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FCL :: Day in the Life :: 9-15 Jun, 2019 (More Ducklings!)

Because I staggered the introduction of duck eggs into the incubator over about a five day period, the “hatch” has also been distributed over about a five day period. Well, duh, right? Down to the last two eggs. I just poked my head in there, observed that at least one of the two eggs is still viable (heard chirping inside), and decided to intervene a little.

Historically, hatch interventions (trying to help a bird out of the egg when they get stuck) have been about a 50-50 prospect. Half the time, they don’t make it.

In this case, it was my assessment the membrane between the shell and duckling was too thick and malleable for the baby duck to break through, so she was likely to suffocate and die. So, I cracked the shell a little around one end, pinched the membrane and tore a small hole in it, then put the egg back in the incubator. At least I know she can get air. I learned the hard way in the past that getting more aggressive against the membrane can be detrimental to the bird for a few different reasons. So, just a minimal change to ensure she can draw air into the otherwise air-tight shell.

Deuce discovered another nest of duck eggs, which I decided (contrary to what I state in this video) to recover and setup of the next incubator run. Had I not, Deuce would have just eaten them.

Got my new IronMaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell System setup.

Also did a quick summary review (limited to “I really LIKE it!”) of a new pair of Trekz Air wireless bone conduction headset by After Shokz, which I use to listen to music on 5-mile “ruck” walks three times a week. REALLY happy with the product.

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FCL :: Day in the Life :: Thursday 09/13/18 (Part 2, PM Hours)

First few ‘bands’ of Hurricane Florence passed through. Not much rain, just fast moving, dark clouds and moderate, variable and gusting winds.

Watch the black duck segment closely. Watch how she keeps tilting her head up to watch the high speed clouds passing overhead. Interesting.

Used the Mavic Pro drone to monitor storm conditions from about 300 to 400 feet AGL (above ground level). Always impressed with not just the 4K video shot by the drone, but almost more so its onboard flight management computer. That damn thing will hold a perfect GPS-based position fix (aka ‘hover’), even in high, gusty winds. Truly amazing piece of consumer technology.

Had to arm wrestle (wing wrestle?) the young chickens into their coop tonight. The bone-heads wanted to stay out in the approaching storm. Young and dumb … just like human kids. 😉

Found mamma hen’s (not the best of names, but she answers to it!) pirate nest, which made my day. She’s the hen that hatched about 14 chicks in a compost pile earlier in the Spring. She’s a natural!

Got 550 gallons (2000 liters) of fresh drinking water stored in the two IBC totes.

After Hooey and I got all the animals bedded down for the night, we sat on the patio with a bottle of wine and watched the storm clouds race by … without dropping much rain.

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FCL :: PSA :: Blu Kote Vet Med + Cleanup

Just a quick product endorsement for Dr. Naylor’s Blu-Kote veterinary germicidal/fungicidal spray … and a newly discovered method of cleaning the highly staining purple med from a wooden floor … with cheap vodka!

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FCL :: Day in the Life :: June 21, 2018

A bit longer video today … I got a little chatty during the garden irrigation project today. I’m still a little flummoxed regarding the PVC water line pressure variation observation (high, low,, high). I bet I can solve it with 30 minutes (or less) of web research, but I just haven’t found the time (yet).

Got the new Springfield M1A (6.5 Creedmoor) rifle demonstrably zero’d at 100 yards with only 10 rounds. I looked a bit closer at the yellow target later on and noted three of four center-of-mass rounds in a sub-MOA (less than 1″) group on target. Sweeeeeet rifle. Will probably end up re-zeroing it at 200 meters next.

Product Endorsement: Hi-Lift Jack PP-300 Post Popper.

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Product Endorsement: Optigard ANT Gel Bait

For the last 6 to 9 months I’ve been using (selectively, periodically) the Optigard ANT product to beat down the ant population when they become overbearing in the kitchen.

I don’t find a few ants here and there … but when the SWARM the kitchen, usually after a few days of heavy rain, I’ll lay down a line of Optigard ANT gel and thin the ant herd back to acceptable levels.

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Review: Dewalt 18 Gauge Metal Shears

Picked up a DEWALT DWASHRIR Impact Ready Shears Attachment  yesterday and have used it to cut a bunch of 1/2″ metal fabric so far.

I’ve been VERY impressed with this tool. Very well designed (adapts to pretty much any impact driver/hammer) and constructed (like a tank!).

I haven’t fully utilized its feature set yet (e.g. heavy gauge sheet metal, rotating the cutting head 360 degrees, …), but I fully expect it will do a great job within the limits of its intended use.

Highly recommended.

 

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Product Review/Endorsement: Kreg K4 Pocket Hole Jig System

I was unfamiliar with the “pocket hole” technique of joinery until this morning. Sounded like a good alternative to biscuits, dowels or complicated dovetail cuts.

Did some research and found the Kreg K4 and K5 systems to be highly rated. My local Lowes had a K4 in stock, so Hooey and I fired up the ol’ F-250 and headed into town …

I used the Kreg K4 to very quickly, and VERY effectively, construct the doors for my three rabbit cages using 3/4″ x 2.5″ pine stiles and rails.

As you can see, I really like the K4 system, and would recommend it to anybody that does a non-trivial volume of joinery, or maybe boarders on being a perfectionist in all things (like me).

 

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Product Endorsement :: Instant Pot

Was just about to make another batch of split pea soup, and decided at the last minute to take the opportunity to make it an unpaid, unsolicited product endorsement … as that the ONLY form of endorsement I have ever done, or will do. 😉

I use my 6 quart Instant Pot at least 6 times a week, usually to make soups, stews or brown rice.

Started using the IP about a year or two ago. I plan to buy a second (backup, spare) pot soon, because I’ve become so functionally dependent upon it … I can’t imagine not having one available. Might go through IP withdrawals, or some such.

There are literally thousands of IP-specific recipes on the Internet. “One Pot” meals seem to be popular.

Similar to a crock pot or other slow cooker, you can kick off a recipe in the AM, go to school, work (or whatever), and come back later and eat … as the pot can be programmed to keep the meal warm

 

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Product Endorsement: Canine Allergy Med (Apoquel)

As described in this video Hunter (aka Hooey) suffered for years with nasty yeast infections in her ears, and on her stomach (skin). Last year, a new medication called Apoquel came out on the market, and our Vet (Animal Hospital of Mebane) suggested we give it a try.

The results have been utterly amazing. No more infections. No more vet bills. Now, that said, the medication costs about $85 for a month’s supply, but in the long run, I think it’s cheaper … and her quality of life is SO much better.

Back when the vet suggested we try it, the option was to have her tested for allergies, and he said that whatever allergy she has the was causing all the fungal infections will ultimately be traced to something on the property (e.g. weeds, grass, pollen) that aren’t going away. So, the Apoquel essentially masks that allergy and keeps her infection free.

As stated in the video, her blood chemistry is monitored every few months to make sure the med isn’t causing any sort of organ damage. So far, so good!