Hi-Tech Chickens

Did you know that chickens adapt very well to technology? Perhaps they're smarter than we think they are!

After a VERY long wet season, summer has arrived with a vengeance, and it has now been a full two weeks since we've had any rain in our sector of north TX. We can walk across the yard without boots, and Bob has been able to resume his work on the coop.

It was tough to get a picture of the chickens standing in their doorway, but there they are, peeking at the outside world for the first time. This isn't just any door--it is solar-powered and set to open at dawn and close just after sunset. The beauty of this is that it makes it unnecessary for anyone to shut them into the coop at night or let them out in the morning. That meant a lot to us as Bob set this up during the rainy times.

It took a few days before all of the chickens had ventured into the outside world, but now we can watch them from our window in the morning as they race around the coop. We are learning that chickens love to run just for the thrill of it!

With many hours of YouTube watching behind Bob, he has learned about ingenious ways to feed the chickens that helps to prevent waste and minimizes their messing in it. There are some rather clever people out there, and I thank them for sharing their ideas.

Here, he uses a 4 ft. length of 6" PVC pipe and screws it to an 8" cap at the bottom, with a cutout to allow feed to flow out. A chain is attached at the top so that it can be suspended from one of the beams.The end result is that the chickens can't roost on it (which keeps the feed clean), and they can't scatter it easily (which prevents waste). He rigged this up while the rains were still drenching us, and the system has proved to work very well. He made two of them, and to fill them uses up a 20# bag of feed which easily lasts 2-3 weeks before needing to be filled again.

Trenching was a big leap forward, and Bob spent several hours making his grid for the water lines that need to be set throughout the yard as well as to the coop. He's close to having it set up, and it will be very nice to have hoses at strategic places around the yard and at the coop.

Adapting another idea he found on YouTube, he has set up a length of PVC and installed water nipples on it that act in the same way a gerbil water bottle does. Once the water is flowing, the chickens will have hot and cold running water--cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon!

To prevent the chickens from roosting on the water pipe, Bob will be putting a pitched roof on it. It won't be long before our feathered friends will have "tap" water ready at all times!

For now, the "girls" have become efficient composters of veggie and fruit scraps. It's amazing at how fast a watermelon rind can disappear! It won't be long before we'll have our own egg supply, and we are looking forward to that day!

It Begins with a Coop

The advantage of living on 12 acres is that your neighbors aren't very close. You can look out the window or sit on the porch and admire the openness of the land. In the spring, the grass is tall and gracefully bows to the whimsy of the winds on any given day. It is infinitely peaceful to watch the birds go about their business and the squirrels dash about looking for delicacies to take back to their hiding places. With the dogs laying beside you, it just doesn't get much better than that!

The disadvantage of living on 12 acres is that you have to do something with all that land. While the grass is beautiful during its tall phase (up to my knees), it does die and becomes a thick, almost impenetrable mat on the ground. Cleaning up that much dead grass is no easy feat and can become very costly in terms of time and equipment. The logical solution is to hire a person to come in and cut it for baling, but you quickly find out that unless you have at least 50 acres, it's not worth the hay baler's time to come out. The other problem we discovered is that our driveway entrance is too narrow for the equipment to enter without a wheel going off into the ditch. If a baler is able to get in, the cost of the bales exceeds the market value, so we've already lost. Time to give up on the hay business!

Since last fall, Bob has probably viewed most every YouTube video about raising chickens--from the construction of the coop to how to make them happy so they'll lay more eggs (seriously). Thanks to a friend who needed to get rid of a dog house, Bob was inspired to create his chicken haven. Moving it here required a lot of effort, but with help, the dog house was relocated to its new home. 

His first task was to raise and level it. Since the dog house had been built out of 2x6's, he had to use his ingenuity to raise it and eventually level it as much as possible. The dog house was constructed with a porch and asphalt shingle roof, and with a roomy inside space, he was ready to make it into a chicken-friendly home. 

Inspired by the videos he'd watched, he set about designing nesting boxes, roosting places, ventilation, a large, safe area for scratching and foraging, and an automatic door opener and closer to let them out of the coop in the morning and tuck them in at night (yes, you read that correctly). The more videos he watched, the more features he wanted to incorporate, and the bigger the whole coop was becoming.

When you live in an area that is rife with coyotes, wildcats, possums, skunks, hawks, and snakes, safety becomes an important issue. It seems that every predator likes chicken, and once discovered, the chickens disappear quickly without protection. This prompted Bob's determination to construct a large foraging area that would both keep his "girls" safe as well as allow them the freedom to scratch and peck at the ground. The coop was becoming a fort!

The more 4x4s he put into the ground, the more he needed as there was always something more that he wanted to do. He designed two separate areas for the chickens to scratch in, one of which is closed off to allow for regeneration of grass. Each now has its own roosting ladder along with a "slide" covered with wire so they can walk up to the highest level. Swings are provided for the more adventurous! 

It was a big job putting on the wire to cover the top and sides, and with the exception of the very bottom, that task is finally done. Bob is trying to cover every possible risk that could happen, and I think he's going to succeed. 

The continuous rain that we've had since February has made it impossible to do the finishing work, and we can only hope that the showers will slow down enough to allow the ground to dry out sufficiently to allow for the trenching of the water and power lines and final placement of the bottom wire. 

For now, we are enjoying watching our 13 chicks grow, all the while being kept safe and warm in their new home!

THE MOVE

We have been conditioned to believe that when one reaches that "retirement" stage in life, we either spend our time taking fabulous vacations and cruises, or we become Walmart greeters. We don't hear much about the in between, which is where most of us retirees fall. I never expected to become a pioneer in the north Texas plains, but that is exactly what has happened.

After 35 years in Stagecoach, TX, the time had come to sell our home. Our six daughters were all grown up with productive lives of their own, Bob was ready for a change in his life, and we both felt the need to be closer to at least one of our daughters. Amanda drew the short straw, so the matter was settled--north Texas. The property next door to them was put on the market, and we became the new owners of a charming log cabin situated on twelve acres of pasture land.

Since the cabin had been empty for two years, it was suffering from a severe case of neglect. The driveway was impassable, the wooden deck on the back side of the cabin had rotted out in many places, and extreme drought conditions had caused the cabin to drop at each end, requiring some serious leveling. The inside had not been vandalized beyond some broken windows and doors, so the cabinets were still on the walls. We spent the next several months commuting back and forth to make the cabin livable, and with a lot of help from Tim and Amanda, the place was cleaned, repaired, and made to look new. By Thanksgiving of 2011, we were able to sleep in our new home.

In June of 2012, the Stagecoach homestead was sold, the last of the trailer loads was emptied, and we had become the newest residents of Campbell, TX. It was difficult to say good-bye to all the people who had become our family over so many years, but what wonderful memories we have to help us remember them.

And now, our story begins.

A new beginning

Leveling the foundation

Rotten deck removed by foundation crew

TEXAS IN THE SPRING

It is simply not possible to go any further without introducing you to the beautiful wildflowers that grace this state during April and linger into May. They blanket the rolling hillsides, paint the roadsides with their brilliant hues, and cheerfully wave at all passersby.

Our little family (only Cathy & Ann at that time) moved from San Diego to Houston in August of 1977, which is the absolute hottest month of the year. I was suffering greatly from the intense heat and humidity, especially since I was expecting Kim. I was very lonely, and I felt no joy in this very hostile environment.. Kim was born in late December, and we brought her home after an ice storm. Everything was a huge adjustment for me, and then April arrived--I saw my first bluebonnet.

I had never seen a wildflower like this, and to find them covering the fields and roadways simply took my breath away. After a tough transition, I finally felt that I could be happy in my new home. Every year since then, I have looked forward to this magnificent display of Texas "jewelry" that while brief, is always memorable.

Bluebonnet

Bluebonnets along a roadside

There are stories behind the bluebonnets which I would like to share with you.

The Legend of the Bluebonnets

My name is She-Who-Is-Alone. I am a Comanche Indian who lived in Texas a long time ago. When I lived in Texas, only Indians lived here. They call me She-Who-Is-Alone because my parents and the rest of my family died. They died during the drought, when it did not rain for a long time. Texas is very hot in the summer. Without rain, the crops do not grow. Without food, many people get sick and die. The horses and buffalo need water also.

When the drought came, we prayed to the Great Spirits for help. The people played the drums and danced to ask for help. Our leaders prayed also. They said, "Great Spirit, your people are dying. We need rain to grow the berries. We need food so we are strong enough to hunt the buffalo. End this drought. Tell us what we must do so you will send the rain."

One of the leaders said that the Great Spirits wanted us to make a sacrifice. That meant that everyone had to give up their most valuable possession.

I went back to my tipi to think about what I should do. I only had one thing that I loved—it was my little doll. My doll was special because my grandmother made it for me. It was made from buffalo skin. The face was painted with the juice of berries. On its head were beautiful blue feathers from a bird. I did not want to lose my doll. It was the only thing I had left from my family.

I fell asleep in the tipi. When I woke up, it was dark. I knew what I had to do. I picked up my doll and crept out to the fire.

The night was very still. The air was hot. I kissed my doll and said, "O Great Spirit, here is my doll. It is the only thing I have. It is very special. Please send the rain." Then I thought about all of the people who would die without rain, and I threw my doll into the fire.

I watched the fire until it grew cold. Then, I scooped up some ashes and threw them to the Winds.

When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't believe what I saw. The hills were covered with beautiful blue flowers, the same color as my doll's feathers.

Everyone in the village saw the flowers. They knew they were a sign from the Great Spirit. Soon it started to rain and everyone danced. They even changed my name from "She-Who-Is-Alone" to "One-Who-Dearly-Loves-Her-People."

Every spring, the Great Spirit remembers my sacrifice and covers Texas with the beautiful blue flowers. The flowers are called bluebonnets.******* Author Unknown

The Legend of the Pink Bluebonnet
by Greg Grant

Pink Bluebonnet

White Bluebonnet

A number of years ago while roaming the quaint inner city gardens of San Antonio with noted Navasota garden historian and good friend, Pamela Puryear, we came across an elderly Hispanic woman with a charming tale..."The Legend of the Pink Bluebonnet".
As Pam scribbled with the skill of a court stenographer, I listened to the old tale...

The two children scampered through the April field of wildflowers near San Antonio, on their way to the old mission church to pay their Lenten devotion. They were followed by their slower grandmother, dressed in rusty black. She was painfully thin and her face was seamed with many fine lines.

"Mamacita! Here is a white flower with all the blue ones!” the excited girl cried.

"Those are bluebonnets," her grandmother explained, "and sometimes, very seldom, there is a white one among them. Some even say that the Lone Star of the Texas flag was fashioned after a spot of white bluebonnets amongst a field of blue.

"The little boy stood still and gestured to the bloom at his feet, "But what about this pink one then?"

The small group studied the pure pink bluebonnet a moment before the grandmother turned to the children and spoke.

"If the white ones are special, then the pink ones mean even more." She paused, "When I myself was a little girl, my grandmother told me a special story about these rare flowers. They seem to only grow downstream from the mission Alamo, and that is because of something which happened here many years ago."

"It was when Texas was not part of the United States, but only a remote province of Mexico. The Americanos and other foreigners had not been settled here for long, but trade was busy, and we all had hopes of a golden future for our country.

Our family owned a fine house and farm near the old cathedral. My Papa would rise early, take his tools, and work the land before the day grew too hot. Then after the noon siesta, everyone would begin to wake in the cool of the dusk. The adults would bath in the clear river, while we children splashed in the shallows. Everyone would dance, eat, and visit until late into the evening. Sometimes there were Americanos who came to celebrate with us, but their talk always turned to politics. The men were angered because the Constitution had been overthrown by a terrible Mexican dictator.

The men all went about with frowns, and the women began to be afraid. Then came that bitter spring when we learned that the dictator was on his way to our city with many troops. Papa was torn between joining the Americanos to fortify the old mission compound, and fear for his family.

He decided to hide us in the countryside, and every time I look at the ruins of the mission chapel, I remember the fear we lived in during that time. Day and night we heard the cannons and the rifles firing in the distance. The brave new Texans fought long and hard, but in the end were overwhelmed by the Mexican troops.

After the shots had finally ended, we crept silently home in the darkness. Mama and Papa were thankful that our lives had been spared, but it broke their hearts to learn of the many who had lost their lives in that terrible battle. Mama often cried when she passed the homes where friends had fallen.

One day several years later, I found her putting a pink wildflower in a vase beside the statue of the Virgin. She told me she had found it near the river where it had once been white, but so much blood had been shed, it had taken the tint of it."

The grandmother paused, "That is why you will only find the pink ones near the river, within sight of the old mission," she said.

"So remember, the next time you see a pink bluebonnet, it's not only a pretty flower, but a symbol for the struggle to survive and a memory of those who died so that Texas could be free."

NOTE: Interestingly enough, according to Dr. Jerry Parsons, the only place in the state where the original wild pink bluebonnets were found was alongside the road, just south of downtown San Antonio.

It is my pleasure to share some images of the incredible wildflowers of Texas. There are those of you who may remember that it is due to the efforts of the former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, that they are as prolific as they are. She dedicated much of her life to the preservation of the natural beauty of Texas with outstanding results.

Bluebonnets mixed with Indian Paintbrush

Artist's rendering of bluebonnets

Field of bluebonnets

Bluebonnets as viewed through the eye of a Texan

The Grasshopper Wars

There are few places on this earth where the weather, land conditions, and insect populations are considered to be ideal. Every place seems to have some sort of drawback, and in this part of north TX at this time of year, the grasshopper is the bane of our existence. They emerge from the ground and invade all existing trees, shrubs, and anything with foliage, and literally take over your property. They crawl up the walls of your home, target your car, and blanket your porch leaving their residue behind them.

In a time of drought, the hose is in constant use in the effort to clean off the hundreds of dead carcasses that pile up on the porch and are spread out everywhere in sight. Where are the birds to eat these invaders? How can this situation exist and there be no natural predators? How can I defend myself and my property against this relentless army that devours everything in sight?

These are the times when I admire the courage and tenacity of our pioneer forebears who were completely at the mercy of such events. I can't even imagine how I would feel watching an insect eat in a matter of days, everything I had worked so hard to grow with the intent to harvest so my family would have food for the winter months. The thought of certain starvation would definitely be a powerful motivator in propelling one to fight back.

How thankful I am that my life is not dependent upon a grasshopper! I can fight back with chemicals to at least slow them down and create a barrier around the house so that I'm able to step onto my porch without having to brush them off my person. My daughter uses an army of ducks, geese, and chickens to help keep the numbers down.

The hotter and drier the summer becomes, the more the grasshoppers seem to thrive. Their sound is everywhere, both on the ground and in the treetops. Their powerful jaws literally snap off small leafy branches that fall to the ground and provide food for those that are waiting. They will be with us until the first frost arrives, and that is months away.

This part of Texas is mostly prairie land, and I've often wondered at the lack of trees. When the grasshoppers arrive, I understand why there is so little lush foliage, but I still keep looking for the seagulls!