I believe Allie has done this already, but I
want to say thank you to all of those who came out last fall to help us in our
effort to build a NO COST chicken coop. Since the weather has allowed this
spring, I have begun working on the structure once again, making progress here
and there.
We now have ten little chicks growing in our upstairs
bedroom getting ready to occupy this wonderful coop! So thank you! Hopefully we
all will be able to reap the rewards of our flock.
This
summer presents us with a similar but much larger task which I now put before
you all. I will not attempt this task in one day, but rather break it
down into separate days of specific work. Those who feel so inclined to come
assist, or just to visit, are more than welcome! In 2016 we are planning to try
our hand at dairy goats. Therefore, a barn must be raised! This project serves
many purposes other than just building a hut for goats to live in. With this I
want a permanent structure that will last and that will teach me as I go the
basics of building a timber framed structure. Also, the trees I use for this
structure will help clear land to help our solar gain and for future garden
plots.
The
first step in which I would like to implore your assistance is to harvest the
trees needed for this structure. This day of work will involve felling numerous
trees, limbing and cutting them to certain length, and finally twitching
them out to a specified area. With the clearing of these trees, I also hope to
create a woods road which I hope to be able to use to harvest firewood and
transport items across a stretch of our property.
The
barn will be 18x18 feet with two rooms and a peak roof. I have the location
marked for the barn and most of it is cleared. I will work on the clearing
before the cutting happens. I also want to pour a cement sill for the barn to
rest on in order to preserve the wood and to help keep in the heat during the
winter and keep ground water and run off out. The cement will probably be our
second step in which I will implore some assistance.
This project is on my mind and I wanted to put our
ideas out there! We have plans, hopes and dreams, and aspirations. YOU are our
support network our advice column and our friends, neighbors and loved ones.
What we want to accomplish out here at 122 French Road North would not be
possible with you. Dream big, work hard, and reach far.
As a side note, we are
interested in finding a chipper! If you or anybody you know has one they are
willing to rent or loan out, please let us know! The limbs cut from the trees
for this project would make excellent mulch!
Thanks again, everyone, for all of the help you've given so far and for all the help you will be giving. You're the best support network we could possibly ask for.
