CntryBoy777 - The Lazy A** Acres Adventures

[Mike CHS]

Well on the heated bucket, there isn't any power available at this time, but it is intended on an upgrade. I just don't like to use extension cords to reach over 100' by having to route it Over the fence of the goat pen, or on the ground with moisture and goats bouncing around playing Chase. I do have a bucket htr from TSC, but still have things on the List above that right now, even plan on running a spigot to the goat bldg with PVC buried and insulated above to inside the house. those come with the expansion of the goat house. Because if I continue on, we will get some more goats. Star is 10 this yr and has had a rough life being a pasture goat, but not expecting her to last much longer, so would like her to train a couple more young ones before she does, and get her away from the boys tbat are driving her crazy when she comes into estrus. It is difficult to separate 3 goats, so thinking about 2young female pygmies.

We have the same issue about not wanting to run extension cords when everything is freezing. We have a trough heater that we used to warm bath water in buckets during the first year in our renovation but it has no thermostat and can't be run unattended.

@CntryBoy777 there won't be any trials until the weather breaks in the spring that we know of. Our main one isn't until labor day but hopefully we can get more involved in others as our dogs get more experience.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Thanks @Mike CHS wasn't sure about when they started, I will try to get by the place in Hernando, not as easy right now cause there is a bridge being repaired between here and there. It was washed out last spring when we got the 13" of rain in 2 days. I' ll let ya know what I find out, but I like watching and it is closer by; still have plans to see ya in Action tho.
@babsbag I sure do like to watch and listen to them "Chatter", and they are one of the Best buggers ya can get. Tho here losses have to be factored in the keeping of them, because coon, fox, coyote, and owls can take a heavy toll. Once I get my fencing up, they will have a protected area available to fly to if something is after them. But, it is more their nature to fight and chase than to run. Depending on how long they do last, I'll either replace or cut the losses, but I do enjoy them.

 

[CntryBoy777]

@NH homesteader @Bruce in my many battles with roosters, I have never had a rooster come at me while I was facing him, they always wait til your back is turned. I have baited a couple that have made me mad, just to give me reason to hit them. I have rolled them for a couple of rolls, knocked them out, and bloodied their combs; still would get up and come right back at me. So, I don't "Play or Tolerate' it very long at all, because I have never, ever had one to Stop attacking once they start. I wish they would "Learn their Lesson', but I have not experienced that side of it.

 

[Bruce]

I wouldn't want to run extension cords long distances either!

 

[babsbag]

I am the queen of long cords. We use them for all of our outside barn lights and DH just runs them through the trees and wraps the connections so that they stay dry. We have been using them for 8 years now. Hopefully this summer I will get trenching done now that I own a trencher.

 

[Mini Horses]

Sooo -- I do actually have several heated buckets & tubs. During some re-allocation of barns/pastures this summer, some animals were placed where only extension cords would allow their use. Plus one of those ext cords would have to run thru a goat area...can we say "chew toy"? This is not the time I generally have weather this cold -- and this much SNOW us about an every 5-7 yr event. To run the tubs (5 @16 & 20 gal) for about 2 wks straight runs that electric bill up by about $200. When I know it is going to be a long stretch, I bite the bullet. But, running several also runs the risk of breakers popping -- then iced water anyway. They tubs can get too warm for drinking. Special timers are needed to handle the surge for them if you put them on cycles. Some of the 5 gal ones are used for single set ups. When temps this low, you have to haul water to refill, anyway. I have used my 100 gal tub to dip from and put into the heated tubs. Several of my minis are to short to even drink from that tub unless really full.

Manure management comes into play also. Goats like to lay next to the warm tubs, when they stand they often have their butt by the tub and deploy! Dumping water in the barn is not good. You have to keep bucket out of area with head room to reach thru barrier & drink, basically. I have used a large tub to keep warm water to dip from in the barn, to smaller buckets. Up north, when it's -20, you can't even keep hoses unfrozen when you try to run water, which makes my "short season" cold seem silly.

Chicken coops -- no power to them. Once I have established the final locations (different pens, different breeds) then I will correct that with electric runs. Hopefully, this will be last winter for it to be a problem.

Was -2 last night & risen to 11 when I got up to have DD call to say no water at her house -- she is at end of my underground lines at back of farm. Had my coffee and headed to barn to find frozen spots. Methodically placed hair dryer at locations and freed all up within 2 hrs. Using several spigot outlets, could determine where flow was clear. (NOTE: Do not drink 2 cups coffee and go out in cold unless you plan a few trips back & forth!)

GOOD news -- doe held her kids ! One more day and she can have them anytime!!!!! Tue 48 and up to 70 by Fri, they say.
Hoping those few days will be decent weather otherwise & I can get the water tub situations under control in prep for late Jan & Feb -- our usual cold time. I'll just plug them in at night.

Snow not going anywhere today. Tomorrow will be better which makes today better, just knowing that.

 

[babsbag]

I lost a few guineas this year when I was having coyote problems but usually they fly into trees to get away from ground predators. Owls would be another story and maybe that is where mine went. They will not sleep in the coop.

 

[Mini Horses]

I've had guineas and loved them. YES to bug control. Mine were very quiet unless someone came onto property where they like to roam. Owl took my last ones. Several had been trained to a shelter but, it was a challenge to keep them that way. They decided the roof would do....owls loved it! One day I may get more, right now cooping for chickens is the priority for birds here.

 

[babsbag]

Actually mine don't make the horrible racket unless on alert. They do make this low key kind of noise a lot, reminds me of a goose honking. I ignore them most of the time and they sleep far enough away that I can't hear them at night from inside the house.

 

[CntryBoy777]

We always spoke of it as "Chittering" and the alert as "Hollaring", the "Chittering" is like chickens low squawk that they do with each other, may be a tad louder, but not much but when they "Alert" there isn't anything around that can't hear it. They do have a locater call they do, too. Their version of the quail "Bob White" and "Martha".