INTERACT FORUM
More => Music, Movies, Politics, and Other Cheap Thrills => Topic started by: JimH on May 27, 2011, 06:14:29 pm
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(http://www.pix01.com/gallery/8D12431D-7EA0-495D-9EA2-775091458CB9/Garden_Sink/10493728459.jpg)
After a short and lazy day at the office, I (like jmone) go home and try to find a project where I can beat the loving crap out of something. This week it was shoveling 3 cubic yards into a wheelbarrow and moving it to places in the garden where I thought I might have a chance of smothering a few weeds.
A few weeks ago, it was a wooden sink project. Pictures here:
http://www.pix01.com/gallery/8D12431D-7EA0-495D-9EA2-775091458CB9/Garden_Sink/
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But yours looks like a thing of beauty, mine looks like a bunch of stuff I got cheap from the HW Mega Store to slap together with rivets and cable ties (well it is roughed in only at this stage). This is really version 3. I've found that the trick with a Chicken Coop is that it is about keeping stuff OUT (it is very easy to keep the chooks)...
Ver1: Made a Pen (say 100 square mts) use using Bird Netting = Chooks stayed in, 2m Red Belly Black Snake got tangled in the netting, Neighbours Dog ran right though it and was using one of the Chickens as an popsicle.
Ver2: Upgraded the Pen using Chicken Wire and Nailed the bottom to planking = Chooks stayed in, Bush Turkeys would fly in. Also we seem to be attracting a Fox (can smell it) but it has not made a move yet
Ver3: Chook Tractor. Much smaller but is enclosed on 5 sides (bottom open) is under constructure and we have 2 of the Chooks in there to "test" it out before I "finish" it off.
PS both the snakes and bush turkeys get to live (protected species otherwise ...... Ver3 may not have been needed).
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Nice. We just moved 16 yards of mocha mulch to smother weeds and retain water. Love the smell of fresh mulch in the morning.
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Oz Version of the Outdoor Sink:
(http://www.somethingyoushouldread.com/images/articles/bucket.jpg)
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wooden sink?
Won't It Rot?
I Do Have A Small Garden (Square Foot Gardening) 12 Tomato Plants, 9 Pepper Plants, Cucumbers, And Some Squash
All Have A New Automated Drip Watering System.
And My New Project Is A 60 Foot TV Antenna, I Think I Will Finish Tomorrow (I Only Work On it In The Morning When It Is Cool)
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Oz Version of the Outdoor Sink
I'm jealous.
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But yours looks like a thing of beauty, mine looks like a bunch of stuff I got cheap from the HW Mega Store to slap together with rivets and cable ties (well it is roughed in only at this stage). This is really version 3. I've found that the trick with a Chicken Coop is that it is about keeping stuff OUT (it is very easy to keep the chooks)...
Ver1: Made a Pen (say 100 square mts) use using Bird Netting = Chooks stayed in, 2m Red Belly Black Snake got tangled in the netting, Neighbours Dog ran right though it and was using one of the Chickens as an popsicle.
Ver2: Upgraded the Pen using Chicken Wire and Nailed the bottom to planking = Chooks stayed in, Bush Turkeys would fly in. Also we seem to be attracting a Fox (can smell it) but it has not made a move yet
Ver3: Chook Tractor. Much smaller but is enclosed on 5 sides (bottom open) is under constructure and we have 2 of the Chooks in there to "test" it out before I "finish" it off.
PS both the snakes and bush turkeys get to live (protected species otherwise ...... Ver3 may not have been needed).
I had to take a break while I was reading this, I was laughing so hard. Thank you.
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This is the greatest thing I've read in a long time. ;D
Great work all around. I tend to beat on my computers, and help my wife with the garden (mostly, but not only, when forced). We're moving mulch this weekend as well. We'll probably be mostly smothering our plants and helping the weeds. That's what usually happens.
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This is the greatest thing I've read in a long time. ;D
Great work all around. I tend to beat on my computers, and help my wife with the garden (mostly, but not only, when forced).
Phew. Much better choice than beating on your wife and helping your computer with the garden - on both counts.
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mmmm a Fox got into the Chook Tractor and killed 2, injured one (which I had to dispatch). So we are going to a permanent structure (Ver 4) and Horror of Horrors my wife has banned me from the construction! I've been demoted to "helper" to someone who "knows" what they are doing.
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sometimes the wife knows best.
at least your demoted and did not get fired.
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V4 started. Got a Chippie doing a cashie and I'm his apprentice. I'm stuffed after a day of digging and ready for a good nights sleep. Got the basic frame up... should finish it next weekend.
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A fortress! Fort Chook.
Sorry about your demotion.
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;D ... but got to play with my chain saw and a nail gun so all good (and more fun than a PC though more likely to cause injury)!
& good idea, I think I'll add a sign saying "Fort Chook"
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My next door neighbour has a bunch of chickens.
I thought about having some my self, but my 5 dogs would bark all the time I'm sure.
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I was just looking for something on amazon and this came up, it is a watering system for shucky duckies.
Zcargel Oasis Poultry Water Nipples Sanitary Water for up to shucky duckies, Turkeys, Geese or Ducks
http://www.amazon.com/Poultry-Nipples-Sanitary-shucky duckies-Turkeys/dp/B006LAVDLI/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0XSKWMKX7ATGRB22A775 (http://www.amazon.com/Poultry-Nipples-Sanitary-shucky duckies-Turkeys/dp/B006LAVDLI/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0XSKWMKX7ATGRB22A775)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LfxW74GgL._SL1500_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lKoEqc7YL.jpg)
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We missed last weekend's building due to rain but on Saturday we hope to finish it off. 1/3rd will be clad in Colourbond roofing, with the other 2/3rds in Chain Link ... lets see if the foxes can get through that! Pics to come.
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Has it got mesh underneath (or spikes into ground possibly) , because don't foxes dig to get under things as well?
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Yup - The mesh will run down the sides then along the ground for a bit as a "Skirt" (well just under it) so if the fox tries to dig, it will hit the mesh.
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Lol... sounds like you are on your way to out foxing the fox
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If that was only true.... this is version 4 so I'd say it is Fox 3, Nathan 0 so far (actually the Fox has got more than 3 Chooks so far)
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That bites. Hopefully this time you have it nailed and the Fox goes hungry
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More progress, got the tin & chain link on. Next weekend we hope to get the front on (door, laying boxes etc) and pin it all down. Then I'll cover the skirt with dirt/turf.
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I almost was run over by two foxes the other night and one of our Chickens lost some feathers (must have been sticking through a gap). Any way put a CAM down there and this fellow wandered by early in the morning.
Spoke to the Local Council (who will not advise on private land) then a pest mgt co but it seems we may have few long term options as you can not use 1080 in residential areas. I could try trapping (but it is not that successful) or hire a licensed vermin destroyer (with night vision and a silenced rifle at $400 per visit).....but in both these cases you remove your two... and the next set move in. Looks like we have to continue to strengthen Fort Chook.
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you know you can buy and set some traps out, much cheaper.
I think they are about $80 per trap.
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I have a motion activated sprinkler. It might be enough to spook the foxes. The rain on the roof would probably roust the chickens though.
It's called Scarecrow, made by Contech.
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It's called Scarecrow, made by Contech.
We have a scarecrow too, and it's the bee's knees. Works on squirrels, rabbits, and even some deer. It might just spook a fox.
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Looks interesting and may also keep the Bush Turkeys at bay..... or turn the place into a mud pile with the amount of activity we get.
The good news is they have not been able to get in...yet.... In Australia, Foxes are a declared pest and subject to control orders. Trouble is destruction in Urban environments is pretty difficult. I did get an offer from a couple of these guys to come around one night for free.
(http://biggap.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/daryl-dixon-the-walking-dead-nycc.jpg)
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once you trap them animal control will take them away (at least here in the USA)
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We have a scarecrow too, and it's the bee's knees. Works on squirrels, rabbits, and even some deer. It might just spook a fox.
jmone, this kit is available locally:
http://www.sureguard.com.au/Contech-ScareCrow (http://www.sureguard.com.au/Contech-ScareCrow)
This site recommends using additional safeguards:
http://foxrepellentexpert.com/contech-scarecrow-motion-sprinkler-fox-deterrent-review/ (http://foxrepellentexpert.com/contech-scarecrow-motion-sprinkler-fox-deterrent-review/)
Makes sense. I can see a fox wising up to a single system.