Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Kris5902]

Its a Generac. 16kv

Wow, that’s Big! Our biggest generator right now (needs repair) is only 8kv, and it was overkill for our little RV’s system needs but on sale when we bought it. Sounds like the big propane beast they finally installed on the main farm business building lines, including the auto switch. I don’t get down there/have much to do with the “real” farm anymore, so I just snooped a little when our Friend (the local propane guy) was doing the hookups. With luck, Mr. Murphy will now bless us with several years without a major power outage (we go out for 1-2weeks annually) none of which effects my off grid set up in the least.

Biggest power outage challenge (2018) was running the generators back and forth between all the larger chest freezers throughout the day. 7 different 10 or 12’ chest freezers in three different locations and the building/bunkhouse my mom was staying in, which had electric heat only and no real insulation to speak of (converted workshop form the 40’s). All of a sudden my gas stockpile and three generators didn’t seem so “excessive” after all! I’m not really a crazy prepper or anything… I just like knowing I have enough stuff to keep comfortable and take care of our needs when little hiccups happen.

We just ran out of gas on the island last Friday (owner wasn’t really paying attention to the tank levels) I’ve loaned out 60L so far. Our Dangerous goods sailing is on Sundays, and there wasn’t enough time to arrange the delivery for the immediate Sunday after the “oops” so basically the whole island is without gas until next Sunday. Fuel will re-open on the following Tuesday, although I’m sure the owner will be doing some emergency fills pretty quickly!

Tax “disgusted with this weather Ziptie” (maybe this bucket will be drier? Sheesh Sammy, I thought you said there was a buffet and Feather driers in there… why is the door closed?)

 

[bgmathteach]

(and I will need further “disgusted” tax photos to make up for having to do Math before 9am for all the conversions to understand that post! Gallons to Litres, USD to Canadian… before coffee! You monster))

As my father would say
" It's good for you, builds character."


If the U.S had only adopted the metric system when it had the chance in the 70's, it would have been a lot simpler. Darn my father for voting against it!!!

 

[Kris5902]

Thanks will have to keep any eye on those two. Problem is I am at work.... How do you give the calcium? I have vit d drops I take bit calcium is huge pills! Have tums....

I grind the tums and cook in an omelette, it smells awful, they didn’t like the mint flavour at all, but the berry works well (disclaimer… you may get pink eggs from the food dye in them)

 

[Kris5902]

Thoughts and opinions on straw versus pine or cedar chips for coop bedding?

Straw or hay tends to clump and get soggy faster in my experience. It’s a last resort bedding in my coop, because it invariably makes clean out much more challenging.

 

[RoyalChick]

My princesses are being lazy today. Watching them makes me want to take a nap too!

 

[featherhead007]

Yep, I have finally lost my mind. I’m out here watching the chickens, and found myself giving my rooster dating advice.

 

[fuentemoon]

Thoughts and opinions on straw versus pine or cedar chips for coop bedding?

I use a mix of sand and First Saturday lime sometimes some dried used coffee grounds, especially in the warmer months to help keep the mites down. In the winter I will add chopped straw, usually flock fresh.

 

[BY Bob]

Did you know Chooks like to nibble on pine needles? When a branch falls in the wind with 'fresh' aka 'green' needles, I put it in the run and they nibble little bits off of it until there are just the nubbins left of the needles. It needs to either be a large enough branch that they can pull/twist bits off, or on smaller 'twigs' use a sturdy clamp to clamp it to something. Great enrichment for them...and Vit. C supplement as well!
(and no, have never had impacted nor slow crop from this. They really do break off little bits.)

I have never seen this. Very interesting.

 

[fuentemoon]

Tha

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. I, too, share concerns about the run being too small and the floor sitting right on the ground. I would need to see it in person before purchasing. My gut is telling me to get a shed we can sit on top of cinder blocks, pavers, or whatever to keep it from direct contact with the earth. The new yard is a landmine of gopher holes, which rats can utilize. For a run, I’m thinking of getting one of those gated, prefab wire runs with metal frame and wrapping in hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Or even one of those carport tents snd wrapping in wire, but DH would have to build a gate.

Bob, if we did go with two of these prefabs, we were thinking of having them side by side and cutting a hole between them. I don’t know exactly how we’d do that, but DH could rig something secure. We would not drill or cut into the metal frame, and DH does like the sturdiness of it. Obviously I’d add to the double run, but at least this would be a quick start.

I’m not too worried about the roosts, as I will likely do 2x4’s that slip into brackets.

Also, the roof is plastic. That might be OK for the run, at least at first, but not the building, in my opinion. We could get them housed quickly, but there would be so much modification needed, might not be worth it. DH says cutting windows is very easy. And with our weather, I’d probably just hardware cloth them, which is what they have now.

I think we’ll be making a decision this weekend.

I got sucked into reading the reviews yesterday and found these inside photos for everyone wanting to know about the roosts.
Second photo shows a modification. Personally I would have put a board over the end to shelter the nest boxes.

 

[BY Bob]

Tha

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. I, too, share concerns about the run being too small and the floor sitting right on the ground. I would need to see it in person before purchasing. My gut is telling me to get a shed we can sit on top of cinder blocks, pavers, or whatever to keep it from direct contact with the earth. The new yard is a landmine of gopher holes, which rats can utilize. For a run, I’m thinking of getting one of those gated, prefab wire runs with metal frame and wrapping in hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Or even one of those carport tents snd wrapping in wire, but DH would have to build a gate.

Bob, if we did go with two of these prefabs, we were thinking of having them side by side and cutting a hole between them. I don’t know exactly how we’d do that, but DH could rig something secure. We would not drill or cut into the metal frame, and DH does like the sturdiness of it. Obviously I’d add to the double run, but at least this would be a quick start.

I’m not too worried about the roosts, as I will likely do 2x4’s that slip into brackets.

Also, the roof is plastic. That might be OK for the run, at least at first, but not the building, in my opinion. We could get them housed quickly, but there would be so much modification needed, might not be worth it. DH says cutting windows is very easy. And with our weather, I’d probably just hardware cloth them, which is what they have now.

I think we’ll be making a decision this weekend.

You could elevate this by placing the entire structure on old rail road ties. You could then place hardware cloth across the bottom to keep rats and other nasties out.