Vegas had a brilliant idea yesterday: the chicken coop needed an extractor fan of some sort to pull out the dusty moist air and bring the humidity level down, that way the flock wouldn't be fighting off respiratory infections of excessive proportions anymore.
Our awesome contractor stopped by today to help and pointed out that I should just take the little fan I bought at the hardware store yesterday, make the coops's wall ventilation hole bigger and secure the fan in there, facing outwards. Problem instantly solved for $16 (cost of the fan)!
OMG I am sooo relieved... I can't handle any more sick hens and I'm sure the flock is really grateful for warmer, drier air, too.
The coop humidity was 100% two days ago, 96% this morning and 88% this afternoon. I really hope it keeps going down to a normal level because that, my friends, is a HUGE stress and worry off my shoulders!
*happy dance*
Only two days 'til Christmas Eve, I have to get a move-on with the baking (we have a family potluck buffet-brunch at my brother's on the 25th). Prin gave me a super recipe for butter tarts, I have to also make a batch of rocky road squares, a cold smoked maple ham, a pasta salad and a loaf of bread.
At least I know to NOT make those hockey-puck cheesecake brownies, LOL!
Still smiling from Prin's visit on Saturday, my gosh had I ever missed that girl.
Can you imagine having a friend who drives 4 (or was it 5?!) hours to see you and bring you Victoria Secret bras that fit so perfectly, you wonder if she has your body double (ok breastesses double) at home in blowup form for practice? Yeah, she's that awesome! I also loved seeing her two black furries, thems so sweet and funny - if only more dogs were so loved in the world, the shelters would be empty.
Then Saturday night we went to my chicken breeder friend's place to return Miss Pixie aka "Screamie", she was just a very bad fit for the coop and she was glad to return home so all was for the best.
He spoiled me with an 8-week old dark brahma girl from champion stock, I was sooo touched and awed... I have her sister here so having a pair is just splendid! If you saw how stunning the parents are you'd understand my glee, LOL! They are going to be very big, beautiful, cold-hardy girls who should lay a nice brown egg next summer. Yey!
Eggs! Eggs! Eggs!
I had to BUY a dozen for Christmas baking, I'm so pissed... Two weeks of tossing out eggs after the flock's annual deworming, UGH. Store eggs give me the willies, they don't look or taste real. Mleh.
Yesterday was a miserable waste of time, let's pretend it never happened.
Today's happy! Got bank papers signed, did two loads of laundry, fixed the coop(!!), prepared the pen for the chicks' arrival on Wednesday, cleaned out my email inbox and now it's time for popcorn and a book, then xmas baking. Maybe a hot bubble bath later on, we'll see.
Christmas gifts ALL wrapped and ready to go, I think I broke my own record by getting it done this early, LOL.
Puuurrrrr!
Anyhoo, that's that for the crazy chicken momma.
Bored yet? ;-)
/end of My Dogs Are Smelly post/
10 comments:
lol!! Not four or five hours. Maybe two total. :) Easy peasy.
Lemme know if you need help with the butter tarts. :D They should be fairly easy though, except the egg part.
*hides booby double in the closet* I just know now that if a bra fits me a certain way (i.e. wrong), then it fits you perfectly. But you know, soon I'll know all the bras that fit me wrong so you'll be stuck. :D
lol @ Screamie. "Screee!"
And yes, your eggs do taste different. More flavory. Especially the yolk. I like your yolks. *raises eyebrow* :D
How does the fan blowing out keep the coop warm? I don't get that part.
/end longest comment evar
p.s. You know I missed you too. More than I thought.
I meant 4 hours round-trip, LOL! I saw the pics, I know it was a long ride :-o Am happy you like the "heggs", there will be a bounty of them come springtime. Oh and the fan is sucking moist air from the top of the coop, pulling in fresh air from outside through the vent on the opposite wall. Cold air then gets heated by the red lamps, captures the moisture, rises and gets pulled out again (you can't heat moist air very well, only dry air) - so in theory, things should be on the mend by tomorrow! *crossing fingers*
Wow, lots going on with you. What a sweet friend you have. Glad the coop is better. Sorry you had to buy eggs!! That must be really hard for you. Have a beautiful Christmas. I have so much baking to do too!
You make me laugh so hard. Glad you can get your 'happy dance' on.
Sorry that yesterday was a waste of time. (that caused a loud lauh!)
Vegas is brilliant...the fan idea..I hope it works for the babies.
Ready for Christmas early? what is wrong with you? *nothing*!!!
how many chickens do you have now technodoll?
whatta greg idea vegas had! that man is as smart as he is handsome!
glad christmas is nearly here. we are almost done wrapping.
having all of my family here on christmas eve, too. thats 14 people, and 3 doggies in our small cozy bungalow!
cant wait, actually...
take care and hugs to you guys!
chris
Sometimes I wish you had a webcam in your chicken coop, I want in on this action! I love the simple fixes, yay! What a huge relief.
Your food you are making made my mouth water, for reals. Merry Christmas, hope you have as much fun cooking it as eating it. Then you win twice!
Wahoo! That's great that the coop is doing better.
That's so awesome that you had a good visit. Nothing like good friends, you know?
Thought of you last night as we were whipping up dinner - pork chops (in the most amazing marinade, courtesy of the other half), mashed taters and sweet snap peas w/garlic. And some champagne to top it all off. Tis a shame you don't live closer!!!
Happy Tuesday.
Hey, it's me Piper! remember me? I know I have been MIA,but I am back :)
Wow you sound like you are on the ball girl, this post really makes me feel behind :) I have been stressing about school and haven't gotten anything done.
I am glad you figured out a the problem for your chicks, sick animals are no fun!
I hope you and Vegas have a wonderful Christmas!
Farley, 23 birds now (5 boys and 18 girls) - we need more girls!
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