Hi there. (SunnyD has a farm thread)

[SunnyD]

nice farm. we have 15 chicks coming in about a month as well. our Roo is named Gorden Ramsey and is pretty good but needs more hens to spread the love around. He does like to rush me, but gets booted like a football and settles down. he does protect the flock, we are planning on seeing if we can get one of our girls to raise a few chicks.

you need a compact tractor with a loader. I have a Allis Chalmers 5020 with a loader. its old, but been totally worth the 6500 I gave for it.
we have Henry, an 120 lb Anatolian / pyre mix to protect the flock, mostly from the local hawk and eagle air force. they got one chicken last year, but have been chased off the rest of the time, Henry will run to where they are swooping and try to grab them right out of the air. we also have fox and coyotes.

on fencing, you find the 4 in is fine for chickens? I have been using 2x4 no climb horse fence, the outside of our property is totally enclosed by 5 foot 2x4 woven and 6 in posts every 8 feet. I have welded 2x4 for the garden, chicken run and chicken wire on top of the chicken run, chicken wire on the bottom 2 feet of the tube gates. TSC is a good source, or you may have other local farm supply stores, we have JAX and Murdoch's if TSC does not have something. Depot seems to be carrying more fencing now as well.

chickens get to till and fertilize the whole garden during the winter. meat rabbits incoming this spring as well. something you should look into, very cheap to feed, very sustainable and you can apply the waste directly to the garden or pasture.

the goats look like a lot of fun. are you doing dairy from them? meat?

it would be fun to do some tours in the spring of those of us with some livestock/ gardens. @bbhaag

*inhales* That's a bit of a WoT. Let's see...

I have 15 more chicks coming in a couple weeks. Would still have Pidge, but can't have him going after the kids, and they + wife won't punt so he had to go. Should have heard him try to squak after the third time he went after me... poor guy. My flock doesn't free range - yet. They have a run and we will be expanding their area to where our garden currently is, making their run approximately 5x what they currently have. But that's a todo...

Yes. Tractor. I know. Am poor. I do have a Farmall Super C sitting behind my workshop that needs rings, but really we got it because it was cheap and a paint job doubles what I paid for it. Good rings and no smoke puts it up a bit more and I can hopefully flip it for something more useful. If not, then it's a nice wagon puller for hay rides, right? If only I had a rich ATOT uncle willing to donate me 5k.



We did have a GP, tried him out for a few months. Pretty good boy, but he spent too much time being an indoor/family dog to survive outdoors. He had to find a new family. The only aerial issues we've had are with the guineas being murdered by owls. To be fair, the guineas are dumb as rocks. Build them a shelter, they sleep on top of it. Tree line? Don't care - we'll sleep on top of the chicken coop. Can't wait till they're all gone. Then I'll let the ducks handle the ticks. I'll get another LGD eventually when I have more time to invest in training it properly as a pup.

In terms of the fence - right now the ducks are the only ones that have access to it, and they don't go through it. Nor do the guineas, who did slide right on through the field fence). The chickens will have access to it come later this year, right now their run is 2x4 welded wire and the coop is 1x1 welded wire. I figure if the ducks can't go through the sheep fence, the chickens won't either. And we put it up also so that the orchard area will be compatible with the pigs eventually as well. 2x4 woven horse fence - and I thought that the sheep fence was expensive!!!

The goats are okay. We got them mostly for milk - they're ND/pygmy cross - wife plans on using them to make product. We're going to move towards registered pygmies, which Elvis is. Our farm is all about small, and they don't get smaller than pure pygmy. Unfortunately we learned the hard way if it's not registered, it's not a pygmy. So many people call ND pygmies. ... They also do a pretty good job cleaning up brush. We didn't even know about the pen that they're in when we bought the house. A couple months after getting the goats, pen was cleaned out. They're pretty good at it. Looking forward to getting my back nine fenced in and letting em loose back there.

Anyway. 73's. KB2FQX out.

 

[bbhaag]

nice farm. we have 15 chicks coming in about a month as well. our Roo is named Gorden Ramsey and is pretty good but needs more hens to spread the love around. He does like to rush me, but gets booted like a football and settles down. he does protect the flock, we are planning on seeing if we can get one of our girls to raise a few chicks.

you need a compact tractor with a loader. I have a Allis Chalmers 5020 with a loader. its old, but been totally worth the 6500 I gave for it.
we have Henry, an 120 lb Anatolian / pyre mix to protect the flock, mostly from the local hawk and eagle air force. they got one chicken last year, but have been chased off the rest of the time, Henry will run to where they are swooping and try to grab them right out of the air. we also have fox and coyotes.

on fencing, you find the 4 in is fine for chickens? I have been using 2x4 no climb horse fence, the outside of our property is totally enclosed by 5 foot 2x4 woven and 6 in posts every 8 feet. I have welded 2x4 for the garden, chicken run and chicken wire on top of the chicken run, chicken wire on the bottom 2 feet of the tube gates. TSC is a good source, or you may have other local farm supply stores, we have JAX and Murdoch's if TSC does not have something. Depot seems to be carrying more fencing now as well.

chickens get to till and fertilize the whole garden during the winter. meat rabbits incoming this spring as well. something you should look into, very cheap to feed, very sustainable and you can apply the waste directly to the garden or pasture.

the goats look like a lot of fun. are you doing dairy from them? meat?

it would be fun to do some tours in the spring of those of us with some livestock/ gardens. @bbhaag

Absolutely man I would love to see some other members veggie gardens! It's always nice to see how other people with similar interests tackle similar problems. I did it for 2020 and with one year under our belt we have completely redesigned the layout and are adding drip irrigation for 2021 so expect ATOT Garden Tour 2021 from me!

 

[bbhaag]

*inhales* That's a bit of a WoT. Let's see...

I have 15 more chicks coming in a couple weeks. Would still have Pidge, but can't have him going after the kids, and they + wife won't punt so he had to go. Should have heard him try to squak after the third time he went after me... poor guy. My flock doesn't free range - yet. They have a run and we will be expanding their area to where our garden currently is, making their run approximately 5x what they currently have. But that's a todo...

Yes. Tractor. I know. Am poor. I do have a Farmall Super C sitting behind my workshop that needs rings, but really we got it because it was cheap and a paint job doubles what I paid for it. Good rings and no smoke puts it up a bit more and I can hopefully flip it for something more useful. If not, then it's a nice wagon puller for hay rides, right? If only I had a rich ATOT uncle willing to donate me 5k.

View attachment 39158

We did have a GP, tried him out for a few months. Pretty good boy, but he spent too much time being an indoor/family dog to survive outdoors. He had to find a new family. The only aerial issues we've had are with the guineas being murdered by owls. To be fair, the guineas are dumb as rocks. Build them a shelter, they sleep on top of it. Tree line? Don't care - we'll sleep on top of the chicken coop. Can't wait till they're all gone. Then I'll let the ducks handle the ticks. I'll get another LGD eventually when I have more time to invest in training it properly as a pup.

In terms of the fence - right now the ducks are the only ones that have access to it, and they don't go through it. Nor do the guineas, who did slide right on through the field fence). The chickens will have access to it come later this year, right now their run is 2x4 welded wire and the coop is 1x1 welded wire. I figure if the ducks can't go through the sheep fence, the chickens won't either. And we put it up also so that the orchard area will be compatible with the pigs eventually as well. 2x4 woven horse fence - and I thought that the sheep fence was expensive!!!

The goats are okay. We got them mostly for milk - they're ND/pygmy cross - wife plans on using them to make product. We're going to move towards registered pygmies, which Elvis is. Our farm is all about small, and they don't get smaller than pure pygmy. Unfortunately we learned the hard way if it's not registered, it's not a pygmy. So many people call ND pygmies. ... They also do a pretty good job cleaning up brush. We didn't even know about the pen that they're in when we bought the house. A couple months after getting the goats, pen was cleaned out. They're pretty good at it. Looking forward to getting my back nine fenced in and letting em loose back there.

Anyway. 73's. KB2FQX out.

Heh yeah she's an old girl alright but hey if it gets the job done can't complain to much right? Although arm attachments for the front would be nice.
Here's a pic of my New Holland TC40D with the arm and bucket attachment. It's a little newer than yours but not as in good of shape. This was me tilling the garden last spring.


And just for fun here's a pic of my cute little skidsteer. Its a Bobcat 440B...the smallest one they make haha. It comes in handy though especially for little jobs.

 

[herm0016]

my equipment is somewhere in-between. its about the cheapest thing that ran well, had power steering, 4wd and a loader that I could find in the 6 months or so I was looking. have a 6 way blade for snow and driveway maintenance, a ripper, and the carryall that I can sort use as forks on the 3 point.

 

[bbhaag]

my equipment is somewhere in-between. its about the cheapest thing that ran well, had power steering, 4wd and a loader that I could find in the 6 months or so I was looking. have a 6 way blade for snow and driveway maintenance, a ripper, and the carryall that I can sort use as forks on the 3 point.

Looks nice man and it sounds like you got some nice attachments to. I love the 3 point hitch on tractors it's so versatile. I've got a tiller, 50gal tank sprayer, post hole digger, box scraper, and mower for mine but the list goes on and on as to what is available. The 3 point hitch makes a tractor imo.

 

[SunnyD]

I really just want something with a loader and a tiller. Backhoe would be a nice to have, as would an auger. Bush hog isn't a necessity - I have two zero turns and my "mowable" area is rapidly dwindling as I fence in and add animals. Box blade... whatever I need it for I can do with a loader bucket.

That's really the only reason I haven't gotten a tractor yet - cause I can't find something with a loader for a price I can afford and aftermarket loaders cost more than the tractors do. I've been looking at Yanmar YM1500's lately just to have a small utility tractor, but compared to last year the prices went through the roof.

 

[bbhaag]

I really just want something with a loader and a tiller. Backhoe would be a nice to have, as would an auger. Bush hog isn't a necessity - I have two zero turns and my "mowable" area is rapidly dwindling as I fence in and add animals. Box blade... whatever I need it for I can do with a loader bucket.

That's really the only reason I haven't gotten a tractor yet - cause I can't find something with a loader for a price I can afford and aftermarket loaders cost more than the tractors do. I've been looking at Yammer YM1500's lately just to have a small utility tractor, but compared to last year the prices went through the roof.

Yeah that's the nice thing about the 3 point though even if you don't think you need an attachment now it's nice to know they are available later down the road.
And yeah don't get me started on pricing since the pandemic hit. You're right about prices for used equipment going through the roof it's crazy now....I will say I like the look of that Yammer if you can manage to find one for a decent price with lowerish hours snatch it up.

 

[SunnyD]

Yeah that's the nice thing about the 3 point though even if you don't think you need an attachment now it's nice to know they are available later down the road.
And yeah don't get me started on pricing since the pandemic hit. You're right about prices for used equipment going through the roof it's crazy now....I will say I like the look of that Yammer if you can manage to find one for a decent price with lowerish hours snatch it up.

Hah, something autocorrected on me. "Yanmar". LOL Yammer. Not laughing at you, it was my typo in the first place.

I was looking last year around this time and I was seeing the YM2000's in the $1500 ballpark. Bigger, better machine. Now I'm seeing YM1500's with no attachments for $2500. There was one last week, in nice shape, with a bush hog and 4' tiller for $3000. But I just don't have the spare funds right now.

 

[bbhaag]

Oh its fine man typos happen. A google search led me to the same results any way. It looks like a nice compact tractor and it seems like it would be a good fit for your setting. Not that I know much about your setting but just going off the pics you posted it seems like it would be a good fit especially if you could find one with the arm attachment.

Honestly $2500-3000K doesn't sound that bad for a tractor of that size and age especially if it came with the tiller and mower included but yeah I get it....if the funds ain't there then what you gonna do right? Saving up for the 2000 might not be a bad idea either a little newer with a little bit more power ain't ever a bad thing when it comes to tractors haha.

Shit....anyway I could talk shop all day about this kinda stuff...I love it..but I don't wanna hijack your thread with tractor talk.....

 

[SunnyD]

Oh its fine man typos happen. A google search led me to the same results any way. It looks like a nice compact tractor and it seems like it would be a good fit for your setting. Not that I know much about your setting but just going off the pics you posted it seems like it would be a good fit especially if you could find one with the arm attachment.

Honestly $2500-3000K doesn't sound that bad for a tractor of that size and age especially if it came with the tiller and mower included but yeah I get it....if the funds ain't there then what you gonna do right? Saving up for the 2000 might not be a bad idea either a little newer with a little bit more power ain't ever a bad thing when it comes to tractors haha.

Shit....anyway I could talk shop all day about this kinda stuff...I love it..but I don't wanna hijack your thread with tractor talk.....

I'm here to talk about it, so might as well talk about tractors. Just found a YM2000 that looks to be in great shape for $2350. Unfortunately, I don't have $2350. Just 4 litecoin. HAH! Really tempted though, since I know it's possible to get an aftermarket loader at some point (which will cost more than the tractor itself). I can make the funds happen, but I'm swimming in debt right now from this past year of ... farm.

That said, did a little remodeling today on the chicken coop. Before:



After:



We had a HUGE drop off in egg production with the winter (first year layers). Pretty sure it was primarily the lack of light in the coop, so I added a 36x24 window on the south side and rearranged a few things. That was today's project.

 

[herm0016]

nice coop! I would hold off and buy something with a loader already on it. harder to find, but it makes more sense to get one set up for it, and it will be cheaper in the long run. my AC may be for sale if one of my clients sells me her CC/yanmar with backhoe and loader for a good price. what state are you in?

 

[SunnyD]

Just had to put down one of the guineas after a neighbor's dog got ahold of it. Told the neighbor next time it'll be the dog.

 

[highland145]

Just had to put down one of the guineas after a neighbor's dog got ahold of it. Told the neighbor next time it'll be the dog.

Fair game if they go after your animals.

Maybe your kids too.

 

[brianmanahan]

I do have a Farmall Super C sitting behind my workshop that needs rings

oh nice

i spent a bit of time on a super C, H, and M

 

[SunnyD]

Impulse buy.

 

[sdifox]

That deep fryer is missing oil

 

[SunnyD]

That deep fryer is missing oil

These ones are straight run. There is a good chance that in several months they'll be on a plate.

 

[zinfamous]

Just had to put down one of the guineas after a neighbor's dog got ahold of it. Told the neighbor next time it'll be the dog.

I don't know, man. This is like you planted a donut farm next to a police station. What did you expect to happen?

 

[highland145]

I don't know, man. This is like you planted a donut farm next to a police station. What did you expect to happen?

Hunting over a baited field.

Kagogi on a stick.

 

[SunnyD]

I don't know, man. This is like you planted a donut farm next to a police station. What did you expect to happen?

I expect people to train their dogs, and if they're breeds prone to doing stupid things to either leash them or fence in their yards. There's more to this story unfortunately, but in all honesty it still holds true. Don't get a dog unless you plan on putting the effort in to train it properly.

 

[herm0016]

we were susposed to get 15 chicks, but got delayed due to the weather over the last few weeks, now expecting them at the end of march.

what breeds did you pick up? we are going to go today and see what tractor supply and murdoch's have. If they have turkeys, we will be picking up a few.

people should train their dogs. we have 3 fairly well trained dogs and still have 5 ft fence around the whole property.

 

[SunnyD]

we were susposed to get 15 chicks, but got delayed due to the weather over the last few weeks, now expecting them at the end of march.

what breeds did you pick up? we are going to go today and see what tractor supply and murdoch's have. If they have turkeys, we will be picking up a few.

people should train their dogs. we have 3 fairly well trained dogs and still have 5 ft fence around the whole property.

Picked up 5 olive eggers and 5 barred rock. On order I have 5 olive eggers, 5 welsummers and 5 hatchery surplus marans (Hoping for some French Wheatens). The hatchery pushed back our order 2 months - should have been here last week. That severely impacts our egg sales plans for this year as we have people literally on waiting lists for eggs right now.

 

[herm0016]

we ordered olives, mix french marens, golden comets this year. we are looking for turkeys as well, and we will watch to see what fun things tractor supply ends up with. also finally getting the rabbits next week.

 

[SunnyD]

My week:
* Off a chicken with peritonitis. Red, you were one cool hen.
* Put my 14 year old Jack Russell to sleep. Say hi to Sadie for me Rootbeer!

 

[SunnyD]

Finally in the 70s. I love spring.