Chickens # 8 - Moving the coop!

There was a very big, neglected old chicken coop in one of the Alpaca sheds (see Chickens # 5) which we'd thought for some time would be useful when we expand the flock.  There were a few problems with it however: it was very, very dirty; due to it's position stuck in a corner it was impossible to see if it was intact or damaged, although it looked ok in most areas and a bit ropey in others; and, finally, it had been boxed in with an improvised fence which would have to be dismantled before it could be dragged out into the field.  I suppose there would have been an option of leaving it where it was, but I think animal housing is much healthier if it can be out 'in the field', in the air and sunshine if possible.

Last weekend after doing some basic cleaning out, we decided to drag it out of the shed and into the field.  Jo stayed in the house with the kids as I picked up a big pile of webbing straps that I use for pulling tasks, threw them into the boot of the Polo and drove up the lane to the field-gate. Jo said 'Are you sure this is a good idea, the fields still a bit wet?', 'No problem' I replied with a confidence I still felt at that point.



'Before'
 

I hitched up the Polo to the coop, having first removed a fence post, and, after a bit of lining up, we were off!  Slowly we rolled into the field.  My plan was to drive fairly straight into the field, and then make a gradual turn in a big arc around to the left, eventually leaving the coop with it's back to the fence and neatly parallel to it.

The first 30 seconds of the journey went brilliantly, the second 30 got a bit more tricky - it became apparent that the four fixed wheels on the coop meant that turning corners, however shallow, was not really an option.  At that point we reached a very, very slight incline, the front wheels started to spin and we ground to a halt.  After several attempts to get moving again (trying slowly at full lock in each direction, reversing a bit and slowly moving forward on firm ground), it was obvious that while the coop was attached, the Polo wasn't going anywhere.  Fortunately, when the (estimated 3-400kg) coop was unhitched, we could still carefully drive around the field.

After a quick lie down in the field, gently sobbing, I revised my plan.  I unhitched the coop and carefully turned the car around and positioned it to drag the coop back down the incline.  My new plan was to get up some momentum down the slope, and then turn around a nice arc, stopping perfectly in the optimum coop position.

Incredibly, it nearly worked, with the exception that I got a bit carried away and drove a bit too far and had to push the coop about 10 yards backwards.

Success!



Got to brush this and get a coat of bitumen paint on it tomorrow night!

This will benefit from some wood preservative I think!

Can't wait to get the chickens installed in their new home - going to get them after the Usk show on Saturday!

Wine # 1 - Disaster!

Major disaster today - we're having a major clear up, and during this I happened to glance at my stock of homemade alcohol.  I'm down to my last 2 bottles of country wine and 6 bottles of cider!  In a state of panic, I rushed back into the house and consulted our recipe box, looking under 'W' for wine and refreshed my memory on how we made the last batch.

We made 2 varieties: the 'Welsh Black' made from Sloes, Elderberries, Blackcurrants and Blackberries, and the 'Pimpernel' made from Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Blackberries and Elderberries.

Unfortunately I haven't recorded the exact recipe for the Welsh Black, but I faithfully recorded the method for the Pimpernel as follows:

Equipment:

•  Juicer.  I bought a juicer for Jo when she was pregnant with Ben, as we had visions of lovely healthy fresh juice every day.  Predictably we used it a few times and ever-after it has gathered dust in a cupboard.  It found it's true vocation in the manufacture of country wine!
• Demi-Johns.  In a local amenity depot whose exact location will remain nameless to protect the individuals involved, the following incident occurred:  I arrived in a battered Polo with a bootload of rubbish, and dumped most of it; out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of 6 Demi-Johns, in perfect condition, placed near the base of the white glass recycling bin.  I hesitated, amenity depot protocol means that one must ask the manager's permission to remove any item from the depot.  With a sense of righteous duty I walked towards the manager's hut and asked the manager whether I could take the Demi-Johns.  The manager dutifully toed the Monmouthshire County Council line and replied in a loud voice "I'm sorry Sir, but it is not allowed for any individual to remove any item from this Amenity Depot and it would be a breach of protocol for me to allow you to do so."  With a heavy heart I walked back to the car and continued to unload the rubbish.  The amenity depot was now deserted.  The manager walked past me purposefully, obviously intent on inspecting the TV dumping area, on his way past me he whispered conversationally 'Further to our recent conversation, I'm going for a walk in a few minutes, and cannot be responsible for any events which occur in my absence.'  This sentence was delivered with a large wink.  After he ambled away, I loaded the Demi-Johns into the boot and drove away, singing a happy song!
• A Big Bucket.  I use a fermentation bin, which I think back in time I bought from Wilkinsons (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/home-brewing/wilko-fermenting-bin-and-lid-25lt/invt/0022555/?htxt=CqRsbJu%2FutV8PO2VUe7M5tbw0eF0%2BgiZGsyhRiL%2FA7J%2FD5ckTwx4gGk9NGxRQ2HoBcTxJmxJa8Ar%0AIS49VztZhg%3D%3D) and which does the job well, at a reasonable price.

Ingredients:

• Blackberries:                   1350g
• Elderberries:                    900g
• Red & Blackcurrants:      918g

Method:

Using the juicer, I obtained the following results:

	Berry Weight (g)	Juice (ml)
Blackberries	1350	700
Elderberries	900	400
Red & Blackcurrants	918	600
Total	3168	1700
Ratio	54%

To be continued!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!