The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[Leahs Mom]

The last 2 winters I just left them in also. The door they go out is currently a full size sliding door which, of course, gets frozen shut.

I was thinking of trying to rig up a way for them to get out despite the sliding door and we have a good way to accomplish that. But I have that same situation. In the past they've just stood there and stared. So not sure it's worth it to go to all the trouble.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@speckledhen
What is the "orange stuff" you use in your barn?

 

[speckledhen]

@speckledhen
What is the "orange stuff" you use in your barn?

Oh, sorry! My computer is super slow today and it keeps messing up. I can type something and I have to wait for it to appear sometimes. So, if there are typos I miss, that's why.

It's Orange Guard. I use the gallon size and it comes with the sprayer top and long tube.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Orange-Guard-Home-Pest-Control-Insect-Killer/24775244?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222026517807&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10374977262&wl4=kwd-1105723518495&wl12=24775244_10000001205&wl14=Orange Guard&veh=sem

 

[speckledhen]

As far as leaving them inside in inclement weather, it's safer for us if we don't have to go out there too much in slippery stuff. We check on them two or three times during the day, mainly because of Snow and Amanda needing their double water/food bowls cleaned out since they cannot reach the main waterer easily. Plus, with all these ancient hens, we have to do a "life check". That's the first thing we do every morning, walk down the aisle and look in every pen to see if they're all still with us.

 

[speckledhen]

Didn't tell you that we went for a cleaning, the 3 month maintenance cleaning after a deep cleaning, both of us. So, when I'm done, I go out and my DH is still in there. And I wait and wait....and wait ...and wait. Finally, after an hour, I think maybe he had them start prep for one of the three crowns he needs (broken teeth, not decayed). So, when he finally comes out, they're saying, that was a lot of work! Apparently, he asked when he could get started on the work for those three crowns and they said they had time, so he went ahead and had ALL THREE teeth prepped for crowns after his cleaning! He said, "Well, what do I know? I never had a crown before".

So, $1900 that day for his three crowns and our two cleanings. And when we go back Nov 8, I have my prep for my four piece bridge and he gets his crowns seated. Another $2100+ for my bridge. Thankfully, we have a dental insurance plan or that bridge would cost me over $6000.

Rained all night and most of today, then the high winds started. Acorns are being shot out of trees like someone is aiming at us with acorn cannons. Ow, those hurt! The chickens did not want to stay out and one of the Brahma boys decided that my lap was a safer place to be, so I had this big old almost 11 week old gorgeous boy falling asleep in my lap while I cowered under three big oak trees.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ouch.

 

[speckledhen]

Ouch in more ways than one.

 

[getaclue]

Dental work has gotten extremely pricey, even with insurance.

 

[h2oratt]

I am seriously blessed to have a farm connection that has low-line cattle that are completely pasture/grass fed. The low-line makes them smaller so that purchasing a quarter at a time doesn't break the bank and their hanging weight price is the same as non-grass fed in our area.

Usually once a year they butcher one just for ground and sell it at the same price per lb. that I'd have to pay in the grocery for the lowest quality meat. When they do that I purchase as many lbs as are available then other friends and family that don't have larger freezers purchase theirs from me (not marked up) as they need it. (I actually primarily use ground myself.)

If I go to a grocery or butcher shop and see the prices for their frozen grass-fed beef it is as much as 2 - 2.5x higher in price. If I had to buy it at that price it would be unrealistic.

So I encourage people to keep their ears open and ask around to see if you can find that kind or source in your area. I actually heard about this particular farm from a friend that somehow found them. Not even sure how. And whenever I run into folks that are interested I hook them up with the farm for themselves.

I wish I had a connection like that. What do you usually pay a lb for the ground beef?

 

[Leahs Mom]

2 years ago it started at $3/lb. This year it was $4