Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[jvls1942]

No rain expected here today, possibly tomorrow. I can't wait for the cool down!
I got two 20-foot rows of russet potatoes dug this morning. The sweat was dripping before I was finished. Not the best crop I have had...
I cannot wait to see your finished shed Jim.

Neither can I..

this morning I forced myself to stay out there until I had the wall all ready to stand up.
now all I need are a couple of weak minds and strong backs to show up..

pi

BigZ - We didn't get much rain here, the potato plants dried up a lot sooner than they usually do.

my potato plants are still green.
Annie said that she has about 30 feet of the row dug. then she asked, is the row 100 feet ? her shoulders really dropped when I said, no, it is 190 feet.

.......jiminwisc....

 

[jvls1942]

well, DD Barby did show up.
so we woke Kalib up, (he works nights) and
Annie and I and those two got the wall up in
no time flat.

supposed to be rainy here on and off today.
I hope it is more off than on.

I have a bit of wall bracing and corner bracing
to do. then I can start setting the rafters.

I needed some roofing nails to attach the vinyl siding. I went into my nail stash and found some old time roofing nails. I hadn't realized how cheap the nails have gotten. now they are shiny and smooth and narrow gage.
these old timey ones are zinc coated, and thick. they really hold. I had to pull one out.
couldn't do it with just a hammer. had to get a monkey claw puller.

coffee is gone. checking to see if it is raining.
if not I am headed out to cut some lumber.

........jiminwisc.......

 

[wyoDreamer]

We went to Tractor Supply in Marinette on Sunday, they had chicks for 50% off. I mentioned that I would have liked to get a couple of the Buff Orpingtons because I heard they were good birds. DH said to pick up a couple... he is such an enabeler. But no, I have 10 chicks in the brooder now that I don't know what to do with.

My chicks are over 2 1/2-weeks old and the 4 broilers are twice the size of the 6 browns (layers) and will need to be separated out soon. How old do you think the Cornish Cross need to be before I put them in an A-frame tractor outside without heat. They don't seem to be using the heat right now in the barn, but it has been bloody hot lately.

 

[chikenscratch]

Brent -I wish we had rain. The last time we had rain was mid-July!!!!!! The ground is hard in some areas and a dust bowl in others. I am actually hauling water to my plants and have taken drastic measures with my perennials to make sure their energy goes to the root. Our water bill is gonna be outrageous.

{Daethen said: ↑
But I love construction projects!!! You would probably be telling me to go home. I worked with a crew that built log homes for a couple years and loved it.}
I'll keep this in mind!

Any who...managing to keep the plants alive in our drought and 90 degree weather down here! Garden is producing well: basil, cukes, tomatoes, peppers, beets, and kale are going strong. The rhubarb & strawberries are confused and growing again?? My strawberries have green fruit and tons of flowers. We never get a second run as it is usually too cold. The eggplant are flowering as well.

Just bought an upright freezer and I'm deciding which hens are going to freezer camp. I have 5 that should go and 2 from this year that I'm keeping. However, I'm thinking of culling only 4 of the older ones and keeping my best broody to sit for my spring hatch (that's hoping she'll be up for it). Waffling between just keeping the 2 new pullets and one oldie or culling all oldies. What do you all recommend????? They are a good 3-4 yrs old at least and are only good for soup at this point.

Nathan is doing well. He is working two jobs at the moment, to help out another golf course (but he is getting paid). He has done such a good job that if they stay open for next year, they want to know whether he'd be interested in staying on. Otherwise, he is pretty pooped.

I have picked up the stuff that he used to do around the house on top of my own stuff while working full-time and I think my heart isn't keeping up. I have had a bunch of testing done recently and I think I either had a virus or the stress of doing it all has gotten to me. I'm ok at the moment tho, no worries. Luckily, I actually have competent students this semester which is making work less stressful! So I get a few spare moments to catch up with you all!

I hope everyone is doing well, Brent let us know about the Amish family and if there is anything they need.

 

[jvls1942]

this is how I square my corners.
measure 25 1/2 inches from the corner each way along the walls.
cut a board exactly 36 1/16 inches long.
miter cut 45 degrees at each end.
line up the pointy ends on the marks on the walls and the corner is square.
that is a double 2x6 header beam over the front doorway..

this is taken towards the garage side.
the double beam is on the front over the doorway. above it is the ridge beam sitting in the beam pocket.
the beam is sitting in there loose.
that allows me to adjust it when I put the rafters against it.

this view is foward the chicken coop.
those outriggers will make a roof over the sidewalk between the coop and shed.

 

[bigzio]

Nice job with the building project Jim...
I was busy with my hunting project, with so much time on my hands, I decided to pursue the whitetails today.....bagged a nice 8 point with 18.5" outside spread.....might of made it 50yards from where it stood....just sayin and sharin a pic!

bigz

 

[Daethen]

Congrats on the buck!!

 

[chikenscratch]

Nice framing and buck guys!

Things are good here. Dry as a bone though. Bought 2 30G drums for rain barrels today. Got a lead on Icelandic eggs for a project.

Any opinion on whether I should butcher all 5 older hens or just 4 keeping one hoping she'll be a positive influence on the other two over winter? No really wondering if I should keep one bloody for Easter hatch.

 

[tigger19687]

Wow, you all must have a crazy early season for hunting.
Archery doesn't start here in MA till the end of Nov (around T-Day)

 

[jvls1942]

Wow, you all must have a crazy early season for hunting.
Archery doesn't start here in MA till the end of Nov (around T-Day)

bow season just started, it will run until just
before TG and then the rifle season starts for nine days. that will end the Sunday after TG and then I think bow season starts up again until the end of the year.
there is a black powder season somewhere in there, too, I believe..