the daydream fund challenge thread

stitching_witch

Well, they are my little princesses so they deserve to live in a castle.

Davesnave

That's a fantastic set up, stitching witch; just great to move around your lawn, or wherever. I think mobile is the way to go, or else put the house with two pop holes between two areas, so that one can be rested.

We went on a chicken mission today, viewing birds at two centres reasonably near us. One was truly a wonderful site, built on 37 acres, where they had every type of fowl you could imagine....and then some! We were there to see the breeds they recommend for everyday egg supply, but their stock includes rheas, several types of swan, peacocks, Asian pheasants, guinea fowl, quail and some pretty rare kinds of geese. Going behind the scenes, we found a very efficient egg hatching set up, catering for birds which, when grown, will cost anything from £5 for a quail, up to to hundreds of £ for the strange goose that had a go at me!

The other place was more 'normal,' but useful for lookng at housing and runs. There was one like yours stitchy, but it was the only one without a price on it, so I guessed it was probably pretty expensive!;)

I have planted two courgettes in the polytunnel and one has a male flower on it already. With the price they are in the shops, the first proper courgette cannot come too soon.

Rummer

I am so impressed at your chicken house! Certainly a fabulous pad! Lots of my seeds have sprouted and I have a house and greenhouse filled with teeny plants. Going to start my second round of planting at the weekend.

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

We went on a chicken mission today

I have planted two courgettes in the polytunnel and one has a male flower on it already. With the price they are in the shops, the first proper courgette cannot come too soon.

What chickens are you getting Dave? Have you decided yet?

I need some new ones, I'm looking at black rocks, none were available last time I wanted some, I don't know if any are available this time yet tbh, but my DD wants some prettier ones instead

Can't believe you are able to plant courgettes in the polytunnel, what's the night time temps?

Sterling witch, nice coop, did your OH make all of that? Good work if he did. Nice corset as well

Davesnave

Lotus-eater wrote: »

What chickens are you getting Dave? Have you decided yet?

I need some new ones, I'm looking at black rocks, none were available last time I wanted some, I don't know if any are available this time yet tbh, but my DD wants some prettier ones instead

Can't believe you are able to plant courgettes in the polytunnel, what's the night time temps?:D

Well, the breeds at the place we went to include several different Marans, Bovans Nera, Sussex Rock, Lohman Brown, Amber Link and Columbian Blacktail. I know DW wants Weyandottes as well, so I'd guess at least some of those. I like the Voerwerk; the only hen to be named after a vacuum cleaner!

I saw some Black Rocks at Hatherleigh Market on Tuesday, but didn't hear what they sold for. We aren't experienced, so wouldn't buy there yet - we have a job to understand the auctioneer!

I have planted two large courgette plants at the corners of some Mypex covering the polytunnel floor, so I can flip the Mypex back over them at nights. It is working OK so far, with temperatures outside down to zero. Anyway, it isn't like I'm short of them, since the local farm shop isn't taking my veg now, after saying they would. (two owners, not singing from the same hymn sheet!:()

stitching_witch

Davesnave wrote: »

That's a fantastic set up, stitching witch; just great to move around your lawn, or wherever. I think mobile is the way to go, or else put the house with two pop holes between two areas, so that one can be rested.

The permanent run was going to have that type of set up, dividing the area into two but DH would rather give them a bit more space. Which ever route he goes down, I wish he'd hurry up as the girls are getting cabin fever now!

Davesnave wrote: »

We went on a chicken mission today, viewing birds at two centres reasonably near us.

We were going to come down to your neck of the woods to the Devonshire Traditional Breeds Centre, but decided the cost of the diesel made it very non-MSE! I found a breeder just 12 miles away and have been really happy with them so far. Eggs would be a bonus, but they're still young yet.

Lotus-eater - We bought the house and DH built the run. The house does actually lift off so it can be used separately. I wanted it off the floor so there is now a covered area for the food/grit etc.

Thanks for the corset comment. If you want to put in an order.....

Rummer

Davesnave wrote: »

Anyway, it isn't like I'm short of them, since the local farm shop isn't taking my veg now, after saying they would. (two owners, not singing from the same hymn sheet!:()

Oh no, that is so annoying! Do you have other local options?

Davesnave

Rummer wrote: »

Oh no, that is so annoying! Do you have other local options?

No, but I have a non-local one. We shall be up in our old neck of the woods at a plant fair soon, so I shall just plonk them on board and see how many we can shift.

I expect we'll put the excess crops out as farm gate sales later in the summer.

Our little cat caught a rabbit more than half the size of herself this afternoon; just dragged it home. It's been lurking near the bottom of the garden for a while, so I'm pleased to see the last of it.

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

Well, the breeds at the place we went to include several different Marans,
I saw some Black Rocks at Hatherleigh Market on Tuesday, but didn't hear what they sold for)

I've always wanted a Maran, I did get two a couple of years ago, but they turned out to be boys, annoying (and loud), not to mention tastyish, but I'm still waiting for those dark brown eggs .

stitching_witch wrote: »

Lotus-eater - We bought the house and DH built the run. The house does actually lift off so it can be used separately. I wanted it off the floor so there is now a covered area for the food/grit etc.

Thanks for the corset comment. If you want to put in an order.....

I just wondered, because you said about the wheels, the run looks great. I really like the fact that you can lift the wheels up. Tbh I would like a photo that showed a close up of the wheels mechanisim.
As for placing an order for a corset, I will let you know, but I'm a big man and the material costs would be huge.

elantan

http://www.plasticsbypost.co.uk/mypex-woven-groundcover-21-metres-wide-x-10-metres-47-p.asp

hi was reading the post about the courgette and the mypex ... didnt have a clue what it was so i googled it ... seems like it will be handy stuff to have ... have found this supplier that gives it for free but charges p&p ... is it just me or is this too good to be true ... dont want to go and order it if there is something dodgy ...

anyone got any experiance with this?