Hi I’m Mike.
Today the project list is brought to you by the letter P. Pig Problems and Peacock Problems.
We are going to come up with a winter solution for the pigs water, one that wont freeze with
our lower temperatures and we are going to solve a first world peacock problem and move
him into the shop, and build him a condo, where he can live out the winter in constant
50 degree weather.
Its all coming up on the project list, on our Wyoming life.
Thanks for coming along with me as we explore the ranch life and escape the ordinary as
we bring you into the fold on our Wyoming ranch.
The cows are fed, and now that I think of it, its kind of weird to be standing here
in front of the tractor for a project list video.
Lets fix that.
This is the project list.
On this board we keep track of some of the jobs that need done around here.
Not all make it on to the board and some days we just fly by the seat of our pants but today
we are splitting the difference as we take care of one problem that needs done and one
that is more of a nicety for one of our more distinguished guests here on the ranch.
The technical definition of a ranch is a large farm, especially in the western US and Canada,
where cattle or other animals are bred and raised.
I guess by that definition you have to have cows to be a ranch but I’m not one to judge.
After all at the Pizza ranch, I have yet to see a cow, which is probably a good thing.
I’m not sure if a cow would eat a pizza but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Not all around here is cows, we have lots of other animals that demand our attention
and honestly, cows are some of the easily maintained of them all.
One group of animals that always needs attention around here are the pigs.
They may seem like the forgotten stepchild of the ranch but in all reality they are the
ones that see me the most these days.
They constantly need cleaned, they always need food and their water.
Well, if the term a pig in mud is any indication, their water always needs work.
Now that our nighttime low temperatures are down into the teens we have been babysitting
the pigs water.
At night we turn it off and disconnect it so it doesn’t freeze.
But there are ways around this and today we are going to create a permanent solution to
the pigs winter water issue and its relatively simple.
Normally pigs water flows through pipes, those pipes will freeze in the winter time, so we
are going to change things up and start using a tank for water for them.
I happen to have an extra tank here and we are going to outfit it for the pigs water
usage.
First thing is we need a plug in the tank, you know, so it holds water.
Then we are going to fit some pig watering nipples into the tank.
Pigs cant have open access to water in an enclosed space, they will make a mess.
They are going to make a mess anyway but we need to limit their access to water, while
still giving them water to drink.
That’s where the nipples come in.
They will only let water flow when the pig is biting down on it.
The pig will then drink and when hes done, the faucet shuts off.
Pretty slick, but without a constant water supply they are useless, and once a pipe freezes
then you can have all kinds of problems.
By measuring and drilling a couple of holes in the tank we can fit these special nipples
into the holes.
2 nipples probably isn’t enough for all our pigs but I have more on order I can fit
in later, these ones will do for now.
The nipples are held in place by a nut on the back side and by design they squeeze the
entire assembly together, creating a nozzle that wont leak and the pigs can rely on.
Now we have a tank, ready to fill with water and for the pigs to drink out of.
But wait, the water is still going to freeze….left like this it would but we can utilize a tank
heater to keep the water open.
This floating tank heater will float just below the surface and keep the water from
freezing.
With the nipples well below the surface, even if a light ice forms across the top the nipples
will still remain open and flowing.
Just how the pigs like it.
A quick and easy project that will hopefully save time and effort further down the road.
We will have to fill it daily but there is no risk of a broken line and as long as the
power stays on the tank will stay open and pigs will stay happy.
Back at the shop its time for our next project.
The peacock has been living in the barn over the summer.
Since he lost his leg he’s not as adventurous as he once was, but he actually seems content
to hang out and take the occasional stroll.
Our goal for today however is to move him into the shop.
We are going to build a roost for him to hang out on and hopefully he will be happier in
warmer temperatures.
The barn isn’t heated, but the shop is and in the shop its kept at a pretty constant
40-50 degrees.
I like to reuse materials when ever I can, I’m not sure if its responsible thinking,
or just laziness cause I don’t want to have to go to town to get parts.
We are going to build him a fence to roost on, just like he has in the barn and the first
part of that is a base.
Which we can make out of a used pallet.
In the barn, he has a flat roost he likes to sit on, I’m not sure where he is at,
out adventuring but we are going to steal it and then measure the height to make sure
that his new fence and roost will be about what he is used to.
Then after grabbing some scrap wood from the barn across the road we can start assembly
of his new fence.
A basic 4 foot tall and almost 4 foot wide support structure for his old roost.
Once complete, then his roost goes on.
We can bring in his water, and his food, which is basic chicken feed.
Then we can go and find him.
He’s outside somewhere and although he is tame, when he is outside he doesn’t really
like to be caught.
But eventually, he surrenders and we head back inside.
To where he can take a rest and try out his new digs.
Erin gives me a hand putting his leg back on, he wears this prosthetic leg about 50
percent of the time.
We take it off every other day to make sure its not rubbing any part of his leg raw and
once its back on, then it does take a bit of getting used to again.
So with pigs and peacock happy you can call it a day.
I have had people give me crap about spending so much time worrying about a peacocks health
and wellbeing.
They get the cows and the pigs, they make money for the ranch, but I have been asked
straight out, what does the peacock do for you?
I’m guessing these people aren’t married.
Erin has love the peacock since the day he set foot, one of which he no longer has, here
on the ranch.
And even though there is nothing in the definition of a ranch about a peacock, he is still part
of it.
He has become almost a beacon of hope.
In a time when we thought we weren’t going to be able to keep him, people gathered together
with ideas and even solutions to help him out.
Its paid off for him, now he gets to live in the lap of luxury, at least for a bird
and his every wish is pretty much granted.
Except for that girlfriend thing, we are still working on that one.
If you ask me though, I still think it would be a lot cooler to have a pet owl, but don’t
tell him that.
Thanks for coming along today, I know it was an easy one and some days are like that.
Others sure aren’t, so enjoy a light day and take it easy.
Just do one more thing and hit that like button for me if you had a good time today, and subscribe
if you haven’t done so already cause there is always something happening around here.
I will see you next on Thursday during our livestream and I stopped by thars this morning
and Jess gave me a few really cool prize packs to give away during our livestream, including
hats, vests and gloves so I hope you can come hang out and I really hope you can win.
That’s Thursday at 7pm mountain time.
Until I see you again, have a great week and thanks for joining us in our Wyoming life.