Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[scottcaddy]

it worked out well. I got out as the kids finished their morning swim and had breakfast with the kids.

I also have a few minutes to try and catch up on BYC while we have internet.

I will try and upload a photo

Scott

 

[ramirezframing]

Guess the upload didn't work

Have a great day everyone.

 

[ozexpat]

No the upload did not work. I will try at 5:30am.

We had a productive day. We installed the PVC coated hardware cloth on the brooders and then made the eight doors for the front. Tomorrow we need to do the back doors but they will just be 3/4 plywood. The front needed mesh so they were framed.

The pressure washer is a doozy. Its a 3piston pump on 3/4hp motor with 2 v belts.

The concrete in the piggery was bugging me as there was green where Dominic had ignored a leak. It stripped it back to new in seconds. If you thought the piggery was clean before, you should see it now!!

In her spare time Rona made a garden around their house. I gave her zinnia and marigold seeds to plant.

While we were in Bacolod Jun took initiative and cleaned the pandan plants so the front yard is looking great. We got some gasoline today so it will be weed wacked tomorrow.

 

[ramirezframing]

Initiative is a great thing

 

[ozexpat]

I wish the phone companies would have the initiative to build a cell tower at the front of our place lol.

Its a cloudy morning. Jun is trying to get the weed whacker fired up. Its been a few months since it was used. Bernie's working on dog proofing the duck areas and I am about to put a swing valve on our back up tanks so that we have a seamless water supply when the municipal water goes off.

The weed whacker just kicked in for a 30 second blast so its close to running.

Time for bacon eggs and banana pancakes.

 

[ozexpat]

The swing valve went in easily this morning. Now we have 300gallons of water on a tower with a float valve to act as reserve overnight when the municipality decides to shut off the water. There is also a well and pump to fill it if we ever need it.

Jun cut a good amount of lawn between 9 and 11. The house yard is almost an acre so it will take a few mornings. He is spending the afternoons will Bernie and myself mastering the power tools. The nail guns are known as the AK47 and 50cal. I guess the brad nailer will be the Uzi.

 

[ozexpat]

Squid sauteed in garlic with onions for dinner. It was a nice change. Fish and chips are on the menu for lunch tomorrow.

The coops should be finished tomorrow. It will then be time to start moving chickens. I have still got lots to finish but we list is definitely shrinking.

Jun asked if he could apply for credit to buy a motorcycle. I take that a a good sign as it means he thinks of the job as regular income and unless something happens will be here ac while. Fingers crossed on that one but everything I see points to them establishing themselves here.

Jun and Rona could not afford to get married when they first got together. Mrs Oz mentioned the monthly mass weddings she set up for the mayor to do so they are taking off Thursday to tie the knot. We will spring for the registration fees, travel to b kabankalan and a lunch for two.

 

[vehve]

Sounds like things are really looking up again Oz. I'm looking forward to when you get to a decent connection and can upload some pics of all the improvements.

Did you get the feed mixer project finished already? I'm still very interested in what you decided to go with and how it's working.

 

[ozexpat]

The mixer is on hold. Its in the luxury category. I am still on the necessities.

I am really having rat and cat issues so protecting the younger birds is my most urgent issue.

The brooder bank we have been working on for four days will hold weekly hatches for five weeks. The top eight will have lights. The large bottom section will be for the five week old birds.

The second brooder bank will be five more brooders that will be 38x84" that should keep the birds inside for another four weeks.

At nine weeks they can go into six of the current coops until they are then sorted and added to their breed's coop.

It will be almost be a complete move of chicks every 2 weeks but I now have the labor to do it.

 

[DaveOmak]

Rat trap ideas....

https://www.google.com/search?q=rol...logspot.com%2F2010_11_01_archive.html;585;480



The trap I use.... secure it so the critter doesn't drag it off if caught by a tail or 1 leg.....

http://www.amazon.com/Intruder-1652...1411488597&sr=8-1&keywords=better+rodent+trap