Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[Western]

I think cabin fever depends on who your stuck with:laughing: I'm ready to get back to work, but that will disappear when the weather warms for Springtime "stuff" like yard work, garden....

 

[pacerron]

Cabin fever .. I don't actually get cabin fever .. Things around here have to get done regardless of the conditions .. All these hogs need care especially in these frigid conditions .. The farrowing house is climate controlled at 70 so that's nice!!

All the outside barns face the south but it's still a lot to keep straw bedding down and waters from freezing .. Then the more straw the more cleaning .. Sometimes I real pleased to get back to the cabin!!

Now you know the young folks in the cities don't believe a word of that.

They don't even go to school if the weather is a little harsh.

 

[Bird]

Bird,
I'll ask TSC if they can get cages.:confused3: Thanks!:thumbsup: When I was kid, Dad built wood and wire cages or hutches. My brother and I always asked Dad to build all wire cages, like the breeder down the street did. Never liked wood supports as they were poop "traps" and hard to keep clean. All wire cages are the way to go.
hugs, Brandi

Yep, they still have rabbit cages. The prices have gone up a bit, of course, since I bought any.:laughing: I used the 24 x 36 inch ones myself, ran 2 pieces of metal conduit, and suspended the cages by attaching them to the conduit with hose clamps.

As farmgirl said, I didn't like the idea of the rabbits having to stand on wire all the time, so I put a piece of cheap plywood, maybe 12 x 18 in each cage. I also bought one of their metal nest boxes, but then, using it as a pattern, I made the others from wood.

 

[farmgirl19]

Cabin fever .. I don't actually get cabin fever .. Things around here have to get done regardless of the conditions .. All these hogs need care especially in these frigid conditions .. The farrowing house is climate controlled at 70 so that's nice!!

All the outside barns face the south but it's still a lot to keep straw bedding down and waters from freezing .. Then the more straw the more cleaning .. Sometimes I real pleased to get back to the cabin!!

It does make me glad that I sold all of the cattle last summer! I still have to make sure horses have hay and water, several times a day, but that's nothing compared to cleaning out a farrowing house.

If we can get rain this Spring, I'll get a few young calves to raise again. Otherwise, I'll let horses have all of the pastures for a year.

 

[mikim]

Mike,
Keith Waters (512) 922-3078 is a Hudson Sawmill rep there. He called me out of the blue. He is not listed on Hudson's website. Guess Hudson sent him my number. Anyway, he drives a school bus there, so a call is needed to get a demo. I think he only demos his mill. Not sure if he has any inventory. I haven't called him yet, as I wanna figure out what day I get thru there. Maybe Friday morning. Make that afternoon.
hugs, Brandi

OK then -- I'm not going to intrude there...I went to the website and that's more $$ than I have for such a toy anyway. I'd never use it enough to pay for it. I'm nearly done with building structures around here. I have a greenhouse sitting on my trailer to be assembled, and an addition to the barn that I'm contracting out, both are metal, and the only other building that might someday go up would be a pole barn hay storage.....so there is certainly no need for a sawmill in my future. (they look like a lot of fun though) If you have any spare time on the trip, stop in for a cup. I'll show you the TBN guest cabin. (used to belong to txdon) I'm going to be spending some time at the Alum Creek Cemetery this weekend. Some low life stole some gates from the chain link fence around the perimeter and there's some other natural damage as well that needs repair. It's privately owned, association maintained, and I have 2 kids there. - It's on hwy 71 west of S'ville. Give me a call if you can stop at the house. The fence repair is a "git a round tuit" project.

 

[blueriver]

It does make me glad that I sold all of the cattle last summer! I still have to make sure horses have hay and water, several times a day, but that's nothing compared to cleaning out a farrowing house. If we can get rain this Spring, I'll get a few young calves to raise again. Otherwise, I'll let horses have all of the pastures for a year.

The farrowing house is a breeze .. The crates set over a pit .. Just pull the plug and that all goes to the lagoon .. The outside pens are the ones that get deep with all the bedding that has to be pitched!!

I've got 4 horses, 1 mule and a mamouth jack ... Wish those 6 head was cattle ... Equine cheap .. Cattle high!!

Two of my horses are full sister team of haflingers .. And they are deluxe driving team!!!

 

[Western]

I never disliked tending to my cows, or any of the animals I had. Had over 20 pair of breeding Ostriches and around 40-45 head of cattle on average. During the winter I would carry over 2-300 Ostrich chicks as well. I did get tired of the routine (mostly in the hatching facility) and the commitment took away some "free time", someone always had to be around, but I always managed to find something "fun" to do on the property. I guess it comes with the territory.

 

[farmgirl19]

I don't mind tending to the critters. I just hate being COLD!

 

[bindian]

I find that all wire is hard on the feet of the rabbits. I'd rather have something that I have to clean more often, and is easier on the critter, than just look at it from a work standpoint. The more comfy the critter being raised, the more tender and healthy the meat.

FG,
My rabbits always have a piece of plywood in the cage. They knaw on it a little, but not much. I turn it over if it gets messy..........then throw it away when a new one is needed. Only rabbits we ever had to get Sore Hocks was the Checkered Giants.........and they had some big feet with lots of weight on them. They also gave me the biggest litters with 13 being the largest. Now if I only could remember the medicine we used to treat Sore Hocks!
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

:laughing:

Suggest you look at the Craigs List in Austin area....numerous rabbit cages there now...and you are coming down this way.
rabbit cages
Rabbit Cages

**FreeRABBIT CAGES,CHICKENCOOP 78758 this one is free!!!

Thanks. I meant to, but haven't yet.
hugs, Brandi
Edit...........I just looked at them. Do not want wood frame cages. The wire cages have too small individual pens. My pens are 3x3 feet, two foot high. I think the pens in the ad are 18x18x20. Dang, a full grown Checkered Giant takes up more room than that laying down. Those cages might be ok for some of the smaller dwarf breeds. ARBA has cage minimum sqare feet per weight. If I remember right........a New Zealand White is around 4 square feet. But I slept since then. Those pens are 1.5 square feet.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

OK then -- I'm not going to intrude there...I went to the website and that's more $$ than I have for such a toy anyway. I'd never use it enough to pay for it. I'm nearly done with building structures around here. I have a greenhouse sitting on my trailer to be assembled, and an addition to the barn that I'm contracting out, both are metal, and the only other building that might someday go up would be a pole barn hay storage.....so there is certainly no need for a sawmill in my future. (they look like a lot of fun though) If you have any spare time on the trip, stop in for a cup. I'll show you the TBN guest cabin. (used to belong to txdon) I'm going to be spending some time at the Alum Creek Cemetery this weekend. Some low life stole some gates from the chain link fence around the perimeter and there's some other natural damage as well that needs repair. It's privately owned, association maintained, and I have 2 kids there. - It's on hwy 71 west of S'ville. Give me a call if you can stop at the house. The fence repair is a "git a round tuit" project.

Mike,
I will probably buy this one Saw Mill with 280cc Gas Engine and beef up the frame.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Yep, they still have rabbit cages. The prices have gone up a bit, of course, since I bought any.:laughing: I used the 24 x 36 inch ones myself, ran 2 pieces of metal conduit, and suspended the cages by attaching them to the conduit with hose clamps.

As farmgirl said, I didn't like the idea of the rabbits having to stand on wire all the time, so I put a piece of cheap plywood, maybe 12 x 18 in each cage. I also bought one of their metal nest boxes, but then, using it as a pattern, I made the others from wood.

Bird,
I wanna shake your hand.:thumbsup: Going and getting a store bought metal nest box!
I could make one from memory, but does are funny when pregnant and like the right size. I think dimensions are online now.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I work in the quality department of a hospital.

Flu shot formulation is based on the CDC's best guess as to which 3 or4 flu strains are going to be the most likely in the coming year. It's kind like trying to tell what shade of brown a calf will be by looking at the parents. You can usually guess right, but not all the time.

Being former military, I've gotten an annual flu shot for the past 37 years; and only got the flu twice; which is a 5% error rate. That's a heck of a lot better than the weatherman or my financial adviser for that matter. Some people get the shot and it doesn't work on them (about 30% of the population.) That still means that it will work on the other 70% of us. Considering how nasty the flu is and people are down and out for at least a week (assuming they don't get pneumonia afterwards, or die from complications) it's a good idea to get your shots as long as you're not allergic to them.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Mike,
I will probably buy this one Saw Mill with 280cc Gas Engine and beef up the frame.
hugs, Brandi

Brandi;

Had not seen the HF Mill. Looks interesting. Do you have any idea on length of frame? Have you looked at one in person yet? Are you going to make your fixed or portable?

You are right, it looks like a good stable pad under it would make a big difference. It would be easy to load with a grapple.

I looked a bit at the Wood Mizers but, they are a bit pricey. If HF will let you use one of the 25% coupons you would buy it for $1,425.

Let us know how this works out.

 

[pacerron]

Isn't the reason for cutting the potatoes a few days before planting to let them dry a bit? Supposedly to reduce the chances of rot? We never planted broccoli when I was a kid, but I planted it in Navarro County and had reasonably good luck with it.

Speakin of potatoes..

This is one way my wife keeps her muscles in shape during the winter to work the garden in the summer:laughing:

We have a little one loaf bread machine, but this old time potato bread recipe just doesn't taste right unless
unless it is a labor of love. You can imagine the aroma about now if you have ever baked bread the old fashioned way.:licking::licking::licking:

 

[lostcreekranch]

Oh Yeah! We can smell that bread all the way to Texas. Nothing better than fresh homemade bread. :licking:

 

[Western]

Oh Yeah! We can smell that bread all the way to Texas. Nothing better than fresh homemade bread. :licking:

AMEN BRUDDA!!!

 

[farmgirl19]

Speakin of potatoes..

This is one way my wife keeps her muscles in shape during the winter to work the garden in the summer:laughing:

We have a little one loaf bread machine, but this old time potato bread recipe just doesn't taste right unless
unless it is a labor of love. You can imagine the aroma about now if you have ever baked bread the old fashioned way.:licking::licking::licking:

Mmmmm...:licking: I still make homemade bread, the old fashioned way. It's been a long time since I made potato bread though. Might have to correct that error soon! I LOVE fresh bread, but I usually give most of it away, so that I am not tempted to eat it all, and give myself a "doughy" waistline!

 

[jinman]

I LOVE fresh bread, but I usually give most of it away, so that I am not tempted to eat it all, and give myself a "doughy" waistline!

I resemble that remark!

 

[farmgirl19]

I resemble that remark!

:laughing::laughing::laughing: If winter doesn't leave soon, I probably will too! :shocked: :drink: