Topic: DTManor Random Construction Projects 2015
started by: GORDON
Posted by GORDON on May 08 2015,06:46
So this summer is going to be the year of major maintenance.In June I have a roofer booked.
I am working on getting the septic system updated.
Going to build an upstairs bathroom, including an upgrade to some plumbing infrastructure.
I am trying to get a fence built to minimize foot traffic through my property... I want to put bees and chickens back there but can't have people just walking through being teenagers and wrecking shit.
So I am making this generic thread to cover these random things.
Fun note about the septic system: I should have done it last year.
As of January 1 the Ohio EPA instituted new regulations.... doing anything with your septic system now requires lots of paperwork and shit. The first two septic companies I called no longer install new systems at all due to the new complexity of it. The third one told me it was going to be a PITA, but told me we can get through it, and told me where to start: I have to hire a "soil scientist" first thing to come out and analyze my property. Don't know yet how much this will cost. As soon as he does all his paperwork, I can call the septic guy back and we can start talking about which $10k+ system I will be required to install.
So, good times. I am tempted just to keep my old, grandfathered system that dumps my piss and shit directly into the local creek.
Posted by Vince on May 08 2015,08:43
Note on bees and chickens... the bees would probably do a lot to deter the foot traffic on their own, but good idea on the fence. Now, make sure the bee hives and chicken coop are a good distance apart. Chickens will eat bees.
Posted by GORDON on May 08 2015,10:35
I was picturing, "Ow that fucking bee stung me I'd better kick that hive over and run."Didn't know chickens ate bees. What do you figure would be minimum safe distance?
Posted by Vince on May 08 2015,11:16
Not really sure. If your chickens aren't going to free range at all, then you can get away with having them fairly close. Just point the entrance to the bee hive in the opposite direction. Chickens will get some randomly. If you let your chickens free range at all, as far apart as your yard will allow. Otherwise they'll sit there at the entrance of the hive like they're at a buffet.As for the local through traffic, a full hive will be pretty heavy especially once the bees have all the cells built in there. Plus the humming buzz of a couple thousand bees should keep them clear of it. Especially if you slap a big happy cartoon bee sticker on the side of the hive so when they hear the sound and see the sticker, the connection will be made on what exactly it is they're hearing.
Posted by Malcolm on May 08 2015,11:20
(Vince @ May 08 2015,13:16)
QUOTE
Especially if you slap a big happy cartoon bee sticker on the side of the hive so when they hear the sound and see the sticker, the connection will be made on what exactly it is they're hearing.
Post this image with a disclaimer.
WARNING: Bees will fuck your shit up.
Posted by GORDON on May 08 2015,11:46
(Vince @ May 08 2015,14:16)
QUOTE
Not really sure. If your chickens aren't going to free range at all, then you can get away with having them fairly close. Just point the entrance to the bee hive in the opposite direction. Chickens will get some randomly. If you let your chickens free range at all, as far apart as your yard will allow. Otherwise they'll sit there at the entrance of the hive like they're at a buffet.
As for the local through traffic, a full hive will be pretty heavy especially once the bees have all the cells built in there. Plus the humming buzz of a couple thousand bees should keep them clear of it. Especially if you slap a big happy cartoon bee sticker on the side of the hive so when they hear the sound and see the sticker, the connection will be made on what exactly it is they're hearing.
As for the local through traffic, a full hive will be pretty heavy especially once the bees have all the cells built in there. Plus the humming buzz of a couple thousand bees should keep them clear of it. Especially if you slap a big happy cartoon bee sticker on the side of the hive so when they hear the sound and see the sticker, the connection will be made on what exactly it is they're hearing.
Very very interesting. I knew hens would eat insects off the ground but I never thought about the fact that bees are insects. I was figuring free-range by day and lock up the coop at night before the wild cats, skunks, and coons start nosing around.
Now I am picturing graveling an 8x8 square and fencing it with a gate to keep chickens away.... gravel it so I don't need to mow up next to it and get fucked up.
Hoping to get the fence up by this Fall so I can do the bees and chickens next Spring.
Posted by TPRJones on May 08 2015,11:49
Hmmm, if you could find a way to have the bees surround the chickens without loosing them all as chicken snacks, could that help protect the chickens against the wild cats, skunks, and coons?
Posted by GORDON on May 08 2015,11:52
(TPRJones @ May 08 2015,14:49)
QUOTE
Hmmm, if you could find a way to have the bees surround the chickens without loosing them all as chicken snacks, could that help protect the chickens against the wild cats, skunks, and coons?
Bees sleep at night, though (at least, they aren't out flying around, and will camp out on a leaf or something overnight if caught outside the hive at dusk).... and if anything I could see a coon trying to attack the hive for the honey, like a bear, and not giving any fucks.
Posted by thibodeaux on May 08 2015,12:06
or a honey badger
Posted by Vince on May 08 2015,13:32
(GORDON @ May 08 2015,13:46)
QUOTE
I was figuring free-range by day and lock up the coop at night before the wild cats, skunks, and coons start nosing around.
I'd build a run large enough for the chickens attached to the hen house. If' you're doing any gardening, you've want to leave the chicken put up until the garden grows up a good bit. Otherwise they will demolish young plants. The good news is that usually once the garden is established the chickens will turn up the soil and kill the weeds and mostly leave the bigger plants alone. However, you need to limit their time free ranging to ensure this. Most people I know that do that just start with free ranging them for 30 minutes before time to roost for the night and work their way back from there to figure out how long to leave them out.
QUOTE
Now I am picturing graveling an 8x8 square and fencing it with a gate to keep chickens away.... gravel it so I don't need to mow up next to it and get fucked up.
Very good idea.Keep in mind if you're ordering the hive bees by mail you'll need to get the order placed in the fall or early winder. The keepers tend to sell first come first serve and will ship as soon as it warms up enough to ship without being too hot to cook them to death in transit.
Posted by GORDON on May 08 2015,13:40
(thibodeaux @ May 08 2015,15:06)
QUOTE
or a honey badger
Well that's a given.
Posted by Vince on May 10 2015,18:10
Plot of land we're hoping to be on within 2-3 months
Posted by GORDON on May 10 2015,18:20
"Shame your house burned down. I guess you'll be selling this land cheap, then?"
Posted by Vince on May 10 2015,19:17
Pretty much.
Posted by Vince on May 10 2015,19:27
Land still has the well house and pump. Will need a new septic system since the house is now gone, so is the grandfathered septic system.