Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Once I build a permanent coop that is part of the plans, and raincatchment from the house roof as well for gardening and such. There’s a lot of ambiguity and restrictions on rain barrels and grey water systems here, so that needs to wait until after the house gets a final occupancy permit and the building inspector is absent. Also, though we had an incredibly mild and reasonably wet August, in order to catch the rain it has to fall first!

Whenever we get a solid pour I put my buckets at the corner of my awning and it is amazing how much water you can get from a 8x12 surface! I’ve got about 14 5 gallon lidded cat litter buckets that I fill when we get a good rain, and I usually use that water for washing out equipment and such. I can fill a bucket in under ten minutes usually! I’ve also been known to add soap to a sponge and go out in the rain to wash my patio chairs and such. It does the rinsing for me! (I use very environmentally friendly soap, don’t worry I love the frogs and want to protect them as much as possible!)

I swear though... if we get a good rain before I get access to water again, modesty be dammed, I’m taking shampoo and a bar of soap out into it! And if any Hikers or trespasser or farm guests take issue with it then that’s just too bad...

I see you have it covered.

I should have read all the posts before answering yours

I think you are amazing too Kris. Hugs if you want them!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

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!

I admire your resourcefulness!

I love the sound of rain...It's. so. Peaceful!!!

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

I too love the sound and smell of a good rain.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I play a thunderstorm CD every night at bedtime... and restart it throughout the night

 

[drumstick diva]

Doesn't restarting your thunderstorm CD during the night affect your sleeping?

 

[WhoDatChick]

Doesn't restarting your thunderstorm CD during the night affect your sleeping?

Well, no.. it’s when I happen to wake for a moment.. I’ll just hit the button to restart.. or when I get up to go to bathroom.... I could program the player for continuous but I’ve just never done that

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

 

[Kris5902]

Good morning Kris

Slightly belated good morning to you as well, Bob! Oops I’ve been offline for a couple days now it’s starting to get a little busy here...

 

[BlueBaby]

@Kris5902 How's your hatch coming along?

 

[Kris5902]

Ok a little catch up... Saturday’s Market was cancelled due to rain and the dismal turn out the previous week, so Andrew took a much needed day off and I just puttered around the trailer for the most part collecting more rainwater and fiddling with the chooks.

Sunday we separated my June/July hatch into 12 Pullets and 13 cockerels, considering I sold 4 pullets that gave me a 16/13 ratio from that hatch so I’m fairly happy about that. The Boys are scheduled to join Freezer camp on the 3rd of October. I may send in my extra 1yo Barnvelder Rooster, and Goose as well. Sunday also saw the other 3 meat ladies move into the Hospital tractor with Roostie, which is going to need some additional improvement to overwinter them if needed. The ramp is too steep at 3” rise over 1’ of door for the curvy girls, and they are hesitant to use it.

Goose is now in the dog crate in the Barn for extra care and protection, until the end of the month when we will need to decide based on her quality of life if she is to join the boys on their one way trip to the other island. Then because that just wasn’t enough action for Sunday, we headed over to Candle the eggs. I pulled 6 of mine and four of the other persons as infertile clears or early quitters with distinct “blood rings”. We left a few questionable eggs in “just in case”. Our next Candling will be on Tuesday the 24th when we put them into lockdown.

Yesterday was a busy “Town” day with Dr appointments for Andrew and shopping for some insulation supplies and groceries. @Ribh has reminded me how much I used to enjoy crochet, so I picked up some crochet cotton for doilies and plan on making coasters to sell at the Christmas market. I’m wracking my brain trying to recall the pattern that was second nature to me a decade ago... I learned from my Grandmothers oldest sister, my Great Aunt Jessie when I was about 12-13 years old. I made doilies and coasters and lacy tablecloths for the next ten or fifteen years, but stopped in my mid twenties when I moved back to the city and got a “real” job. I also picked up some embroidery floss for bracelets and am hoping those will sell if I price them low enough. It was only $6.50 for 36 skeins so I don’t need to make much back to cover the expenses. All said at $15 and change it was the second cheapest visit to the craft store of my life... the only time I spent less was when I nipped in on my coffee break once to buy a purple sharpie for work!

After morning chicken chores, today has been mostly spent gluing bubble wrap to my windows in preparation for winter. Sure I can’t see out, but it seems to be helping with the chill a bit and still lets the light in. We are down to 12 degrees Celsius inside, which isn’t too bad (unless you ask my poor cats, who would really appreciate you all calling to report me to the SPCA for cruelty, because they are freezing!) I’ve got a couple layers on the skylight. I will also be trying to add two layers of the heatshrink window film to the non opening windows this year instead of just one. And that’s basically what I’ve been up to over the weekend...