[Robert MoonShadow]

I don’t know about cows, but around here, I charge by the day – $5-10, depending on location – for me goats = usually 10 or 12 head. That’s for the entire herd. The big goat outfits around here charge by the acre – $5o-75 & bring in 200+ head. I think it’s a matter of what they’re willing to pay – make it on a par to have it weed-whacked or sprayed, but with environmental benefits…start a bit high – you can ALWAYS drop the price during negotiations, but can’t raise it once they jump on your price while laughing at you for bidding so low. (Been stung that way several times during my first year – nothing worse than underbidding MYSELF!)

[Robert MoonShadow]

Oh – And another suggestion: go to here: http://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

[Robert MoonShadow]

@j.l.holt 40584 wrote:

My brother had a group of people called ”Mongs” (?) raiseing chickens on him for years. They had 10’x20′ pens with covered roofs. Every day they set the pen forward about 3′. the bigger the birds the farther. Had a 3gal. waterer hanging as well. They picked everything down to the roots. What grew back was the best looking grass he had. All weeds were in check and the ground was well fertlized.

He does the same thing for him self with about 50 each year now.

My wife just told me i should not call them that but don’t know them by any other name. Not meanning to slur anyone.

The group you’re referring to is probably the Hmongs – an indigenous group from Laos/Viet Nam/Cambodia – my brothers knew them well during the Viet Nam war – good people, the ones I met – it’s not a slur, it’s their group/tribal name for themselves.
As for the chicken tractor: I just leaned two cattle panels together at the top, zip-tied the tops of them together, spread the bottoms apart & wrapped chicken wire around the whole thing, with cut-out door at one end, access “windows” and a couple of boxes wired onto the sides for the layers. Moved it as needed simply by picking up one end & dragging it slowly – so they’ve got time to move along with it. Not too easily moved on rough ground, though. I learned real quick to unhang the feeders/waterers before moving – packs a wallop for you or the birds, otherwise. {Um, just take my word for that one! } Threw a tarp over half of it for shade…

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Carl Johanson 40325 wrote:

I would love to see those designs. Any way you could attach it as a pdf?

If you’re referring to my post – I don’t have any way, on this public computer – and probably couldn’t figure out how to on a bet, anyeways! But I just moved onto new property & will try to dig up the book & ask the head volunteer librarian if she’s got any idea. She’ll be in on the 26th, and I’ll ask her for help.

[Robert MoonShadow]

I use a semi-skip on my old Husky 64 cutting firewood…but I’m usually cutting rounds in the woods & am pretty clumsy, so I hafta sharpen a lot & it saves time :rolleyes:…cuts the red fir quick, too.

[Robert MoonShadow]

@near horse 39206 wrote:

I do have a couple of pictures on the computer ….. somewhere. I’ll see what I can find.

Arrrgh. 🙂

I recognize that guy! Now I’m 5’8″ tall, so you can see how big those boys of Geoff’s really are! Well mannered & very personable. Geoff – Any idea on the draft of that equipment? Do you think my two girls might handle it? Or would another donk be advised? {I’ve got a guy that lives upriver from me w/ several lg. standard/mammoths for sale real cheap.

[Robert MoonShadow]

I, too, don’t have a bank account – I think I’d have to make a trip to Lewiston to find any source for a pre-paid card. So having a place to send a m.o. would be helpful. I am a bit uncomfortable with ‘membership’ dues in order to post – if money’s tight & membership ends, then a person would be unable to ask what could be an important question. I was originally attracted to this forum, in large part, because I was able to access information & ask questions (especially safety-related questions) for free…when money was very, very tight. On the other end of things, I am on a different agricultural forum that has an easy-to-find button to click to access the way to donate…and another idea: sponsorship of another = if I got the cash, being able to donate to ‘sponsor’ someone who doesn’t. On this other site, there’s contests wherein people can win various member-donated items & a free year’s “premium” membership, which also helps some (if they’re lucky enough to win) to access the “member only” areas., which are primarily the ‘store’, members advertising areas (such as our ‘equipment for sale’ area) & chat rooms. Suggestion: non-members being able to view the photos would draw them in…but only ‘premium’ members (paid dues) could post them.
Just my thoughts on this.
I do want to take this as an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the members here who work so hard “behind the scenes” as it were, to keep this place open, running & the best place I’ve personally found to get information that is very much needed by myself (and I’m sure, others).

Thank you, all.

[Robert MoonShadow]

@mitchmaine 39195 wrote:

if its old enough, they used to heat and draw out the points. heat them up red hot, and with a hammer, pound each side with a side blow to draw out the point. as it was starting to cool, you just tapped the point taking off the edge and giving it a brad point that would hold in the wood. you weren’t supposed to file them.

The whole metal tip has a slight arc/bend to it…not much, and it doesn’t seem to make much difference, so I’m happy = especially since it was about 75% cheaper than the new ones! Handle’s in good shape & so far, it moves the logs I need to move, so…I’m really happy I finally got one. I’m sure there’s all kinds of little tricks to use with it I haven’t discovered yet.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Yeah – around here, they want $80-95 for a new peavey = WAY too much for this pirate. found 3 at once at the local “Sanford & Son” shop and this one was only $25. Tip isn’t quite straight (don’t know if they come w/ a slight bend in the tip or not) but has really saved me some grunts since i bought it…and I certainly wouldn’t want to run out of grunts! I’m hopin’ the Firewood Fairies/Elves bring me a timberjack, next!

[Robert MoonShadow]

@near horse 39192 wrote:

Great point!

I know of someone who hs a single horse cultimulcher (3′? W) – not a production unit but worked really well for working up beds for their market garden.

Geoff – You got any details or photos of this? Sounds like it’s about right for what I do w/ me donks.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thanks, Mitch.

[Robert MoonShadow]

My goats will lay down and crawl under ANYthing – they’re used to doing it on the wild roses & blackberries I rent them out on…and if they see me step over their electric netting, at least one or two will try it, to see if it’s “hot”…so anything your dog jumps, might teach them, as well. But me dogs roam around outside their netting (as well as the chickens’) and the coyotes don’t come near, so I’m wondering why you think having the dog(s) outside their area wouldn’t help?

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Jen Judkins 38780 wrote:

When I am an old lady, I will trade in my percherons for a team of his morgans…very nice animal.

Jeez, Jen – that’d be, what, 45 or so more years from now?

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Carl Russell 38522 wrote:

Holding strap…….it was built as a pulling evener, hence all the adjustment holes. It’s heavy, but it won’t break, and I have used the adjustments.

Carl

I bet it’d be a real treat to be able to explore all the little modifications you’ve come up with, over the years!

[Robert MoonShadow]

I choose (and it really is just a personal choice, methinks) to define sustainability on a local/personal/individual farm level. I measure myself/my farm each year on a level of self-sufficiency I strive for, for that year. How much off-farm input am I aiming to overcome, reduce or eliminate? I’m not going to grow cotton, work it up into thread & make myself some jeans. But if I can grow enough crop(s) to feed my critters from on-farm production and reduce my level of off-farm purchases to reduce it to a level that I’m no longer dependent on the feed store, and reduce that level say 10% each year [aiming for a 75% total reduction], that, to me, is a fair goal to strive for – for me. My ultimate goal is to have the farm set so that me & mine can survive a Great Depression/Recession & a level of self-sufficiency that I’m not at the mercy of petroleum & chemical/pharmaceutical companies or countries that really don’t have my best interests in mind…or even like me.

[Author]

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