Bruce's Journal

[farmerjan]

Get one of those "sprinkler type" things that makes like a fountain. I think they float. It will stir the water, which will add back some O 2. Don't forget, the minnows/shiners that you got were from temp controlled and O 2 controlled water in some hatchery/fish farm type place. Probably never saw mud and such. They are meant to be bait, and most not to last any amount of time. So one dead does not surprise me nor should it be of very much concern. Like the "left over" broiler cornish x I get. I am happy if 50-60% of what I pick up make it past 2 weeks. Those are the ones that will survive and eat and grow. The others are just as well off croaking so I am not throwing away feed on them. Heartless???? well, they were going to be killed off by the farmer the next day anyway, so at least at my place they get a chance.

 

[Baymule]

Heartless???? well, they were going to be killed off by the farmer the next day anyway, so at least at my place they get a chance.

Haha, you just reminded me of CC a rooster I injured while slaughtering. He was HUGE, dressed out at over 7 pounds. While handling him, I broke his wing, a bad break, I felt terrible for him. I'm holding him, apologizing to him while my husband watched.....then eased him into the killing cone, still apologizing to him as I cut his throat. DH asked why I was so concerned if I was going to kill him anyway. I told him that I didn't want to cause any pain or stress to the poor chickens. I feel bad enough killing them without causing any extra pain.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Bruce farmerjans idea is great, you can also use a weight to hold it down so it stays in the deepest part of the pond...plus they look kinda cool to look at while circulating the water and adding oxygen to the pond...

 

[Bruce]

How does one get electricity to a floating "sprinkler"?

Wnet to close up the coop and barn tonight. I always count chickens to make sure they are in the predator safe coop before I close the door. I counted 1 extra chicken tonight, one of the White Rock littles was up on the 4' high roost next to her Auntie Anais. 4 weeks tomorrow which in my previous experiences is about when they start roosting. I won't be surprised if there is 1 or more new ones tomorrow or the next night.

 

[farmerjan]

Find someplace that specializes in water gardens. They can tell you all you want / need to know about that stuff. Don't know if there would be many up your way. One of our "nurseries" you know the plants/trees kind of nurseries, also has alot of stuff for water "accents" for your yard. With as much cold as you get up there you might not be able to find much, but maybe someone knowledgeable at a plant nursery could steer you in the right direction.
I have also seen a "windmill" type thing that will catch the wind and causes the water to circulate.

 

[Ridgetop]

While handling him, I broke his wing, a bad break, I felt terrible for him. I'm holding him, apologizing to him while my husband watched.....then eased him into the killing cone, still apologizing to him as I cut his throat. DH asked why I was so concerned if I was going to kill him anyway. I told him that I didn't want to cause any pain or stress to the poor chickens. I feel bad enough killing them without causing any extra pain.

I know what you mean. Just because we are going to kill and eat them doesn't mean we want it to hurt any more than necessary. I like to do it quick and as painlessly as possible. On rabbit butchering day we never ate meat. That was mac and cheese night!

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Mr. @Bruce,

Here is a review of 5 aerators, including a solar powered one:
https://pondacademy.com/pond-aerator

Senile Texas Aggie

 

[Bruce]

Thanks for the link STA! I was hoping the solar one would be OK but it is for really small ponds. I'm not sure I would even call 50 gallons a pond. Funny that $$ is $50 and $$$$ is $700. I do like the idea of the floating one, won't suck muck up off the bottom. Not sure what the wildlife would think about a fountain. Of course that is one of the $700 options.

 

[Bruce]

3 nieces up on the 4' roost with Tante Anais tonight.

 

[Bruce]

4 nieces up on the roost tonight. Both White Rocks, 1 Austra White and one EE. Bets on how many are up tomorrow? It's going to get hot, not quite FL or TX hot but crossing over 90°F which is way hot here.