Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Kris5902]

I'd guess he's very happy to throw a wrench into any machinery he can.

funny you phrase it like that... he is really bad with equipment “breaking on him” (due to rough use) There are three dead but “still useful for something” trucks and a myriad of other machinery littered around his cabin. It looks like a scrap yard!

Is he ever happy with the way things are done or does he just need to find something to pick at? So... why does he think you need more fill in the crawlspace? Is he just being persnickety? (Sorry for the rant Kris, I think his attitude just pushes all my buttons. Just as well he is a hemisphere away from me! )

At what point in the build does he stop having a say? Does he get to choose the indoor paint colours? (Please say no!

He will never be satisfied with anything we do. There is a depression... it’s true, and yes, more fill would be a good idea, but I am past caring and we need concrete before a freeze. Anyway, the whole crawlspace will be sinking with the weight of the concrete, as we aren’t compacting the fill. The concrete will crack, but again, IDC anymore! Once the walls are up and we have an occupancy permit he’s out, as is the Building department. Then the renovations will begin . Venting for cold air drops and passive hot air circulation, removal of unnecessary dividing walls that inhibit airflow. Modern homes are designed with forced air heating in mind, not wood stoves. But there was just no getting that through the designer’s heads.

Still waiting on the concrete...

 

[Ribh]

Hope that concrete arrives soon. Your window of opportunity is closing.

 

[Kris5902]

Hope that concrete arrives soon. Your window of opportunity is closing.

Me too, but today I had more pressing concerns...

Chickens and wind. Last night a windstorm came in from the east (I really need a more reliable weather tracking system) so I was out at 9pm trying to turn Bob and Barney’s tractors to offer some better protection from it. We are still experiencing high winds at our end of the property, and I expect several more big storm fronts over winter. I’m currently taking a quick coffee break before I head back outto finish my morning chicken chores (closer to noon chores now, I suppose).

I’ve completely turned Barney and friends (why does that sound so familiar, and purple? *Shudder* ‘90s babysitting flashbacks) so they are now facing away from the gusts and sheltered by the back (tarped portion) of their tractor. Last night I was only able to turn them broadside to the wind by myself in the dark.

I relocated the Sappires and Isbars back in with Mr Marans, bringing him up to 12 hens. Barney and his 8 ladies joined the 4 of Chickie Hawk’s daughters remaining in Tractor #2, also giving a total of 12 hens and a Rooster. This was a lot of walking back and forth with chickens. The small girls into Mr. Marans was just 10 feet or so, but Barney was about 200 feet of movement x9 unhappy chickens from one tractor, through the gate and into their new home. Speaking of which, I had to remove the 12’ wooden gate, as it is now completely destroyed by the wind (it was in rough shape to begin with and already on my “to do” list).

Sure, this isn’t exactly in line with my goals for spring breeding, and the direction I wanted to move towards with the flocks, but we will have to make do for the winter and see where we end up. I would like to have more girls in with Chickie Hawk for the winter, but his girls (Hyline production Reds and one Coloumbian rock) are so aggressive and violent towards new chickens I don’t think that it would be a good idea. I still can’t get over how they pluck his foot feathers, and how aggressive they were to him on introduction as well. Looking back I’m surprised I didn’t have more of an incident, similar to poor Mr Eyebrows... but then again Hawk has got a lot of “attitude” to put it kindly.

Now for some warm chicken soup, then back out for a check on the integration, a big feed, and water refills for everyone in the layer tractors. I’ll maybe try to round up all the buckets and light items that are flying around and scattered everywhere, secure the tarps, and maybe start work on the next tractor. I have 4 1/2 hours of daylight left, so we will see how far I can get. It feels, and sounds, like the trailer is being ripped apart by the winds, and our awning is stuck open and acting like a giant flappy sail!

 

[Ribh]

Ugh! I don't like wind. It's been blowier than usual here too, especially as the girls go to roost. Hope that wind dies down soon.

 

[BlueBaby]

I've been outside today watching the new pecking order take place. I released the Barnevelder's and the OGEE's loose with the flock.

 

[Kris5902]

@rjohns39 good evening!

and... better late than never? Andrews suggestion for a maple breakfast Sausage is in grams per kg of meat

16g salt, 5g maple sugar (if you can get it) 3g white pepper, 1g nutmeg, you could also add 1g allspice and or 1g mace if desired. If you can’t get the maple sugar substitute 2g Demerara sugar and 50ml of dark maple syrup. Add 100 ml of cold water or Ice per kg. If using ice you can put it through the grinder with the meat and spices. If using the syrup, mix it in with the water after grinding. And Andrew would love your feedback on the level of “maple” flavor.

We’ve had our hands a little full here late

 

[Kris5902]

At least 4 more hours of this to go... I have a lot of tarp repairs in my future

 

[aart]

We're having wind today too, at about the same sustained and gusting.
Power blipped once, still on tho

 

[BlueBaby]

Yes, and we are supposed to get some wind and rain here tonight and tomorrow! Everybody bundle up and keep warm wherever you are!

 

[Kris5902]

Power was out for four hours here, but that of course doesn’t affect me at all. They had to set up a generator to run the bandsaw in the abattoir today, and work with the doors open for light, so Andrew is grumpy because he was cold... tough for him. I was out in it most of the day. Taking care of the feather babies, and fighting with the tarps. The tarps officially won for today, but I’ll make a comeback tomorrow!

Integration seemed to be going ok for my chicken shuffle to get better shelter, but I put everyone up a hour and half early. The chickens were almost getting blown over when outside so I stuffed them and their feeders in for their own good. They probably won’t thank me for it, but that’s just too bad.

Barney and friends are all still in the meat tractor, no progress there, but I did improve their roosts and cover the tractor with pallets, plywood, and various other random items to further secure their tarp and keep the tractor from attempting flight.