Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Stumpfarmer]

I have to say, with all this talk of building stuff, I really, really wish that I could weld. A lot of the way I visualize stuff comes from my dad's tendency to weld pen frames and gates and the foundation for the greenhouse hoop house out of whatever rebar and pipe are hanging around (my BIL also welds, but he learned in school and follows the rules, although some of his stuff- notably the back gate between his family place and the McMansion development are prone to giantism: it's made of some 6" and 8" diameter iron pipe that I suspect was part of his grandfather's post WW2 scrap metal pile; there's a 7 foot brass ocean going vessal propellar out in the middle of one of the fields). Wood is cheap and I can work it, but it's brittle, and it rots.

Given that I've got grip and sensation problems in my hands, this is not the time of life when I should have picked up that skill, I fear.

 

[Hinotori]

So we got boards for the two raised beds yesterday afternoon. I just need to mark and drill pilot holes and screw them together. I just unloaded the soil from my truck into the garden. I cannot wait for them to be up and working. I have strawberries to plant and want to get the peas in there ASAP. We're leaving the 2x2s in the corners at full length. That way I can wrap the beds with deer netting if needed to keep the chickens out. Eventually the garden will be fenced in after I have all the beds I want. Much easier to pull the pickup in and dump than wheelbarrow it all over.

 

[RainMom]

I have to say, with all this talk of building stuff, I really, really wish that I could weld. A lot of the way I visualize stuff comes from my dad's tendency to weld pen frames and gates and the foundation for the greenhouse hoop house out of whatever rebar and pipe are hanging around (my BIL also welds, but he learned in school and follows the rules, although some of his stuff- notably the back gate between his family place and the McMansion development are prone to giantism: it's made of some 6" and 8" diameter iron pipe that I suspect was part of his grandfather's post WW2 scrap metal pile; there's a 7 foot brass ocean going vessal propellar out in the middle of one of the fields). Wood is cheap and I can work it, but it's brittle, and it rots.

Given that I've got grip and sensation problems in my hands, this is not the time of life when I should have picked up that skill, I fear.

Ditto- I took welding in high school to get out of Home-Ec. (I could not fathom what, praytell, I could learn doing "group" baking, when I'd been cooking for a family of 7 by myself since I was about 10 years old.)

Welding was fun. Wish I would have kept doing it. I am a very artistic person, who got sidelined when my son went sideways and needed me every waking moment I wasn't working. I used to do basket weaving, silk screening, photography, etc, etc.

I've been considering getting a welder to play around with, and am beginning to keep cool metal stuff "just in case".......

 

[mikeyb]

Well drats. The coop run has a small gap in the wire for me to reach in and fill the feed bucket, or at least that's what I did before relocating the feeder. Apparently two of the RIR figured out if they flew hard enough at that small opening in the poultry netting they could escape. 2 of them managed to get free. It's a good thing I saw them b4 sending Jake out for his morning "business".
That was 2 hours ago and I have not got my butt in gear yet. (Jake is blocked from the backyard)
After all the rototilling yesterday, raking and using the pitchfork my get up has not yet showed up today.
Golly, I wish it would rain and give me an excuse to go to the movies.

 

[RustyHen]

yes, yes! I have a solution!!! go to my profile and look at pics of the raised beds I posted while back- there was one with a wooden/wire "frame" that kept our crows, robins, and cats- no pooping or eating my seeds when the frame was over the top. worked great- used green bean cans to elevate above the bed.

Thank you RainMom, that is a great idea but, I have a hoop top. Maybe I could make some short frames to go between the hoops and rest on the wood planks.

 

[ChickAudie]

Well drats. The coop run has a small gap in the wire for me to reach in and fill the feed bucket, or at least that's what I did before relocating the feeder. Apparently two of the RIR figured out if they flew hard enough at that small opening in the poultry netting they could escape. 2 of them managed to get free. It's a good thing I saw them b4 sending Jake out for his morning "business".
That was 2 hours ago and I have not got my butt in gear yet. (Jake is blocked from the backyard)
After all the rototilling yesterday, raking and using the pitchfork my get up has not yet showed up today.
Golly, I wish it would rain and give me an excuse to go to the movies.

LOL! X2, Mikey, X2!

Quote: Oh, I know the feeling! All this makes me want a new solder iron SOOO bad! I miss stained glass

Quote: That is neat! I admit, I wouldn't get much done....why am I picturing a bunch of chickens being a little hypnotized by this?

 

[RainMom]

Thank you RainMom, that is a great idea but, I have a hoop top. Maybe I could make some short frames to go between the hoops and rest on the wood planks.

if you already have hoop tops, then you could just buy some net and attach with zip ties.

I bought a net from a local company that recycles fishing nets. I paid $30 (?) for a 10 x 55 foot net that is industrial- the nylon is very sturdy. Once our chicken runs are all done, I plan to be sure to frequent that same place for more.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/grd/3634145602.html
(They were advertising on CL, but I bet they would ship to you?)

 

[RainMom]

Well drats. The coop run has a small gap in the wire for me to reach in and fill the feed bucket, or at least that's what I did before relocating the feeder. Apparently two of the RIR figured out if they flew hard enough at that small opening in the poultry netting they could escape. 2 of them managed to get free. It's a good thing I saw them b4 sending Jake out for his morning "business".
That was 2 hours ago and I have not got my butt in gear yet. (Jake is blocked from the backyard)
After all the rototilling yesterday, raking and using the pitchfork my get up has not yet showed up today.
Golly, I wish it would rain and give me an excuse to go to the movies.

I'm being a slug too Mikey! It seems like everyone in this area has got a sore throat and some sort of allergy-type illness.
I have zero gittyup and go today. I've been puttering around the house, but since the sun is out, I'm goign to get my fanny outside.

 

[sirius]

Good afternoon, just getting started. Grew up with chickens and other assorted animals. Now its my turn for chickens, 4 Americaunas, 2 C. Cross, adding 6 Buff O's April 3
Ive Celiacs disease, so Its G. Free all the way for my gals. Any Celiacs out there? If so what are u doing with your chickens?

 

[CarolynF]

lastly, I have an april 20th butcher date for gmo free pastured hogs and there are still 3 halves not spoken for. If interested in feed, nipples(for chickens only), pork, or the poultry processing please im me.

paul

Hi Paul, I'm not well versed in Pastured Hogs. How does their meat differ from what I get at the grocery store? I know it would be more healthy, but what about the characteristics.... more/less lean, higher meat/bone ratio, more tender, stronger flavor, etc.???? How many pounds in a half pig and how does one get it cut & wrapped? Approximately what would the final cost be?
See.... I'm very UNeducated on this topic!!! Thanks!

Quote:
PATINA???? Is that what you call it?

Kathy.... I'm so sorry to hear about your Cr Legbar chicks.... that just stinks!

But Welcome Home!




ETA:

OK so I am really having a hard time keeping up. Partially because we are going so fast and partly because I have been pretty busy. Besides the normal things at home, trying to get items made for 3 big upcoming events and trying to get a big coop (well kind of 4 coops) expansion going and done.
Here is a bit of what is keeping me busy.
This is the dragon I have helped my friend make. There are some thing over 5000 scales on it. I cut out about 90% of those free hand with his plasma cutter. I also made the spine and wings



I designed and build most of the head.

And more recently. I was asked to make something that looks similar to this for a wall hanging. For $300 (

) it is only about 6' long. It will be on the walls of a law firm in Oregon by next week.

CR, that dragon is absolutely INCREDIBLE! And I really like the art piece, it'll make any office look really beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!! I hope the art dealer thing works out, too!!!