Elegant My Chicken Coop Plan - Basic Chicken Coop Provisions

My Chicken Coop Plan - Basic Chicken Coop Provisions

In today's article, we are going to take a look at the key chicken coop provisions required. When you first develop your chicken coop plan, providing for proper housing and related features is absolutely necessary to keep your chickens in excellent physical shape, contented and happy. You will do best in your efforts if your chickens are as "contented as a cow," so to speak.

As I stated once before, you will do best if you consider your chickens to be pets instead of just livestock. Most people tend to take better care of their animals when they have the mindset that they are pets. The happier and healthier your chickens are, the faster and stronger they will grow and the more egg production you will get.

Perhaps the most important feature of your chicken coop plan is that of safety. You like to feel safe in your home right? Well, so do your pets. (Notice the pet mindset there!) Your chicken coop must be predator proof from all sides. Make sure that all openings are protected with the correct size wire mesh, typically 15 mm ( 5/8 inches) square so that no predator can reach into the chicken coop. Not even your cat! That's right, your cat should be considered a predator too!

Also, make sure the area surrounding the chicken coop is protected with the same 15 mm square fencing and buried at least 30 cm (1 ft) below ground level. This will prevent sly foxes and or wily coyotes from entering the chicken house.

Next, be certain that the chicken coop itself is well ventilated. This will help to prevent respiratory disease. Ever hear a chicken cough! Just kidding, they can't cough, but they can get sick!

Make sure the coop has a section that is not in the direct flow of air. Chickens can stand cold weather, but they cannot stand being in the direct cold air flow path for too long.

Provide roosting poles for the birds because that is how they sleep! (And you thought they needed beds!) Make sure there is adequate spacing so they do not crowd one another when roosting. You don't want to ruffle any feathers! They'll do that well enough on their own.

Then be sure the chicken coop is easy to clean. Place removable plastic trays under the roosting poles for easy removal of droppings. Yes, this is the nastiest job, but some ones gotta do it! Hey, maybe you can get one of the kids to do it!

Now also make sure you provide for nesting boxes. You should put one nesting box for four or five birds in a dark corner of the coop which will encourage the little ladies to lay eggs. The nesting boxes should be a little off the floor, but lower than the roosting poles inside.
You also need to make sure there is enough room for the the little buggers to roam around and play. A good rule of thumbs is 4-5 square feet per bird.

Then, last but not least, there must be a waterer and feeder. You don't want your pets to go hungry or thirsty do you?

Now for today's Stupid Chicken Joke!

Why did the chicken cross the "net?"

To get to the other site!

Oooh, that's a keeper!

Elegant the Porch Restaurant - Review

The Porch Restaurant - Review

I am sure even the health conscious folks love to do the same once in a while.
So if youre looking to experience the American food culture then why not try The Porch? The food offered by the restaurant is as good as the ambience. It is a food paradise for those who love their grills and steaks and coffee. It also offers home-cooked style foods. If youre into wine and drinks then youll love what The Porch has to offer, including draft beers, bottled beers, fresh fruit juices, freshly concocted cocktails made from house made juices and syrups. Whether you are a novice or an experienced drinker, you can have a ball here at Porch.
What makes one return to the restaurant after the first visit? Well while some may say the food, but if the service is not good and you dont feel welcomed then youre most likely to not visit the restaurant again even if the food was heavenly! This however is not the case with Porch restaurant, the service here is very good and the staff is very friendly, one almost think that one is dining in ones house! The staff makes the customers feel very welcomed and comfortable. Feeding the people and leaving them with a big smile on their faces is what they do best at The Porch!
The restaurant has other features as well such as sidewalk dining, or takeout services, access for wheelchair, kid-friendly areas and non-smoking areas. Major credit cards are also accepted and street parking as well as valet parking is available. So you dont have to worry about your car when you are busy taking care of your appetite!
Porch is like an urban and modern tavern, the atmosphere here is relaxed and people come here to simply wine, dine and have a good time! The cuisine served here is New American. The Porch is famous for its peel n eat shrimp, chicken cobb and the famous Stodg burger which is packed with melting cheddar cheese, tomato, onion, fried egg and other vegetables. Located in Dallas, this is one of the favorite restaurants of the people and once you try the food here, youll want to come back for more! For those who wants to cut down on the heavier foods, there is a wide array of delicious salads that are tasty as well as healthy, so you wont have to worry about adding a few inches to your waistline!
Delicious foods, great drinks, relaxing ambience, friendly service and the bill wont burn a hole in your pocket too, what more could one possibly want? So you can come as you are, and simply enjoy, relax and unwind at The Porch with your friends, family or loved ones! Great memorable times guaranteed!

Elegant Outdoor Patio Fire Pits

Outdoor Patio Fire Pits
As more and more people are spending vast amounts of time in their back yards and outdoor space you will want to ensure that you make your guests feel comfortable. There is nothing worse than sitting outside and it begins to get cold. Often at this point your guests will leave or move inside where it is warmer. Having outdoor patio fire pits enables you to keep your guest warm as well as cook on it for an entertaining evening.

Patio fire pits are very versatile and look amazing in any back yard they are functional, affordable and practical. Whatever outdoor patio firepits you decide on it will look great and can become the focal point of your garden. If you are using it as a source of heat then it will bring the whole family together as no one will want to move away from the heat source. It is an ideal opportunity for the whole family to sit and talk or tell stories and have a great time.

If you enjoy cooking outside then you will want a piece of equipment that not only cooks brilliantly but also looks amazing. The patio fire pits are ideal for cooking on and you can have several layers and grills to cook different things on. You can cook as simply or as expertly as you want when you have outdoor patio fire pits. Grilling, boiling and roasting are all easy to do with this style of barbeque you can even toast mash mallows easily over the fire pit.

You can build your patio fire pit very easily yourself or it you are unsure then you can buy them ready built. You need to decide where your outdoor patio firepits are to be placed and how much space you will want for it. Although you want it to look amazing you also do not want it to take over your garden. You also have to think of safety issues when it is not in use as small children love to explore, having a fence around the cooking area is often an idea. You should also ensure that the fire pit is not near trees, rubbish or debris as this can catch fire easily.

When your outdoor patio fire pits are in place then you will need someone to keep an eye on it whenever it is lit. Although they are very safe it only takes someone throwing something into the patio firepits for it to get out of control. Although traditional fire pits look amazing you can now buy purpose built ones that are made from different materials. You should think about why you want the patio firepits and how often you will use it. If it is to be used often then traditional outdoor patio fire pits will suit you but if you want to use it occasionally then a more modern version may suit.

There are many builders and landscapers that can help you to build your fire pit in your back yard, if you want a portable one then you can find them in many different stores and garden centers. Whatever one you decide on people will want to be invited to your house for parties as they know they will be warm and well fed every time.

Elegant a Backyard Fish Pond

A Backyard Fish Pond

Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies,
frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These
ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. These may be built in patio
containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your
backyard may be done by adding water gardens and
ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and
interest but also a natural and relaxing environment
as well.

A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal
point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up
with this tips and techniques.

Where You Should Put Up a New Backyard Fish Pond

Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.

Landscaping

It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.

Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.

Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.

Using Pond Liners

Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.

Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.

Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.

However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.

Pond Installation

Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.

Then sit back and enjoy your new awesome backyard fish pond!

To learn more about Evony Medals check out Evony 2 for more great information

Elegant What's the Difference from a Farm Pond to a Koi Pond?

What's the Difference From a Farm Pond to a Koi Pond?

First they both involve water, Koi fish, plants and natural inhabitants. One of the big differences is where they get their water from, how it's treated or filtered.

A Koi pond is generally built with a pond liner to hold and maintain the water level.
A farm pond typically is built with the ground you walk on. The material needed is high clay content subsoil found below the topsoil. Using the earth to build the pond they are called earth pond and earthen dam. Even having enough clay content, water will seep a small amount like having small leaks but generally ok as long as the water supply can keep up with the leak. On the other hand finding you do not have enough clay content you will need a pond liner.

The major difference between the two is where the water comes from. With the Koi pond the water can be supplied by a well, city service, even trucked in for the bigger ones. Water treatment may need to be applied to remove the chlorine.

The farm pond water supply is added naturally from up to three different sources. These sources include underground springs and small seeps, part of a nearby stream can be diverted to the pond (with proper permits) and the watershed above the pond (rain). Typically the springs and seeps will be clean water, but check the water quality of the stream. The watershed should be a grassy field or a wooded lot, not a pasture for live stock or crops.

Another distinct difference is in their construction. The farm pond is below ground allowing the water to enter naturally from the top. The Koi pond is above ground where the water is added artificially. It is all in the terminology having the earth pond in a populated area is not a good idea.

Where is the water coming from? Do the neighbors have pets? Do they use fertilizer or other lawn enhancements? What else could be in their backyard that could end up in your pond? Therefore the above ground pond is the way to go if living in a populated area. Having a few acres in a less populated area you could have a below or earth ground pond, the farm pond.

Elegant the Many Kinds of Patio Heaters

The Many Kinds of Patio Heaters

If you are shopping for a patio heater, there are several different options from which you can choose. Whatever heater you choose will provide warmth for your patio, which will let your family to use your porch for longer than you would be able.

The first option from which you can choose is the tabletop heater. This option is compact, portable, and typically more inexpensive. They are the perfect choice if you only need to heat a small circle of about six to seven feet.

Several tabletop heaters are created with bases, which have small fuel tanks, which hold the propane that is used to produce heat.

Another sort of patio heater is a transportable patio heater. These full-sized heaters do not include a fixed fuel line. They are portable to any place that you require heat, and can create a twenty-foot circle of heat.

One of the greatest traits of these heaters is their flexibility. They can be relocated to wherever you want heat at the time. These heaters are usually mounted on wheels, so you can roll it wherever you want it to go.

The bulk of these heaters are made with a section explicitly for their propane fuel tank. They can provide up to 40,000 BTU's of radiant heat, and they ordinarily feature adjustable thermostats that permit you to set the heat to whatever temperature is most comfortable for you.

If you are attempting to keep your terrace free of disorder, you should look into strip heaters, which mount on the ceiling or the wall. These heaters are meant to be permanently installed. You should especially consider this option if you have children or pets which could accidentally knock them over and injure themselves or damage your home.

If these options are not pleasing to you, you can always purchase an in-ground patio heater. This heater alternative is a permanent installation that creates power and stability. They characteristically have a much wider heating radius than the less expensive, mobile models, and tap into a pre-existing natural gas supply.

The majority of patio heaters use liquid propane as a fuel, but some use an established the natural gas source. Many options will come in two different models, and allow you to choose your fuel preference. Remember that models that use propane tanks require you to purchase the fuel separately.

There are many different options which you need to consider when you are looking to purchase a patio heater. It is important to think about what your family's needs are and how much your budget is. You also need to determine what kind of fuel you want to use, and if there is an established natural gas source available.

A patio heater is an excellent way to bring your family together and extend the amount of time that you can use your patio. By installing one of these heater options, you will provide warmth on your porch throughout the autumn, and make it usable when it would be too cold outside to sit on your patio without your heater.

Elegant Indoor Outdoor Ceiling Fan - Where to Properly Place Them?

Indoor Outdoor Ceiling Fan - Where to Properly Place Them?

Summer is the perfect season to stay outdoors. This is why an indoor outdoor ceiling fan is an essential for your patio or porch to keep you cool and ward the insects away when you're just chilling there.

Surely, folks who live in more consistently humid climate will instantly think about installing these indoor outdoor ceiling fans, but this is worth contemplating idea for those who live in other places. If you are one of those still thinking about this home addition, don't fret, with the developments and innovations in today's technology, fan companies are now making their ceiling fans more compatible to changing weather that you shouldn't need to worry about harsh weather than can damage your porch's ceiling fan. Most of these babies' motors are made with weather friendly materials that no rain, heat, or cold will easily break them.

After that being settled, your next concern might just be which indoor outdoor ceiling fan to get. To help you with that, here are a couple of brand names and models that you can consider.

1. Emerson Corsair. From the fashionably unique St. Croix series, this model is a two bladed indoor outdoor ceiling fan with antique pewter finish and all-weather pecan palm leaf blades available in different designs (the extras are sold separately, though). It also scores a perfect one hundred cubic feet per minute, per watt, for airflow efficiency, so, if your porch measures nine feet or even taller, the Corsair is a really nice option you can go for.

2. Emerson Maui Bay. If the name itself doesn't remind you of sunshine, beaches, and tropical drinks, then the look will do the work for you. This beautiful piece embodies tropical elegance in an indoor outdoor ceiling fan with its antique brass finish and tropical leaf, hand-woven wicker, and hand carved wooden blades. This model also has special remote controls, to help you easily manage the speed on especially hot, lazy days.

3. Hunter Sanibel or Beachside. Another concept piece is the Sanibel with its bronze finish and sailcloth blades. This could be perfect for modern homes or for boating enthusiasts with its boat-like look and feel. It also comes with a lamp, perfect as outdoor light.

4. Hunter Charthouse. If you want a more traditional look, the Charthouse is the perfect one for you. This model look a lot like traditional and classic ceiling fans, except for its blades made with rattan or bamboo blades.

5. Emerson Tureen. Made with brush steel finish, opal matte glass, and midnight Bordeaux blades, this indoor outdoor ceiling fan is perfect for the most modern houses.

6. Emerson Devonshire. Having a posh house doesn't mean you can't have an outdoor ceiling fan. Devonshire has a barbeque black finish with all-weather aged oak blades that can surely match your home and stand the damp weather.

These are just some examples, proving you that any kind of home can have options for indoor outdoor ceiling fans. See it for yourself and check out local and online listing of ceiling fans.

Elegant Garden Gazebos - Backyard Fun

Garden Gazebos - Backyard Fun

A garden gazebo can be one of the best additions you ever make to your backyard. This can be a great time to spend together as a family, invite friends or family over or just relax after a long week at work. Adding garden gazebos to your property can be one of the best things you ever do for the property value. It can increase your overall property value and add appeal to your property.

A garden gazebo can also be a great way to enhance your garden or separate certain parts of the garden. You can work it right into the theme and decor of your garden. If you have the right type of gazebo, it can serve as a storage area for the things you need to take care of your garden and lawn.

If you're going to have a garden gazebo, you're probably going to need a nice storage facility or storage shed in your backyard or surrounding area as well. This is because your garden and the gazebo will need regular care and maintenance.

Because of this, many garden gazebos are being created with the option of storage inside. Sometimes the seats lift up or there are hooks and hanging areas for lawn tools. This makes your gazebo serve multiple functions in the garden or backyard area.

It's important to get the most from your space as well as the most from your money and this is exactly what garden gazebos help you do. If you're a do-it-yourselfer or real creative type, you might even design, plan or build your own gazebo. This way, you can make sure you have everything you need and want, right where you want it.

There are also modern gazebo kits that you can purchase which allow you to do it yourself build the gazebo of your choice and in your choice sizes. This makes it possible for virtually anyone to build the gazebo they want right in their own backyards.

Elegant Organic Gardening - Tree Care

Organic Gardening - Tree Care

Trees are an essential part of your home's curb appeal and one of the most expensive investments in your landscape. Organic gardening techniques and maintenance can ensure that your investment stays healthy and anchors your organic garden for many years to come.

First, as always, ensure that the tree you choose is right for your region. Native trees or trees that have adapted well would be the best choice. Also check with your local nursery on the expected size and maintenance needed for the tree you want to plant. You don't want to plant a tree that will need to be removed someday because it grows too big and becomes a hazard to your home or your foundation. Additionally, you don't want to choose a tree that requires more water than your region and area can easily provide.

The most common mistake with trees comes next - planting the tree. Most trees are planted too deeply and this causes the roots to girdle around the base of the tree and eventually become diseased and die. You want to ensure that the flare at the base of the tree is visible just above the soil line. If the tree trunk goes straight into the soil, you've planted your tree too deeply.

So you've finished planted the tree and now you want to ring it with pretty plants. No problem - just give the tree at least 18 inches between the tree trunk and the plant's roots to ensure healthy trees and plants.

Tree care and maintenance is still needed as trees mature. Aeration of the soil and the grass around the tree helps the lawn and the trees. Adding Horticultural Cornmeal to the soil throughout the growing season keeps the tree healthy and looking good even in the hottest days of the year.

Your exposed tree flare can also become covered up over time with mulch, ground cover or soil added after planting. Check the base of your trees at the beginning of the growing season, later in summer and then at the start of fall to ensure the flare is exposed. You can move the soil by hand and cut back encroaching ground cover as needed.

Seaweed foliar spray can help minimize the impact of rust on the leaves, spider mites or other diseases but these only show up in trees that are stressed so it usually a symptom of a systemic issue that can be resolved by reviewing these steps and getting back to the basics of tree care in your organic garden.

Elegant Accessories for Patio Umbrellas

Accessories For Patio Umbrellas

Are you tired of the same look in your backyard? All the elements are in place but it just could be better. What is missing? How can we make it better? With a few accessories your patio can really wow your friends and neighbors. In this article we will have suggestions on appearance, lighting, and sound and the different way we can achieve the look that will make you look like a techno genius.

We can change the look of your patio area by changing the feel. Have you always wanted a tiki bar? There are several manufacturers if thatch covers that give your area a look of the Mexican pampas or a bar straight out of the south pacific. Perhaps you want a French cafe. Pick out a theme umbrella that expresses your inner desires. There are several ways to change the look of your area and the great thing about it is it is relatively cheap to start over again or change your look with the changing seasons.

Let's add some lighting. Almost any home improvement store has string lighting available. Some have led lighting made especially for patio umbrellas. There is also a lot of decorative lighting in different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can get chili peppers, dragon flies, Christmas trees, bells, you name it, they make it. Typically this type of lighting requires an extension cord to get its power. It may be easy or it may be hard. If it is too hard there are potions, if it is easy there some great devices to control the lights. The niftiest device I have seen is a plug in remote control so you can turn the lights off with a small push button fob. Most electronic stores have some sort of solution for switching. Another option is a small battery operated light ring. This is typically used for lighting a table when electricity is not available. They also make models that are solar. They charge during the day and emit light for the night time. Another option is low voltage lighting that can be fed from your landscape lighting transformer.

Sometimes, to keep cool, a fan would be nice and, believe it or not they make fans for your patio umbrellas and gazebos that can be plugged in or can be battery operated. When you don't want to turn your stereo up too loud, why not add some wireless speakers and hang them from your umbrella. They are typically battery operated.

Elegant Finding the Right Backyard Landscaping Idea

Finding The Right Backyard Landscaping Idea
It is not always possible to be creative and when it concerns a good backyard landscaping idea you can often feel frustrated by the fact that your mind cannot conjure up the right ideas to help create an ideal backyard. Sometimes, the mind remains blank even after spending weeks on end racking the mind trying to get the right idea related to your backyard landscaping.

However, without a workable and successful backyard landscaping idea you will not be satisfied with the appearance of your backyard and you might then do something foolish like overspend on items that might then still not work out right.

Curb Appeal

One particular aspect to a bright backyard landscaping idea is understands a concept known as curb appeal that is a term that describes the overall appearance of your home and which can be used to help create a better looking backyard.

Though it is normal to spend lots of money to decorate the inside of a home, not so many people may sufficient attention to the exteriors of their homes. This is a pity because with the right backyard landscaping idea it can help transform an ordinary backyard into a place of beauty.

To start the process of coming up with a bright backyard landscaping idea or two you should first go over your backyard and identify areas that you wish to improve and to also identify what additions and exclusions are required to make the backyard look its best. You need to identify the needs for, say for example, adding green trees, plenty of flowers as well as verdant grass.

Today, the backyard is quite different than creating just the traditional lawns with sprinklers because it is possible to add pools and barbeque pits as well as spas and a whole lot more to your backyard. In fact, modern backyard landscaping ideas can help ensure that you are able to spend quality time in this part of your home for extended periods of time.

The best way of coming up with brighter and more original backyard landscaping ideas is to research the Internet where you can view pictures of different kinds of backyards and then by copying or incorporating special features come up with successful backyard landscaping ideas.

Just as is the case with a backyard, it is necessary to come up with some suitable front yard landscaping ideas. These ideas must ensure that you are able to create visually effective displays as well as providing suitable space for sitting and creating the correct blend between perennials as well as annual plants.

Elegant Garden Bird Feeders

Garden Bird Feeders
If you enjoy seeing living creatures in your backyard, hanging a few garden bird feeders around the area will surely have them flocking to your property. Bird feeders are like an invitation to a dinner party. Who would pass up the chance to eat without having to hunt and prepare their own food? In order for the feeders to bring more birds to your home, there are a few things that you should consider, including the location, height, style, and patience.

The first thing you want to think about when placing bird feeders in your yard is the placement. The best locations to feed wild birds are around trees and shrubs. This allows the birds to hide from predators while enjoying their meal. Most feeders that are out in the open will not attract a good number of birds. High traffic areas are also not a good idea, as birds tend to be shy animals and will not want to be bothered while eating their food. Placing feeders close to a bird bath is a good idea so they will have a nearby water source.

Height is another consideration to make regarding garden bird feeders. If you are using a pole to hang your bird feeder, one that is 5 to 6 feet tall is sufficient. If hanging the feeders from a tree, it is recommended not to go any higher than 6 to 7 feet. You do not want to make it too difficult for you to refill the bird feeders on a regular basis. When hanging the items, make sure you use a durable material so that squirrels or other animals cannot chew through it and knock the feeders down.

The style of bird feeder you choose will probably depend on the types of birds you have in your area. The typical bird house style may not be beneficial for all birds. Hummingbirds, for example, eat best from feeders that are designed specifically for them. You also need to think about what you will be feeding the birds when you purchase their feeders. Some feeders will only hold nuts, while others are larger and can hold bits of fruit.

As you can see, there are a few items to consider when purchasing and using garden bird feeders. Location is a very important aspect, as you will need to place the feeders where birds can get to them without being out in the open or around areas of high traffic. You will want to make sure you squirrel proof the feeder so they cannot knock it down or steal the food. Also, be sure to place them at a height that will be easy to reach when you need to refill the feeders. Bird feeders styles can widely vary, so think about the kinds of birds you will be feeding when making you purchase.