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Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Sure! Give me a few minutes and I'll post the plans here!TanksHill said:
http://www.plamondon.com/hoophouse.pdf
Here's the link she sent me.
Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...
- Thread starter Quail_Antwerp
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http://www.plamondon.com/hoophouse.pdf
Here's the link she sent me.
Blackbird
Goat Whisperer
Scythes do take quite a while to get a hang of, we have the old kind without the two handles on it, nightmare to use if you ask me. 
We also have a couple hand sickles, which aren't too bad, but you basically have to be on your hands and knees.
Most important thing is to make sure they are always sharp, a dull blade is worthless for any of that.
Last year when we ran out of hay my mom and I ended up hand cutting part of the ditches with sickles, until my dad finally decided to bring the tractor over and help. Then my mom and I were out there in 100 degree weather wind sweeping it by hand. Once it was dry we would rake it onto tarps and haul it to our hay stack.
Its work, thats for sure, but if you can do it, more power to ya! At the same time it was also fun, not many people do that anymore, I think everyone should do it atleast once, I'm sure we'll end up doing it again!
It was kind of funny though, since it was in the ditches we had vehicles stop and watch, my mom told them to either help or quit gawking!
We also have a couple hand sickles, which aren't too bad, but you basically have to be on your hands and knees.
Most important thing is to make sure they are always sharp, a dull blade is worthless for any of that.
Last year when we ran out of hay my mom and I ended up hand cutting part of the ditches with sickles, until my dad finally decided to bring the tractor over and help. Then my mom and I were out there in 100 degree weather wind sweeping it by hand. Once it was dry we would rake it onto tarps and haul it to our hay stack.
Its work, thats for sure, but if you can do it, more power to ya! At the same time it was also fun, not many people do that anymore, I think everyone should do it atleast once, I'm sure we'll end up doing it again!
It was kind of funny though, since it was in the ditches we had vehicles stop and watch, my mom told them to either help or quit gawking!
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- #1,273
Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Funny story about the test drive on my Jeep after having replaced the new part.
I needed to run down to the PO so DH and I decided, 3 miles, not far, let's test it out. Something about buying used vehicles, you just never know when something might go out. We just replaced the Coolant Sensor, and hoped that was the whole problem.
Well, since we had to tear apart half the motor just to replace ONE sensor (had to take out AC unit, take off alternator, serpentine belt, etc) and put it all back on, we've disturbed a few things that have never been replaced.....sooo we take it for a drive. It's doing great and then I come up a hill and stall (automatic, so no, I didn't stall it). I told DH, "It's not getting enough charge." He says OK start it up and lets go. I do and we take off again, and DH agrees, I'm not getting enough charge and we concur that we now need to replace the alternator. Yay (please read severe sarcasm in that word!)
No problem, we've priced it and we can replace it next week.
Next on the list of things to do, replace the back driver side tire...it has been leaking around the rim. Well, the lug nuts are on so tight, we can't get them off by hand, so we're going to take it to the local gas station and have them take them off with their impact wrench. We've known we needed to do this for 2 days, but were waiting until we knew the Jeep was OK to drive first.
Well, that tire is no longer leaking around the rim, because on the way home I managed to hit something and puncture the tire! I was stopped at a stop sign and heard hissing. DH sticks his head out the window and yells, "GO GO GO! That tire is leaking out the air like crazy!" So I hit the gas and apparantly not going fast enough for DH because he's yelling, "Don't let any grass grow under the tires!" which he immediately regretted as soon as he said it because I didn't realize I was coming up to an intersection (it was a road I rarely drive) and I ran that stop sign!
OH the look on his face!!!!!!!!!! It was priceless!! He's spitting and sputtering, "Don't you know that means STOP! Not Squeal Tires On Pavement?"
To which I calmly replied, "You said not to let the grass grow!"
So we made it home, with a whole whopping 15 pounds left in my tire!
Will get the new tire on the rim tomorrow (I hope) and alternator next week, and as long as nothing else goes out (ie. starter, battery, you know it goes in threes...) my Jeep will be perfect!!
eta: and yes, I'm very thankful that it was a rural back road and that no other cars were coming when I failed to stop!
I needed to run down to the PO so DH and I decided, 3 miles, not far, let's test it out. Something about buying used vehicles, you just never know when something might go out. We just replaced the Coolant Sensor, and hoped that was the whole problem.
Well, since we had to tear apart half the motor just to replace ONE sensor (had to take out AC unit, take off alternator, serpentine belt, etc) and put it all back on, we've disturbed a few things that have never been replaced.....sooo we take it for a drive. It's doing great and then I come up a hill and stall (automatic, so no, I didn't stall it). I told DH, "It's not getting enough charge." He says OK start it up and lets go. I do and we take off again, and DH agrees, I'm not getting enough charge and we concur that we now need to replace the alternator. Yay (please read severe sarcasm in that word!)
No problem, we've priced it and we can replace it next week.
Next on the list of things to do, replace the back driver side tire...it has been leaking around the rim. Well, the lug nuts are on so tight, we can't get them off by hand, so we're going to take it to the local gas station and have them take them off with their impact wrench. We've known we needed to do this for 2 days, but were waiting until we knew the Jeep was OK to drive first.
Well, that tire is no longer leaking around the rim, because on the way home I managed to hit something and puncture the tire! I was stopped at a stop sign and heard hissing. DH sticks his head out the window and yells, "GO GO GO! That tire is leaking out the air like crazy!" So I hit the gas and apparantly not going fast enough for DH because he's yelling, "Don't let any grass grow under the tires!" which he immediately regretted as soon as he said it because I didn't realize I was coming up to an intersection (it was a road I rarely drive) and I ran that stop sign!
OH the look on his face!!!!!!!!!! It was priceless!! He's spitting and sputtering, "Don't you know that means STOP! Not Squeal Tires On Pavement?"
To which I calmly replied, "You said not to let the grass grow!"
So we made it home, with a whole whopping 15 pounds left in my tire!
Will get the new tire on the rim tomorrow (I hope) and alternator next week, and as long as nothing else goes out (ie. starter, battery, you know it goes in threes...) my Jeep will be perfect!!
eta: and yes, I'm very thankful that it was a rural back road and that no other cars were coming when I failed to stop!
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Thanks for the link Quail. Sorry to hear about your tire and other engine issues. I hope it recovers well. No more running stop signs though. 
Hey Amos, that comment you said your Mom made at the gawkers. I think it explains where you get your spunk from!
Hey Amos, that comment you said your Mom made at the gawkers. I think it explains where you get your spunk from!
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I think the scythe is a good idea. I would spring for the good one as well - things may seem like they cost a lot but consider how much a new gas powered weed eater and all of the string would cost and it puts it into perspective.
Also I think a lot of the scythe thing is technique. I read (in one of my magazines - can't remember which one) about a scything contest. It was won by a 14 year old girl! If she can do it - so can you!
Also I think a lot of the scythe thing is technique. I read (in one of my magazines - can't remember which one) about a scything contest. It was won by a 14 year old girl! If she can do it - so can you!
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- #1,276
Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Thanks for your vote of confidence!Farmfresh said:
I definitely believe I can do it! Just want to make sure I get a quality scythe that I can operate! DH and I just got home...we've added 5 Call Ducks to our menagerie!!!!!!!! No pics yet, but I will get some. I got a pair of Khaki/Buff Calls, a Black East Indies Drake with a Black Swedish hen and he let me get his only Blue Swedish Hen as well. I plan to pair the two Swedish Hens with the Black East Indies Drake. The Buffs are already paired up and should set their own nest yet this year.
Tomorrow morning the guy I bought the Calls from is delivering 5 muscovies to my farm. He couldn't catch them tonight.
He also has a pair of Mandarins! They are MINE! We worked out an agreement that I will get them in July, as I need time to get them their own pen built first.
I am so excited because I've been wanting a pair of Mandarins for about 2 years now!! 
I'm really getting into the ducks!! DH commented that pretty soon, I'll have more ducks than chickens...hmmmm
Buff Orps are definitely going to the auction on Monday. Unless I find a buyer before Monday. Will probably take some of the chicks in that I have out there, too....RIR's again....sigh....I really tried to like the RIR's, really I did....but I'm just not a RIR gal, and no matter if the locals do love RIR's, I just can't bring myself to have them! I want my Welsummers, Speckled Sussex, Marans, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Salmon Favorelles, and Spitz! Oh and lets not forget my Darling Cochins!!!!! My Cochins are fast becoming my favorites!! Especially dear, sweet, majestic Polk!
Mom's coming to pick up her two doelings today
Going to walk out to the strawberry patch with DH after we finish our cups of coffee.
DH said there are a few that are about ripe, so we want to be sure we get the first berries of the year! Especially since the chickens haven't found them! 
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I used to have a trio of white call ducks. They are SO cute.
We also had a (shhh) male wood duck. My mom rescued a baby duckling from the parking lot of her work where he was dodging cars at shift change. He grew up to be a wood duck! He used to run in the flock with my calls.
I told you I was as obsessed as you are Quail!
We also had a (shhh) male wood duck. My mom rescued a baby duckling from the parking lot of her work where he was dodging cars at shift change. He grew up to be a wood duck! He used to run in the flock with my calls.
I told you I was as obsessed as you are Quail!
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- #1,278
Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
Yes, I would say you were! LOLFarmfresh said:I used to have a trio of white call ducks. They are SO cute.
We also had a (shhh) male wood duck. My mom rescued a baby duckling from the parking lot of her work where he was dodging cars at shift change. He grew up to be a wood duck! He used to run in the flock with my calls.
I told you I was as obsessed as you are Quail!
DH actually wants wood ducks! (personally, I am not impressed with them, but...) He puts up with a lot of what I want, so if the opportunity comes for him to have wood ducks, who am I to say no? DH had no interest in the Mandarins until he saw the pair this guy has. He really liked them and I nearly fainted when he agreed to us getting them!
The guy also has a pony for sale....and a blue shoulder peacock.....we might (but not holding my breath) get the pony. She's small, but she's not broke, blind in one eye, and well, I'm a sucker for the underdog.....Good possibility that she's also bred to a mini donkey!!!!!
Just not sure, because I don't see the point in having a pony/horse if they don't have a use....and burning up hay is not a substantial use!I can't find any good reason to get the peacock either, so I'm just not interested....and he even said it would be better to have a pair of peacocks instead of just one, so I told him to keep me in mind next year if he has more (what am I NUTS?!
What purpose could a peacock possibly have for a farm other than to look pretty?!) I need to keep my eye on the pork!! *want pigs by fall want pigs by fall*
Or a certain SS'ers new calf *want Shade by fall want Shade by fall*
The new calls are fitting in quite well already. I spent some time out there just now (even though it looked like I was online, I was outside) making sure everyone had food, water, and a little poultry therapy for me! I would say, great way to end the evening!!
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Aly, I can't even think as fast as you move! Major moves on that hobby farm of yours!
The scythe.....used one all the time while growing up, as well as weed whackers and sickles. Sickles are great for working on an embankment. The whackers are great for tougher, woodier brush and such. The scythe? Very rhythmic, very good for thinking peaceful daydreams....doesn't stress the back unless one is trying to force the swing. A good scythe is balanced in such a way that it works almost like a pendulum, so once you get it going it practically does the work itself. It does need to be extremely sharp to provide this ease of effort.
As for hubby's back.....it would be a great way to tone the muscles around his lumbar spine, just as long as he lets the tool do all the work. Basically, if the tool is doing the work, all the person has to do is maintain balance over one's center of gravity~the pelvis. This type of movement is great for toning lumbar support muscles.
Just remember....don't force the swing! Let the scythe swing and let the weight of the head propel it back to the top of the arc. Its a great tool!
If you look for them at auctions, yard sales, etc. some folks have them just hanging on a wall somewhere, in prime condition, with the handles all worn down in just the right spots! I got one for free this way, as the folks didn't want it for decoration anymore.
The scythe.....used one all the time while growing up, as well as weed whackers and sickles. Sickles are great for working on an embankment. The whackers are great for tougher, woodier brush and such. The scythe? Very rhythmic, very good for thinking peaceful daydreams....doesn't stress the back unless one is trying to force the swing. A good scythe is balanced in such a way that it works almost like a pendulum, so once you get it going it practically does the work itself. It does need to be extremely sharp to provide this ease of effort.
As for hubby's back.....it would be a great way to tone the muscles around his lumbar spine, just as long as he lets the tool do all the work. Basically, if the tool is doing the work, all the person has to do is maintain balance over one's center of gravity~the pelvis. This type of movement is great for toning lumbar support muscles.
Just remember....don't force the swing! Let the scythe swing and let the weight of the head propel it back to the top of the arc. Its a great tool!
If you look for them at auctions, yard sales, etc. some folks have them just hanging on a wall somewhere, in prime condition, with the handles all worn down in just the right spots! I got one for free this way, as the folks didn't want it for decoration anymore.
Blackbird
Goat Whisperer
Blue shoulder you say?
If you do get a pair of peafowl, you can sell the eggs for hatching! Thats what we do with the eggs that we don't keep to hatch for ourselves, they're pretty spendy!
As well as eggs, you can sell the peacock's tail feathers when they fall off in the fall, a lot of crafters buy them, or you could get into crafting yourself and sell peafowl earings and such!
Other than that you can't make much from peafowl. They are pretty spendy up front but don't cost much to feed.
We're actually having our first peacock stuffed soon, he's going right in the living room!
Gina, I do believe thats where I got it from!
If you do get a pair of peafowl, you can sell the eggs for hatching! Thats what we do with the eggs that we don't keep to hatch for ourselves, they're pretty spendy!
As well as eggs, you can sell the peacock's tail feathers when they fall off in the fall, a lot of crafters buy them, or you could get into crafting yourself and sell peafowl earings and such!
Other than that you can't make much from peafowl. They are pretty spendy up front but don't cost much to feed.
We're actually having our first peacock stuffed soon, he's going right in the living room!
Gina, I do believe thats where I got it from!
