Pullet Eggs and Antique Egg Scale

Finally!

The girls have been clucking like they have laid an egg,

but no eggs have actually been produced.

When I hear them,

I tell them they have to lay an egg to cluck like that.

So, one of them actually listened to me.

(I'm sure that's what it is.)

I've been checking for good measure.

And to my surprise, evening before last when I checked,

there was a treasure in the nest.

It's been a few years since I've had chickens,

and I missed them.

My friend Shirley used to love the pullet eggs.

She said they were just the right size.

Here you can see on my antique egg scale

that it doesn't even register as small.
Actually, it barely brings it up off the black line.

Yes, the scale works just fine.

It's another of those items that was built to last~ 

(like this and this)
If you have laying hens (or birds for that matter) 
you might keep your eye out for one.
I've only ever found one other.
It was the same as this one but completely rusted, and
I'm not sure if it worked.  Cost $45 = Not interested.
They are handy as the size of the eggs produced increases.

These hens have been "good girls" for the most part.

Though, I do have to remind them that chickens are not house pets.

They try to follow me in the house.

As have the lambs when they were younger.

What is it with these critters?

(Ignore mess please.  I was sorting piles to go to donation, also filled the garbage can you can see just out the door:)

We are certainly happy to be getting some "farm fresh" eggs again.
Now if the other 3 will just chip in and earn their keep,
we might be able to have breakfast.

                                                          

The $42 Chicken Tractor

I didn't want a chicken tractor, 

buuuuuut. . . . 

Well, you see, it's like this:

Mr. LB was grumbling and grumbling about runny store-bought eggs.

Once upon a time I had chickens,

but a mink got into the coop.

Let's just say I really don't like mink.

Gloves and stoles are justified.
I wasn't going to have more chickens until I could build
the fort clucks of chicken coops.

So a couple weeks ago I came home with 4 wee little fluff balls

that made cute little peeping noises.

(as opposed to the dozen I used to keep)

Those fluff balls are about 3 weeks old now and

are making a mess in the shop bathroom.

Last weekend I started what I have been referring to as

The Bird Mobile.

I had Mr. LB bring home 8-2X3s and a 25' roll of 2 ft. wide,

1/2" grid hardware cloth.

(I had actually asked for 1X3s, but 2X3s were cheaper- go figure.)

Cost: boards $15 and wire $25=$40 so far.

I had measurements worked out so I didn't use more than 25 ft.

of the wire.

I actually don't like chicken wire.

It's difficult to work with and small critters can still get through it.

The hardware cloth is sturdier and easier to work with.

I made the box a little shy of 6.5 ft. long and 2 ft. tall.

I wrapped the outer "walls" with the wire stapling it in place.
Then 2 widths across the top one end.

(Never mind the stick sitting on top. Odd, the things that happen when working on a project.)  

The drops from the long sides are what I used for the corner posts

in the cabin/nest box.

These old trim boards were here when we moved in about 15 years ago.

They were in the old leaky falling down shed that is now gone,

then under the lean-to.

One of those things that I knew would someday come in handy.

If you don't have trim boards cluttering up your lean-to,

you could also use pallet boards just as easily.

We also have a plethora of screws in various sizes.

Because these are thinner boards, I did pre-drill the holes.

I know it takes a little longer, but then the boards don't split.

(I will put pine needles and shavings in here for them.)

For the "nest box," I used a scrap of plywood and another trim board.

Again this is something that could be done with pallet wood.

By the end of last weekend, this is as far as I had it.

(I started by pre-staining the boards then just wanted to get it put together.  That's also why there is a sheet under the coop - didn't want the stain on that nice clean shop floor:)

Today, got a few things finished up.

I put a handle on the door which cost about $2.

That brings our total to $42.

I think we have a little latch out in the shop.

If I can't find one and have to buy one, that might add another $2.

Mr. LB made the brackets for the wheels.

The wheels are more of those saved items.

When the kids were little, they had a few hand me down bikes

before they ever got their very own 'new' bikes.

Some of those bikes were still in good enough shape that they were

passed on again.

Those that had lived out their usefulness, 

I kept the wheels and disposed of the rest.
If you know someone who works at the dump/transfer station,
you might ask if they have bikes come in to snag one.

  I suppose part of the keeping things that might someday be useful,

is knowing what sorts of things are useful for your lifestyle.

Mr. LB and I both grew up on ranches, and at times we question

why the other might want to keep a certain item(s) but

we usually end up being okay with the "cluttery" items we keep.
We would probably have no idea what is useful when living a different lifestyle.

(All the same sealant/stain just new wood vs. old wood.)

The roof was more scrap plywood - it had really seen better days,

but it would be covered with tin.

We ended up with a sheet of tin for free.

If you know anyone who does metal buildings,

there is often a misc. piece strapped over the metal for the buildings

so the good metal isn't damaged.

There is nothing wrong with this piece.  

It's simply a different color from the building metal.

For this project, we weren't picky and obviously the price was right.

And in the process of doing this post and uploading pictures,

I did notice that Mr. LB didn't stain the board he used to attach

the wheel brackets.

That was probably so I will something to do tomorrow.

The only thing not in the pictures is that I am going to run a string or rope

from the bottom of the ladder up through the wire 

so I can lift it while moving it.

Since it drags, I don't want it jarred and twisted.

For 4 little birds until we build a 'real coop,'

I think it'll suffice. 

Looking forward to fresh eggs and a clean shop bathroom.

A Funny Easter Story

This little story begins many years ago
in the country outside of a small rural town.
There lived a family who worked a dairy.
In addition to the cows, 
there were chickens, rabbits, dogs
and a billy goat that was the pet of the little boy.
This was the typical rural family:
father, mother, daughter, and son.

(source)
One Easter Sunday,
there was another family,a city family, that came to visit 'the farm'
and have Easter dinner.
They were all looking forward to the day.
Upon arrival, the son of the city family
raced out of the car and asked to see the rabbits.
Son of the rural family obliged
and asked what the excitement was all about.
The other boy exclaimed earnestly,
"I want to see if the bunnies laid any Easter eggs."
The farm boy then called him stupid
and informed him that rabbits do not lay eggs.
There may have been a bit of a scuffle at this point.
The farm boy proceeded to get in trouble.
It rather put a damper on the excitement of the day.

That is just one of the stories my grandmother tells of my father.
Dad will still respond, "Stupid kid."
My dad is not a mean person, just factual.

Dad was one of those kids who kept life exciting.
There are many many more, but I thought this one was fitting
for the season.
It does awaken one to the marketing that the American industry adopts.
Why isn't it the Easter chicken if we are to use their eggs?
And, why not a cross rather than eggs & bunnies?
It's a bit perplexing if you ask me.
Regardless, the family story still brings a laugh.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Spring...Please

Oh, whoa is me.

(those are actually marble eggs - wish I would have bought
more when I had the chance.)
I am so ready for spring.

It's been dreary and cold and blowing sideways.
The last two mornings, we have awaken to more snow.

So while at the store day before yesterday,
I saw they had beautiful tulips.
There were yellow, purple, white, and fuchsia.

I got the purple ones.
I needed the cheeriness so they are on my table
where I can see them all the time.
So here's wishing you all a warm, cheery, and
most perfectly pleasant spring.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches 

The Chicken or The Egg

Oh, let's just say the egg.

I have eggs, but probably won't get more chickens

until next year after we build a new coop.

It began with a mess on my table.

It's too embarrassing to show the whole table. 

I tried several different techniques - I like these and

have one other set that are in process that I like.

A couple sets are going in the rubbish bin. 

It's fun to play and experiment so will keep at it.

Have a beautiful day.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches