Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Believe It or Not I Got It All Done





Somehow I managed to get the morning feeding done, get the last three ewes out of  Frazier's (our terminal Ram) pen. Then run over and wrap the last two hives at the orchard (almost a month later than I usually do). Stop by and get a parts list for everything we need for the 861 rebuild. Then put the trailer on the 8N and moved another 15 square bales from the stock trailer to the barn.

All before Noon.

Then I went down to the back of the hay field where I had drug the last part of the old dead Elm that has been giving me fits for years now out into the field itself.  It was originally in the fence corner covered in grape vine and wild rose bush and the trunk is full of old wire. I cut an over full trailer load and managed to get another section of the hay field cleared in the process. Not a huge section but about 30'x30' or so. Maybe another 10 square bales worth when it comes hay season again.

Every little bit helps by Golly!!!!

I hit the barn lot with the wood at about 2:30 and then split an entire truck load from the wood pile as well. I was going to do a little more but about the time I got the truck almost completely full the entire group of poultry barn Red Sexlink hens discovered I was out there splitting and the gate was open to the front.

It was "Hey the big weird looking rooster is tearing stuff up for us again"!!!

Next thing I knew I was totally surrounded by chickens. They were literally everywhere. I couldn't even split a big trunk section because I was afraid one half would fall on a hen and at one point a hen jumped up on the splitter itself. They are not one bit afraid of loud engines or anything.

So here I am kicking chickens out of my way and then one split section I threw into the bed of the truck rolled off and almost squished a hen. So I stopped splitting.

After that I had the entire flock of hens following me around all the way up to the house when I backed the truck up to the wood furnace.

We have already lost two of the twelve hens we bought a month ago. One got hit by a truck which I still can't figure out as I have never seen any of the others anywhere near the road and one just died and I can't tell you why. She was acting kinda funny and then one morning she just kinda rolled around. I put her in the dog pen and she seemed to be doing better and then this morning she was just dead.

I am kinda thinking some of these hens were a bit older than they were advertised as being but when ya have hundreds it might not be as easy to age em I imagine. We are still getting about a dozen eggs a day from the 28 hens so who knows. Not like I am a chicken expert. I can't complain much either since they still don't eat enough feed to amount to anything. Maybe a full scoop every three days and even without eggs the benefits so far make them worth having around.

As I was cutting up the Elm I noticed the juvenile Bald Eagle was still around and watching me from his perch that used to belong to the big Red Tail Hawk. The juvy was soon joined by a full grown baldy as well. Maybe mommy checking up on her boy? They hung out most of the time I was cutting and watched me pretty close until I headed for the barn.

I got the firewood covered in a tarp just as it started raining and still had time to clean out the chicken stall before evening feeding time hit. Which worked out pretty well since my flock of hens followed me back to the barn were they belong anyway.

So believe it or not I am completely caught back up from my illness and ready for this storm and the cold they are predicting for this weekend. Now I need to catch up on all the blogs I been neglecting and I am scheduled to work the next two days.

Hey just in time is good enough I guess.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!!!


15 comments:

  1. You got more done than I did, I went on a simple mission to get 2 15 inch used tires to put on a trailer and nobody had any. What was once the main tire is now almost a rarity. Anyway I got some more bar oil and some much needed chain files. The rest must have been good for you to get all of the work done, just keep thinking spring will be here in a couple months.

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    1. Sf - I had that same problem last Summer when I was looking for a 15 inch tire for a spare for my trailer. Couldn't find one anywhere. Everything went without a hitch today for a change. I was amazed. No problems and no unexpected breakings.

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  2. You are making me feel guilty. I feel like I should have graded the driveway or something when I got back home today from the dentist.

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    1. MV - I think dentist appointments give you a pass. Just saying :)

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  3. i didn't know there was such a thing as a chicken whisperer - they sure broke the mold with you pal!

    glad you are feeling better - you DO get a lot done in a day!!

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    1. Jamby - Those crazy chickens. The Red sexlinks follow me around constantly. It drives the rooster crazy though as they won't focus on him like the other hens do.

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  4. Everyone has been sick in one way shape or form since before Christmas. Its my turn. I take 1000mg Vitamin C and regular vitamin daily. I had a burst of energy a couple days ago, but that set me back. The cold temps are kicking my butt as far as my right foot, leg and back pain. 12 years since my accident,and I still feel it.

    Glad to hear you got stuff done.

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    1. Rob - This thing I had made the rounds so I knew it was going to get me eventually. I think I over came it faster than the others around here though.

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  5. Sorry you have been sick. It's that time of year.
    We lost a chicken about a week or so ago. Our dog had kind of been carrying it around for a couple of days (live) because he's a bird dog and he takes hens around and stashes them places. Which is why we don't normally let the chickens out. But they got out accidentally and we missed this one in roundup. Anyhow, when we put it back after a few days away, the rooster attacked it and killed it. Meanie.
    You might not want to shoot me in the leg when the zombies come. I'm a pretty nice person and I like to run a lot, so I might be willing to lead them all away from you as a distraction.

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    1. Lisa - LOL so the dog just carries them around and stashes them still alive? Thats crazy and they let him catch them?

      Ok I won't shoot ya in the leg if you promise no zombies will get me and you will run them all away :)

      I don't think nice will get many people too far in the zombie apocalypse but for you I am sure an exception will be made :)

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  6. wow we all that splitting done! Good jobs all completed.

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  7. Glad to hear you are feeling better and running marathons around the Small Hold.

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  8. So far no colds or illness here, I think it helps staying away from the masses and AC buildings, I had a catch up day yesterday and ticked off a load of jobs, dentist today that took up half a day with travel, then burial this afternoon just done a load of vit d shots for the alpacas hubby is filling hay racks then that is another day over.
    Do you think the eagles would go for chickens the buzzards here do.

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  9. Glad you are feeling better. Don't wear yourself out though. Whew, I'm tired just thinking about what you got done before noon!

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  10. PP,

    Don't over work yourself back to being sick!!!! Take things in stride :-) You've accomplished a lot!

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