So many things to do - not enough hours in the day

My day started in the chicken coop -  now it's raked clean, wiped down, and smelling pretty. 

• I made an coop air freshener and I really like how it turned out. 

 4 ounces dish soap

 12 ounces water

 10 drops tea-tree oil

10 drops lavender oil

10 drops peppermint oil

10 drops grapefruit extract 

I put it all in a spray bottle, gave it a swirl, and misted the coop when I finished cleaning up - now the coop smells fresh and clean. 

• I tried a recipe for a chicken treat but I  think it will be back to the drawing board for this one - they barely touched it.  I used ingredients from the treat list I've been working through and the consistency was similar to the Chicken Pumpkin Pie recipe I came across some time ago but they turned up their nose  at it:

I had an avocado I needed to use or toss (bought some for making guacamole and had an extra). I combined the flesh of it with some oats and some Omega egg yummies.    I mixed it together and served it on a pretty plate. I'll make it with pumpkin next time -- I just didn't have any, fresh or canned. 

• I assembled all my materials for a Chicken First Aid box and placed an order for the items I didn't have (I found everything at Amazon which beat driving all over creation and at least 6 stores to find the items on my list.  I REALLY need to find a good feed/farm store around here. 

Ordered from Amazon (couldn't find them locally without going to 6 stores and driving all over creation)

1. Blu-Kote
2. Vetericyn
3. VetRx
4. Nutridrench
5. Kocci-Free

Pick up from grocery store or round up at home:

1. Honey
2. Cornstarch (stops bleeding)
3. Gauze pads
4. Q-Tips
5. sharp scissors
6. Tweezers
7. Saline Solution

I'm going to put it all together in a sealed bucket or galvanized tin and I'm all set in the event we need it.

• I made a self-feeder for my chickens. 

I followed a plan I found on The Chicken Chick and it all came together without too much fuss. 

I cut a 10 foot section of 4" wide PVC pipe in half  so I have enough for 2 feeders. 

I made a oyster shell feeder from one of the pipe caps

The only difference I had with my construction was the attachment. I used long zip ties and secured the pipe directly  to one of the 4x4 support beams instead of to a 2x4. It's holding quite well and the chickens took right to it. 

I made a open dispenser for oyster shells for the chicks too. 

I built a new perch for the run area of the coop.

This natural perch is by far their favorite - they were hopping onto it before I even finished putting it in.  I think I might switch out the other 1x2 perches we originally put it with more natural ones. Goodness knows we have enough branches about, I could make hundreds of them.   

I think I also need to switch out the 2x4 perch I put in the coop for a natural round branch - maybe that's why they don't use their perch inside much. We'll see. 

• I harvested some raspberries and blackberries - enough to eat as a snack or make a tart, but not enough for jam. There's so many more - I just can't get to them. 

While I was trying to reach the berries in the middle of the stands I got an idea for next season. When things go dormant this year I want to move them apart and anchor them onto an arbor high trellis that way I can walk down the middle and still reach everything. 

• I did some research on riding lawn mowers V. garden tractor  - - garden tractor for the win! 

Husqvarna GT52XLS (52") 24HP Kawasaki Garden Tractor (2013 Model) - I could buy 3 of these for the cost of the one below, but the Kubota  could be used for SO much more at Our Haven. . . 

So, I will be mowing the lawn by hand for a while some time more. 

• I finished the geography unit I'm designing for my 4th graders 

It has turned out well and I'm very happy with it. It just needs a few finishing touches, then I'm going to package it and offer it on my TpT store with a few other things I've been thinking of putting out there. 

Then it's on to the next thing on my ToDo list for the new school year. 

My dinner's in the oven and my "wish" now is to enjoy it with with a few boys - either "Mike" or "Jose"  Not sure wish.     ^.^