Sunflower Chickens

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
So do I. I am so looking forward to winter, no bugs and I don't need to mow the yard.

 

[Kansaseq]

I'd be content with spring and fall all year long; no extremes.

 

[Ivywoods]

My two sons have been home from college for a couple days.

I've had to work, but while I've been doing that, they got all the block cleaned up from the barn that blew down. Then they crushed it up using the skidsteer and a sledge hammer, and it is now driveway rock for the machine shed. THEN they cleaned up a pile of junk that has been laying by my layer coop for a few months. It was a bunch of stuff from when I remodeled an antique blacksmith wagon into my layer coop.

Then they drove a sand point into the ground for a new well at the barn. We will now have water at the barn. No more dragging the hose a mile and carrying buckets of water across an icy barnyard in the winter!

Today I am hoping they can help me get some fencing up to build a grow out pen for my chicks. The other thing we might do is clean off the cement pad where the new poultry barn will be built.

The only bummer today is the wind. The boys were hoping to have a big bonfire with all the stuff they have cleaned and piled up, but with the wind blowing like this, it will not be possible. I guess we will just save that pile of stuff to burn for the next time they get back.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
Look at the positive side. the wind will keep those bugs from flying around your head it might cool you off.

 

[Ivywoods]

Just came back in for a break, but holy smoke! The wind is so bad the dirt and sand out of the pasture blows and sand blasts my legs. We all have dirt in our eyes. We got the material gathered up to finish the fence for the grow out pen for the chicks. Now we just got to finish getting it all installed. I'm excited. It will be so nice to get an area where these chicks can run around.

 

[ChooksChick]

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I can just see you and the boys out there working on the fence wearing WWII motorcycle goggles...I need a nap! Giddy!

 

[KansasBoy]

CALLING ALL KANSASANS

I have made the final vote for the egg face competition, please take a moment of your time to include your vote for me here! Thanks!

 

[Ivywoods]

Good luck Kansasboy! That was sure a funny thread.

I got the grow out pen done!

I was going to put the "newbies" in their new home, but with the possible storms tonight, I think I will wait. I don't want them to get confused and get out in the storm or something.

Chooks- We were all eating a little dirt through the process, squinting against the blowing dust. Now I just need to go spit the grit out of my mouth, get the sand and dirt out of my hair and wash the dirt off everywhere. The thing I don't really like to think about is what a lot of that dirt out of the pasture consists of.

Anyway, I'm a happy camper. It "ain't 'perfessional" but the pen will be more than adequate for now.

 

[KansasBoy]

Thanks Ivywoods! I got a little acomplished here as well... Both runs for the new tractors are wired and done, now I have to start the coop portions!

What the heck... PICS COMING

BOTH

DIFFERENT VIEW OF EACH

Run portions have a 4'x6' imprint, the raised coop portions will have a 3.5'x4' imprint!

 

[GeoKan]

Quote:
Nice looking tractors KansasBoy.

I know I'm late to the party, but I also got some things accomplished this past weekend. I've been busy building my brooder. Not fully completed, but close enough for chicks. I still have to construct another door and put in a litter shelf. The other side has wire mesh I plan on putting their food and water in. If you noticed, I set up my brooder cam in front of one of the windows. I really enjoy peering in the windows. They come running up to your face. Just cracks me up. You can check my chicks out at http://geosbroodercam.dyndns.tv

I was able to achieve more than 50 percent hatch rate my first time out. I think that's pretty good. I had 11 chicks that hatch out of Ivywoods' eggs. Two didn't make it. I now have 7 Lakenvelders, 1 Partridge Wyandot and 1 BCM. Two are in isolation to heal. I'm having to give my lowly BCM butt baths for constipation and 1 Lakenvelder is in there because of a bloody cord that has dried up and is about to fall off.

Here's a few pics of my brooder.