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Messages - stewie
351
« on: January 05, 2017, 03:13:28 PM »
maybe, maybe not. I was shocked to find out the dodge pickups are made in mexico.  when the time to buy gets closer, ill probably start throwing up the listings here for feedback. i "shopped" for 6 months before getting my granola burner. im in no rush for this, but i have to have one by late spring/early summer the latest.
352
« on: January 05, 2017, 02:04:08 PM »
To early for you to tell, but you are getting closer to knowing whether to listen or solve the problem when she's venting
im slowing moving away from problem solving to just listening....
353
« on: January 05, 2017, 01:45:09 PM »
Oh forgot to mention, you should rule out the 1/2 ton trucks because everything on them suspension wise will wear out faster. Also the Chevrolet 5.3L engines with active fuel management have been failing at an alarming rate ever since they installed that system in 2007. Avoid ALL of them.
as a rule of thumb, i avoid any government motors vehicle between 2006-2009. that's when they put out some of the biggest piles of garbage since the 80's and early 90's. We came close to getting a buick SUV back in 2011 (it was a 2008). that's when i became aware bailout quality vehicles.
354
« on: January 05, 2017, 01:01:07 PM »
Got the boss' ok to post up the designs i promote. It was actually one of my customers who led me to this forum! some images below of some of my patches. I focus on faith, american history and humor. buy here: http://www.144-1.com/productsand you can use coupon code "take10" for 10% off.   
355
« on: January 05, 2017, 12:55:07 PM »
good stuff all. thanks. we're going to be buying in april-ish so when mid march rolls around we're going hot and heavy on finding one. for now, i need to learn. When it comes to buying cars, im an asshole and always want to walk in knowing everything so i can sniff out dealer BS easier. we're leaning HEMI right now. the dodge seems to have the interior my wife likes and the power i want. I think you've gotten some pretty good advice on 1/2 ton v. 3/4 or 1 ton, and gas v. Diesel. The only thing I would caution you on and it's probably moot as you're in TX which is the biggest pickup market in the US, but make sure you're not getting a used one from the salt belt. Around here the Dodge's rust like the dickens....saw a 5 yo one the other day and surface rust already appearing on the outside of the bed over the rear wheels. My buddy's 2 yo Dodge has rust in the bed at the tailgate. So just check where it lived prior to you buying it. Like I say, probably moot for you, but double check.
i was born and raised in NY so i am very aware of rust. my NY purchased jeep and pathfinder rusted out and were such nightmares to maintain because of the salt. if we bought i'd make sure the carfax showed a southern/southwest place of ownership. my wifes honda pilot was a Cali car and aside from where a rock nailed it on the hood, there is no rust at all. I dont think that car ever saw rain until we bought it and moved to TX. lol.
356
« on: January 04, 2017, 09:20:45 PM »
It might help to keep the suburu if that is an option
subaru isn't going anywhere. we're also contemplating the tundra and titan if she likes the way they drive. ( i know i am probably committing a mortal sin and speaking herrasy)
357
« on: January 04, 2017, 08:42:38 PM »
I wouldn't even tell anyone you liked those F250's with the 6.0
I mentioned many times about the fleet of them we were "Issued" in Kandahar. All 6.0 diesel automatics. Some were up-armored, some not. Some were crew cabs and we even had some converted E250 Econoline vans which were lifted and had 4WD with big Dana 60 front axles.
After the first year we had about half of the 10-12 trucks still running. I think four didn't make it to 1000 miles, some hajji blew one up, and of the others they wouldn't start, were suffering all sorts of problems, and best of all? No Ford garages, no ford mechanics. We pilots make a deal with the Army guys and scored a Humvee, and another deal with the Royal Marines who gave us a defender 110, easily the best truck we had over there.
Don't get a half tom, definitely a 3/4 to 1 ton. I'd say a diesel because when you find one with 250K it will give you nearly that much more. Especially if its a Cummins. Look at Dually's for sure. Chevy's are OK, but for my dime second behind the 2005 Dodge 5.9 Cummins truck but slightly ahead of the later 6.7 liter Cummins. By 2010 you're all done. the 11's chevys have that terrible DEF, tree huger juice. I had to delete my truck to get the power and mileage I wanted. Now my huge Chevy, weighing in at 8,700 lbs can cruise to my farm and back and get 20.3 MPG. Towing a trailer, the lowest it will produce is high 15's-mid 16's.
A 1994-1997 Dodge 2500-3500 are choice picks. All mechanical hosting the best Cummins 6BT engine ever made, the 12 valve. It will make 200 horsepower or 600 HP. Happy with 400 ft/lbs, cool. Need more you can turn it up to 1300 or more ft lbs easily. It will get 20's most of the time and when you wear the truck out, pull the motor and put it into something else for another lifetime!
good stuff. i would go older, but i want my wife to feel at ease and comfortable driving it. she's one of those security moms who would drive an m1 abrams with a booster seat in back if she could. im not going to pick a fight with my butter pican rican over a vehicle she doesnt like. i wont live it down and she will never drive it out of spite. ;-) we looked at a handful of dodge ram 1500's online. they are gas powered but the HEMI's have a lot of torque and the interiors seem comfy for my wife. we are looking at dually's but we gotta keep it around 20K max. i dont want to go into car debt if i can avoid it.
358
« on: January 04, 2017, 06:58:57 PM »
Stay away (like the plague) the Ford 6.0L motors. I don't care who or what has been done to the motor. Between my bil & I we spent 20k in "miracle" repairs on two separate trucks
noted. thats been my view since i found out.
359
« on: January 04, 2017, 05:56:50 PM »
mods, please feel free to move if needed.
Preface:
Right now i own a subaru forrester. yes, i call her the granola burner and others have called it the lezburu, but that car can go anywhere and do just about anything and hasn't cost me a dime outside of routine maintenance. the downfall is its my daily driver and has a very low towing capacity and not the most powerful engine. it does haul the 5x8 trailer i have and roam the farm for light work at times, but soon we're going to be rolling out livestock and getting into more and more large projects. My wife and i are looking at getting a crew cab pickup in a few months and are now doing our due diligence and test driving to make a good, wise decision. We see this as an investment for our land and vision.
Let's Go:
We need a crew/dual cab, 4wd and are leaning diesel because of the durability and towing capacity. We have been looking at Ford F250's in the 2005-2010 range, the gmc/chevy 2500 and the dodge 2500 series. Our budget is about $20K tops. We test drove a 250 the other day (2005) and i was VERY impressed. I did read and am learning about all the problems the 6.0's had so it has me wary of a 6.0 powerstroke however i've found a few with aftermarket header studs, etc to handle the pressure/cooling issues the 6.0's had.
Being in TX, i am seeing it's hard to find a NON beat to hell chevy or dodge diesel with 4wd. Most are rwd, and 4wd is required because of the farm use (blackland prairie is like soup in the smallest amount of rain)
We are open to gas powered options like the silverado 1500, f150 and dodge ram 1500 - same price range of course. There are so many used one out here, but most are RWD.
Now, i know a diesel is just beginning life @ 200K, but could i get the same durability out of a well maintained 5.4 vortec or similar?
Are there other things i should look for/avoid/seek out in each make and model?
I'm all ears.
360
« on: January 04, 2017, 09:35:40 AM »
i did a rifle length on my 18" and i found it to be ideal.
361
« on: January 04, 2017, 09:28:53 AM »
so i ran my latest business idea past my wife. she rolled her eyes on her classic way and told me i was stupid and obnoxious.
12 years into marriage i am still wondering if that response means its a good idea....
362
« on: January 03, 2017, 10:08:43 PM »
Toilet paper....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
true story - a friend of mine many years ago had to take a piss in the woods. got it all over his naughty bits region. all we could do it laugh. i have no idea how he managed to do that till this day.
363
« on: January 03, 2017, 11:59:42 AM »
ya know....Poison Ivy can be used as a medicine.. and ink, the seeds can be harvested and crushed to make candles and many other uses. That and, birds deer and rabbit feed on it heavily in the winter.
It's really not a bad ole plant...
it does have other uses from what i know, but my family has treated me like a leper or someone with ebola since i have a small bit on my arm. i am just trying to corner the hipster/pretentious yuppy market in austin with some sort of organic, farm raised product.
364
« on: January 03, 2017, 10:48:35 AM »
Lip balm, help keep their mouths shut
& tear reduction drops, you know because they didn't get their special ribbon in Nov
HAHAHAHAHAHA lip balm! hahahahahahahaa i need to run this idea past mrs. stewiw and my other industry partners. hahahahahaha
365
« on: January 03, 2017, 10:27:28 AM »
ok, so this dream of mine is on hold. i gotta put that $ into other things and frankly a new weapons platform is the least of my concerns. i'll make due with my 77 gr sierras for now and maximize my area of influence on the property for now.
366
« on: January 03, 2017, 10:18:41 AM »
So i have an abundance of poison ivy on my property. i need to do something with it and was thinking possibly starting a line of beauty and skin care products with it.
It may catch on quick with the emo/hipster crowd.
Any thoughts?
367
« on: January 02, 2017, 11:05:25 AM »
Very honorable, but remember, no good deed goes unpunished! Lol!
and to think i am his legal counsel a lot of the times when it comes to my wife....
368
« on: January 02, 2017, 10:50:45 AM »
so my largest dog (the anatolian shephard) was running around with what thought was a stick... which is odd because he never pays mind to said item. so me being naive say "odie, drop it!" he drops it in my hand. i scream "cat turd!!!!!!". my hand has been defiled. i may need to lop it off at this point.
You name a dog, ODIE and you wonder why it acts like the retarded dog from "Garfield".... 
we took him in because he was going to the shelter if we didn't. he's a big dopey bundle of love, but also a few fries short of a happy meal mentally. im getting his a new name tag for his collar "disgusting dog" formerly known as odie.
369
« on: January 02, 2017, 10:06:31 AM »
so my largest dog (the anatolian shephard) was running around with what thought was a stick... which is odd because he never pays mind to said item. so me being naive say "odie, drop it!" he drops it in my hand. i scream "cat turd!!!!!!". my hand has been defiled. i may need to lop it off at this point.
370
« on: January 01, 2017, 06:49:42 PM »
ambi safety and charging handle is all i roll with these days.
This is how I operate as a left shooter & I never added the mag release to my newer glock either. After so many years I just figure I've made due this long.
I do think we should start a lefty shooters support group & petition congress to fund it so we can buy more ammo...... 
they're all a buncha haters, IMO.
371
« on: January 01, 2017, 11:21:00 AM »
I shoot lefty as well, so my parts list addresses ambi needs as well. I just live with flames shooting out near my face, as lefty actions are rare/pricey!
yeah, i wouldnt use a dedicated lefty system. it makes it harder to find parts and i'd have to undo lots of muscle memory. I never even bothered using the ambi mag release on a gen4 glock because i can do a change in roughly 2 seconds with the right handed controls. ambi safety and charging handle is all i roll with these days.
372
« on: January 01, 2017, 10:57:36 AM »
Stewie, after my "one piece at a time" process and adding up cost, this (see below link) might be the way I'd go were I to do it all over again. Add in shipping costs etc. and I'm saving a couple to six hundred - so some food for thought.
http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-2016-custom-rifles/ga-precision-gap-10-g2.html
In the long run, if it shoots like I think it will, I end up with something unique that I get a big grin outta whenever I take it out to play!
that pretty much the setup i am going to go for. 18-20" bbl at least with an aac adapter on the muzzle. i just need a matching billet upper/lower - i would love a noveske set honestly. the last build i did was a simple "loaner"/truck gun ar15. i did the whole thing with upper for under $500. its a no frills rifle. i didnt even bother putting an amti safety on it (im a lefty). i can probably do a decent equipped ar10 build for under $1500 w/o glass. it would need to be ambi all the way which adds to cost. i need to factor in ammo cost (biggest thing to me). i havent amassed enough of my calibers to put the NG armory in my county to shame. i would need to do the same for .308 which would be a massssssive investment.
373
« on: January 01, 2017, 10:22:33 AM »
they'll keep pushing because they know that when backed into a corner, gun owners will always comply. there is zip, zilch, zero stopping them.
Oh, make no mistake my friend, there is something out there which can stop them!
i dont think they're scared quite frankly (that's just cynical, realist me). the last 8 years has shown they can do as they please with little to no pushback. Electing trump put them back on their heels for a bit but dont expect them to stop for a second.
374
« on: January 01, 2017, 10:19:16 AM »
not sure why gun owners get so messed up over blue helmets when the very country they have professed to protect from said helmets has been laid waste over the last 8 years...
375
« on: January 01, 2017, 09:46:57 AM »
i build my own stuff, so i'd build my own AR10 as well.
i do reload, but since the move my equipment is sitting in boxes. the "shed/barn" on the farm is frankly a hazard to spent any time in, so i need to wait for the spring to get a new structure up so i have a work shop. i have been saving 308 brass from when i would smurf @ the ranges, but it's been a long time since ive been to a range.
i always love to tinker and build... it seems homesteading > guns at the moment, but i've been wanting to get into a larger caliber for some time now. While the M1A is my dream rifle, an ar-10 may be the first step into the platform ---- i can build it over time to my liking.
376
« on: January 01, 2017, 09:40:18 AM »
you have to shape them accordingly.............
well, id have a "variety" bag of all the shapes kinda like those dorito explosions bags and then just bags of different shapes like "i ate the cats food", etc, etc.
377
« on: December 31, 2016, 10:44:16 AM »
I'm frugal by nature so that's kept me from sending $1 down range with each trigger pull.... so i've stuck to .223/5.56, however my dream rifle has been calling my name.
Hark, Hark Stewie. Purchase me and you shall be complete. Pip Pip Cheerio!
There is an M1A with my name on it out there. IMO, its the most gorgeous rifle ever created and after shooting one, i want one. Give me the wood stock with an optic and a 20 round mag and i consider that utter beauty.
What i find hideous is the cost to feed that object of ballistic desire.
I've got the land to be able to send cash down to around 800 yards with ease, so what's stopping me?
Can I justify the move to .308 when my 18" .223 wylde can send 77 gr's out to 600? Im not sure....
I think 600 meters with a 5.56 is a joke.
You have to do all sorts of science and so forth to have any of that make sense.
It's a .22
Not wanting to rain on your parade, but ever check out what the russians think of our .22 battle rifle?
When they evaluated the standard (older) M193 ammo, they found it to be effective out to about 95 meters for man sized killing rounds.
Compare that to their 7.62 X 39 shooting a 122 or 123 grain FMJ and they find the same effects at around 250 meters.
You have to amp up the .22 with powder, exotic bullets and then deal with a round which is light and can be played with by a cross wind and all you have is some wishful thinking.
Now on the flip side if you want to dust ground hogs or paper or something like that, and have fun, then the .22 is just fine. My fav round from my childhood was the .220 swift. I shot .22's long distance once killing a buzzard at several hundred meters in gusty conditions.
But if you want to lay some solid smack down and forgo all the plinkin' then the 7.62 X 51 if the round of choice. I own two, my M1A with the national match barrel and standard GI stock, and my 716 Sig. I have fitted each with 25-30 round mags and scopes, and I don't worry about the range or what I'm shooting at, I just shoot it.
The M21 or M1A is a handful to tote around, I like my Sig better for that. But the M21 smokes the sig or any other gun when it comes to classic looks, and a forged steel kinda reliability. It's like the footer and thick foundation walls of a great home. Just always there, always solid, never hear anything about it, it just works all the time.
If you want one, life is short. And that's a gun that you'll be proud of passing on.
How many M1A's have been carved up, dismantled, lost, forgotten about or remain unused:
Answer: None!
Get a Springfield and enjoy it. And know that to this day, US Infantry are still carrying that battle rifle in combat. To this day it is still sending our enemies to hell!
the other option is the ar-10. the manual of arms is the same as an ar-15 which means my wife and eventually my daughter wont have to flip the script if they ever had to grab one. i am not looking for a precision tac driver - i am all about minute of man/meat. If i can drop something @ 600+ ill be happy.
378
« on: December 31, 2016, 10:36:32 AM »
can we get back on topic here?
379
« on: December 30, 2016, 07:11:55 PM »
I want this topic to go away...
So, what about them Bengals?
are you "thread crappin"?
380
« on: December 30, 2016, 09:59:40 AM »
I think he's just trying to help you out.
Less crap to shovel up!
2 of my shop dogs are afraid of there own crap, and I've done what Shawn talked about to prevent digging, but the 3rd dog, a young male, has your dog's issue.
One of the blue collar guys "so, they make something to make your dog's crap, taste like,. Uhhh,. Crap?" Lol
Sent from a spaceship
well, that dog likes to jump on the couch and bury his face into pillows and blankets. i have serious philosophical and moral issues with that.
381
« on: December 30, 2016, 09:57:14 AM »
I'm frugal by nature so that's kept me from sending $1 down range with each trigger pull.... so i've stuck to .223/5.56, however my dream rifle has been calling my name.
Hark, Hark Stewie. Purchase me and you shall be complete. Pip Pip Cheerio!
There is an M1A with my name on it out there. IMO, its the most gorgeous rifle ever created and after shooting one, i want one. Give me the wood stock with an optic and a 20 round mag and i consider that utter beauty.
What i find hideous is the cost to feed that object of ballistic desire.
I've got the land to be able to send cash down to around 800 yards with ease, so what's stopping me?
Can I justify the move to .308 when my 18" .223 wylde can send 77 gr's out to 600? Im not sure....
382
« on: December 30, 2016, 09:52:22 AM »
they'll keep pushing because they know that when backed into a corner, gun owners will always comply. there is zip, zilch, zero stopping them.
383
« on: December 30, 2016, 08:55:51 AM »
he's super special for sure. ever since that "visit" to the groomer where i've since thought he had started playing for the other team... the way he gets out attention is to whack things with his butt. Basically we just chalk it up to "well, he has butt problems", but he walks sideways like a U at times.
A few months ago: Our newest addition (anatolian shephard mix) is a lazy fricken dog. he has passed out for his 15th nap of the day and was awoken to the super special dog whacking the otomon with his rear end. his face was priceless. he was like "what da hell is wrong with that dog!?" he then passed out a few seconds later.
384
« on: December 29, 2016, 09:35:21 PM »
I think Mrs. Stewie would object to me spreading my own jackson's around the yard to keep the turb burglar from eating his crap. I am scared to even ask if its an option. hahahaha
its insane that we have to scream at him to get him to leave his crap alone. It's like he gives birth to little retards and has to tend to them while they're warm. it's nasty.
385
« on: December 29, 2016, 08:51:15 PM »
the idiot has done this since he was a puppy. we got him at a pet store (i still have receipt). its a common thing for dogs that come from stores. They eat food that's pretty much plated in gold and puts a serious dent in my budget each month, but in the end, they are both 10 years old and havent been a vet for anything other then shots and heart worm in.... 8 years, so i am ok with it.
he's got "problems". i also think he plays for the other team - he's been "different" since he went to a groomer back in 2007.
anyways, i call him a turd burglar and thought perhaps i could make some $ off his disgusting habits.
386
« on: December 29, 2016, 07:14:13 PM »
so one of my dogs has an affinity for eating his own crap. So much so he tries to always sneak a snack in when we're not looking. He doesn't eat a lot of his food, but what if i were to develop a turd shaped/flavored dog food would he eat more? do you think it would be a good product to get on the market.
i sense a serious crowdfunder here...
387
« on: December 29, 2016, 07:09:34 PM »
hahahaha.
well the pens will have a hot wire, but the concept of bait if appealing. it's not uncommon to here rifles/shotguns go off once or twice a night out here.
i wonder if night vision can be seen (no pun intended) as a business write-off. lol.
388
« on: December 29, 2016, 11:41:08 AM »
it seems every animal we have with the exception of the mini rex rabbit is a retard, so it's par for the course i guess.
we need to pray now for the sheep (and goats) we're getting that they have common sense and frankly brains period. I can post a whole thread on my 3 dogs and their "behavior".
i laugh at myself.
I have a build a pig hut now for the mini pot bellied pig so he's out of the house. the other 6 chickens are getting kicked out this weekend (we're buying a smaller coop for them today).
389
« on: December 29, 2016, 11:28:33 AM »
"Chase them down"? You mean they stay in the coop or they stay on the ground in the pen?
Are they laying or not yet? Once they start laying they will seek out a dark place to lay so will likely go right in. You worried about predators chewing through the wire at night? My guess is they will find it on their own. Do you have roosts in the coop part?
inside of the coop we have to chase them down, grab them and put them into hen house because they refuse to go in there on their own. they dont roost in the hen house, they just huddle together. A few will roost during the day... sometimes. not worried about predators. that sucker is a fort knox of chicken coops. No one in, no one out..... until they stop being retards so we can let them free range.
390
« on: December 29, 2016, 11:26:15 AM »
ok so it looks like my very important thread has been ruined. :(
i'm frankly at a loss here - the hens have been in the coop for almost a week tomorrow and they still havent figured out to go into the hen house. i have to chase them down each evening as put them into the hen house. it's driving me and my wife insane. this is further keeping us from letting them free range.
it seems even the chickens may have gotten contagious mental problems from a few of our dogs.
Maybe feed them in there each evening couple hours before dusk, and then take away all supplied food sources during the day. Open coop in the am, taking away feed. This way they figure out - outside to forage during day - grain inside at night. After awhile you put the food near coop entrance and fill it only in evening and with just the amount they'll eat before am, your pattern is consistent without having to haul in and out.
we want them to free range, but havent let them out of the coop yet because they all seem to be retards. we want them to march into hen house at dusk without us having to put each one in there manually. I've been told this can take time and to be patient. I am a patient man, but my wife lacks what I have --- this is why we complete each other.
391
« on: December 29, 2016, 10:36:35 AM »
i made some purchases as a "hedge" back in late october thinking she would win (i was proven very wrong). I will not be making any firearm purchases for a long time, but i am also padding the ammo cache. What's not clear is if powder and components will become more available. That's where my deficiencies lie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
i went hog wild in 2016 on components, etc. Now, I have all this stuff and nowhere to reload. I wont have a usable workshop until the spring. :(
392
« on: December 29, 2016, 10:30:59 AM »
I was new to the concept of "body armor" back in 2014. I admit, it was kind of a "fad" mixed with stupid politicians trying to ban it, so it made sense to invest in it. Well. i sourced some "used" ceramics for a decent price. Wore them through a number of courses. They were 2004 dated and I dont own an Xray machine so i made the move to replace them with steel plates. After research, i went with Spartan AR550's. I got them for a pretty decent price and they shipped fast. I'm a big dude. 6-2 and right now 240 lb. My biggest issue with the ceramics or any other plate was they didnt form to my frame. I always had a bulge on the top of my kit and it felt like I had a large, flat cinder block on my back. The "triple curve" model I got solved that issue - for a few $ more. Yeah i could have gone with a 11x14 setup (i did this way back when), but the carrier/plate options were slim and found that the extra length got in the way of my belt setup. So back to the 10x12's. Yeah, they were heavier for sure, but not by much. Once i got the carrier on (banshee), my body adjusted fast. @ about 8.3 lb each, the total loadout of my kit with mags, comms and ifak was like 24 pounds or so. I keep 3a soft panels behind the plated for extra padding/cushion. yeah, they add a little weight, but not much. Now, as people will tell you, you will fatigue carrying this around all day. I sure as hell did in a 2 day carbine course. Now, the carrier is just one part of the tool box. I used to wear it exclusively, but now i have grown fond of chest rigs and find myself using those more. It's all about options.... listing (if anyone is interested) http://www.ebay.com/itm/AR550-Spartan-Body-Armor-Level-III-Advance-Triple-Curve-Stronger-than-AR500-/291482217618
393
« on: December 29, 2016, 09:32:29 AM »
ok so it looks like my very important thread has been ruined. :(
i'm frankly at a loss here - the hens have been in the coop for almost a week tomorrow and they still havent figured out to go into the hen house. i have to chase them down each evening as put them into the hen house. it's driving me and my wife insane. this is further keeping us from letting them free range.
it seems even the chickens may have gotten contagious mental problems from a few of our dogs.
394
« on: December 28, 2016, 09:40:29 AM »
our original plan was a chicken tractor, too. its a great concept... but for our needs it quickly lost the focus. the coop was originally 6x12. i rigged up a simple, albeit pain in the buttox system to get it out from my car port (where i started building it in the rain) and into the pens. It took me pushing it and my wife pulling on my lawn mower to get it to move. Once i added on the much needed 6' extension that bad boy isn't going anywhere.
i will suggest that any coop have a mesh skirt around it. it keeps predators from being able to dig under the coop and get in. I'll take pics of my later today and post up. I used 2x4' horse fencing i picked up. I staked it into the ground as well.
395
« on: December 27, 2016, 09:17:53 PM »
tomorrow i'll be setting ablaze the main burn pile and doing a clearing burn around the pond after i take down a bunch of dead branches from the surrounding trees. The weather should cooperate nice. also, i am a real boy now! i got lured into consumerism and spontaneous purchasing @ home depot today. im officially broke - so no body ask me for $.  Chickens are easy, it depends on what you want, eggs or meat? you have to be careful mixing breeds as some do not mix well. Also your kids might not like the fact you have to "refresh" the flock every 3 years. The birds pretty much take care of themselves, just set up an automatic feeder and water system I have left mine unattended for a week and no issues, just have someone collect the eggs everyday.
we went with mostly orpington's with a few americas and wyondottes. the 2 latter are not nearly as chill and docile but good egg layers. we also have a few barred rocks and bantams we're keeping int the yard. they are growing much slower then the others so they're still inside. one of them has become best friends with the pot belly pig we have named "Chunk" of the goonies fame. lol Winnie and Chunk. She actually comes when you call her. I have a feeling that barred rock will have on a chicken diaper and turned into a spoiled rotten entitlement animal like our dogs have become.
396
« on: December 27, 2016, 09:08:59 PM »
Wow, you did it the hard way. If I can recommend next time get about 20-30 goats they will level an area like that in no time, all the way to the dirt. Also if you have more time 40-50 chickens will also accomplish the same task and you get lots of eggs out of it!
no no... we're getting livestock too. the sheep will level the pens in no time, however i needed to clear the walls of weeds and decay all over because frankly it looked like janet reno's face. we're going to get shetlands from a breeder outside houston. they're an awesome breed for what we want to do.
397
« on: December 27, 2016, 09:18:15 AM »
for the most part i designed the coop on paper and did a lot of on-the-fly design. it was my first 'large' project, so i had to learn along the way. i was still using my old, cheap power tools for the job so it took a long time to pull off.
the chickens will be free ranging in a 40x60 livestock pen at first then gradually more (still working on fencing). they all seem to get a long in the coop - although theyre still trying to figure out the "when do we go inside the hen house" routine.
yesterday i did a lot of cleanup, including finishing up brush removal from that pen. my arms are loaded in ant bites, but i slept well.
398
« on: December 25, 2016, 02:41:14 PM »
 this is my first rule when working on my farm - cardio. I've been ghost for about 3 months. Some know i moved up from being a suburbanite with every sort of convenience within 5 mins for me to a "farmer". it's been quite the transition. The Lord has humbled me not only with the work on the land but also with my family (who requires me time). I now have to drive 20 mins to reach a store and when i do go i need to be well prepped - like shopping lists and my daughter who reminds me about everything i always forget. Aside from the structural foundations, there is no concrete on the property - my driveway is 250 feet or dirt/grass and when it rains - mud. I've seen my tank (pond) swell 3x since late october and learning how the land handles water, flooding and wind. We have 42 acres. 36 is leased to row crop and hay right now, so the area i am (current) actively work is 6 acres. Out of those 6 acres, 4 were totally covered in weeds, brush, crap and general lack of care and maintenance for almost 10 years. The first months i spent just clearing trees, 2 acres of blood weed, demoing old, rotted, dangerous structures - as well as working a 9-5 IT job. I've never ever been stretched so thin - ever. I am going from 6 am to often 11pm at night. With winter here, i have 2 hours of sunlight per day to work with if i am in the office during the day. Luckily i work from home a few days a week which is awesome. Until the spring i am on a serious budget and while i can borrow my friends KUBOTA for heavier jobs, i like to - when I can get in a good cardio working out and do it by hand. I've never been in such good physical shape as i am now. Spring time will bring a UTV and possibly an older pickup into the mix. Since 8/26, ive cleared 20 trees from the tank. this involved me wading up to my waste in nasty water with my darling STIHL saw felling willows, etc then dragging those trees 300 feet to a burn pile. A friend and I managed to take a few roots/stumps out using his tractor. I've set 1.5 acres ablaze. The burn has turn that pasture area in the greenest grass on the land. This week i'll be setting ablaze a burn pile the size of a house as well as another .75 or so acres to prepare for bees, herbs and a vegatable gfarden. I've demo'd an an entire 3 tiered deck with just a mallet and my STIHL. With the help of a friend, put up 300 feet of ranch fencing to make a backyard and built a 24x12' deck. Built an entire 18x6' chicken coop (pics below), raises 26 chickens (20 are in the coop, 6 are going in our yard), met and selected SHEEP so we can start a herd for the spring, got a pot belly pig, wound up with a barn cat and planted to 2 pecan trees. we have currently 3 large livestock pens. I am in the process of clearing those after 6 years of utter neglect. i plan to have that done this week (cardio, cardio, cardio). I've hard my arms and legs mauled by fire ants almost 12 times, slashes, punctures, rashes and allergic reaction from all the work, but.... i love it. I took an entire weekend and attended workshops and lectures at a wonderful homesteading fair up in Waco. I left there armed to take on just about anything and blessed and humbled because the land i sit on now is so perfectly situated for what we want to do. 2017 will bring the adding of almost 1000' feet of fence line to open up more pastureland for the sheep, a veg garden, 2 small barns and some other TBD's. Lol, and that's just the outside... i will not speak of the actual house. lol. My life has been turned upside down. I've learnt more in these 3 months then my entire lifetime. God has placed new people in my life who are showing me the ropes and laughing when i screw up, then have a beer with me after. I'm a farmer.... but i still wear my MERRELLS hiking/tac boots, tru-spec pants and an assortment of "breathable" shirts. I dont see this changing much. lol. I'll make this an ongoing thread as i gather more pics and project info.... Casa De Cluck     
399
« on: October 08, 2016, 12:50:45 AM »
I used a budy's kabota and it was solid as a rock. They are all around here.
my friend got his loaded for $20K or so. it's going to be an investment in the next year or so. luckily i have access to his for the time being. Just costs me diesel.
400
« on: October 03, 2016, 11:12:40 PM »
Men need tractors
Although I own them and have since the 1980's, don't get a Deere
Kioti, or Kubotas in and around the 50 HP range should do ya just fine.
I thing the hydro transmissions doubles their efficiency, I love that about mine!
my friend leaves his kubota at the property and it's quite easy to use I'll say. I test drove one of their UTV's and find it to be first rate, but the sticker price is pretty much a new car. I'm going to start probably with an atv to get around and move up to a UTV as time/funds and priority allows.
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