What are you doing today?
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- Kiya
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Re: What are you doing today?
Funnily enough, even though it's grey outside right now, it is warmer and yesterday the midges were dancing pretty high outside both the front and back windows. Odd because it is usually a sign of good weather coming.
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- Horus
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- Horus
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Re: What are you doing today?
What a difference a say makes yesterday was lovely and I worked outside all day. This morning it is absolutely persisting down a total deluge I am having to dash between conservatory and my workshop. All jobs on the chicken coop will have to be done inside and even more annoying is that Grandad will be getting double figure warmth
- Grandad
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Re: What are you doing today?
I told you that you should move 'darn sarff'
And Cluckingham Palace? What exactly are you building there H? Will it have a Grecian collonade?
- Horus
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Re: What are you doing today?
Cluckingham Palace is comming along a treat Grandad, but as a project it is like 'Topsy' and keeps growing, I keep thinking up new ideas and adding them to the coop.
The original plan was that rather than her spending a couple of hundred pounds on something that to be honest looked very flimsy and with my own experience of keeping chickens was hardly suitable for two birds let alone the four that they were claiming it would house. So I offered to build her a proper one if she paid for the stuff I would have to buy like timber, felt. paint, netting, screws and other fixings etc. and she was very happy to do that as her husband had told her "if your dad makes it then it will be a proper job" which was nice.
It is my daughters birthday near the end of the month and she always tells everyone about a wonderful (her words) dolls house that I made her when she was a small girl, she always remembered it. So as I am unlikely to be making 'my little girl' another one, then I decided I would treat her to this chicken coop and run for her birthday present and pay for it all. To that end I want it to be something special, so it will be quite a posh chicken coop with lots of added features, something that will look special in her garden.
Edit:
I am even working on hand painting the sign during the evening
The original plan was that rather than her spending a couple of hundred pounds on something that to be honest looked very flimsy and with my own experience of keeping chickens was hardly suitable for two birds let alone the four that they were claiming it would house. So I offered to build her a proper one if she paid for the stuff I would have to buy like timber, felt. paint, netting, screws and other fixings etc. and she was very happy to do that as her husband had told her "if your dad makes it then it will be a proper job" which was nice.
It is my daughters birthday near the end of the month and she always tells everyone about a wonderful (her words) dolls house that I made her when she was a small girl, she always remembered it. So as I am unlikely to be making 'my little girl' another one, then I decided I would treat her to this chicken coop and run for her birthday present and pay for it all. To that end I want it to be something special, so it will be quite a posh chicken coop with lots of added features, something that will look special in her garden.
Edit:
I am even working on hand painting the sign during the evening
- Grandad
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Re: What are you doing today?
Sounds really special H
I too remember making a dolls house for our daughter. Things like that don't get thrown away, more likely passed around. It would be good to see if our efforts are still giving pleasure to little girls somewhere.
I too remember making a dolls house for our daughter. Things like that don't get thrown away, more likely passed around. It would be good to see if our efforts are still giving pleasure to little girls somewhere.
- LovelyLadyLux
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Re: What are you doing today?
The sign looks lovely H. I'd LOVE to have a proper chicken coop and run cause I'd love to get some chickens again but here they have to be really cooped well given the predators.
I've found when I've looked at them that all the commercially made backyard coops tend to be too small. If you're talking battery chickens they can (ahem) live in 1 sq foot but that is cruel. I had 3 chickens that I kept in a 10' x 12' area with a high up coop (they could easily walk underneath it) and I thought even that was too small so they got let out to go walk about all the time.
One thing I did make specifically - I kept the water up high. They had to actually climb a ladder and then stretch over to the water (I had a heater I put underneath it so it never froze) nor could they ever get on top of it.
I've found when I've looked at them that all the commercially made backyard coops tend to be too small. If you're talking battery chickens they can (ahem) live in 1 sq foot but that is cruel. I had 3 chickens that I kept in a 10' x 12' area with a high up coop (they could easily walk underneath it) and I thought even that was too small so they got let out to go walk about all the time.
One thing I did make specifically - I kept the water up high. They had to actually climb a ladder and then stretch over to the water (I had a heater I put underneath it so it never froze) nor could they ever get on top of it.
- Kiya
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Re: What are you doing today?
Good thinking LLL especially about the water.
I had a beautiful ten years old black hen who got into the horse trough and drowned. Her claim to fame was that she was given me by a friend who, as a young man was Al Capone's pianist.
I had a beautiful ten years old black hen who got into the horse trough and drowned. Her claim to fame was that she was given me by a friend who, as a young man was Al Capone's pianist.
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- Ruby Slippers
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Re: What are you doing today?
Yesterday I finished another quilt top which I am extremely pleased with! The reason for this is that it started off as a sample block to aid my teaching for the Bargello workshop next month, but the block looked so good that I felt compelled to take it further - and I'm so glad I did! Now I am just waiting for the fleece backing to be delivered and I can finish it off. Photos next week, hopefully! What a creative bunch we are turning out to be!
- Horus
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Re: What are you doing today?
There seems no end to our mutual talents
Look forward to the pictures of the quilt RS
I am interested in what you ladies mean about the water being high up for your chickens, more info please
I have always used the circular drinkers that could be hung off the ground to keep them clean, back in the day the industrial version was a galvanised metal and you filled them up from the top and they would replenish any water they drank from a circular rim. They allowed many birds to drink around the perimeter, nowadays you can buy a cheaper plastic version that does the same thing.
Look forward to the pictures of the quilt RS
I am interested in what you ladies mean about the water being high up for your chickens, more info please
I have always used the circular drinkers that could be hung off the ground to keep them clean, back in the day the industrial version was a galvanised metal and you filled them up from the top and they would replenish any water they drank from a circular rim. They allowed many birds to drink around the perimeter, nowadays you can buy a cheaper plastic version that does the same thing.
- Grandad
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Re: What are you doing today?
We certainly do seem to have a range of skills on here. A carpenter joiner, a seamstress quilter, a potter and a plants specialist. Just seem to be short of a painter? But I have my suspicions that Horus is secretly perfecting his skills with acrylics in that direction
We have packed early for our trip to the sun at the end of the week. That way if we remember things forgotten it is not too late. Better than when boarding the aircraft and you remember that you forgot to pack belts to hold up your trousers
I am still trying to work out what is happening with the foxes. I am sure there is a pair but am not sure if there are cubs. These are stills from video so poor quality but, this si the dog I believe
And this is the vixen who is either pregnant (which would be very late) or she is lactating and has cubs hidden away somewhere.
They have been kept supplied with rabbits and dog food over the last few weeks so should be getting plenty of protein.
We have packed early for our trip to the sun at the end of the week. That way if we remember things forgotten it is not too late. Better than when boarding the aircraft and you remember that you forgot to pack belts to hold up your trousers
I am still trying to work out what is happening with the foxes. I am sure there is a pair but am not sure if there are cubs. These are stills from video so poor quality but, this si the dog I believe
And this is the vixen who is either pregnant (which would be very late) or she is lactating and has cubs hidden away somewhere.
They have been kept supplied with rabbits and dog food over the last few weeks so should be getting plenty of protein.
- Horus
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Re: What are you doing today?
Not long to go now then Grandad, so let me say now, bon voyage and have great trip. You and Mrs G stay safe and look forwards to seeing your piccies on your return.
- LovelyLadyLux
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Re: What are you doing today?
Re: water and chickens I have the big old galvanized system. Worked best to sit on the top of a proper chicken water heater. It got put up high in the coop (like about 4' high) with a ladder so that if the chicken stood on the ladder their beak could just reach the water. This helped significantly with keeping the water clean. It was amazing how dusty the ladies would get the coop + water too. I also suspended a planter over top of it partly for looks but also to keep the girls from even trying to fly up and land on top of it.
I also bought chicken watering nipples that the chickens peck and get water from but I actually never got them installed. Those you'd fill the container with water, plug the nipple into the end and then hang 'em up. The chick had to peck them to get water. They were used mostly by commercial chicken growers but they're able to keep the water super clean.
I found if a chicken could get so much as a toe into the water they'd try.
I also had specific containers for oyster shell and grit (although I also threw both down in the run so they'd be pecking it as they scrounged. In the run I filled it with straw so they always had lots to scratch around. For me this also kept the dirt/dust down particularly in the summer when the ground was bone dry and dust flying up everywhere. It also seemed to give them endless opportunities to be busy finding treats.
I also made a T out of a coat hanger. I'd push it through a cabbage and then hang it. Took them hours and sometimes a day or two to peck it all clean. Amused the girls no end and I put up a few barriers here and there so the less dominant could hide (the area was not large so nobody could really escape away) for a bit. I never once had an episode of them cannibalizing each other or picking all the feathers off another. There was always 'something' up there for them to amuse their little brains with vs each other.
I had feeders (a big one) for laying pellets then smaller ones for oyster shell & grit and another one I could wash out that I'd throw meat scraps into.
I also bought chicken watering nipples that the chickens peck and get water from but I actually never got them installed. Those you'd fill the container with water, plug the nipple into the end and then hang 'em up. The chick had to peck them to get water. They were used mostly by commercial chicken growers but they're able to keep the water super clean.
I found if a chicken could get so much as a toe into the water they'd try.
I also had specific containers for oyster shell and grit (although I also threw both down in the run so they'd be pecking it as they scrounged. In the run I filled it with straw so they always had lots to scratch around. For me this also kept the dirt/dust down particularly in the summer when the ground was bone dry and dust flying up everywhere. It also seemed to give them endless opportunities to be busy finding treats.
I also made a T out of a coat hanger. I'd push it through a cabbage and then hang it. Took them hours and sometimes a day or two to peck it all clean. Amused the girls no end and I put up a few barriers here and there so the less dominant could hide (the area was not large so nobody could really escape away) for a bit. I never once had an episode of them cannibalizing each other or picking all the feathers off another. There was always 'something' up there for them to amuse their little brains with vs each other.
I had feeders (a big one) for laying pellets then smaller ones for oyster shell & grit and another one I could wash out that I'd throw meat scraps into.
- LovelyLadyLux
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Re: What are you doing today?
Going to the dentist today for a cleaning and a check up so I think x-rays. Hope the don't find anything.
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Re: What are you doing today?
Had a very productive morning - new oven is arriving on Sunday, you pay for stipulating a particular time, free delivery if you don't specify a time just the day, but they email you before 08.00 to tell you in which four hour slot the goods will arrive and you can track it all the time anyway.
The electrician called in at my request and measured the space where the oven is to go. Apparently it is supplied with a plug already fitted, when I suggested that if it didn't reach the socket we could cut it off and go from there, and he said that would cancel the warranty immediately. He also suggested not paying for disposal of the old oven, but putting it out on our front garden wall. My daughter put the dead microwave on the wall and it was gone in less than 2 hours!
We also had a very interesting discussion over the replacement of the ceiling spotlights in the kitchen and bathroom which apparently are not hooded so are a safety hazard. Said electrician was quite happy to do the job but today pointed out that if "Light - Lights" were fitted instead, it wouldn't be necessary to completely remove and replace the present ceilings and replace them. My daughter was delighted as the saving on mess and inconvenience will be far less as well as the actual cost lights and their fitting.
With the money I've "saved" I've bought a small grill, easier and cheaper than using the one in the oven.
I've contacted two firms recommended by Care and Repair for estimates for waterproofing the top of the bay window and pointing and capping the chimneys.
As regards the heating, estimates have been asked for cleaning the system and fitting thermostats on all the radiators.
And all before lunch!
The electrician called in at my request and measured the space where the oven is to go. Apparently it is supplied with a plug already fitted, when I suggested that if it didn't reach the socket we could cut it off and go from there, and he said that would cancel the warranty immediately. He also suggested not paying for disposal of the old oven, but putting it out on our front garden wall. My daughter put the dead microwave on the wall and it was gone in less than 2 hours!
We also had a very interesting discussion over the replacement of the ceiling spotlights in the kitchen and bathroom which apparently are not hooded so are a safety hazard. Said electrician was quite happy to do the job but today pointed out that if "Light - Lights" were fitted instead, it wouldn't be necessary to completely remove and replace the present ceilings and replace them. My daughter was delighted as the saving on mess and inconvenience will be far less as well as the actual cost lights and their fitting.
With the money I've "saved" I've bought a small grill, easier and cheaper than using the one in the oven.
I've contacted two firms recommended by Care and Repair for estimates for waterproofing the top of the bay window and pointing and capping the chimneys.
As regards the heating, estimates have been asked for cleaning the system and fitting thermostats on all the radiators.
And all before lunch!
Smile! It confuses people
- LovelyLadyLux
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Re: What are you doing today?
@MD - I think you've exhausted me with all YOUR work!
@RS - anxious to see a real QUILTED quilt!
@ H - also anxious to see Cluckingham
@Grandad - expecting you're going to be taking photos of your holidays and will give a full report once you're back.
Me today - I'm just happy I didn't need a root canal although I've had so much dental work over the years the words "root canal" mean nothing much to me. Be there, done that umpteen times. BUT was a good cleaning and yearly x-rays done.
Now the rains cometh and cometh and soon I'm going to start nailing together a boat.
Have the Horticultural meeting tonight but given all the rain I'm not sure I really want to head out. I will go but soon as the Speaker is done I'm coming back. No intention of waiting 'til the bitter end given the rain.
@RS - anxious to see a real QUILTED quilt!
@ H - also anxious to see Cluckingham
@Grandad - expecting you're going to be taking photos of your holidays and will give a full report once you're back.
Me today - I'm just happy I didn't need a root canal although I've had so much dental work over the years the words "root canal" mean nothing much to me. Be there, done that umpteen times. BUT was a good cleaning and yearly x-rays done.
Now the rains cometh and cometh and soon I'm going to start nailing together a boat.
Have the Horticultural meeting tonight but given all the rain I'm not sure I really want to head out. I will go but soon as the Speaker is done I'm coming back. No intention of waiting 'til the bitter end given the rain.
- Ruby Slippers
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Re: What are you doing today?
Unfortunately, LLL, this quilt will be backed with just fleece, so no 'real' Quilting! Just enough to anchor the layers. I'm waiting for the fleece to be delivered. The quilt is for GD, who has requested the fleece because she doesn't like 'stiff' quilts!
- Grandad
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Re: What are you doing today?
@LovelyLadyLuxLovelyLadyLux wrote:@Grandad - expecting you're going to be taking photos of your holidays and will give a full report once you're back.
I will tell you about our trip LLL but don't expect many pictures. I really can't get out and about now and have had to book assistance at the airports.
This is just 8 nights in the sun in 5 star comfort to give my wife a complete break from the daily chores. I have even upgraded on the flight to make the 7 hours more comfortable.
We reached our diamond last year and had booked a cruise to Norway but I had a glitch with my left eye and we cancelled. So this is a belated celebration and I might find something with diamonds to mark the occasion. For diamonds and gold, Dubai is the place to go
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