit a leeching line!