Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Kris5902]

Pretty, not bright!

 

[BlueBaby]

@Kris5902 Good thing that you don't have any predator's that like to eat calves over there, because he would be easy prey being off by himself like that.

 

[Kris5902]

So I now have plenty of water on hand for washing up and filling chicken waterers... we had our more usual water problem today, way too much rain! I filled all my buckets, 3 medium Rubbermaid totes, and all of my stock and soap pots. No more walking up the hill carrying water for me. I’m sure the chickens will be disappointed in the lack of duckweek though (spoilt little birds that they are they will probably be getting some as treats going forward!).

I had to use Andrew’s rain slicker to cover poor Goose up better, and as I was getting changed, having gotten thoroughly soaked on the way back, I remembered... Nature was providing me with a free shower! It was a little cold and I did have one moment when a spider ran up my leg while I was washing my hair, but I’m now happily showered and no hikers or family members were traumatized in the process (like really, who was going to be out walking or working in that deluge aside from the crazy chicken lady busy giving the only rainproof jacket we have to her little meat bird?) I have to say it was my longest shower of the summer, despite the chill, and I am now mostly satisfied again.

My outdoor shower arrangement, which is also my primary water harvesting point... (I also set buckets at all the other major drip points on the trailer, but this is where the most water comes down)

And if anyone is wondering what it sounds like in the trailer when it rains here, it almost manages to drown out bullet complaining that she’s not warm enough!

 

[Kris5902]

@Kris5902 Good thing that you don't have any predator's that like to eat calves over there, because he would be easy prey being off by himself like that.

There was a wolf once... it was brought as a pet, but no large predators here to speak of thankfully. I imagine that the little “Idjet” would probably stand right there saying “oh hi, Mr Really Shaggy big Dog, what shiny teeth you have!” Not that I can get within 15 feet of him! Just because mom lets that strange thing walk up and scritch her under the chin doesn’t mean it’s safe! Run, panic, ouch! was that fence always there? Maybe if I try to run through it again... cows...

 

[BlueBaby]

Shhhh... I think that I am about to get some more hatching egg's from out of state next week. My incubator got lonely!

 

[Kris5902]

Shhhh... I think that I am about to get some more hatching egg's from out of state next week. My incubator got lonely!

How are your temperatures down there? It was quite chilly here today, and I’m a little worried about my current batch. The incubator is basically in an uninsulated shed, and if it keeps cooling off and staying damp, it could be a little dicey keeping them warm enough for the first month. I know it can get pretty cold at night down your way, as well as the extreme heat...

 

[BlueBaby]

How are your temperatures down there? It was quite chilly here today, and I’m a little worried about my current batch. The incubator is basically in an uninsulated shed, and if it keeps cooling off and staying damp, it could be a little dicey keeping them warm enough for the first month. I know it can get pretty cold at night down your way, as well as the extreme heat...

The weather is better now. Even the feed store here in town will be starting to get their chick's coming in next month. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 105-F, with an over night low of 87-F.

 

[Kris5902]

Well, I can handle the overnight “low” temps... as a high! Anything over 95 and I’m holing up in air conditioning or deep shade! I’m sweating just thinking about it!

 

[BlueBaby]

Well, it's better than last week was, and next month will be even better.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I’m going to put a rain barrel under my awning drip line for backup water this fall. I don’t know if they will purge the lines to clear the airlock, but a “strange gurgling sound from under the house” when the water is in use indicates an airlock (probably in the UV treatment under the house). As for our house water system... we have to develop and dig out and line the spring, we will use a solar pump to bring it up to a holding tank above the house. It will gravity feed down to the house where it will be UV treated and we may use a booster pump or pressure tank to get it up to the second floor.

I'm glad you are going to have an independent water source anyway Kris.

Why not get rainwater tanks as well and then you will have all the water! mmwwwaaahhahahaha!