Roof Framing

Shed with Scaffolding

I’m still working on my shed, with the light at the end of the tunnel now in sight. I have the roof frame complete, and I’ll soon begin laying down sheets of plywood for the roof itself. I’ve borrowed some scaffolding to make the work much easier, and I’ve found it can be quite complicated to get the second level scaffolding in place without help.

Roof Frame With Landing

I’ve left a small landing on the roof that I’ll make flat, and cover with rubber roofing. There will be a small trap door which will open up from the story below, and this should give me a nice perch for browsing the night sky with a telescope. Eventually, I’d like to place a very small room with a dome on this landing, but I really need to keep in mind that this whole project started as a chicken coop, and that’s my primary objective. I’ll leave the landing as compatible to the extra plans as possible without adding additional construction until the rest of the building is complete. I’ve also constructed the landing in such a way as to allow it to be seamlessly covered over in case it’s later deemed necessary.

Roof Frame as Seen from the Landing

So here is the view from the top of the roof looking down through the second story. It wasn’t quite so dark outside, but the camera flash seems to increase the photo’s contrast so much that only the foreground object find their way to the photo.

I guess I should really begin researching basic telescope construction techniques with camera mounts so I can share some of the photos I hope to take.

Surprise Chicks !

Helper Holding a Baby Chicken

 I got a surprise picture message on my cell phone yesterday. When I opened up the message I found one of my many helpers holding a baby chick, with text that read “Got a deal on 30 baby chicks, their in your greenhouse !” Sure enought, when I got home the greenhouse had a box full of cute baby chicks.

Chicks

So now I really need to finish up my chicken coop before the Greenhouse starts warming up. The tempurature in this hot house can peak over 100 degrees on bright sunny days, with a fan pushing out the warm air.  Since I’m still worried about frost, I haven’t yet installed the peak fan to push out the heat, so were talking about a potential chicken roast If I don’t get things together !

Moving and Sheeting

Placing Skids

My mother stopped by the other day to see how the greenhouse was fairing, and when she took a look at my chicken coop project she explained all the reasons why I would have to move it. The chief reason was it’s location under a power line, which didn’t bother me much, but might be a problem if the power company needs to do work on the line. I finally agreed the the shed would need to be moved, and I began picking  my Brother-In-Law’s brain about how to move it. His idea was simple, cut down two trees, place the trees under the supports, attach the building to the trees and then drag the shed through the mud like a sled. The whole process was pretty amazing to watch, as we jacked the building down off it’s blocks and dragged it across the yard with a truck. Once we had the building far enough away from the line, we jacked it back up, placed it back on blocks, and started construction again.

View from the Top, Left Side

I didn’t really want to move this shed in the beginning, but once I climbed up onto the rafters that will hold the second story floor, I knew this was were the shed was meant to be. Above you can see the hay baler still sitting in my front yard, with my row of pruned fruit trees flanking it. The main road is about 1/4 mile as the crow flies from where I was standing.

View from the Top, Center

In front of the shed I hope to make a tomato only garden, with only 40-50 plants maximum. This will allow me to invest the proper amount of time caring for the plants, and watching out for the first sign of blight.

Preparing for Sheeting

On Saturday, we set out to purchase some exterior sheeting. I was actually looking for a material I’ve always known as “Texture-211″. Instead we found a very similar covering material that was $10 a sheet cheaper and it was already painted with a base coat. I’ll take cheaper, easier and better any day !

Nailing the Sheeting in Place

The sheeting went up quick enough, and we finished it up just before dark. The next step in the process will be to cut out and hang the windows, then place some more 2 x 6 floor rafters, and continue pushing skyward.

Asparagus Roots

After all of the construction on Saturday, I decided to take it easy on Sunday. While catching a break between rain drops, I planted some Asparagus roots along my back walkway. They are said to produce good yields for 15 to 20 years, so hopefully this one little task will pay off year after year.

Cups with Seedlings

Finally, I’ve began taking photos from a tri-pod that I’ve set up in the greenhouse. Here’s the first photo of many that I’d like to string together into a little animation. If I take one photo a day, it should make a very cool short clip showing the plants growth at an accelerated pace.

Chicken Coop Plans

Chicken Coop Plan

I finally found the time to plot out my chicken coop design. I’d like to have a second story for storage, but I might not have that much room available. When I originally decided on the placement of the coop, I accidentally choose a location underneath a power line. I’ve measured the height of the cable, and I have at least 16 feet of clearance below the cable, but I’m still a bit concerned. I may need to revise my plan for safety’s sake.

The lower floor will be constructed with standard 2 x 4 construction, with 2 x 6 rafters as the base of the second story floor. I’ll then build the roof in a Cambrel style, with 5 feet 6 inches of clearance. This will allow me to walk nearly upright, without placing the roof too close to the power line above.

To really maximize space, I’m considering a “spiral-ish” staircase that will only use up a 4 x 4 foot area. A ladder would be unsafe for my nieces, and a full blown staircase would use far too much space to be useful.

As for seedlings, I’m still planting tomatoes, mostly San Marzano and Amish Paste.

Chicken Coop Update

Snow Covered Work Area

Since the last photo of the chicken coop, I’ve started nailing down 2 x 3′s for a sub floor. Above you can see the first four rows, along with a nice covering of snow. The beams below the 2 x 3′s still needed to be cut off in this photo.

If you look closely, you might spot my cat “boots”…

First Floor Boards

The sub-floor is now complete, and I’ve moved on to nailing down rough cut boards for the floor. Since this building is far enough away from the house for power tools to be a real hassle, I’ve been using a chain saw to cut boards. I’ve found it’s not an exact science, and you need at least a 1/4 inch room for error when cutting wood this way. It’s working well enough for now, although I think I’ll purchase a long extension cord for future use.

I’ve also been careful to place the boards about 1/8 of an inch apart to allow a bit of air up through the floor for ventilation. I’m hoping to finish up the floor in the evenings after work, and maybe this weekend I can start framing out the walls. I’d like to have the entire project complete by the end of the month, in time for incubating some colorful eggs.

New Chicken Coop Foundation

Old Chicken Coop

In the fall of last year, I decided that my chicken coop was too small. I gave all of my chickens to my sister Sandy while I tore down the old coop, and started construction of a bigger model. I’ve been pondering how many chickens to keep, since they are more or less pets rather then food at this point, and I keep them “just in case”.

I’ve often found myself worried about the future, and what it might hold. Since I’ve heard so much about the Great Depression from my father, I’ve made it a point to always be prepared in case something similar were to happen today. This is actually why I became a gardener. I wanted to grow my own food while I was hearing some of the doom and gloom predictions about the Mortgage Mess, and generally un-desirable economic conditions.

While I’ve stopped worrying so much, and I tend to ignore the news as much as possible, I’d still like to keep a few chickens for eggs, and for those odd days when I start worrying again. I’m sure the world will be fine, but it’s nice to have an insurance policy just in case, and who doesn’t like Free Eggs ?

Beginning Foundation

I found some more Landscape Timbers in a pile in George’s yard, and I’ll be using them for the floor of the structure just like I’ve learned from the Greenhouse. This foundation will sit above the ground to eliminate work digging out a level spot.  I’ve settled on constructing a 12 x 16 foot building, far larger then I need.

In the photo above, I’m about half way through the leveling process.  Since taking the photo, I’ve nailed down the second layer of boards. Next, I’ll build a 2×4 floor on top of the timbers, and continue construction with 16 inch centered 2 x 4s.

Truck Full of Recycled Wood

I’ve received several truck loads of recycled wood, which I hope to use rather then purchasing new boards. I’m hoping that I can complete the majority of this project with recycled materials to save money, and also to prevent additional logging demand. Each of the boards has at least a few nails in them, which will need to be removed, or bent over. This will create some additional work, but ultimately, it may save a small pine forest.

I have enough 2 x 4s to build the majority of the walls, and I may even have enough 2 x 6 boards for roof rafters. I’ll need to purchase some nails, and perhaps a few boards, but for the most part this will be a recycled building.  Now If I can complete the rest of the structure without smashing my fingers again, I’ll be very happy.

Fall Planted Garlic is Growing.

Garlic is Growing

After planting some store purchased garlic a few weeks ago, I had some reservations about whether it would actually grow. The price was far cheaper then those cloves listed in seed catalogs, so I thought it was worth a try.  I’m as delighted to see it grow as I was this spring when the first onion stalks arose out of the ground. It’s one thing to know the seeds will grow, and quite another to Actually See it Happen. There was a problem though…

Dangers Lurk

Before releasing these scratching fiends, I placed protective wire around all of the plants in the garden which I hoped to harvest later. I didn’t think that about the garlic which I planted next to my walkway. The chickens have learned that I come up the walkway before feeding them at night, and they have been waiting for me the last few days. When I spotted one of them digging in my garlic bed, I knew I had more work ahead of me.

Protective Wire

I found some old wire, and covered the four tires that make up my garlic beds. I then placed some stakes in the ground to hold the wire in place.  This should keep them away from the bulb of the plant, but I will need a new plan once the stalks grow taller then the wire.

Weekend Roundup 09/19/10

Freedom at Last

I’ve decided to take a new approach with regards to my chickens. Up to this point, I’ve kept them in a chicken house, with a fenced in run. Since the garden is well picked over, It seemed appropriate to release them all.

Rooster and Two Hens.

They are now “free range” chickens, and they return to the chicken coop each night, which I then lock up. This protects them from foxes, bears, or any other danger of the night. Each morning I release them, to wander as they wish. I was surprised that they didn’t fly around to celebrate their freedom, but I did notice a few extra eggs the second day.  I’ve fenced in the few crops which I hope to munch on later in the season.

Sandy's Shepherds

After observing the chickens dig and peck for a while, I was off to my sisters farm for some more puppy pictures. She needed some good pictures, as the pups are for sale, and she was placing an ad for them.

Steak and Veggies

After taking pictures, we started cooking up some food, most of which came out of the garden. It’s amazing just how little the whole family has spent on groceries this year, and we’ve been eating better then ever. Sandy got a steak and chopped it up with some veggies. We placed it all in an aluminum foil pouch, added some water, and placed it on a grate over an open fire.

Yukon Gold Potatoes, Kohlrabi, and Onions with Garlic and Butter

Most garden veggies are great raw, however Kohlrabi is not one of them. I have learned a way to cook it which I really enjoy, diced with garlic and butter. Sandy and Davie have been cooking over an open fire before winter takes the option away, and I’ve learned quite a bit about eating healthy, delicious food from them. Did you know you can heat up a can of beans by simply removing the top of the can and the paper wrapper, then placing the whole can on a grate above a fire ? Simply stir occasionally to keep the beans from sticking.

Zucchini with Garlic and Butter

We also cooked up some late season Zucchini to complete the menu. I don’t think I’ve had so many vitamins from a single meal that was totally delicious.

New Chics and New Pics

New Chicken

I’ve snapped a lot of pictures today, as it’s been one of those days where a world of difference unfolds.  A few days ago, I decided to trade my old rooster in for one of the roosters I had hatched from eggs earlier in the year. When I put the new rooster in with my egg laying females, they let him have it, and I found him hiding in the corner day after day. I decided to put him in a different cage, and since my egg layers are getting pretty salty, I got a few new chicks for my new rooster.

Smaller Chicken

I now have five egg laying chickens (and five dozen eggs in the fridge), a new rooster, and two new female chickens that will start laying in the fall. I choose these oddball colored chickens, as I’m out to start my own off-shoot of chicken evolution. Maybe someday there will be a ITFarmer breed of chickens running around….

Sandy and Davie's Cow

Sandy asked me to come to her farm to take some pictures of her East-German Shepherds. As she was rounding up the pups, I wondered off to take pictures of the other inhabitants of the farm. Above is one of their cows, the look on it’s face makes me wonder if it knows about that Big Mac I had on Thursday….

Male Goat

After scoping the cows, I stumbled upon this happy goat. He seemed to be having a great day. His ears are fairly long, and his horns are bent back out of focus.

Puppy Outtakes

When the puppies were ready, I began to learn a thing or two about photographing animals: They never stand still long enough ! These puppies were very cute, but I’m used to taking pictures of cucumber plants that don’t move. I took many pictures, and learned a lot about timing.

Success ! - East German Shepherd

After many photos, we got a good number of cute and detailed pictures. I’m not much of a dog person, but this picture just screams “take me home”.

Veggies On A Stick

We all went to Mom’s farm afterwards, and began preparing lunch. Peppers were picked from the garden, onions were sliced, and of course we had to throw in a Brandywine tomato. These veggies on a stick were first microwaved for five minutes, then browned a bit in the toaster oven. Combined with a salad, we all left the table stuffed, after eating a meal paid for with no money, simply the time we invested to grow it.

To end the day, we picked lots of corn, zucchini, and melons, and Davie offered to man the stand to see how the customer response would be. Here’s hoping it’s a big success, as it’s the first venture after the market mix up.

The Late Garden is Doing Quite Well.

Chickens and Corn

The late garden has really started growing now that rain has returned. Above the corn is just now clearing knee-high, and I still think it will grow to fruition. You can see some of the free range chickens pecking around. They haven’t yet discovered the cucumbers, so they aren’t yet destructive. I’ve even watched them rip up weeds on occasion ! I thought it was quite odd, but they seemed to differentiate the corn from the pig weed. Perhaps it’s natural selection, as past gardeners retaliated against the destructive chickens….

Cucumbers

The cucumbers are setting small pinky sized cucks, and there are quite a few plants here. The chickens will have to be rounded up soon, as they will certainly decimate the garden after their first taste of a cucumber.

Sunflowers

The sunflowers have grown very well lately. This garden is a very dry one on the surface. Now that the plants are starting to cover the black dirt, the sun will suck less water from the soil, and this should cause the plants to grow even faster. 

Chickens, a Horse and Corn

Some shots are just meant to be, and jump right out at the camera. Here we see chickens, cucumbers, corn and a horse. The chickens didn’t like me watching them, almost as if they knew this garden was off limits to them.