Friday, April 20, 2007
More bummers, more worms, and chicks arrive soon...
Since my last update, we've dug a 160 foot trench two feet deep and put new heavy wire into our well, dug out a broken water line, received two more bummer lambs, ordered and received another 2000 redworms to re-start our worm project, and have finally ordered our chicks.
The water line issue was really an emergency. It was supposed to be a "dig, find, and replace" of an old leaky frost-free that's in our way at the chicken coop. Well, just 8 inches under the soil, we found dripping... that's never a good sign when you expect the junction at a depth of at least 30 inches.
To complicate matters, the idiot who built this place ran underground electric wire in the same hole. He had both 220 volt and 110 volt. Thankfully our neighbor across the road had a tester so we could confirm it was not hot. What we still aren't sure of, is whether or not it's connected to either the main service or our panel.
Oh, that project took over 10 hours and we had to call more neighbors in to help us... Not a fun day!
The electric wire to the well was to solve a safety issue. For whatever reason, the previous owner allowed a contractor to run 14/3 wire 160 either just a few inches below the ground or on the ground, up and over the wall to the well. Last year the pump had to be replaced and this is most likely one of the causes.
We were finally able to get the project done correctly, digging a two foot deep trench, and encasing 10/3 wire in plastic electrical conduit from the point of exit at the house to the well head cover. Strange but for whatever reason, with the turning on and off of the water... the hot water heater is now screaming for replacement... does it ever end?
The chicken coop is nearly ready for the chicks. All that's left is to temporarily close off all the "ventilation" and build the rest of the brooder. Cindy and I will get that done this weekend.
Freezer is growing fast. I'm starting to wean him now as he's getting more than enough nutrition. He's so funny when I let him out to play. Since his pen is only about 8 by 16, I like to let him run around when I'm working outside.
Our little female bummer is a screamer. She's so loud we had to move her to the garage, just to get some sleep. She screams for attention... not because she's hungry. Here she's meeting Sarah.
Last night, a neighbor brought us a crippled up bummer. Now, this may sound cruel, but we're using him as a "bed warmer" for her. He wants to live, but will never be able to stand. I'll keep him for about five days or so, and then return him to the sheep ranch to be put down properly.
Cindy has re-started the worm project. We had a 100% total failure that may have been caused by our alkaline soil. Our worms disappeared... and no, they didn't go walkabout. We frequent a forum of worm raisers and the only things we can identify are perhaps (no way to measure) a high ph and or salinity, and also not enough moisture.
This time, the worms are being raised in shredded paper, and are living in her bedroom. The temp is about 9 degrees warmer, so that should also help.
Our 35 chicks will arrive this week. We scaled the project back a bit to better fit our house as well as our budget.
Labels: Sheep
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