Project Week: Day Two

[trystinn]

Alicia very kindly came by today and did a tremendous job pounding supporters in for the fencing, so between the two of us (though she did the vast majority of the hard work) we got the fencing up. Me, I just shout out orders and keep everyone moving. Josh worked for about five hours straight digging the hole by hand and rototiller, finishing earlier than expected. Which means, we're really ahead of schedule now! Speaking of which: the ducklings are out in their Night Hutch at the moment, getting accustomed to their ducky townhouse. Josh will set up the heat lamp for the evening, as it's supposed to get down to 37F tonight. Poor duckies!

The pond is fully installed with filter/pump & underwater lights. I still need to gather additional rocks to create a thicker border around the pond liner and see if I can find some bushes and assorted native plants to fill out the space. We'll need to do a bit more work to finish tucking away all the assorted electrical lines, but otherwise we should be good to go.



As for having the pond located directly next to Bunhalla, you ask? Martha was singularly unimpressed: I cannot begin to tell you how many rabbit raspberries we received. Foxglove came over to inspect everything, what a bossy little bunny! Thistle, our pirate bunny, rolled over on his back and sunbathed while ignoring us completely.

Comments

[keastree.livejournal.com]

A word of warning about ducks and plants....

Figure out where they are going to have their beach head before you plant. I know that you -think- you know where they'll go, but the ducks may have their own ideas. Let them make their muddy mess of the place and then plant, because they are going to make a muddy mess of the place regardless.

We tried to seed a beach head once. Didn't work.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Good advice, thank you! I figured I'd let them run around a bit supervised tomorrow in the big pen, perhaps I can figure it out then. At this point, they still need the ramp to get out of the water so I'm hoping that will auto-select the spot. But as you say, they will decide. :)

My landscaping friend is going plant shopping with me on Friday, we likely won't have a chance to even consider planting until Monday. Gives the ducks a few more days to make up their minds.

Josh, btw, is already talking about ordering more ducklings. Runners this time. I think he's a bit awed over the concept that one can FedEx them. LMAO

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

That's pretty!

I ♥ me some bun-bun!

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Welcome aboard, hon. :)

Check out the Buns/bunnies tag for rabbit pics.

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Anna said we'd get along! :)

[keastree.livejournal.com]

The problem with ducks is that as they get older, they can pop out of the pond just about anywhere. They are that strong in the swimming dept. Some of this will be made better with a good, wide place in the water for them to simply walk out. That board won't work forever, but it is a start.

I don't know whether to advise build areas up in which to plant things high up or not. Gods only know what the ducks will decide. You may want to throw down some sod or grass seed and wait it out for some extended observation time. We had a natural pond for ours, and the little creeps did whatever they wanted.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

As long as a little witchy stuff doesn't offend you, absolutely!

We've got ducklings, rabbits, basset hounds, cats and a bird. Quite the little farm. :)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

The board is just to assure myself that they won't drown. They are such tiny little things at this point, just a bit more than a handful bodywise.

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

I'm Pagan! ;)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Whew! Won't worry about you, then. :)

Likely, if the weather keeps chilly, be making SATOR squares tomorrow.

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

Oooh, you'll have to take pictures!

What are you going to use? Cement?

SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS!

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Fimo clay, mostly.

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

Ah, neat.

I just had my bunnies teeth cut today. He didn't want to be at the vet, but he's thanking me now! I treated him to fresh dandelions for being good! ;)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Our bunny Sam had that same problem, sadly. :(

Formerly I've used a bit of crystal or semi-precious stone or metal to hold the magical charge, then sandwiched herbs between two layers of Fimo. I'm not going to kid myself into thinking Fimo can hold a magical charge. :)

[laughter311.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my bunny has a reversed over bite. His front teeth are behind his bottom. So, he doesn't like to gnaw and self-grind, basically. I have to go every 4-6 weeks, otherwise he stops eating and gets really depressed and lethargic (learned that 3 years ago when we didn't know he needed his cut). SCARY!

Yeah, you should take pictures when you're done! :o)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Will do. Tomorrow should be a good Craft pic day - polyeurethaning the outdoor altar top, making SATOR squares, etc.