Recycled Lettuce Garden

As the weather starts to cool, I decided that I was going to have a mixed greens and lettuce garden. But where?
" In the garden in the yard?" No, I thought. The chickens may be concerned with their figure and munch down all of my greens. "Maybe in a planter, but want them all together. Hum..."
Strolling through the yard, I came across an old fire pit. And since my hoarding ways, won't allow me to toss anything with possible repurpose, I have hit the jackpot. So, I toted the rusty, dirty, spider web invested thing up on the porch and cleaned her off. Tossed some miracle grow soil in the bad boy, planted my Pike's nursery finds, and voila, a mini lettuce garden. Secure from the chickens, and nice and close to the kitchen.

Orphaned cottontail bunnies.

While I was volunteering at church, the children's director told me about some baby cottontail bunnies that he had discovered while mowing the grass. He was going out of town that week and feared that they may not make it. I offered to take in the babies. I rushed to do as much research as I could in a short amount of time.
I found out through my research, that they were about to leave the nest soon. They were fullied furred, alert, and jumpy.
I read a few website information of caring for the bunnies, and made my way to the feed store and grocery store. I picked up powdered kitten milk replacement ($14), a bottle ($1.50), heavy whipping cream ($2), and some canned goat's milk ($4).

After, I boiled the bottle and syringes for each use. In the orphaned animal bottle (4 tablespoons) I daily mixed one teaspoon of KMR, and filled the rest with half heavy whipping cream, and half goat's milk. I then set the well shaken bottle in the hot water left from boiling to warm the milk. I would check the temperature on my wrist, and taste the mixture to ensure it was not gritty.

I took my formula and a syringe to the bunnies that were kept in a separate room that was quite and warm. I kept a log, where I weighed each bunny at each feeding. I weighed the bunnies on a food scale and recorded their weight and the amount of food they would eat. I also recorded the behavior. This journal would help me track weight gain or loss, behavior changes, and the amount of formula they ate.

I read and was advised by all DO NOT FEED THE BABIES MORE THAN TWICE A DAY. The mother rabbit only comes back to feed twice a day for short amount of time. I also advise taking any babies that are definitely orphaned to a wildlife rehabilitator. (My bunnies were close to leaving the nest, so I opted to care for them.)

I held the babies in a small towel upright, so not to aspirate them. I filled the syringe, a squirted a drop in the bunny's lip. I would wait until the bunny would begin to lick up the formula, and then I would SLOWLY push the liquid out of the syringe. I would feed until they refused to eat or would get jumpy. I would never feed more than the recommended amount for their age. This could kill them. I checked their bellies for tauntness.

Each morning I gathered clovers, and other naturally growing plants, and out them in their cage.

I tossed out the formula each night, as I was afraid of spoilage. I also refrigerated the formula from morning feeding to nightly feeding.

After one week of feeding them, I have moved them outside. They will be released in a few days in a cemetery by my home.

Please let me know if you have any questions about my rearing of the orphaned babies.

Revamp an old jersey

As a huge football fan, I get great deal of use out of my jersey. As this season began, I pulled out my jersey to find the paint peeling off the jersey. If you have ever bought a jersey you know they are not cheap. So, I began brainstorming on ways to breathe new life into my jersey. "Ah ha, I'll paint it", I thought to myself.

I found myself, as I often do, in the arts and crafts department of my local super store. Looking through the shirt decorating sections, the choices were limited. Puff paint was all they had. I bought a black and what I thought was white with glitter, as well as some iridescent glitter from the school supplies department.

I pulled my jersey out and placed a notebook covered with aluminum foil under my number. I began to paint my "white"to find out it was clear glitter. I then used this as a sealer for the number and the base for the actual white paint. I was now at home and my project had begun, there was no leaving again to subject myself to super store hell. I rummaged through my arts and crafts supplies only to find acrylic paint. "This will have to do" I thought.

After the clear glitter dried, I painted my number white. It took a few coats to cover the jersey color. I then "sealed" the acrylic paint with another coat of clear glitter. While still wet, I sprinkled the loose glitter all over the white part of the number.

When dry, I got off the excess glitter. I then painted on the black puff paint on the edges of the number. A steady hand and fine print brush is required for this step. I used a flat brush for the edges. (The glitter can be difficult to paint over on the edges, if stuck to the border of the number.)

*note: I am using the puff paint as regular paint with a paint brush. I am not directly placing the puff paint on the jersey from the bottle.

I repeated these steps for the back, name, and other small details and logos.

Hand washing would be recommended.

*change colors depending on your team colors. (Duh)

Weatherspoon, my main mouse.

Weatherspoon helping with the creative process.

Weatherspoon is always ready to help me with my blogs in the morning.

He has a lot to say for such a tiny mammal. He is always on the move. He has important things to do and other pets to see.

Cross Beak, The Polish

Cross Beak or Scissor Beak

This is my Cross Beak Polish Chick.

The upper beak has begun to grow faster than the other chicks.

I noticed the cross last week as I was going to through the flock to see how everyone was doing. I did not know what it was until I did some research on it. It is a condition that is believed to be hereditary and/or poor development in the incubator. The theory is that the chick's wing may may have covered it's head during incubation and proper development was stifled. The actual skull has a deformity and it will continue to get worse and worse.

 The options for a cross beak depend on the severity. Some more experienced chicken people recommend culling the chick. I am nowhere near culling a baby chick. The next, and more do-able option for myself is filing down the beak periodically. This is only an option for mild to moderate cases. The last option, which is not a life for a chicken or a person for that matter, it a feeding tube. You must feed the chicken daily through a feeding tube. For myself, I would have the chicken "put to sleep."

The next problem, aside from food, is parasites. Chickens, like all birds, preen or clean themselves, to rid themselves of parasites. The next dilemma is washing your bird periodically to ensure  that they are not overrun with these parasites.

I will continue to post on the life and progress of cross beak.

( I have been thinking of a name for it as well, the sex is unknown at the moment. )

The Baby Chicks at 2 weeks

These are some photos of the baby chicks growth at 2 weeks.

 One of the chicks testing out the roosting pole.

 The polish's hair do forming.

 Appenzeller Spitzhauben

 Appenzeller Spitzhauben's hair do in the making.

 Ameraucana

 Checking out of the door, waiting for some food.

 Stretching out.

 Appenzellers

 Appenzeller line up.

 Polish group.

 They are less organized than the Appenzellers.

 Ameruacanas: "Ain't nobody got time for this!"

They are not the easiest photography clients.

The baby chicks have grown so much in this short two weeks. They are getting their flight feathers, they play a lot more and they are making a bigger mess. They are not completely out of the woods yet, but they are all happy and healthy, with the exception of my cross-beak chick. I will post more on the progress of this chick. Keep checking out my blog for the progress and growth of the little flock that could.

Graphic Tree Art for $5

 Another take on the Popular Tree Graphics

The things you will need:

-Paint Color of your choice ($2.50, from the "oops" colors at Home Depot)

-Paint Brushes

-Fishing Line

-Small hooks ($2.50)

First, make your way to the woods. Find a fallen branch that speaks to you. When choosing, look for hard woods, not pine. Make sure there is no rot or bugs. Once you have found your decorative soul-mate, bring home and clean up.

Once you have cleaned and shaped up your branch, begin the painting. I chose white to stand out against our dark wall. Lay the branch on it's side, paint every crook and cranny you can get to. Allow the first side to dry, flip and repeat.

 Now, choose your placement on the wall. You will probably need two people for this part. One person hold the branch in place, while the other strategically places the small hooks on either side of key support area.  I only had one area at the base of where the smaller branches began. 

Lastly, tie the fishing line on one hook, wrap around the front of the tree, and then tie tightly to the other side. Repeat, depending on the size and shape of your branch.

(When we got the larger bed with the head board, No supports were needed.)

Picture Feature for $7

Picture Feature for Any Room

(In our Bedroom)

 I didn't get a good centered picture, but it is the same on either side.

 The things you will need for this project:

(All items purchased from Home Depot)

-Pallet (free)

-Rope/twine ($3.00)

-Small hanging hooks ($2.50)

-Decorative Hooks 2pack ($1.50)

-Strong double sided tape/rubber bands/glue/tacks

-Scissors and a screw driver

BONUS: You will have extra left over of everything (except decorative hooks) depending of the size of the feature.

The picture feature was made in a about an hour.

 First, select the placement of the feature and size.

Attach your decorative hooks per the directions. This is where you will use your screw driver. Ensure that your hooks are even and level.

 Cut your pallet wood in 8 inch sections. This comfortably hold a 4x6 photo.

Screw in two small hooks about an 1 1/2 inch from the top of the wood. The hooks need to face downward to hang from the rope properly. Ensure they are even and level. Your placement of the hooks will depend on the direction of your photo. I chose to do 4 of each for a balanced look. 

Now attach your photos to the wood using strong double sided tape, glue, tacks or rubber bands. For the rubber bands you will need two, top and bottom of the photo. Wrap the band around the wood and the photo. 

Now cut the rope to fit the width of the decorative hooks, leave some slack at the ends. The amount is up to you depending on your aesthetics. Knot the rope tight, the weight of the wood will pull at the rope.

Lastly, hang your photo boards from the rope. They can slide around and be arranged to your liking. You can also change out the photos seasonally or periodically.

***Something extra: the mirror was purchased from the thrift store ($1.50) and I painted the frame to fit the color scheme.***

Predator Problems: Life of Chickens

This is a picture of the opossum we caught raiding the coop last year.

 

Chickens are on the BOTTOM of the food chain, only after the bugs they eat. I have had backyard chickens for two years, and I have dealt with a plethora of predators. To name the ones I have actually dealt with, here you go:

Opossums

Raccoons

Hawks

Dogs

The others that are very likely to get a craving for chicken include:

Cats

Foxes

Coyotoes

Rats

Snakes

Owls

All of these are real possibilities depending on your location and coop design. Which is why I will be changing the coop design in the near future.

Just this week, my chicken woes include, dog attack=dead chicken, raccoon attack at 3 am-chicken missing some feathers, but ok, and yesterday very large hawk tried to take off with my girl. 

I must remedy the potential problems before the baby chickens go outside. 

The new coop progress will be documented. 

The Vivarium

This is the instructions on how I did my Vivarium.

The above is a picture almost complete.

Things that you will need:

-An Aquarium, the size is your choice. (Lid and Light) Although, larger is better for the fish.

-A filter that does not have to hang from the side of the tank, but one that goes in. (Mine is for 10-15 gallons, and about $15-$20)

-I added a "gravel bubbler" to add oxygen and help with circulation. ($10-$15 depending on the size)

-Aquarium Gravel is preferred, if you choose stones from nature ensure that they very clean and soaked.

 ***You should take this step for all things you put in a tank with fish, never use soap to clean anything with fish or amphibians. (They absorb through their skin)***

-Rocks, driftwood, and other items for hiding and perching. (You must soak driftwood for a few days, so it will stay submerged)

-Plants (I got mine from Wal-mart for about $2-$3 each)

-Soil (Get organic, it cannot have chemicals in it) The great outdoors could work fine as well. (just use precaution not to add any unwanted guest)

-Bowls, glassware, plates, etc. Anything to make your "land" area. This is where use creativity comes in. (I used an extra plastic serving bowl, and a glass vase from the dollar store)

I started by planting my plants in the bowl and vase.

Next, I mounded the gravel in the middle as a resting place for my bowl.

I added my bowl and vase with the plants and added the driftwood after.

I placed my filter on one side and the  gravel "bubbler" on the other.

I then stacked and placed the flat stones, so that the toads could have placed to hang out.

When placing the stones, I also created places for my future fish to hide. 

**This part of the process is the creative part. You must also arrange to fit what you have as well.**

I then added the treated water. I filled about half way. I use the water treatment for fish. (Be careful in this process, the rushing water can destroy all of your hard work.)

I let the filter go for a few hours.

I then added the "fire belly toads" (Petsmart $5.99 each)

After a few days of the water filtering, I went to Petsmart and bought a crab, five male guppies, otocinclus (small algae eater), and some ghost shrimp. (Prices vary, mine were on sale)

I acclimated them to the water before setting them free in their new home.

 This is it complete. The beautiful thing about vivariums is you can design it however you want and add the animals you want, given they all get along.

Please let me know if you have any questions about my set up. Please send me pictures of your set ups.

DIY Bird Feeder

I saw this initially on "pinterest" and edited it a little. I bought the bowl and plate from "Big Lots" for $1.75 each. I drilled a whole in the middle of the bowl and plate. Then after some trial and error, I decided on something free and all natural, a stick. But first, I cut three 1/2 in thick "dials" the size can vary. I used these for stability. One on the top and two, one on either side, of the bottom. I then drilled holes in the middle of all of the "dials".
I found a stick that was study, and an appropriate size for the bird feeder. I drilled holes in the top and the bottom to ensure that it would not splinter and break once I put the screws in.
I placed a "dial" on the top and bottom of the bowl, screwed in a two inch screw just enough to hold them in place. I then lined up the stick and held firmly and drilled in slow-to-medium speed until I reached the end of the screw and sped it up to secure everything in place.

Now, I did the same for the top of the bird feeder, aka the plate. A dial on the top of the plate. If you feel that extra support is needed dials can be place on either side of the plate. Just repeat the same steps above, but just before you secure the screw completely, add a string for hanging.

  

Enjoy this video I made featuring my baby chicks and my Rottweiler.

"No chicks were harmed in the bully scene."

Complete with Chickens and all

 This is the coop in its final resting place. It only took my husband, myself, and our friend Sharayah to haul it out of the garage over the fence, (it was too big to fit through the gate), and place it here.

 The run attached and secured with some landscaping stones.

 The inaugural biddy test "run". An Australorp and a Rhode Island,

Our very first egg.

The Coop under contruction.

 This the frame of the run for the coop we built. We took a staple gun and some chicken wire to it and voila.

 This the unfinished coop. As you can see the bottom is a pallet. This is the front view.

 This is the pull string for the coop door. The door was put on some hinges, two holes, and a bit of rope, and the coop door can be open and close from the outside.

 These are the windows put in for ventilation. Which is important in the summer months.

 Two hinges and a latch for the windows. One on either side.

 The painting begins. We built two large doors that open completely in the rear for easy cleaning.

 Here is the inside under construction. You can see the simple framing that was used. Also, the ever so important, roosting pole.

 I took some small wire mesh and covered all opening.

 Roof vent and windows covered for protection from easy access from predators.