The Front Porch Swing

[PrairieChicks]

I think the PVC feeders are going to be okay. They can kick litter INTO them, but they don't seem to enjoy trying to stand ON them to scratch the food out ... the PVC is slippery and the radius is not right for the size for their feet and the edges are a bit small to grip.

We've tried to put the feeders at a "good" height for the average birds in the flock. Above bums, below heads. It's only day two with them in place. The goal is to calibrate the feedings so they clean the troughs out before they get too busy kicking up the litter again looking for more treats. Then we just need to dump the litter out of the troughs, and maybe rinse them out over at the Chicken Sink area if necessary before feedings. That's why we put a handle on them ... in case we need to rinse them out before every feeding. But I see the handle potentially being a convenient perch, as might be the cement blocks on either end.

We cut the opening just on the top side of the radius ... so it will be harder to scratch/bill feed out of these feeders. We hope.

Keep us in the loop on how it works. I think I may want to try making one in the summer. Cutting it on the top side of the radius is a great idea! It should make it harder for them to flick feed out of there.

 

[Searsmom]

I know ... I can't believe I'm getting TPTB to move toward FF, etc. But sometimes if I give TPTB enough puzzle pieces they can start putting things together and pretend it's THEIR idea. They believe FF will cut back on waste, for one thing.

I thought I was getting good at guessing acronyms....what's TPTB?

 

[Beekissed]

Keep us in the loop on how it works. I think I may want to try making one in the summer. Cutting it on the top side of the radius is a great idea! It should make it harder for them to flick feed out of there.

They won't be billing out or scratching out the FF....but they will fling it when they shake their heads after eating a bit and getting a build up on the beak.

And there is no way to stop that...not much waste, though, so it's no matter.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I thought I was getting good at guessing acronyms....what's TPTB?

The Powers That Be ... (mostly "Dad" but could be one of any number of his employees ... all men ... who enjoy standing around watching me work and commenting on what they think it is I might be doing wrong)

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

They won't be billing out or scratching out the FF....but they will fling it when they shake their heads after eating a bit and getting a build up on the beak.

And there is no way to stop that...not much waste, though, so it's no matter.

I like having the cement blocks handy so they can go scratch their beaks on it ...

ETA: And you have to account for the waste of the rooster dance ... where he drops some of the feed on the ground, and scratches at it, and clucks, and tries to tell the hens what a special thing HE has found ...

 

[PrairieChicks]

They won't be billing out or scratching out the FF....but they will fling it when they shake their heads after eating a bit and getting a build up on the beak.

And there is no way to stop that...not much waste, though, so it's no matter.

I'm hoping to try some fermented feed once it warms up a bit. I think it would freeze solid in a few hours the way it's been the last few months. Although, I guess I could only feed enough that they would clean it up in an hour. Do you use it to supplement other feed, or is this mainly what you feed your chickens?

 

[Beekissed]

I'm hoping to try some fermented feed once it warms up a bit. I think it would freeze solid in a few hours the way it's been the last few months. Although, I guess I could only feed enough that they would clean it up in an hour. Do you use it to supplement other feed, or is this mainly what you feed your chickens?

That's what we do...just dish out the daily meal and it's gone within the hour. It's the entire feed ration, though my chicken free range for most of their nutrition in the high foraging months of the year...and that's starting soon.

 

[Searsmom]

I like having the cement blocks handy so they can go scratch their beaks on it ...

ETA: And you have to account for the waste of the rooster dance ... where he drops some of the feed on the ground, and scratches at it, and clucks, and tries to tell the hens what a special thing HE has found ...

Poor guy. I've always wanted to go to a bait store and buy crickets and set them loose in the hen house - just to watch. Maybe take a video.

 

[perchie.girl]

Yes! Those were the types of rocks we drove right past and through. We were amazed at how rounded they are and how many - they went on and on. I couldn't see anything blooming. Although when I looked carefully (as we drove by much too quickly!) I could see individual cactus along the slopes. I wondered how they could survive among the rocks. Really amazing! To think we drove so near to where you live! I love your home. So different to anything I've been around. Does it cool down in the evenings up in the mountains there? I would think the days can get very hot in summer. Do you have a well for water or do you have to haul it in? That was something we were talking about as we drove among all those rocks. Wondering how animals could survive in an area like that - where they would find water.
And now we just got back from seeing the Yuma Territorial Prison - and I was looking over the Colorado river and thinking how small it looked compared to when it comes through the Grand Canyon. And this is the river that could support Stern Wheelers at one time? I'm hoping to be able to drive to some smaller roads tomorrow and get a closer look at how they grow their crops here. So different than at home. We're in Yuma till Monday morning and then are planning to find a "road less travelled" to get back to San Diego. We enjoy taking the trip slower and seeing peoples farms and yards along the way. So neat to see how people make their homes their own.
Bee, I'm excited with you about your seeds arriving in the mail! What kinds did you order? I got over enthusiastic in January and ordered mine then already! I hope to start planting some of my flowers under grow lights next week. I need to get my fingers in the dirt because we can't plant outside till 3rd week of May. And I don't put my flowers out till first week of June because of a risk of late frost. Our brave tulips and crocuses come up in May.
Am so much enjoying God's beauty in flowers and cactus on this trip. And I got to walk on grass today!!! The last time I saw our grass at home was the first week of November. I can hardly wait for spring!!

Those granite boulders are suprisingly soft. If you have a sledge hammer you can virtually drive a heavy nail into them. They are constantly decomposing and flaking off bits. You probably didnt hit cactus areas till you were even with the Town of Jacumba... That land is Volcanic and has very little topsoil Perfect cactus country. Most cacti use their roots just to keep upright.... All their water storage is internal... During one week of rains it will swell almsot twice its size.

In and amongst the big rocks you will see small Scrub Oak or Salt bush Or Athol trees.... They look small but if you were to go down next to one they will be a good ten to fifteen feet tall in some places.... Thats HUGE for a desert tree. You see those rocks act like a sponge and trap warter. The aquefer on the otherside of those rocks is very close to thesurface and Can be tapped for irrigation. Also if you were to hike in amongst those rocks you will find small vernal pools that hold maybe a bath tub worht of water.... There are also very small springs that run most of the year.... Water squeezed from the rock drips and vanishes into the ground below.

The high desert around the rocks there is a pretty mild desert. You should see them with snow on them.... Two whole weeks worth. The highest I have ever experienced there is 110F for a single day .... we get one or two days worth of 105F But for the most part we are the same temperature as San Diego during the day. At night we drop a good ten degrees if not more.... for instance It was 90ish here in San Diego today and to night its around 70. It would have been the same in Jacumba but a bit cooler at night say high sixties.

The temps around El Centro and Yuma in the summer will be 115F to 120F cooling down at night maybe to 110-115. There is a collection of cabins/homes that some of those people move to during the heat of the summer up here in the high desert.... They bring their horses for some relief.

The well drillers use water witching to find the water. My well is only 450 feet deep. The water table is dropping slowly so I may have to drill another well in the next ten years or so.

By the way all of El centro is Irrigated by water from the Colorado River.Through a series of ditches and canals.

There are two excellent scenic routs,

Oh and when you cross the desert in the El Centro way you will be taking the rout of theold Wooden highway. Back in the day they tried to build roads through that desert but the sand kept burying the road bed.... so they laid wooden planks to form the road.... There are sections of it still out there covered in sand.

The first one is my favorite. but you have to climb back up into san Diego County the first community is called InKoPah which is little more than a few historic houses boarded up gas staion and an equipment sales place.... But back at the end of old Highway 80 you will find the desert tower. An excellent place to stretch your leggs and hit the small gift shop....The guy that owns that place is a Hoot. Often times he wears a Coon skin cap. Dont let the place fool you while it was built near the Butterfield stage rout it was never part of any stage stop. It was built exactly for what it is.... A tourist stop and novelty shop.... Back in the 40s or 50s

FRom there you follow Old Highway 80 under the freeway past some off road areas.... One goes to the Valley of the Moon... You need a jeep to get there... Then another few miles and you will come up to some fields that were where they grew baby arugula and spinich up till about three years ago. Just after the fields you will come up the little town of Jacumba. There is a single restaurant in town.... The food is decent under the new owners.... And they have a full bar.

As you face West outside of the hotel the Mexican border is on your left hand side.... You will be within about 2000 feet from the border. And the border fence will be very obvious.

When Old Highway 80 was the only highway through The little town was in its hey day. Back in the 30s There was a HUGe hotel in Jacumba with hotsprings and it was a place for movie stars to come and unwind. The hotel there right now has all its pools fed from hot springs water....

FRom there you travel east on old 80 and when you get to Bankhead springs you will be in my neighbor hood. I will be south from the road about 1.5 miles on dirt road. Then on into Boulevard. As you get into an area of Live Oak trees you will see a Candy shop on your left.... They sell their candy all over the world.

Continue on and you will see a fork in the road.... the one going to the right parallels the freeway and is old Highway 80. The one going to the left is Highway 94... Follow that and you will go through two BIG Indian reservations. and huge cattle ranches. We have very little spring fed periminent pasture and you will pass through most of it.

You will come to the Community called Campo. It was named for a military camp thats been there since the 1800,s, Camp Lockett. Calvery at first and had a regiment of Buffalo solders for quite some time. So much more history there than I can remember.... But there is A Railway museum and they used to give rides for a couple of bucks and you can go into the big repair sheds where they are restoring some historic train cars.

That track used to connect YUma to San Diego.... It goes on from Campo through Mexico and finally back into the US. That portion is closed now perminantly. You can follow 94 from there through cattle ranches and different small towns till you actually can drive it straight into Down Town San Diego ....

If you are inclined to go to Mexico Best to park on this side and catch a taxi to take you.... The next city past Campo will be Tecate Mexico Which is a turn off the 94 but not too far. I am told wayy better than Tijuana. I have never been. I have a friend that uses a dentist in Tecate. Havent been to Tijuana since I was in my early twenties. You have to have a passport these days.

The other drive will take you north through Ocotillo then up toward the mountains and the back side of our pine forrest around Cuyamaca.... Then up through a town called Julian.... Julian is known for its Apple pies.... then through the back country toward a town called Ramona. Ramona used to be the hugest Turkey producing location in the US.... LONG gone now for suburbs and horse property.... From Ramona you can follow the road down to San Pasqual which is the home of the San Diego Wild animal park. Which is affiliated with the San Diego Zoo. It used to be if you went to the Zoo you can use the same tickets to go to the Wild animal park too... I think though it had to be within the same week? Its been a very long time since I have done that. any way I dont know the names of the highways to do that rout or the turn offs.

Youwill have to google it if possible.

deb

 

[luvblues7]

Wow y'all been busy..... My last living uncle past away so I've been out of touch for a couple days and so much has happen while I was gone. I sure missed not being part of the excitement.

Lisa I'm so excited for you. New chicks should sure brighten up your place.

A big howdy to the newest friend Windstep... I know you will enjoy this thread. This is a great.bunch of people.

I love the new crazy chicken lady poster. I laughed so hard......

Leslie your coop is so awesome. I love seeing others coops. Gives me ideas. I too have been making more PVC trough feeders. I absolutely love them. I have made water troughs also just like the feeders.

Bee I love the new welcome wreath. Having a "Nana" moment and can't remember who made it but it is beautiful.

Hope all has a very blessed Sunday and I will be sending prayers up for all my new found friends.