Twenty years ago, if someone had told my my preferred shopping place would be Tractor Supply, I would not have believed them!
Earlier this week, I had a followup visit with the podiatrist . . which meant I was away from home alone. That rarely happens! When I left the doctor, I knew I had to go to the grocery store but I thought . . I’m dressed, I’m out . . where else can I go? Well . . Tractor Supply, of course!
Buckets
While digging around in the shop the other day I found a 6 gallon galvanized bucket with a tight fitting lid. The bucket handle clamps over the lid so it closes tightly and security. I’ve been hauling chicken feed around in that bucket and then Vince saw me and said “Where did you get that bucket?” I found it! Then he told me that’s the bucket he bought for cleaning out the fireplace so I bought him another one but they had one 10 gallon same kind of bucket and I thought . . that would be kinda cute to keep my fiber for spinning in! I can even stick it in the corner and it won’t look bad in my “rustic” looking house.
Buckets
I use the black tub for cleaning/scrubbing/soaking chicken watering cans and I figured having a second one over by the second coop will save me a bit of walking.
The 2×4’s are open in the coop and in between them .. there’s a build up of . . well . . what chickens leave behind (NOT eggs!) and I can’t get in there with a rake or a hoe because it’s right up against a wall. I was looking for one of those tools that just has a blade on it instead of a regular hoe and they had one but it’s 7″ and I think that’s a bit side and then I saw this fireplace shovel for $4.99. Perfect! That will get in the crooks and crannies and be a useful tool for cleaning out the coops.
I still need a good, stiff brush that I can get into the watering cans with but I haven’t found that yet. I should have gone by Walmart or Home Depot but I was already past the number of stops I wanted to make so I’ll save those for another shopping trip.
Maybe this weekend I’ll surprise Vince by asking if he wants to go to Walmart or Home Depot or . . maybe I won’t!
liz says
Hmm, I thought those pails were going to be for the chicken feed so the mice can’t get into the stuff! I stored bird feed in metal cans, but had to stack some heavy bricks on top since anther critter (raccoon or skunk) figured how to take the lid off. If you get a sturdy pail and a good locking mechanism, why can’t you store the feed closer to the coops?
For a thin brush, go to the appliance section – there are brushes to clean refrig coils as well as dryer vents that might work – one brush is a bit stiffer than the other.
It’s supposed to drop down to 49 this weekend in OKC – fall is coming so hope you get to use that greenhouse!
Joyce says
Your buckets made me hungry for Jiffy Pop! I could just see popcorn coming out the top! 🙂 Keep up the great work. I love reading your blog every day.
Linda in NE says
I thought for sure they were for keeping the mice out of the chicken feed. Cat might have to bring in reinforcements! 🙂
Susan says
Yes, I’m with the chicken feed thoughts here. LOL I guess you’ll have to go back for more buckets. I smiled at your first paragraph. There are so many things we never imagine ourselves doing when we are young, aren’t there?
Karen Sutton says
I love those pails – perfect for storing my bird seed. There’s a Farm & Home store in Versailles that I love to visit when we’re in the country. I’ll look for the pails next time I’m there.
Sheryl says
We store our chicken feed and sunflower seeds in metal garbage cans. It helps with the unwanted critters.
Lynn says
I don’t know what size brush you are looking for to clean the chicken waterers but have you looked at toilet brushes (clean new ones of course!) They have bristles on all sides, a handle and some have stiff straight longer bristles on the end and they are not too expensive either.