New chickens in the coop....

We decided to try a Rhode island red & Rhode island white cross breed of chicken ( they are also known as Gold Sexlinks). This is the kind that the farm where we buy our feed has. They have had the best of consistent production with this breed. They do well in the cold and the heat, they tend not to brood on the eggs (this is where the chickens want to sit on the eggs and hatch them, whether they are fertile or not) and they lay more eggs then the other breeds!
We keep all the chickens in for two days so the new ones would know where to roust and get food & water. Since they were the new kids on the block, the other chickens harassed them, at some point the pecking order will be reestablished.

Propane Tank Arrives....

WE had been searching for a used propane tank for 3 years . Several (250 gallon)were found for around $250-350. The problem is getting the tank from the seller to our place. The transporter of the tank needs a permit if the tank has any gas in it at all. They are very heavy and if they have rust on them or bad connections, the units need to be refurbished, which can cost more then buying a new one.
So we decided to buy a new one before the next shipment when they would have gone up $250.00 . The 250 gallon tanks were $800.00 and the 500 gallon were $1000.00. We decided to buy the larger tank knowing that we could buy the gas at the cheapest time of the year . At this time we plan on using the gas for cooking only, so we figure the gas will last about 10 years! The propane company delivered the tank with a special trailer. They backed it into the location and dropped it down on cement pads.
Propane tanks need to be positioned at least 15ft from any building and be accessible to fill up with propane. We also wanted it a place that was not an eye sore!

Triming the 80 foot tree....

Before we could start on the shop , we needed to trim the tree on the south side of it. We had considered renting a "cherry picker" machine that would left us up 60 feet or so in the air, but we found out they are expensive ($400.00 a day), only reach 40 ft and most of them need to be pulled with a truck to the tree that needs trimming.
Our wonderful recycling guy told us about Angel. He works for a tree company and on the weekends does this on the side. He charged us $125.00 and lunch, to trim two trees.
He brought all the ropes and harnesses and two other guys for back-up help.
They threw the rope up over the first limb and pulled himself up into the tree. He started at the top and worked his way down. He was so agile and very talented with his craft! It took him about an hour to trim both trees, and it was well worth it!!!