What's up today (bullchiting) thread.

Got some siding done on the side wall. Removed 3 windows, put one of them back in a different location. Was hoping to get the old openings sided over, but ran out of time and had to cover them in old plywood for the week.

 

Nope. The kids were done with their playground a few years ago. So she, her brother, and I converted it into a good weather chicken house. They spend 7 months out here now. Started last year.
Lots of roost inside. They used it last year and loved it. She covered a fairly large area around it with a netting she found online. This keeps the hawks, owls, eagles, etc. from getting them. We had a close call with a large hawk having some of them cornered in their fenced in area. Luckily one of them saw it happening and chased it off. Then the netting went up. She just took it and all the temporary fencing down today to get everything out of the way for me to put up the new fence and some type of ridge board for more netting. Maybe Wednesday or Thursday. Booked until then.

 

Looking good man!

 

Thanks!

 

Did some milling today. Turned an old pine log into some 5/4 and 6/4 to build a goat shed out of. I guess when you have a sawmill you better use it whenever you can to save a few bucks.

Got all but the last 3 rows of bedroom floor nailed down. Will finish that tomorrow.

 

Yes, I would love to do that and I have had a few opportunities. Unfortunately, they are a protected species in Ohio so I am not allowed to "thin the population". We have a few bald eagles a few miles down the road. I am hoping that those birds stay put.

 

Syracuse holds on for the win. Go Orange!

 

Good morning y'all. Just another day in paradise at the kaolin plant. Blue sky breezy day. Maybe do a little work this evening when I get off.

 

The two of us went to the cottage this morning and finished up raking the "snow plow rocks" from the rite of way. I still have some snow in the driveway so I'll wait to spread the wheelbarrows after the snow is gone.

Big difference in the snow/ice from yesterday afternoon to this morning.

Temps are in the 60's!

 

Managed to get the hardwood floor and closet trim done between last night and this morning. Missing one stupid brass fitting before I can put the baseboard heater back in...and have to put the heater in before I can finish the trim. Might make a Menard's run to night and pick it up along with some more trim. Probably should just take the night off though.

Heading down to TX for a few days tomorrow. Haven't had to travel in a while so not complaining....but sure would be nice to not have to go.

 

They didn’t use a carpenter..

 

Hawks are federally protected with fines up to and including $15k, and even jail time in some cases for killing one. From what I've read there isn't an exemption if they're going after your backyard chickens. You have to have a permit to legally kill a hawk. Now is the time I see them most in my area, every day on the highway and right above my house especially. I live on a large hill overlooking a valley and the hawks are constantly riding the updrafts, circling above us. I wish they would swoop in after the chipmunks, mice and squirrels rather than salivate over my chickens. But, a hawk is going to be a hawk and about all I can do is make the chicken run inaccessible to them. I had one nab one of my quails a couple years ago. I came home from work one afternoon and I saw the hawk in the tree above, all these quail feathers drifting down to the ground from the meal he just ate... all I'll say is that evening I did some reading up on things and now I have an awareness of what the laws are.

 

They are federally protected. The penalty is $15,000 and 6 months in prison.

 

Exactly. There's no exemption for chicken farmers, big or small operations.

That fine is even for hurting or intent to hurt them.

 

Only if you get caught.

 

Yes, this is similar to what I understand about them. Coons however are fair game.

It has forced my flock to toughen up a bit. The flighty breeds like leghorns and true blues do well. Also alphenzeller spitzhauben are super tough and fearless. They will run after my frenchie if he gets too close. Pretty hilarious.

If I shine a mirror on a hawk, it will fly away which is good. I am thinking to put some bigger mirrors around. Also, there are 60in windsocks I was thinking to put on a tall T-post, maybe that would work.

I tried to spray paint eyes on the side of the barn as a hawk deterrent and that didn't work. Old CDs didn't work.

My chickens do a little better if there are lots of saplings and brush so they can hide from the hawks. I don't plan on mowing the run at all this year, maybe that will help too.