Early Spring

As the annual fight between winter and spring commences here in southern Ohio. With temperatures going up and down daily we have been trying to use the nice days to our advantage. We have been planning to turn the majority of the back into an Urban farm. So after check city codes, making the necessary measurements, put in a string layout and waiting for the weather to cooperate we have finally begun. We tried to force the T-posts for some fencing in January and couldn’t drive anything more than an inch in the ground. So wait for warmer weather we must. Much like the frequent hurry up and wait of the Army. Make a plan, prep your part and wait for conditions to be right. Otherwise, people get hurt and missions fail. So we finished our planning and we waited.

We finally got the green light 10 days ago when the daytime temp exceeded 55 degrees for two days in a row allowing the ground to thaw. So the first item we put in was a new compost bin or more exactly two new bin that are attached. The method is simple you need 5 pallets, 3 the same size (A) and 2 the same size (B). After measuring twice you drive 2 T-posts in the ground spaced so one of the A’s can act as center pallet, and then one T-post for the other two A’s placed parallel and on either side of the first. The B’s are the act as the back of the compost bin and are screwed into the three A’s forming an E shape. This will allow us to put in only one compost area with two chicken yard attached . (see Image below)

The ground froze again and we waited until the next thaw so the posts would go in effectively. In the meantime the 2 dozen mixed chickens from my favorite sister-in-law finally showed up (late Christmas present). Last weekend the temp turned again, so after measuring twice we got building the first chicken enclosure. We used ~100′ of 2″x4″ galvanized wire fencing, 8 T-posts and some wooden posts for corners and gateposts. My daughter was in charge of measuring the wire and cutting it to size for the different sections of the fence. Richard my oldest placed the T-posts and mounted the wire to it while I worked the fencing tight and secure. Over all the project took about 2 hours to complete, missus the gate which will be installed today.

From here we build the coop, which the design has yet to be finished (so debate over size and nest boxes). What we have agreed on is the coop will be raised so the birds have cover from predators and the nest boxes will go through the fence so we can access the eggs without having to go inside the fence line. We plan on putting in the next chicken yard in a few weeks for our production flock we will be getting at the end of March.

That’s one of the things we have learned over the last few years. We installing or doing new things take your time so you don’t get overwhelmed or careless. We have seen the effect of people going to fast and helped to clean up the horrible aftermath. Its always better to take your time, build a rhythm and only add more when you know you have the time and expertise. Or as my old SFC used to yell at me slow to smooth, smooth to fast. Master what you can before you add more. On that note I hope your plans are all but completed so you can execute them with precision when the timing is right. Deven Little