"This year i want to..." Homesteading.

[Parbajtor]

Eh?

I guess you've never kept chickens. It isn't just roosters that crow, and you don't need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs.

Big difference between a rooster crowing and the noises hens make at dawn. Or when they've just laid, or when they're sorting out pecking order/space on a roost. A rooster crowing will have the whole block complaining, not just your next door neighbours. And roosters do go on and on, pretty much throughout the day not just at dawn.
You're right about the orchard. Their instinct to climb can be pretty useful though, as once it's gone dark, they won't move (much). Use a torch to spot them and grab them by the feet. You can usually get a firm hold around both legs without fuss, it's once you lift them off the perch that they struggle.

 

[mrcharly]

I found the best way to pick up a chicken was by sliding a hand under the breastbone, between their legs. They don't usually struggle. Could manage to climb 20ft up a leylandii and back down holding one like that.

 

[Biker]

This year I want to... get the drains sorted out. One of the conditions of my buying this little house was that I upgrade the septic tank to meet current French specs. An all water fosse is required

Happy to say that job's in the pipeline. I'll get my coat.

Any suggestions The search for them continues.

Empty the garden off all the scrap metal the previous owner collected and just dumped in there to rot. I have a mate with a trailer and small digger I just need to have some dry weather here so he can get it down the muddy track around the back of the house and start raking.

Next years plan is to extend the roof up, fit a new roof and build a bedroom up there. Maybe I'll even have time to start building the workshops too.

See my "Cabin in the woods" blog in my signature below

 

[Demonwolf444]

Awesome stuff guys.

Been tinkering away at some leather working and other projects this morning.

Chickens have been bought and are now housed and in a half decent run, needs a bit more work but have not had the time as i have been working my **** of to pay for my present to my self. Springer spaniel puppy shaped present to myself.

Need to dedicate some time to making the dogs kennel and run as she will be living out, but i am soo excited, i get to pick her up in June - One day before my birthday!

Veg patch needs some urgent attention and so does the green house so we can do lots of veg this year.

Got to get on with some work this afternoon but may tackle some of the above jobs later.

I found a load of rusted up giant scissors which i think could make some awesome woodsman knives so i will have six of those to make up. I re painted all the targets on my home air rifle range - some of the targets need some attention.

Need to get some food for the ferrets but can't be bothered going shooting tonight been my first day off work proper in ages, need to gather some bits and bobs when i go into the woods to finish off some projects.

I feel for you on the rusty junk metal.. my dad had the "i want to restore landrovers" bug a few years ago, so naturally he took a load of them apart and we now have our own landrover grave yard... wish i could just weigh it all in; but then i probably wouldnt have anywhere to live... you can't win.

I guess we should brighten this depressing long list of chores up with some pictures.. puppies, chickens, veg patch, air rifle range, kennel pictures comeing later today.