Washingtonians

[Stumpfarmer]

Meant to mention- I thought after yesterday's rodeo the Hamburg Ladies would hate me forever, but apparently the relief of the oil on their itchy legs, or the effect of the Enprimex on their general well-being made them all energized and ready for breakfast- they were energetic and active all day and spent a lot of time begging me for treats.

I need to treat Ian and Sylvia next, but need more to have someone to hold the flashlight; I can open their run and treat them on the roost, but I can't do it one-handed.

Everybody got brown rice and apples with old chili powder this afternoon; reviews varied, Malvina tried to eat hers in one gulp, as did Elvis. Ian was suspicious (leave it to me to get the world's only picky-eater chicken) but Sylvia, the Hamburgs, and the Wyandottes in the hoop house chowed right down. Elvis and the young Wyandottes also got extra greens (Ian and Sylvia are on new grass, and the Hamburgs and Malvina got romaine lettuce and lavender seed-heads yesterday), for which they were vocally grateful.

I still need to get some alfalfa sprouts going because I'll be out of lemon balm, apple mint, and lavender trimmings soon.

 

[chickens4gramma]

Quote:
Cheryl-sorry you didn't find out the sex of the baby. It is so hard to wait! But what did the doctor say about your heart issues and the problems you have been having? Are you okay?

 

[justbugged]

Oh no!!!! Robin

I hope you can take care of yourself.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Okay, I have read none of the last 10 pages - I have just not had time....

...but

to all newbies.

CL: Take it easy. What was the final diagnosis on your knee? I hope you did not tear something.

CR: Hope you are beginning to feel better.

T-HI: Glad to see you on here once in a while. It is nice.

Everyone else

and

Okay, I may not get to the old posts...but I need prayers:

My ex-boss (real estate broker) Mike McDaniel had a stroke on Monday. He drove to Loomis (tiny town where he has a weekend getaway property). He was "blowing out the pipes" for winter. His MIL just happen to decide to go for a drive and drove to Loomis. She saw Mike's truck outside the house and decided to stop and say HI. She found him collapsed on the floor. He had had a stroke. I don't know all the details....but ambulance called (obviously)...they were able to give him some kind of drug for strokes that needs to be given within the first hour (they got there fast enough which is amazing). Mike was flown to Spokane. He had brain surgery to remove a clot that was behind his ear. Dr. says that his brain looks remarkably well. Don't know where clot came from (heart looks great). He is still with us and doing remarkably well. He cannot move much on his left side...but he is improving. He cannot talk as of yet. They did get him to stand, but he cannot walk as of yet. This man is early 70s. Very-very active and in wonderful shape. Very religous and a remarkable person. Always doing for others. Please keep him in your prayers tonight. Thank you so much.

 

[SadieSue]

The pics didn't bother me...The description didn't either until you said, "Not much holding the upper leg to the lower 2 bones."

Yeah, that part made me a little queasy in my tummy too. Does it need to be said again? Take it easy and be careful CL!​

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:
I have seen and greatly admired the winter shot of your coop before but that recent autumn photo is brilliant! Such a pretty coop - perfect for an urban or suburban setting. May I ask who built it? Do you have any interior photos?

I'd like to see pics of your "Illia" birds too. Mine are still having quiet time in the garage, but they're eating and drinking well.

Thanks, I like it, too.
I made a model out of copy paper and tape and showed it to my father, a retired contractor.
He laughed at me but said he'd help.
We build it out of scrap lumber and old pallets.
He helped at all the critical points such as cement work and making the whole thing square and stable.
For Mother's Day, my children gave me the hardware and roofing tiles.
I had tons of old white paint.
It's really a pallet coop with lots of "make-up" - kinda like me - I clean up okay

Do I have photos? Well, yes, millions!
But first, please remember that I am a CPA.
I reseached a ton before I made the prototype.
So, good with research, analytical, blah blah blah - but NOT a contractor!
So, first a wide shot so you can see where everything fits in.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_happy_hen_house.jpg
Here's a photo of me pretending to be a roofer. See the high quality materials?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_ruth_the_roofer.jpg
Next shot you can see the upper roost that sits in a notched 2x4.
Under that is a removable poop board with loose vinyl on top. This poop board slides forward for easy cleaning.
I think you can see that I have a vinyl floor that runs up the back wall of the coop. It's loose in front, tucked in by a lip board.
When I clean, I can lift the vinyl and clean everything, ending with a good dusting of DE, food grade, of course.
The nesting boxes are dark to make them more inviting. (A scrumptious leftover plum chocolate color!)
Can't see this but I attached the lip in front of the nesting box first on either side to a 1 inch block of wood so that there would be a 1 inch gap between the lip and the nest allowing for easy sweeping of the nest box litter into the main coop for clean up.
Electrical cord is enclosed in that round pipe which was grey until I painted it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_1.jpg
Here's the way I made a removable lip to help keep shavings inside the coop. It also hold the vinyl in place.
You can see the junk wood in this photo, too!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_2.jpg
The pop door is a piece of leftover acrylic that slides easily in simple tracks. The entire run is secure so the pop door doesn't have a lock.
I keep the water under the coop so the girls can't sit on it. Keeps the water so much cleaner.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_3.jpg
The pop door lifts with a simple pulley system. Here is a shot of how we ran the rope through the hardware cloth.
Keeps everything neat and tidy, just the way a CPA would like things.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_4.jpg
Then, of course, needed to secure the rope so the door stays up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_5.jpg
In the next shot you can see the pallet board construction.
We hung the feeder on a board that slides out. We used the hardware from an old kitchen cabinet. I don't know what the slider-outer-thing hardware is called. I hope it's clear enough in the photo.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_6.jpg
The floor directly under the coop is cement. On the storage side it's just cement. On the other side - the run side - it's cement covered with sand. (The rest of the run has harware cloth covered with sand.) I really like having supplies close by and secured from rodents. (of unusual or the usual size!)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_7.jpg
Extra ventilation window propped up with a stick that hangs handy.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_detail_8.jpg
More storage with adjustable shelves. There's a sheet of metal on the floor of this cabinet just in case rodents ever feel like making a try for the snacks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_9.jpg
A notched 2x4 in the run holds a branch or a 1x4 or 2x4, depending on the season.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_coop_details_10.jpg
And, lastly, since I clearly got carried away with this show and tell, I decided to add another favorite shot.
Obviously, I am not a builder, or a breeder for that matter.
Just a city slicker who loves keeping birds as does my daughter as evidenced below.
Seriously, this is probably way, way more than you wanted to see or read!
Thanks for letting me share.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/62344_lily_and_the_chickens.jpg

Well, my 2 cents worth...You have nothing to apologize for. What a wonderful story and grouping of photos. You have a beautiful DD.

 

[cheryl98117]

Quote:
Cheryl-sorry you didn't find out the sex of the baby. It is so hard to wait! But what did the doctor say about your heart issues and the problems you have been having? Are you okay?

Thats another frustration of the day. My Dr. never recieved the files from the chardialogy lab. "Sorry not sure if I spelled that right or not..." But she said she would call me personally if there was anything on them. No news is good news when it comes to check ups like this. I'm doing my best to not overstress on everything. Ive been a bit harsh to alot of people the past week from to much clutter and stress in my life. But I'm settleing down from that, and things are getting sorted out.

Anyways back to the Dr.

She said that I', doing great. Havn't gained a pound in 2 months, were both happy about that as Im already heavy. Blood presure is perfect, nothing wrong with the hormone levels check, and she personally scheduled my ultrasound for the 23rd.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

CL: those photos are awful. You had better take it easy. Let us know how it is going.

Great...now I will spend the entire week - weekend worrying about you. Have you been to the doctor yet? How bad is it? What are you going to have to do? Get it fixed. Be careful.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Yup that will make the big crockeegator tears run down the inside of yer britches. When I did mine in 2010 my leg was held on the front just above knee and had about 500+lbs dropped on the back of the ankle. Mine swelled up tight all the way to the foot. I feel for ya girly cause I have a little bit of a clue how that feels.