Helpful hints for building coops

[CapricornFarm]

I moved here 1-1/2 years ago and there was so much brush and branches everywhere, along with some junk thrown in between some trees and shrubs, that I hired some guys to haul it all off. They looked like Samson & sons piled precariously high driving off. The branches keep on falling here too. I have a lot of big old trees. I managed to pile branches into about 6 or so piles around the property. 3 of them quite tall. I finally managed to burn a few small piles and one very big one -- that one really terrified me.

I still have 2 big piles and think I'll break them into small piles before burning as the rabbits have been living under them. I hate burning. My new wood chipper was delivered the other day -- it needs some minor assembly before I can try it out. I hope this will help and give me some mulch in exchange.

I want a wood chipper but DH says no. Okay, so i have to spend gas money and time going to buy shavings for ever. Don't see how that makes sense. I have 13 acres of stuff i could chip. Probably get used more than the riding mower because we have no grass, just weeds!

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I want a wood chipper but DH says no. Okay, so i have to spend gas money and time going to buy shavings for ever. Don't see how that makes sense. I have 13 acres of stuff i could chip. Probably get used more than the riding mower because we have no grass, just weeds!

No grass? I only have 3-1/2 acres here, but it's all grass and trees. I mow about 75% of it plus everything between my fence and the highway. I have a large area that I leave wild for the wildlife -- mainly Bobwhite Quail, rabbits and probably deer. I have been wanting a chipper for a long time and finally decided to bite the bullet. I sure hope it will start easier than the chain saw (that I can't get started).

 

[CapricornFarm]

No grass? I only have 3-1/2 acres here, but it's all grass and trees. I mow about 75% of it plus everything between my fence and the highway. I have a large area that I leave wild for the wildlife -- mainly Bobwhite Quail, rabbits and probably deer. I have been wanting a chipper for a long time and finally decided to bite the bullet. I sure hope it will start easier than the chain saw (that I can't get started).

Yeah, this was a vacation cabin so the people never planted seed or laid sod so just weeds. I plan to change that to give husband something to keep him busy. I tried to plant grass behind the house earlier this year but got sick of watering it and lack of rain was no help so it died off. Once we have a rainy stretch coming i will try planting more or maybe laying sod.

 

[jvls1942]

laying sod is expensive, and you really have to water the heck out of it.

wait for a rainy spell and do the grass seed.
IMHO.

supposed to be rainy here today, more on than off.

I laid in bed this morning and did some mental adjusting to the wall to square it up with angle braces in each corner.

I decided on 3 foot braces. worked it out to make sure , with the calculator, and it comes out to 25.5 inches on the two short sides of a 45 degree angle.

a brace in each corner should stabilize the ceiling.

I have a grove of about 80 black walnut trees.
they drop dry branches constantly.
almost as messy as a willow tree.
I can mow over anything 3/4 inches dia. or smaller. but I would like to have a Dr brush cutter.. there is a weed that grows up in the pine trees. It resembles elderberry, but the stems are soft and the roots run all over and new sprouts are constantly shooting up.
last year I pulled all of those up by the roots,
but there is just enough root hairs left to start them all over again.

.....jiminwisc......

.....jiminwisc.....

 

[aart]

I finally managed to burn a few small piles and one very big one -- that one really terrified me.

That's why I stage the brush near(~20') the burn pit, start fire small and hot with dry pine then add brush as situation allows. I always have a garden hose nearby just in case and spray the surrounding area before and during. But my 15 acres is 90% wooded, cleared areas to burn are smallish, and am a bit of a fire phobe.

I want a wood chipper but DH says no. Okay, so i have to spend gas money and time going to buy shavings for ever. Don't see how that makes sense.

I'm with the DH on this one, sorry. I had a wood chipper when I first bought this place, it's an insane amount of work and time and noise to feed all that brush into it for chips. Then you've got to store it under cover, maintain the engine, etc. Unless you've got a large self feeding one, not worth it IMO. I sold it and now burn brush.

 

[tigger19687]

Pokeberries?

 

[CapricornFarm]

laying sod is expensive, and you really have to water the heck out of it.

wait for a rainy spell and do the grass seed.
IMHO.

supposed to be rainy here today, more on than off.

I laid in bed this morning and did some mental adjusting to the wall to square it up with angle braces in each corner.

I decided on 3 foot braces. worked it out to make sure , with the calculator, and it comes out to 25.5 inches on the two short sides of a 45 degree angle.

a brace in each corner should stabilize the ceiling.

I have a grove of about 80 black walnut trees.
they drop dry branches constantly.
almost as messy as a willow tree.
I can mow over anything 3/4 inches dia. or smaller. but I would like to have a Dr brush cutter.. there is a weed that grows up in the pine trees. It resembles elderberry, but the stems are soft and the roots run all over and new sprouts are constantly shooting up.
last year I pulled all of those up by the roots,
but there is just enough root hairs left to start them all over again.

.....jiminwisc......

.....jiminwisc.....

Don't you hate those persistent weeds? I am battling poison ivy and virginia creeper. One person here covers the stuff in cardboard and adds dirt and mulch on top. That way the weeds die from lack of sun.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Pokeberries?

We have those plants as well.

 

[jvls1942]

I have a wood chipper too.
haven't used it for years.
same reason as Art. kind of a boring slow job.

I get my wood chips from Asplundh tree trimmers' they come around ever few years and trim the branches away from the telephone and power lines.
they are always looking for a close place to dump their trucks at the end of the day.

last year I got 4 loads. I pile it up and turn it every once in awhile with my tractor loader.

it lasts a few years for me.
I use it like dirt. fill in holes and large divots around the yard.

put a 6 to 8 inch layer on the concrete floor in the chicken coop and then add straw as needed all winter. the bedding stays quite dry
because any water seeps down through the chips and they are solid enough so that you don't sink up to your ankles in poop..

I went out and raced the oncoming rain.
I got all the walls temporarily braced
I got a little wet finishing up the last screw..

 

[CapricornFarm]

Maria might bring us the rain we need! I hope so.