Homesteading and Hobby Farm/Ranch

Gavinmad said:

We lost one chicken to egg binding earlier this year and then about a month or two we had one just vanish without a trace. We assumed it was a hawk because I can't imagine any of the other possible chicken predators would have only taken one and left absolutely no sign of what happened. Our primary run is just a old repurposed dog kennel, but we also have a second larger fenced in section without a top that we used to let them into that we don't anymore, we may rig up some netting over that section for next year.

It's not THAT big a deal, except these cunts are so fucking vicious that if we introduced a new chicken she'd probably get pecked to death for being an outsider, so we can't replace individual losses.

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You can put the new chicken in a cage next to the others for a few days. Usually once the other chickens get used to seeing them for a while then they don't care about them anymore.

A year ago something got into our chicken house and took the heads off of two ducks. We assumed they went for the ducks because they slept on the floor and the chickens were up on the roosts. Someone should tell them that the head is nowhere near the most delicious part of a duck.

We think it was a racoon. They literally ripped a hole in the side of the house which was admittedly pretty old and rotten. We're building a new chicken house next spring because of that.

Saw a guy pimping rocket mass heaters, for 3k.

It looked pretty simple, nice but way over priced.


Anyone have experience with these?

Might try building one, or buying, for next year

Foler said:

So I’m looking for a “compact tractor” that allows a bucket and backhoe attachment. Something that can kinda do it all.. Any opinions on brands and models? John Deere makes multiple compact tractor options. Looking at the 4 series.

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/compact-tractors/4-series-compact-tractors/?panel=gradingandleveling

Also at the moment I don’t have anywhere to store it inside or covered. Is that a big deal? I mean it’s a tractor - shouldn’t it do well sitting out in florida?

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John Deere is the #1 name in tractors of all sorts of course. They are expensive but they're going to be reliable and parts are available etc. There's many other brands of compact tractors made in Japan and China that are considerably cheaper, with Kubota being the biggest one. I haven't owned any of them but I have a neighbor that has two Kubotas that he really likes.

The tractor is similar to a car in that being under a roof will extend its life but it will be fine outdoors.

Foler said:

So I’m looking for a “compact tractor” that allows a bucket and backhoe attachment. Something that can kinda do it all.. Any opinions on brands and models? John Deere makes multiple compact tractor options. Looking at the 4 series.

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/compact-tractors/4-series-compact-tractors/?panel=gradingandleveling

Also at the moment I don’t have anywhere to store it inside or covered. Is that a big deal? I mean it’s a tractor - shouldn’t it do well sitting out in florida?

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I own a deere 4066M. It's my 4th tractor. Heres some tips:

1. Deere holds value better than Kubota. This means better trade in/trade up values. But thats not everything.

2. Deere is expensive. They are built like tanks, though.

3. Don't get an E series. Stick with M or R. Only get a cab if you *have* to have Air conditioning. IMO it's not worth the loss of visibility and convenience. Getting in and out of the cab is a pain in the ass. Get the hard top instead for the shade.

4. Budget for attachments. A bush hog (rotary cutter/shredder), finishing mower, and pallet forks (2000lb capacity) at a minimum is what youll need for property maintenance. Maybe more depending on your situation.

5. Make sure your dealer is reasonably nearby *AND* that you like them. With maintenance, that tractor will last at least 50 years. The dealer is important. Don't half ass maintenance.

Based on what youve said on the forums (that ive seen anyway), a 4M or 4R would be plenty of tractor. The 5 series has a much larger frame and is getting into a much higher price range. Last year the 4 series tractors were in short supply. Not sure about now. Good luck.

Oh and they will do ok outside, but critters like to eat electrical wiring and hydraulic hoses :/ I store mine in a garage.

If you want some real rancher cred, pick up an old John Deere.


I know several people who are still using these tractors daily even though it's over 50 years old. Want to talk about holding value, these tractors sold new for $10,000. 57 years later, it's worth $12k. Might have to fix something now and then, but there's no electronics to worry about.