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.

Teaching Kids to Milk without a Critter

Once upon a time,

back when I taught preschool,

we were doing a 'farm unit.'

We live in a rural area so the children were aware

that milk came from cows (not all children know this.)

It somehow came up that I asked

how many of the children had ever seen a cow being milked

or even had the opportunity to try themselves.

None.

Me being me of course,

I asked if they would like to learn how to milk a cow.

You should have seen their little eye widen.

The next class-time was a lesson in milking.

Kids from other classes would come in and ask if they could try.

They milked the cow during free time.

Even the after school kids had fun giving it a whirl.

Isn't it ironic that a once dreaded chore was being sought after for fun?

The supplies are simple and cheap.

You'll need a latex/vinyl glove, a bit of string and water.

You only need one glove.

I got these (a pack of 10) at the dollar store - for $1.

Fill the glove with water then tie off like a water balloon.

Tie one end of the string to the knot on the glove.

Then hang it over the sink - 

if you want to do this in summer, you could just tie it to a tree branch outside.

Now choose a finger and using a pin or needle,

poke a hole in the tip of the finger

being careful not to tear it.

(Their little fingers will fit much better than mine.)

You are now set to teach the children how to milk.

They will first do just like they always do and squeeze the finger all at once

which produces no "milk."

It saves your critter from 'churning butter in the utter' as we call it.

It also renders the child much more knowledgeable and useful

when it comes to tending the animals. 

Have fun.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

From Another Time

We went down and visited my brother

and his family.

They are living on the ranch that

my sister-in-law's great grandparents homesteaded.

There are other such places, 

but I am always in awe of the fact that

these buildings have lasted over a hundred years so far.

Of course the buildings are easy to notice,

but there are so many other things.

What caught my attention upon heading 

back out to a ranch was that

I didn't realize that we have mostly

mechanical latches today.

On the ranch, it's usually some form of wood or wire.

That got me to noticing other signs of a lost era.

And of course~

the necessary house. 

It's fully functional, stocked, and used at times.

There are signs of progress though.

I am still amazed how we can create an oasis 

in the middle of the high desert.

It was a nice visit, beautiful weather, & lots of laughs.

It does make me kinda homesick for the ranch though.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches