|
|
Post by Poopface on Apr 12, 2023 20:59:25 GMT -5
The new "temp" coop is finished and in place in the chicken yard (left). At least the babies are out of the garage and the older hens can start getting used to the babies being there. The other coop is currently comprised of the original extension run addition to the original Tractor Supply coop. The original run was then partly enclosed to be the new coop then a larger run added on to the right side (note the color of the wood as seen in the picture denoting age).
Speaking of the chicken yard. I've had issues with the chickens overgrazing. It's a deliberate issue because we have foxes and hawks here, the predator issue is a real threat. One way my wife devised (or saw on the internet?) to help get the chickens some greens was to put planter boxes in the yard. I've made two thus far -- one with oregano transplanted from the front bed and the other with spearmint (also a transplant). Unfortunately, the oregano got wiped out in the course of moving the temp coop into the yard, but here are the ladies around the spearmint.
I hope to make a few more of these to house grasses and clover. We also want to landscape around the fence to give shade and some other greens they can nibble on.
|
|
|
|
Post by munkeeee on Apr 12, 2023 21:25:59 GMT -5
in my area there are quite a few, but sadly they are relegated to that area/neighborhoods HOA, or some are through churches. The few that did spring up that were more "communal" were always getting trashed or picked over by thieves. I would love to have a small one in my yard for things I use when I cook I don't blame you.
After our first two-year foray in using the garden plot flamed out, we did "square foot gardening" at the townhouse. We had a few of those in the back yard (northern side, got southern sun) to grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and a few herbs. I also built an elevated garden box planter that sat on the front porch and got decent, but not fantastic sunlight on the southern side of the house but partly obscured by a crab apple to the south and large red maple on the southwest. We planted smaller stuff in there, mostly herbs and leafy greens. Maybe something like that might work? Or are you too shaded?
the one area that is perfect for it gets no morning sun, til at least 11. Then takes the brunt of it until sundown. The other area I did have success with cherry tomatoes was next to the house in what used to be a concrete raised area for flowers. That would get all morning and early afternoon sun then shade the remainder of the day. Back of the house faces east, front faces west. Plus I have a pool so dirt areas are easy access but limited. |
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on May 12, 2023 12:39:52 GMT -5
Got this message from my wife yesterday evening while at my son's ball practice.
Turns out this chicken wasn't killed. Somehow she got away despite losing A LOT of feathers with only a rather deep scratch to show for it. There is one other chicken that's gone missing, though. Interesting that there's no sign of a feather explosion. Whatever got her took her cleanly.
It's a good thing we have a good group of teenagers growing up in the smaller pen to add to the flock when they get more of age.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on May 12, 2023 16:22:59 GMT -5
Certainly looks like predation. I would be on point security wise, mix up the animals routine as much as possible for a few days. Most predators watch the animals habits before striking if at all possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on May 12, 2023 16:32:48 GMT -5
Certainly looks like predation. I would be on point security wise, mix up the animals routine as much as possible for a few days. Most predators watch the animals habits before striking if at all possible. My chickens flew over the fence. First time it's happened since we put the new fence in. Further incentive to install a hot wire above the fence. |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 5, 2023 0:56:19 GMT -5
Chased off predators...I also had to get a snake out of the egg box as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 13, 2023 1:20:37 GMT -5
Just another day in the life...
Lots of great things about living off-grid or farming in general but no life is perfect. Everything has its up sides & down sides.
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Jun 13, 2023 8:27:46 GMT -5
Just another day in the life... Lots of great things about living off-grid or farming in general but no life is perfect. Everything has its up sides & down sides. Have you tried companion planting to deter the deer? I've had some success deterring deer problems by planting my susceptibles in close proximity to strongly-scented plants (Lavender, Oregano, Basil, French Marigolds grown from non-GMO seed). |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 13, 2023 17:00:05 GMT -5
I usually start in the high tunnel then plant in the fields. Problem is they are raiding the high tunnel as well with it being blown out like that. Deer tend to eat the shoots of every plant regardless even if poison due to the plant being tender & less poisonous as a shoot.
I had to go strait from seed regardless because they were killing anything sprouting up randomly. my solution was to put a doghouse between the high tunnel & fields but the farm did not want to pay for the feed, so I just accept the losses as is.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 14, 2023 16:32:17 GMT -5
Still flooding but holding out for a pump from a neighbor, praying it don't rain for a while. *stormy clouds overhead*
Will update for good/bad when the condition changes.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 20, 2023 0:18:10 GMT -5
Still husslin, I just want to get ahead of things in certain areas if possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by gus169 on Jun 20, 2023 8:15:07 GMT -5
Soldier on bro. Don't let the 「illegitimate child」s get you down
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Jun 20, 2023 10:41:04 GMT -5
Still husslin, I just want to get ahead of things in certain areas if possible. Maybe install some electric fence lines around at least some of your plant starts? Or transplant the remaining starts in a smaller area and do a temporary fence (either electric or otherwise) around those? |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jun 30, 2023 14:29:42 GMT -5
mini tour of most of the unwooded acres. Sorry, I scream a few times at the dogs (for those with sensitive ears).
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Jul 12, 2023 17:51:43 GMT -5
A handful of years ago, I came across a recipe online for elderberry syrup. I don’t follow it exactly and do my own thing now. in addition to that, I have purchased elderberry lozenges over the counter to assist during cold season. I have been idly looking for them and have been unable to find them in stores.
That got me to thinking about making my own for my family. I post this because my wife and I harvested 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket worth of elderberry clusters last night from our small orchard. Once processed, that amounted to 5 very full trays in our food dehydrator.
Currently trying to figure out if the antibacterial benefits of unprocessed honey dissipate once put through a freeze dryer. We have ordered molds to make the lozenge. Going to make some cooked as if it were candy. Going to freeze dry others. I need to figure out somewhere that will do the nutritional testing to tell me which method retains more of the vitamins and minerals.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jul 12, 2023 21:56:59 GMT -5
A handful of years ago, I came across a recipe online for elderberry syrup. I don’t follow it exactly and do my own thing now. in addition to that, I have purchased elderberry lozenges over the counter to assist during cold season. I have been idly looking for them and have been unable to find them in stores. That got me to thinking about making my own for my family. I post this because my wife and I harvested 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket worth of elderberry clusters last night from our small orchard. Once processed, that amounted to 5 very full trays in our food dehydrator. Currently trying to figure out if the antibacterial benefits of unprocessed honey dissipate once put through a freeze dryer. We have ordered molds to make the lozenge. Going to make some cooked as if it were candy. Going to freeze dry others. I need to figure out somewhere that will do the nutritional testing to tell me which method retains more of the vitamins and minerals. You are more than welcome to gather honey here, I hate collecting it... EDIT: I'm just not into bugs period, I keep the bees to pollinate the crops. My uncle sells the honey for more than I sell the crops & animals cash wise. A small bottle is 8-15 bucks easy comb and all....he collects it without even using all the bee gear I use, he just walks up & gets it. |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Jul 12, 2023 22:09:52 GMT -5
mini tour of most of the unwooded acres. Sorry, I scream a few times at the dogs (for those with sensitive ears). I am seriously considering putting up electric fencing around the pasture crops the deer are so bad this year. I was just opting to put a dog in the pasture near the crops but the farm hasn't considered paying for the dog or its upkeep. The farm has always had a small herd of deer, the losses were always minimal. a neighbor "farmer" clearcut about 50 acres next door now the deer are killing me. I have repeat customers asking for things I sold last year I cannot provide this year due to deer. |
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Jul 20, 2023 13:51:01 GMT -5
A few weeks ago I was recommended a video on my youtube feed about perennial vegetables. Since I'm a big fan of planting things then leaving them alone to produce for me, I watched it. One thing that caught my eye was something called a Walking Stick Kale. It can live 5-6 years and grow up to 20' tall in some places. Historically, the stalks were harvested and exported as walking sticks on the island of Jersey with the leaves being used as food for people (young, tender leaves) and cattle (older leaves).
I just started some seeds with the idea of transplanting them around my property for both my family and the chickens (who will also eat the leaves, supposedly).
From the seed catalog's website:
 |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Aug 10, 2023 1:02:40 GMT -5
1 reason I'm too tired to do time drops ATM.
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Aug 17, 2023 21:28:37 GMT -5
How is it that my janky chicken is the one who became a momma first?  Seriously. If Felicia from Friday were a chicken, she would look like this. |
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Aug 18, 2023 22:15:48 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Aug 19, 2023 6:38:17 GMT -5
Yesterday had its highs and lows. We were excited to check on momma and her chick. My wife (a largely stay-at-home) told me in the afternoon (ships passing each other for kid activities) that the baby had gone down the ramp, momma went down too, but that momma had abandoned the baby when it couldn't get back up the ramp. My wife brought the baby back up and worked to do a little rudimentary barricade to help keep the little one safe for a bit.
Once she finished running our oldest around, she checked on the situation again and found momma had stopped sitting on the clutch of eggs. We hustled to get some containers to bring eggs inside. We'd been concerned that this might happen (or that she'd start pecking at new hatchlings) and had borrowed an incubator from a friend and had that running the last few days. We got around 8 eggs inside. Unfortunately, while rummaging around in the shavings she came across two other chicks that hadn't been able to get out of their shells and had died partly out.
Once inside the incubator my wife swore that she saw one of the eggs moving some. Every time she'd grab somebody to look, it'd stop. Late in the evening, we were checking again and I saw it moving, too. We pulled the top of the incubator and were delighted to be able to catch this video.
As of this morning, there's a very small crack in the shell.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Aug 21, 2023 2:53:08 GMT -5
I got some sitting in the coop, might have to remove them soon. They don't do well in that jungle. Might incubate again here soon.
EDIT: Post these to your YT as well, you would be surprised at the amount of subs to just watch ur babies hatch...really.
|
|
|
|
Post by Poopface on Aug 21, 2023 5:59:58 GMT -5
EDIT: Post these to your YT as well, you would be surprised at the amount of subs to just watch ur babies hatch...really. I also got a video of the beginning of the hatch. |
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Aug 28, 2023 1:57:41 GMT -5
Daggon egg thief! I got justice!
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Oct 27, 2023 3:14:53 GMT -5
Sorry, have not been updating due to difficulty.
For those who did not know, my male (& main) work dog broke his back about a month ago...
I am NOT supported by or advertising for any products...just stating facts for those who may have the same issues.
BIG thanks to all who have stood by me and supported me in my endevors.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Dec 11, 2023 21:20:07 GMT -5
Action Jackson Passed away 2 weeks ago...I just couldn't post it due to my hurt. he had a bowel perforation from a pork rib bone...he died within the hour. I buried him but only sent the pictures to my family... All I got to say on that...(not posting the pics here as it is personal after 16 years with him).
The neighbors threw a bon fire in his name and I was happy. He killed many animals & chased off more while here to make them all happy, so I appreciated the thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by gus169 on Dec 11, 2023 22:39:31 GMT -5
Oh man. I feel for you mate, as I'm sure many here do. It's always been a part of keeping animals, but the more you love them, the more it hurts - and you clearly loved him a lot.
Thanks for sharing this @vulture
The good and the bad, the ups and the downs. It's a full life you lead, and you don't edit it down to a glossy magazine. I appreciate that.
|
|
|
|
Post by >^\}VULTURE{/^< on Oct 21, 2024 11:18:32 GMT -5
Sorry, I got a bunch more vids on my you tube guys/gals. I been away from the computer for a while.
Check the You tube, I have Nina & Jacksons graves on it.
I'm back on PC so I hope to remember to post my stuff here as well for all out War Robots Forums Family!
|
|
