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.

Introduction

Good Morning... I have decided to begin a blog on all of the thing adventures and projects I have been working on. These include yard design, animal husbandry, home facelifts and projects, along with "prepping" on a small scale. I am unveiling my journey through all of these thing with the public, answering questions, and asking questions.