Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Kris5902]

Those froggies are adorable, and so are those hen saddles. They look pretty well done to me!

I find those hen saddles both utilitarian and attractive. I'm sure the ladies will go around showing them off. Check me out!

Thanks! I was half considering embroidering little red W’s on the backs so they could all match... (if anyone gets the reference, it was originally Andrews suggestion!) or maybe get some little patches done up like a little feathered motorcycle gang. The first one actually turned out better, I got the front and back mixed up on the second one, and the seams and strap attachment are all on the outside (the inside is a little more worn and might not stand up to Mr. Marans nails) I’ll swap it around if it seems to bother her. I’m going to try for internal attatchment of the strap on the next one. Much better than the chicken diaper prolapse ring holder thingie though!

I’m not thrilled with the results but for working with no iron or sewing machine, and just a sharpie tracing of the original purchase, I’m fairly happy with the result. It’s been even longer since I tried sewing anything more than a quick patch job on my jeans by hand than it has been since I last crocheted! My Papa (paternal Grandfather) taught me to sew by hand when I was about 7 or 8 years old. He learned from his mother while growing up, and kept up the skill by mending clothes while working on the ships for Imperial Oil after WW2.

It’s strange how many little skills get lost that were once commonplace. Most people today can barely tie a decent knot and wouldn’t have a clue what a block and tackle is. Never mind getting int specialized things like woodworking tools. And what passes for cooking in most of my generation? Nothing wrong with the occasional box of macaroni and cheese or instant noodles, but if the only things you know how to cook are basically boil water, stir and serve... scary

 

[Kris5902]

I often feel like I'm living Just in time farming (actually always a little late)

I like that phrase! I think much of farming and working with animals is that way because there’s only so much you can do at a time... like the littles, they can’t go out too soon, but they can’t wait too long inside either, and it all happens when it needs to happen, or just a little after the fact. Can’t really predict when or where the tree is going to fall on the fence line, or what the weather will do far enough in advance to really be “prepared”. Like Hay, if a freak rain storm is on the way, you get it in “just in time” or we try not to talk too much about what happens when you don’t. Farming isn’t something you can strictly schedule, there’s just too many variables, and there’s a beauty to that.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

 

[Kris5902]

Morning Bob!

Today is yet another Rainy day here on the PNW. Which makes it all that much easier to wash out the brooder boxes for tomorrow’s egg setting (free abundant water falling from the skies, go figure?). I’m going to move everything down to the other persons property and get it all set up for when the babies hatch tomorrow. Which is day 18. This will also be a final Candling and putting the eggs into lockdown.

I don’t really mind the Damp, but if I’d known I was going to be in this trailer for so long I would’ve gotten one of those mini wood stoves for it initially. The last two years I’ve used drizair chemical dehumidifiers, but now that my cats (who will try to eat anything) are up here I’m reluctant to use them. And just think how much we could’ve saved on gasoline and propane? It would pay for itself! My 400 watts of solar panels already have.

 

[rjohns39]

I totally understand how plans change and things drag on. But we make the best decisions we can with the best information available to us at the time. All too often the information we based a decision on, changes and we find ourselves second guessing our once sound decision. It's still a sound decision, just the circumstances have changed in an unforeseen way.

 

[Ribh]

I have been out of circulation for a few days but all caught up with my reading now! I am going to have to come & visit! Your pictures make me drool...

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris

 

[rjohns39]

Just checking on you

 

[Kris5902]

Just checking on you

Morning Bob! Still here, but my internet connection is slowed right down... not quite to dial up speeds, but it sure feels like it, so I haven’t been as active lately. Cellular Data is resetting on the 26th, and I can’t wait! They really did mean it about the slowdown after max data use is reached

 

[rjohns39]

Glad it's just a data issue.