Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

Up and at 'em - it's trash day. It's gathered but needs to be wheeled to the road. That'll happen after this cup of coffee.

It's a perfect 60 degrees this morning! Whoop! It's been a long time coming but can't get too excited we're still headed for high 80's/low 90's today. It's ok - much better than triple digits.

I'm working on a chicken coop. My birds have always been free range and generally hang out at the big barn with the goats. However, now there are several who prefer my back porch as their hangout. Nope - I'm over having a poopy porch!

The main structure is already there. It's a 20 x 30 open shed. The area I'm using is a 10 x 10 area with a 10 x 20 run. I need to alter it so that the covered 10 x 10 area can be closed up at night. Started yesterday by de-constructing and decluttering the area. I've been gathering supplies that have been stowed in various places. Even though I'm anxious to get this done I expect it to be a multi-day project. I hope I can get it completed in a week but even that might be a challenge. The outside part of the run is a mishmash of various fencing materials added to over the years as needs changed. Haven't gotten far enough to decide whether to leave it as is and make do - or completely re-do that part also.

The work never ends around here! Bu t what else would I do with my time...?

 

[Mini Horses]

Same thing I did yesterday, same reason. I got it tight enough but, one panel of wood is off and it's covered with a fence panel, heavy + hardware cloth, that I already had. Saved a trip to Lowe's in middle of it being done. I'll free range them again, starting with fenced run -- to be done -- in a couple weeks. For now, re-train! They're at POL but, no eggs yet. Just checked them & it's obvious they're not liking this. More doing this wknd.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I made good progress. Two sides and the front have the bottom half fenced with heavy panels with 2 x 4 openings. The other side is already there and is solid sheet metal from top to bottom. The top half of the other walls will be covered with 4 ft vinyl coated welded wire with 2 x 3 openings. That'll take care of the coop itself - maybe a day's work when I get the wire. That should be the only purchase I need to make for this project...I hope! Until then I'll work on the outside run.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Zero work on the coop/run project today - so far anyway. Did morning chores and then had to pick up grain and a few groceries to replace what we went through last week with multiple big family meals. Loved every minute of their visit and am more than happy to need to replace food that was consumed. Great memories are made around the dinner table!

Came home and put groceries away. Got started on feed unloading and got notice from my hay guy that he had time to load me up if I could get there within a half hour. I sure did! Had to go with a bunch of grain in the back of the truck still. That and the bigger than normal bales put a whole lot of weight on the backend of my truck. It was a tiny bit squirrely on some rough areas of the road so we took it slow and careful. Got home and got the trailer backed into the driveway and ready to unload. May start that this evening after feeding chores are done. Feeding earlier than usual these days because of declining daylight.

This only makes 6 bales that I've gotten so far this year. Right now there's a fresh bale out that they've hardly touched...preferring pasture to hay at this point. Heck, as long as the cold weather holds off I may not need much hay. But, no crystal ball here, so I'll stock up a bit.

Got hit with some good rain on the way home but dry at the house. I did hear some rumbling out there a few minutes ago and got a lightening alert on my phone. Looks like a stay inside kind of afternoon. I guess I can live with that.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Got the wire to finish the coop late yesterday afternoon. Got one section finished - and have two more to go. I'll finish it this morning and with a few additions like feeders and waterers and roosts I'll be putting chickens in today! Yay! Got up around 5am this morning and took advantage of the dark to catch the 6 birds that have been pooping on my porch. Besides the poopy porch they've been depositing eggs within easy reach of the dogs. My dogs aren't stupid - they love them a fresh egg or three! Their free breakfast is over and I'm looking forward to collecting eggs for me!! We've been eating quail eggs and they are delicious but those little things are a PIA to crack - even with a fancy quail egg cutter tool.

Supposed to be some heavy rain heading this way overnight Friday and into Saturday. Not that I'm particularly looking forward to it - but - the pond needs water!

Woke up hungry this morning. Just had salad for dinner last night. Probably won't even think about eating until after morning chores.

First chore - gotta get the trash out. My most UNfavorite chore.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Finished closing in the coop yesterday. It was a little more challenging than I had thought it would be. Why, you might ask? Our weather forecast mentioned there might be widely scattered showers. I had been working for maybe an hour and was about an hour away from completion when the skies opened up. I only had the front to get done - the front is at the edge of the roofline. While I was huddling under the roof I cut the wire and had it ready to go up. I made some adjustments to the door. I checked all other areas to make sure they were secure and I waited. While I waited the sun continued to hide and the skies were emptying. I had caught the chickens before daylight and stuck them in wire cages - no food, no water - expecting to have them moved quickly. Needed to get them moved before dark so they had a little time to adjust. So - what to do except work in the rain.

I haven't "played" in the rain in quite a few years, and I can confirm that it wasn't nearly as much fun as it was as a child. It was raining HARD. We got two inches in just under 2 hours. Of course, I had to staple up the wire to the roof rafter, so I was working above my head. That means looking up. That means rain is hitting straight into the face. Ever try to hit a fence staple with a hammer when you can't see? My thumbs were not pleased with me. Rain hit my glasses and obliterated my sight so took them off. Believe me when I say that it's hard to hit a staple with a hammer when you can't see because (1) Glasses have been prescribed for a reason; (2) Rain, and roof run off is hitting you in the face. It probably took me an hour to staple up a 6ft section of wire. My thumbs are still not happy campers. Thankfully the rain was loud hitting the metal roof and covered my tortured screams and curses! Rain was running down my neck, running down my arms that were held above my head trying to hammer. I was soaked. No place that wasn't wet. It even pooled in my crocs. My poor dog Raine, who ironically, is terrified of rainstorms was cowering in the corner wondering why her mistress was railing against the rain monsters coming down from the sky. But, that part is finished and chickens were moved in before dark.

I still need to work on the run. It needs one wall fortified and a gate and it'll be finished. Major rainstorms starting tonight and into tomorrow are forecast. Run might not be done until early next week.

 

[flowerbug]

i'm really trying hard not to laugh about that one, but failing. a staple gun should be in your future...

 

[Mini Horses]

Staple guns rarely handle the "staples" needed for heavy fence! But the thought was nice

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yep - no staple gun for these staples. Ugh...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Did some finishing touches to the coop this morning. Brought in a feeder, instead of feed on the ground. Brought in a real waterer instead of a dog bowl. Hung their roost a bit more securely than just leaning it on the wall, cleaned up my mess and put my tools away. Glad to have that part of this job done!

I'm going to steal some hay off of an old round bale to use as deep litter. Need to get that done before the rain starts. Also need to cover the round bale I'm using for the goats. The roof that it's sitting under has several fiberglass panels that have deteriorated in the sun. There are holes! I don't want their feed hay to collect a lot of rain and get yucky. They prefer non-yucky hay!