NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

Interesting! I try to learn as much as possible to do myself. The self sufficient i am the better. Anywho enjoying lunch back to work soon.

Chickens are probably running a muck right now!

Keep in mind what I said about bartering. There is always something one might be able to use other than $$.

Though I just pm'd a member for Jostaberry cuttings, I never considered hatching eggs or some of the jams I am making. I also have some back issues of Practical Poultry and Hobby Farms.

Perhaps a bartering session at the picnic would work too.

 

[horsekeeper]

JLaw, look into corn/pellet stoves. Might be easier to get fuel and maintain.

 

[JLaw]

Well another ee dead. Don't see anything wrong with it except vent area frozen but not sure if that was before or after dying. I know my prolapse had a lot frozen on her rear also. Can they produce too much vent fluid? This young lady was in corner of wall and the tub I use for dust bathing. Looks like just fell asleep there. Was fine the other day but haven't check her rear end in a few days or week maybe it was. Looked like she just fell asleep last night there or today. I know they was out of food and water today when I just went out there but even if they was 12 hours without drink they shouldn't just die. This is also the bird that liked to stand in water so might have had too much ice build up on vent??

 

[stonykill]

Ok a few things.

First airing dirty laundry but, I have a drinking problem and that's part of not having money to fix stuff. I've finally admitted it and going to stop one way or another. Yesterday was b-day and drink a lot last night at my comp. Today I don't know if I even woke up with the kids or not. I've never done that and its my wake up call. I've laid around while they get ready and that hung over but never not knowing anything or wakeing up at all. I figure I've been spending about 25-50 a week on beer. I feel like **** for not knowing if they was even ok getting on bus or anything. I've dumped what i have left out this morning. I've known I have a problem but haven't wanted to admit it. I felt that I handled everything ok. I didn't miss work or drink and drive I drank at home and kept to cheap beer to save. Sorry for bringing this up just ya'll are probably closest thing to friends I have any more. I don't go out and see people the people I work with is just work nothing out side work and I don't talk to them much at all if I don't have to. Guess first step is admitting you have a problem not to just your self but others.

Ok now that that's off my chest....

Wood burning stoves is there better ones or anything I should look for in one? Should I get one for basement,1st floor, and 2nd floor? We have thought of them before but no trees to cut down so would have to pay for wood. I think I've seen it like 45 a cord but have no idea how bid a cord is besides my telephone cord lol. Also would wood pallets be ok to burn? Not the red or blue but the straight wood ones? I know wouldn't burn long but if I can get for free and they are ok to burn I might be able to do that also.

I've been slowly learning how to fix stuff myself around the house problem is I like to put stuff off and off and off..... Hoping to do a 180 and start doing more and less time at computer. As of right now the problem is money it's like 300 in parts to fix my boiler atm. I've priced wood stoves and looked like 175 I think it was for one not to mention the pipe.

As for the chicken costs we aint buying any more really. I know it's put us in the hole a lot but slowly making money back on it. I need to get it out there that I will hatch chicks cause I don't see it out this way very much. I fired the bator up again cause someone wants 20 chicks easy 45 dollars next month. Plus any extra I manage to hatch and sell. Don't get me wrong I don't think it will ever pay for all the cost of what I have put into it so far or the upkeep but I think I can get close to the upkeep costs if I do it right.

1st things 1st. You made the 1st step. You aired it in the open. After my daughter died I took to being a drinking professional. Having her for 17 years then out of no where losing her put me on a 10 month drinking binge. Then it just got to the point...where I had to stop. And I did. That was 2004.
GOOD FOR YOU for making the 1st step.

As for the rest, which is not as important as you taking care of you... I'll BBL. Working on tricking the computer in my wifes truck into passing an emission inspection. The yearly game we play

 

[rancher hicks]

JLaw, look into corn/pellet stoves. Might be easier to get fuel and maintain.

I have friends whose main heat is a pellet stove. Plus you can buy pellets during the year as you can afford them. They sure won't spoil.

 

[horsekeeper]

My daughter and son-in-law live next door and he has been researching pellet stoves. He plans to get a corn/wood combo and says it will burn regular whole corn. Sounds good to me. If they run out they can just take a few scoops of my duck/goose feed and if I run short I can do the same until I get to the feed store. He wants to get a 55 gallon drum and stock up here and there so they are not buying it all during the winter. Around here a lot of folks sell bagged corn, so it is easy to acquire.

Says there is very little residue and it is very safe. They just had to wait a week for a gas delivery and the price has almost doubled. They used kerosene heaters and barbecue tanks to stay warm for all those brutally cold days. He has had it being at the mercy of the fuel company. In addition, he was talking about getting a deep cycle battery with a solar charger so he had a backup to run the fan if the power went out. Another handy guy who knows how to do almost anything and is not afraid to ask how to do things.

 

[JLaw]

My daughter and son-in-law live next door and he has been researching pellet stoves. He plans to get a corn/wood combo and says it will burn regular whole corn. Sounds good to me. If they run out they can just take a few scoops of my duck/goose feed and if I run short I can do the same until I get to the feed store. He wants to get a 55 gallon drum and stock up here and there so they are not buying it all during the winter. Around here a lot of folks sell bagged corn, so it is easy to acquire.

Says there is very little residue and it is very safe. They just had to wait a week for a gas delivery and the price has almost doubled. They used kerosene heaters and barbecue tanks to stay warm for all those brutally cold days. He has had it being at the mercy of the fuel company. In addition, he was talking about getting a deep cycle battery with a solar charger so he had a backup to run the fan if the power went out. Another handy guy who knows how to do almost anything and is not afraid to ask how to do things.

I just found out that our propane company offers a lock in. Pretty much from second week of oct to second week of nov you can buy as much propane as you want and have it delivered all winter at that price. Guy at work put like 3 grand down and he's getting his propane for 1.59 a gallon where I'm paying like 2.20 a gallon and other places its up to 2.59 or more. Just an idea to see if they're company offers it for next year.

Only thing is you have to have the money at that time of lock in and once you use all the funds you go back to what ever they are charging at the time.

 

[rancher hicks]

Ok a few things.

First airing dirty laundry but, I have a drinking problem and that's part of not having money to fix stuff. I've finally admitted it and going to stop one way or another. Yesterday was b-day and drink a lot last night at my comp. Today I don't know if I even woke up with the kids or not. I've never done that and its my wake up call. I've laid around while they get ready and that hung over but never not knowing anything or wakeing up at all. I figure I've been spending about 25-50 a week on beer. I feel like **** for not knowing if they was even ok getting on bus or anything. I've dumped what i have left out this morning. I've known I have a problem but haven't wanted to admit it. I felt that I handled everything ok. I didn't miss work or drink and drive I drank at home and kept to cheap beer to save. Sorry for bringing this up just ya'll are probably closest thing to friends I have any more. I don't go out and see people the people I work with is just work nothing out side work and I don't talk to them much at all if I don't have to. Guess first step is admitting you have a problem not to just your self but others.

Ok now that that's off my chest....

Wood burning stoves is there better ones or anything I should look for in one? Should I get one for basement,1st floor, and 2nd floor? We have thought of them before but no trees to cut down so would have to pay for wood. I think I've seen it like 45 a cord but have no idea how bid a cord is besides my telephone cord lol. Also would wood pallets be ok to burn? Not the red or blue but the straight wood ones? I know wouldn't burn long but if I can get for free and they are ok to burn I might be able to do that also.

I've been slowly learning how to fix stuff myself around the house problem is I like to put stuff off and off and off..... Hoping to do a 180 and start doing more and less time at computer. As of right now the problem is money it's like 300 in parts to fix my boiler atm. I've priced wood stoves and looked like 175 I think it was for one not to mention the pipe.

As for the chicken costs we aint buying any more really. I know it's put us in the hole a lot but slowly making money back on it. I need to get it out there that I will hatch chicks cause I don't see it out this way very much. I fired the bator up again cause someone wants 20 chicks easy 45 dollars next month. Plus any extra I manage to hatch and sell. Don't get me wrong I don't think it will ever pay for all the cost of what I have put into it so far or the upkeep but I think I can get close to the upkeep costs if I do it right.

Well okay, you do have a problem. Coming from a long line of drinkers and having suffered the ill effects of a drunk mother I can say that. Only thing is? Your family has a drinking problem too. Yours. Now what do you intend to do about it?

I suggest you find a support group nearby, whether it be an AA group, a local church or the Rescue Mission.

Before anyone jumps on me, lets get something straight. One thing I am expert on it's alcoholism. My family is full of 'em. I've got two uncles and a cousin died at a young age. 35-41.

This is why I don't drink and don't hang around those who do. My kids have never seen me drunk. I made a point of it being so. I don't keep booze in the house, nor allow anyone to bring it here. When I used to visit my mom after growing up the minute a beer was opened, I'd make my adeius (n. pl. a·dieus or a·dieux (ə-dyo̅o̅z′, ə-do̅o̅z′) A farewell.) and leave. Heaven knows if you don't like me sober you sure won't if I'm drunk. DW has been good for me in that regard. I've never seen her drunk even before we got married.

Jlaw, you may have other problems than the drink. Talk to your doctor or a doctor. I know my mom suffered with depression, perhaps over her growing up years or some other stuff. I wish she'd gotten help. I know her father was an alcoholic. It's why I'm always advocating counseling here for many problems. Good counseling can help.

Life can get and be better. If you want and are willing to fight for it. Lord knows it is a fight.

Remember J, good friends are always together in spirit.

Take care and stay sober,

Rancher been there done that Hicks

 

[Lynzi777]

Hey There,
I've been reading but not posting much, still in a funk over these eggs/chicks. Guess I'm just not in the mood to talk to anymore about chickens.

JLaw ~ Sorry to hear all that you're going thru, but like Stony said, you made the 1st step and that's huge. My younger brother is a drinker, has been since high school. Got him kicked out of college, it's ruined just about every single relationship he's ever had, and he will never, and I mean never be able to afford a place on his own. Ever. Not only is he a drinker, but he is a big spender, couldn't save a dime to save his life. With that said, I have to say, at least you have a family and a roof over your head. If you can sit down with them and be open and honest with them like you just were with us, and ask for their support in helping you get thru this struggle, if they see that you truly want to fix this problem, I'm sure they'll be there to help and support you.

DIY - I am all for doing things on my own. That's the kind of person I am anyway. I will google and google things before I ask for help, especially if it's something I feel I can do myself as long as I get the proper instructions. However, there are some things that I would just prefer a professional do rather than me trying to do it the right way and having to go back to it again later because I didn't do a good enough job. Stony - I couldn't have made a coop as well as the one you made me so yes I had to ask and pay you to do it for me.

LOL But seriously, I've surprised myself many times with the things I've been able to fix on my own for the little money it cost me rather than hiring someone to come in and fix it for me. I would actually (in the future when the kids are older) like to buy an older vacant house and remodel it. That was one of the things I miss about our first house we purchased when living in CT. It was built in 1912 and we put a lot of work into it. Replaced every window ourselves, refinished the hardwood floors, remodeled the bathrooms completely, replaced the ceilings, we really did a lot to it and then of course had to move.

But it was the best move we ever made.

Now that I've put you all to sleep...I hope this warmer weather this weekend melts some of this snow so I can finish moving that coop up to the top of the yard.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Afternoon all. Hopped on in between bouts of nausea. Not sure if its the med I am on or the stomach bug. Not fun either way.

Jlaw--good first step. Now follow up. Thats the hardest part. Quit smoking myself 25 years ago. Did it cold turkey as I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Not saying you can kick this cold turkey but changing habits can be done. Hopefully Stony will have some good advice for you.

We try to fix or do everything ourselves. Lack of funds and the thought of having to pay someone to do it are great motivators. I am lucky in that dh learned a lot from his father and grandfather. My dad taught me about cars and building and fixing stuff. He was always fixing something. My mom is one of those women who is a do it yourselfer. Both grew up on farms where you used and fixed and used everything until it was beyond repair. We do the same thing. My daughters keep trying to get me to buy a new microwave because ours is so old. Its a big one from Montgomery Ward and dh estimated it will be 30 years old. Nowadays you are lucky if the new ones last 2 years.

I like to barter. i barter eggs and jam with a local guy for is organic hot peppers. they are the best. He loves my hot pepper jam so it works for us. Bartering is also a good way to get stuff done. I think there are websites for such things.

Lynzi--sorry to hear about your hatches. It may be best to wait for warmer weather before trying again. I wont ship eggs in this cold. Let me know if you want some eggs in the future and I will put you on the list right behind Pyxis.

Silkies arent freeloaders. I sell chicks and eggs, both for hatching and eating. I have one young lady who buys them for her kids as they think its great that they fit in their hands. You just have to find that market to do what you want with them. Thats why I invested in top lines to start with and have made my return already. The bonus...they are my spoiled rotten babies and I love them to pieces!

Okay--time to deliver fresh water before another round of nausea hits. Later my peeps.