This weeks preps check-in

[jontte]

way out of my budget,but I'd take this one in a heart beat

 

[Gazrok]

Anytime you have poultry you will have the occasional predator. Disease sneaks up occasionally too, keep some antioniotics at the ready. I had almost all the birds die in a three day period once. It's just part of learning and living as a prepper.

I had one die the other day (a chicken). First one that died, since we originally got 8 chicks (and lost one, was a runt). Couldn't tell how or why she died. Was after a storm, but they were all safe in the coop. Only about 2 years old. So from 7 to 6 now. Poor thing. Nobody else seemed affected, so don't think it was illness (but not eating her either, to be on the safe side). It does hit home something though. Come SHTF, I'm having TWO coops, just in case a bird or two in one get infected and they all perish. To lose all in such a case, could be disastrous.

On a lighter note, we got a nice gazebo set up in the backyard. Hell of a deal on it too. With a new grill, it's a beautiful setup, and a great outdoor space. I added a good strong fan in the center roof, and some rope lighting along the supports (ran power out to it). Eventually, I'll add some paving stones to form a floor for the whole thing, and move my iron/marble table out there. It was great for the 4th though. Grilling with a nice breeze, and at night with plenty of light. Even sprinkled rain a little bit, but no deal inside the gazebo....wish I'd done it sooner.

We'll be putting the pool up near it too, hopefully next weekend if I get some help from the kids. I still have to build the mini deck for it, but that would have to be the following weekend.

 

[Mountain trapper]

The new barn looked a little small so I decided to add another 12' section, on the side where the tractors parked.

 

[jontte]

WOW

 

[Silent Earth]

AD that is one stunning ranch dude.

 

[jimLE]

Just got 2 cases of regular mouth pint canning jars.and 2 boxs of regular lids..still aintt seeing any tettler lids in the stores thoe..

 

[Silent Earth]

Just bought a 12VDC battery eliminator and some Baofeng Uv5R 3800Mah batteries, they have to be slightly altered to fit the 5RC models..

 

[Brent S]

I had a pretty good day. I went to Wally World for a few groceries and came home with a lot more than I should have. On a whim I got 2 more cases of pint mason jars, 20 packs of lids for them, 4 boxes of canning salt, 10 bottles of chlorine bleach tablets, some canned goods for the pantry and ten more lbs of sugar. Funny, our new business is really doing well, but My confidence in the world economy is really tanking lately, so I'm going to put some more effort in some supplies every time I go shopping. I keep a small notepad with me, and when ever I think of an item it goes on it. I need all the help I can get with being organized!

 

[Brent S]

The new barn looked a little small so I decided to add another 12' section, on the side where the tractors parked.

View attachment 5957

Great looking barn!

 

[jimLE]

i went to put my jars away.thats when i noticed i had gotten 1/2 pint jars by mistake..but no biggie.i'll be going to town tomorrow.in which i can exchange them for the 1 pint jars...we got 2 fryer hens.i'll be cooking n canning them..im also planning on getting some white rice and 4LB'S or more in pinto beans...gonna see if can accomplish dry canning them in my pressure cooker..

 

[jimLE]

well we got a pork loin the other day.in which im baking now.gonna can most of it.got 4LB'S of pinto's today.thinking of cooking n canning them..

 

[NCHydrangea]

I've been really bad about prepping lately but y'all have been kickin booty!!! I've been motivated by the up coming elections. My opinion is that no matter who wins, we're screwed. Anyway........ I think it's time for us to get some things in order. I need to get my head back in the game and get a budget for prepping. My garden is doing pretty well & I was able to can 5 pints of snap beans yesterday, but it was from 3 days of harvest. I think I'm going to try to devote $50 per paycheck (every 2 weeks). I'm torn between ammo and food/water/other necessities. My plan is to make a plan this weekend.

 

[Brent S]

I got the best prep news ever today. My son and his wife are finally having a baby. He was the youngest four kids, and although not the first grandchild, he is by far the closest, so we will be able to see this one more than once a year. I need to find an Imoge with a cigar somewhere! I guess it is a prep as at least there are more people to carry on.

 

[jimLE]

congrats gram-pa..

 

[Brent S]

congrats gram-pa..

Thanks buddy

 

[Mountain trapper]

I got the best prep news ever today. My son and his wife are finally having a baby. He was the youngest four kids, and although not the first grandchild, he is by far the closest, so we will be able to see this one more than once a year. I need to find an Imoge with a cigar somewhere! I guess it is a prep as at least there are more people to carry on.

Congratulations Brent! That is great news. My daughter and son in law just had a baby boy a couple months ago and a girl a year ago.
A big part of my prepping is to make sure that if there ever is a collaspe these kids will never know what an empty belly feels like.

 

[NCHydrangea]

Congrats, Brent!!!!! If you lived close I'd give you a cigar!!! So happy for you and your family!!!

 

[jontte]

Congrats Brent

 

[Silent Earth]

Nice one old chap

 

[Brent S]

Congratulations Brent! That is great news. My daughter and son in law just had a baby boy a couple months ago and a girl a year ago.
A big part of my prepping is to make sure that if there ever is a collaspe these kids will never know what an empty belly feels like.

I couldn't agree more, there is nothing more important than taking care of your loved ones.

 

[Billy Roper]

I tried to seal the larger remaining cracks in the henhouse after some unknown varmint slipped through a crack seven feet off the ground that was four inches wide, took another hen, dragged her through the crack with a scattering of feathers left, two blood streaks on the roof outside above and a few more feathers, and no other trace left of the predator or the hen.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I tried to seal the larger remaining cracks in the henhouse after some unknown varmint slipped through a crack seven feet off the ground that was four inches wide, took another hen, dragged her through the crack with a scattering of feathers left, two blood streaks on the roof outside above and a few more feathers, and no other trace left of the predator or the hen.

You may need to set some traps around the hen house to catch the critters responsible. If you think its a weasel you can take a couple snap type rat traps and tack to the side of the coop and bait with some bloody liver. It could also be a possum. They are easy to catch in a box trap.

 

[Silent Earth]

I tried to seal the larger remaining cracks in the henhouse after some unknown varmint slipped through a crack seven feet off the ground that was four inches wide, took another hen, dragged her through the crack with a scattering of feathers left, two blood streaks on the roof outside above and a few more feathers, and no other trace left of the predator or the hen.

Polecat, Ferret, Weasel, Marten, Mink any of those buggers can climb and get through gaps like that as can rats.

 

[Brent S]

I tried to seal the larger remaining cracks in the henhouse after some unknown varmint slipped through a crack seven feet off the ground that was four inches wide, took another hen, dragged her through the crack with a scattering of feathers left, two blood streaks on the roof outside above and a few more feathers, and no other trace left of the predator or the hen.

Artic is right, go for killing the predator over trying to predator proof your house. A hungry, determined animal is usually only deterred by death.

 

[jimLE]

i agree.the only way i see dealing with the predator,now that it's gotten a taste of the preys blood,is to take it out.on account.it'll keep coming back for more,as long as it's alive..

 

[Billy Roper]

Yep, I think it's a possum. I'm going to try to bag it.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I used to raise pheasants at one time in a large enclosed area. I had netting covering the top of the whole area. One morning I saw where a coyote tried digging under the wire. A #3 Newhouse trap took care of him the next day. A few weeks later about a dozen pheasants were killed. Just the heads were taken. I couldn't figue out where the critter got in or what kind of critter it was. One morning I found a great horned owl in the pen surrounded by another dozen dead pheasants. Apparently he managed to get in a gap where the top netting connected to the side wire.
Our chicken coop was closer to the house. When I built the run I buried the wire about a foot deep. Never lost a single hen.

 

[jontte]

okay,how did you tell your closest family members that you prep and how did you "recruit" them ??
as my oldest son is moving in with me,I'd love to add him into this...

 

[Gazrok]

I tried to seal the larger remaining cracks in the henhouse after some unknown varmint slipped through a crack seven feet off the ground that was four inches wide, took another hen, dragged her through the crack with a scattering of feathers left, two blood streaks on the roof outside above and a few more feathers, and no other trace left of the predator or the hen.

I go with the half inch mesh wire vs. chicken wire. Has worked great so far. I try not to have any gaps bigger than half inch. (otherwise, rats will get in and eat feed too)...

We got up our gazebo last weeked, with a new grill, and the new 22' pool up this weekend. Still filling the thing though (tried to not have it be all at once). I'll have to get pics once it's all filled, etc.

The pool will make a great backup water supply in addition to just being fun for the rest of the summer and even fall here.

This weekend, I'm going to build a platform and stairs to more easily get in and out of the pool (over a flimsy ladder). Eventually, I'll add more deck, but this is more manageable initially. Kind of like the one we did as a mounting platform for the horses in the barnyard. (lessons learned and all). I did a great trick for making it level and even more sturdy, that I'll use in this one too. (easier to show in a pic than explain). Then I guess we'll make a little walkway from the back door to the gazebo and the pool.

Just so glad that I've been able to stay on schedule for projects this month, even with some rain here and there. I'm usually having to scrap and move back things, but this has been a productive month, as the wife is more on board, and giving me the time to do it!

Next will be a nice bed of gravel on the outside of the pool (to make mowing easier), and stone slab flooring of the gazebo, and gravel/slab pathway to both from the back door. Will be great for little pool parties, especially when we convert the porch to full on ManCave.

 

[Gazrok]

Finally got it all filled up, over 11,300 gallons, hehe...man that took forever with a simple garden hose.
Still have to scrub the sides and some minor support adjustments, but 22' is more than enough room for all of us. First swim in it tonight! Yay!

Can see the round pen and main stables in the background. (My son is a lousy photographer). Here's the pump/filter setup though:

I'll have to post some pics of the gazebo, and the lights, fan, grill setup, as I get them uploaded. Busy weekend, but productive.