That's a sweet setup! Good luck with your company+
This weeks preps check-in
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went and did our primary shopping today..in which i picked up 2 more packets of spam snack,got a couple extra pouches of knorr rice sides..we havent been eating much rice lately.so i figure thatd be a great but at $1.00 each..
Lol. We just did the same. I like those knorr bags. They store nicely, taste good and you can't go wrong for a buck a piece.
got that right..only reason i know about them.is my youngest brother and his wife gave us a tote of food one year,on acount they didnt know what else to buy us...and 2 or 3 knorr was in it..mom and me been like them so much.we been buying it ever since..
Treated myself with a BT99 today. My trap winter leauge started today and I shot horrible with lol. It was a bad idea to start a league with a brand new gun but it feels and shoots so nice. I just have to get used to it more. I need about 2500 rounds through every gun before I consider myself " familiar" with it.
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Got the driveway all plowed and then it decided to warm up and rain/snow mix today. Tomorrow I'm going to try and haul another load of stuff from storage up to our BOL. The road is narrow and steep in places and even on a good day I can barely get the trailer in. May have to chain up all 4 wheels. Next I'll make the hundred mile plus trip to the lumber yard and pick up enough materials to build a 12x16 storage building. Next summer my wife will use this building for her bee stuff.
So much to catch up on from the above posts! Will have to go through them...
FINALLY got to get going on the damn bunny habitat! I was hoping to get more done this weekend (but had to also fix the tractor, unexpectedly), but got the floor grid laid in (wire grid to keep them from digging out of the stall), the floor brace boards in, and a few of the wall and doorway brace boards up. I'll have to post some in-progress pics. (we're converting one of the horse stalls in the older stable, into a separated habitat for our 3 bunnies (2 males, 1 female). Eventually, I'll probably convert another stall the same way, to allow 3 more bunnies, and breeding.
We should get it all finished this coming weekend. I came up with some pretty good redneck engineering tricks while doing it too, but they'll make more sense in context with photos as I build it.
Fixed the chicken coup, as the rain here really makes the wood swell, which makes the doors stick. Hard to believe I still need to use the damn fan to keep them cool in December....
Did some minor repairs around the barnyard, as we finally have some boarders coming in (folks that will board their horses with us). 2 Horses coming (1 in Dec, 1 in Jan), and another possible 4 coming in Jan from another boarder...which will pretty much fill us up. A lot of extra monthly income if that all shakes out.
But, the big news is that after the other truck got knocked out of commission from the accident, I was able to get the Beast back up and on the road (a 1997 F350 Turbo Diesel, with all kinds of add-ons). It's a damn big truck and drives like a semi but I love it personally.
FINALLY got to get going on the damn bunny habitat! I was hoping to get more done this weekend (but had to also fix the tractor, unexpectedly), but got the floor grid laid in (wire grid to keep them from digging out of the stall), the floor brace boards in, and a few of the wall and doorway brace boards up. I'll have to post some in-progress pics. (we're converting one of the horse stalls in the older stable, into a separated habitat for our 3 bunnies (2 males, 1 female). Eventually, I'll probably convert another stall the same way, to allow 3 more bunnies, and breeding.
We should get it all finished this coming weekend. I came up with some pretty good redneck engineering tricks while doing it too, but they'll make more sense in context with photos as I build it.
Fixed the chicken coup, as the rain here really makes the wood swell, which makes the doors stick. Hard to believe I still need to use the damn fan to keep them cool in December....
Did some minor repairs around the barnyard, as we finally have some boarders coming in (folks that will board their horses with us). 2 Horses coming (1 in Dec, 1 in Jan), and another possible 4 coming in Jan from another boarder...which will pretty much fill us up. A lot of extra monthly income if that all shakes out.
But, the big news is that after the other truck got knocked out of commission from the accident, I was able to get the Beast back up and on the road (a 1997 F350 Turbo Diesel, with all kinds of add-ons). It's a damn big truck and drives like a semi but I love it personally.
Looks like you've got a pretty good list going on as well! Some days I have to push myself more than others. I really miss the endless energy of my twenties
.I've learned one thing about life in my 52 yrs. Most are happiest when they are working hard towards a goal, with that prize at the end. The problem is, when you reach that goal, or complete that plan, then you're like 'now what'? I think the journey is more rewarding than the destination. I must be really happy, because I have so many goals, there's not a chance in hell I'll ever complete them all before I die!
Here's one in progress pic (though more done after this one):
Hard to see as it is a crappy pic, but bunny 2 and 3 each have about 6' of space each, while bunny 1 has about 8' of space (female, and more room in case any breeding done). The feeding point will be such that you can feed/water all 3 bunnies from one point, so you won't have to go into each of the areas. (will make more sense with the walls and fencing up). The walking area is where you enter from the stall door.
They'll each have a (hinged) burrow box, and some ramps and shelf areas to kind of play, as well as a good layer of shavings and some grasses, etc. I'm doing feed tubes similar to what I did for the chickens, but still toying with different water ideas. For now, I'll keep with the 2 liter bottles with nozzles on them (water nozzles from a standard bunny water bottle fit perfectly on 2 liter bottles (better capacity). (and cheap to replace when they chew them up, as we always have them....)
Each habitat will have it's own door (all is using standard wire fencing). The female's area will have a finer hardware mesh along the bottom 2' of fencing, to keep in little bunnies.
Hard to see as it is a crappy pic, but bunny 2 and 3 each have about 6' of space each, while bunny 1 has about 8' of space (female, and more room in case any breeding done). The feeding point will be such that you can feed/water all 3 bunnies from one point, so you won't have to go into each of the areas. (will make more sense with the walls and fencing up). The walking area is where you enter from the stall door.
They'll each have a (hinged) burrow box, and some ramps and shelf areas to kind of play, as well as a good layer of shavings and some grasses, etc. I'm doing feed tubes similar to what I did for the chickens, but still toying with different water ideas. For now, I'll keep with the 2 liter bottles with nozzles on them (water nozzles from a standard bunny water bottle fit perfectly on 2 liter bottles (better capacity). (and cheap to replace when they chew them up, as we always have them....)
Each habitat will have it's own door (all is using standard wire fencing). The female's area will have a finer hardware mesh along the bottom 2' of fencing, to keep in little bunnies.
Though you being in tornado country and of recent years earthquake country, what alternative power source do you have for all that meat in the freezer?
That's the down side for me I don't
But it is enough for long term
My wife are new to the prepping world so we are wanting to either get a generator or go with solar panels.we are learning a lot of this as we go.
The only potential issue I see is its on the ground. I've read that they are more susceptible to disease there, not to mention it would be easier clean up the fertilizer if you could rake it out from under the cages. One really big plus is being in a pre existing enclosure they should be safer from predators. Have you had any litters yet?Here's one in progress pic (though more done after this one):
Hard to see as it is a crappy pic, but bunny 2 and 3 each have about 6' of space each, while bunny 1 has about 8' of space (female, and more room in case any breeding done). The feeding point will be such that you can feed/water all 3 bunnies from one point, so you won't have to go into each of the areas. (will make more sense with the walls and fencing up). The walking area is where you enter from the stall door.
They'll each have a (hinged) burrow box, and some ramps and shelf areas to kind of play, as well as a good layer of shavings and some grasses, etc. I'm doing feed tubes similar to what I did for the chickens, but still toying with different water ideas. For now, I'll keep with the 2 liter bottles with nozzles on them (water nozzles from a standard bunny water bottle fit perfectly on 2 liter bottles (better capacity). (and cheap to replace when they chew them up, as we always have them....)
Each habitat will have it's own door (all is using standard wire fencing). The female's area will have a finer hardware mesh along the bottom 2' of fencing, to keep in little bunnies.
Remember that with a generator you don't need to run the whole house, just a few circuits. So not only do you not need to spend 4000 but a smaller generator will use less fuel too. Just add up all the watts of what you need to run, and size the genny about 20% higher.
Also with generators, pretty much the only thing that HAS to run all the time is a fridge. Anything else, is really on an "as needed" basis for wattage. Appliances are the real culprit, but luckily there are old world alternatives to most of these.
Just one litter. Wasn't planned (we thought we had bought two females, but....). We're not really looking to breed much yet. Usually, rabbits lose the first litter. Our 3rd bunny is actually the sole survivor of the first litter, so we kept him.
We pretty much use the horse manure for fertilizer, so we typically just compost the rabbit manure in the same area. They are all fairly neat bunnies and pick a spot to poop, so we just keep that clean. They will have raised areas in their habitat, so likely won't be always on the ground. (and the burrow boxes will be hinged, so we can keep them clean).
We always have the option though, of creating a raised floor instead, if we need it, but we'll see how it goes.
I was kind of making this as I went, but after working more in the space, this is pretty much the eventual plan of action. I'll post pics as it comes to fruition. Really need it up by end of the weekend, so a busy one. E. through I. may be added a little after the weekend, instead just using existing watering and feed methods until then.
Basically, this was a standard 12' x 12" horse stall, until dividing it up.
A. Stall Door (wood with chain link window)
B. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
C. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
D. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
E. Water stations (Inverted 2L bottle with drinking nozzle, in wood box with plexiglass panel in front (so you can see water level). Hose runs along top boards and down the wall support (a wire wrapped hose).
F. Feed stations (Large PVC pipes with quarter elbow at bottom and top cap, to form gravity fed feeders)
G. Feeding platform (Plywood with 2x4 legs)
H. Ramps (Plywood, hinged to fold out of the way (and allow for easier cleaning)
I. Burrows (Plywood, hinged on top for easy cleaning, cut out burrow hole)
J. Floor area in each habitat
K. Stall Windows (chain link)
L. Walkway area (no rabbits here)
Walls are all 2x4 framing and chain link fence
Ground is clay but with wire mesh, then dirt and shavings on top of the grid (prevents them from digging out).
Chain link basically because this is what I have. I'd prefer to use 1 inch mesh, but expensive. I'll put a strip of the 1 inch mesh along the bottom of the chain link, just as a precaution (and to help in the event of any desired breeding).
Also has two fans to help keep the stall cool when it's really hot out. (one blows in from front window, another blows down from the rear top of the stall). The chain link windows and walls help with both light and air circulation, but the stall itself (as in the stable) is nice and weatherproof as well, so even in a bad storm, they'll stay nice and dry.
Basically, this was a standard 12' x 12" horse stall, until dividing it up.
A. Stall Door (wood with chain link window)
B. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
C. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
D. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
E. Water stations (Inverted 2L bottle with drinking nozzle, in wood box with plexiglass panel in front (so you can see water level). Hose runs along top boards and down the wall support (a wire wrapped hose).
F. Feed stations (Large PVC pipes with quarter elbow at bottom and top cap, to form gravity fed feeders)
G. Feeding platform (Plywood with 2x4 legs)
H. Ramps (Plywood, hinged to fold out of the way (and allow for easier cleaning)
I. Burrows (Plywood, hinged on top for easy cleaning, cut out burrow hole)
J. Floor area in each habitat
K. Stall Windows (chain link)
L. Walkway area (no rabbits here)
Walls are all 2x4 framing and chain link fence
Ground is clay but with wire mesh, then dirt and shavings on top of the grid (prevents them from digging out).
Chain link basically because this is what I have. I'd prefer to use 1 inch mesh, but expensive. I'll put a strip of the 1 inch mesh along the bottom of the chain link, just as a precaution (and to help in the event of any desired breeding).
Also has two fans to help keep the stall cool when it's really hot out. (one blows in from front window, another blows down from the rear top of the stall). The chain link windows and walls help with both light and air circulation, but the stall itself (as in the stable) is nice and weatherproof as well, so even in a bad storm, they'll stay nice and dry.
What a coincidence that my last customer just lived one block away from a gun shop that specialises in tactical builds and gear.
I was able to pick up a stripped metall lower and a pmag for 70 bucks. Those were the last parts I was still missing for my AR build. Including taxes, shipping etc I paid 416$ for a brand new AR15. Not bad of a deal.
I was able to pick up a stripped metall lower and a pmag for 70 bucks. Those were the last parts I was still missing for my AR build. Including taxes, shipping etc I paid 416$ for a brand new AR15. Not bad of a deal.
Getting ready to go to the BOL. (Just a checkup / maintenace / holiday)
Nice water cans. I have plenty of water sources here, and if bugging out have filters, but I need to look into some containers like those.
Someone at work just told me they have an upper for sale. I may inquire more about it.What a coincidence that my last customer just lived one block away from a gun shop that specialises in tactical builds and gear.
I was able to pick up a stripped metall lower and a pmag for 70 bucks. Those were the last parts I was still missing for my AR build. Including taxes, shipping etc I paid 416$ for a brand new AR15. Not bad of a deal.
Those are filled with dog food and oats.
Water sources at BOL.
Going to do a bit of this.
And then a lot of this.
Attachments
I know it was said they didn't have water in them, but yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I love the way they stack.
For the above, I love the grill over the fire pit idea. That's part of our backyard plan for next summer, along with the pool and patio idea. Just hoping I don't have to put it off another year (at least the pool part). We're going to do the partial sink of an above-ground idea. A lot of my neighbors have done the same, and when decked and landscaped, it really looks nice, and a LOT cheaper than the in-ground solution.
Put it all together today. Building that lower was a piece of cake. Everything fit nicely together. Now I gotta wait till my folks are done dear hunting and I can hit the "range".
It's not my fault that they suck at hunting and I'm the only one that's tagged out. Lol
It's not my fault that they suck at hunting and I'm the only one that's tagged out. Lol
Very nice! I know some that go nuts and put tons of money into building them, but mine at 550 is great. I added a 100. scope, so 650 total. The only other thing I may consider is a forward grip. I'm not sure how much you need to change to add it, or what it costs, so i guess it could lead to that table leg effect.
If you ever need glasses on the cheap (but still well made), check Zenni Optical (website). Really great for prepping to have some spares, and starts at less than 10 bucks! http://www.zennioptical.com/
just got me a nice lil toy today..got it for $10.00..they also have pistol cross bows.gonna have to wait after christmas to get one of them,...
We have a place, Americas Best, that's 69.00 for two pairs and a Drs eye exam. You can get different scripts too, one for reading and one for distance. I do recommend a dr looking at your eyes occasionally. Sometimes a small problem can be fixed if found early.
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