This weeks preps check-in

[jayson40]

Started stocking up on can food got freezer full of meat next is water and first aid and medicine

 

[Maverick]

Started stocking up on can food got freezer full of meat next is water and first aid and medicine

Though you being in tornado country and of recent years earthquake country, what alternative power source do you have for all that meat in the freezer?

 

[jayson40]

Though you being in tornado country and of recent years earthquake country, what alternative power source do you have for all that meat in the freezer?

That's the down side for me I don't
But it is enough for long term
My wife are new to the prepping world so we are wanting to either get a generator or go with solar panels.we are learning a lot of this as we go.

 

[Brent S]

Here's one in progress pic (though more done after this one):

Hard to see as it is a crappy pic, but bunny 2 and 3 each have about 6' of space each, while bunny 1 has about 8' of space (female, and more room in case any breeding done). The feeding point will be such that you can feed/water all 3 bunnies from one point, so you won't have to go into each of the areas. (will make more sense with the walls and fencing up). The walking area is where you enter from the stall door.

They'll each have a (hinged) burrow box, and some ramps and shelf areas to kind of play, as well as a good layer of shavings and some grasses, etc. I'm doing feed tubes similar to what I did for the chickens, but still toying with different water ideas. For now, I'll keep with the 2 liter bottles with nozzles on them (water nozzles from a standard bunny water bottle fit perfectly on 2 liter bottles (better capacity). (and cheap to replace when they chew them up, as we always have them....)

Each habitat will have it's own door (all is using standard wire fencing). The female's area will have a finer hardware mesh along the bottom 2' of fencing, to keep in little bunnies.

The only potential issue I see is its on the ground. I've read that they are more susceptible to disease there, not to mention it would be easier clean up the fertilizer if you could rake it out from under the cages. One really big plus is being in a pre existing enclosure they should be safer from predators. Have you had any litters yet?

 

[Brent S]

That's the down side for me I don't
But it is enough for long term
My wife are new to the prepping world so we are wanting to either get a generator or go with solar panels.we are learning a lot of this as we go.

Remember that with a generator you don't need to run the whole house, just a few circuits. So not only do you not need to spend 4000 but a smaller generator will use less fuel too. Just add up all the watts of what you need to run, and size the genny about 20% higher.

 

[Gazrok]

Also with generators, pretty much the only thing that HAS to run all the time is a fridge. Anything else, is really on an "as needed" basis for wattage. Appliances are the real culprit, but luckily there are old world alternatives to most of these.

 

[Gazrok]

The only potential issue I see is its on the ground. I've read that they are more susceptible to disease there, not to mention it would be easier clean up the fertilizer if you could rake it out from under the cages. One really big plus is being in a pre existing enclosure they should be safer from predators. Have you had any litters yet?

Just one litter. Wasn't planned (we thought we had bought two females, but....). We're not really looking to breed much yet. Usually, rabbits lose the first litter. Our 3rd bunny is actually the sole survivor of the first litter, so we kept him.

We pretty much use the horse manure for fertilizer, so we typically just compost the rabbit manure in the same area. They are all fairly neat bunnies and pick a spot to poop, so we just keep that clean. They will have raised areas in their habitat, so likely won't be always on the ground. (and the burrow boxes will be hinged, so we can keep them clean).

We always have the option though, of creating a raised floor instead, if we need it, but we'll see how it goes.

 

[Gazrok]

I was kind of making this as I went, but after working more in the space, this is pretty much the eventual plan of action. I'll post pics as it comes to fruition. Really need it up by end of the weekend, so a busy one. E. through I. may be added a little after the weekend, instead just using existing watering and feed methods until then.

Basically, this was a standard 12' x 12" horse stall, until dividing it up.

A. Stall Door (wood with chain link window)
B. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
C. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
D. Individual habitat door (2x4 frame with chain link)
E. Water stations (Inverted 2L bottle with drinking nozzle, in wood box with plexiglass panel in front (so you can see water level). Hose runs along top boards and down the wall support (a wire wrapped hose).
F. Feed stations (Large PVC pipes with quarter elbow at bottom and top cap, to form gravity fed feeders)
G. Feeding platform (Plywood with 2x4 legs)
H. Ramps (Plywood, hinged to fold out of the way (and allow for easier cleaning)
I. Burrows (Plywood, hinged on top for easy cleaning, cut out burrow hole)
J. Floor area in each habitat
K. Stall Windows (chain link)
L. Walkway area (no rabbits here)

Walls are all 2x4 framing and chain link fence

Ground is clay but with wire mesh, then dirt and shavings on top of the grid (prevents them from digging out).

Chain link basically because this is what I have. I'd prefer to use 1 inch mesh, but expensive. I'll put a strip of the 1 inch mesh along the bottom of the chain link, just as a precaution (and to help in the event of any desired breeding).

Also has two fans to help keep the stall cool when it's really hot out. (one blows in from front window, another blows down from the rear top of the stall). The chain link windows and walls help with both light and air circulation, but the stall itself (as in the stable) is nice and weatherproof as well, so even in a bad storm, they'll stay nice and dry.

 

[Marv.Schmitz87]

What a coincidence that my last customer just lived one block away from a gun shop that specialises in tactical builds and gear.
I was able to pick up a stripped metall lower and a pmag for 70 bucks. Those were the last parts I was still missing for my AR build. Including taxes, shipping etc I paid 416$ for a brand new AR15. Not bad of a deal.

 

[Joe SA]

Getting ready to go to the BOL. (Just a checkup / maintenace / holiday)

 

[Brent S]

Getting ready to go to the BOL. (Just a checkup / maintenace / holiday)
View attachment 4990

Nice water cans. I have plenty of water sources here, and if bugging out have filters, but I need to look into some containers like those.

 

[Brent S]

What a coincidence that my last customer just lived one block away from a gun shop that specialises in tactical builds and gear.
I was able to pick up a stripped metall lower and a pmag for 70 bucks. Those were the last parts I was still missing for my AR build. Including taxes, shipping etc I paid 416$ for a brand new AR15. Not bad of a deal.

Someone at work just told me they have an upper for sale. I may inquire more about it.

 

[Joe SA]

Nice water cans. I have plenty of water sources here, and if bugging out have filters, but I need to look into some containers like those.

Those are filled with dog food and oats.
Water sources at BOL.

These have been replaced with solar pumps, there are 3 within a 100 yard radius of the main house, a +/- 20 000 liter cement dam, three natural springs in the area.

Short Term Pantry.

Longer Term Pantry.

Very Long Term Pantry.

Going to do a bit of this.

And then a lot of this.

 

[Gazrok]

Nice water cans. I have plenty of water sources here, and if bugging out have filters, but I need to look into some containers like those.

I know it was said they didn't have water in them, but yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I love the way they stack.

For the above, I love the grill over the fire pit idea. That's part of our backyard plan for next summer, along with the pool and patio idea. Just hoping I don't have to put it off another year (at least the pool part). We're going to do the partial sink of an above-ground idea. A lot of my neighbors have done the same, and when decked and landscaped, it really looks nice, and a LOT cheaper than the in-ground solution.

 

[Marv.Schmitz87]

Put it all together today. Building that lower was a piece of cake. Everything fit nicely together. Now I gotta wait till my folks are done dear hunting and I can hit the "range".
It's not my fault that they suck at hunting and I'm the only one that's tagged out. Lol

 

[Brent S]

Put it all together today. Building that lower was a piece of cake. Everything fit nicely together. Now I gotta wait till my folks are done dear hunting and I can hit the "range".
It's not my fault that they suck at hunting and I'm the only one that's tagged out. Lol
View attachment 5006

Very nice! I know some that go nuts and put tons of money into building them, but mine at 550 is great. I added a 100. scope, so 650 total. The only other thing I may consider is a forward grip. I'm not sure how much you need to change to add it, or what it costs, so i guess it could lead to that table leg effect.

 

[bigpaul]

just got some new glasses, both reading and long distance, the old pairs are going into my stores along with all the older pairs I have already stored.

 

[Gazrok]

If you ever need glasses on the cheap (but still well made), check Zenni Optical (website). Really great for prepping to have some spares, and starts at less than 10 bucks! http://www.zennioptical.com/

 

[jimLE]

just got me a nice lil toy today..got it for $10.00..they also have pistol cross bows.gonna have to wait after christmas to get one of them,...

 

[Brent S]

If you ever need glasses on the cheap (but still well made), check Zenni Optical (website). Really great for prepping to have some spares, and starts at less than 10 bucks! http://www.zennioptical.com/

We have a place, Americas Best, that's 69.00 for two pairs and a Drs eye exam. You can get different scripts too, one for reading and one for distance. I do recommend a dr looking at your eyes occasionally. Sometimes a small problem can be fixed if found early.