The Trifle of Joe

new chicken area

2009-07-29T10:36:00.009+01:00

very rough plan

Chickens current run

Shed and view of plot at rear of garden

Wall and mound

rear fence

fence of left near shed

Quail the animal

2009-03-25T19:36:00.012Z

We decided on Japanese Coturnix as they are cheap, good laying and meat birds, we got the eggs a couple of weeks ago now, 30 of them!! Through the post from Quails in Essex .We popped them in the incubator, we have to rotate them 3 times a day to stop the embryo sticking to the shell, at day 15 you stop, then on day 17 they hatch. that day came, this happened:

This happened 19 times over a 40 hr period, mostly within the first 4 hrs! Our first one failed to get out of his shell but apart from that and having to help a couple they all hatched well apart from those that didn't. This is a good number as the hatch rate is around 55 - 65% and we got just over 63%! not bad for our first go.

The chicks after hatching have to be left in the incubator, Ideally for 18 hrs from the first one to hatch so they can all dry out so they are able to regulate their body temperature.

As you can see we kept them at 38 degrees during hatching and aiming to get humidity as high as possible, the more quails that hatched the more it rose. after 18 hr we released them into a brooder (a box under a heat lamp set as 35 degrees centigrade.

A couple of late arivals had feet issues, we named one floppy foot, we hat to plaster his foot to some car to straiten out his toes, however after a day of this we were planning on replacing this but its already mended. photos of this also to come.

after a bit of a incident when we were out, which involved 4 of them getting in the drinker and getting soaking, one died of hypothermia before we found them, the others were saved by a return journey the the incubator, we decided to down scale there brooder for a couple of days.

The thing with coins in is there new water device (drawing pin case) the coins are to stop them getting to wet if they stand it it, the black thing is a screw bottle top. the other thing is a thermometer.

We later put a mop head in too which they like to snuggle up with when they nap, (every 20 mins or so)

They have recently been moved into there old brooder box with straw floor now they can walk better with a bigger drinker and feeder bit still with stones in the bottom of the drinking to minimise wetness. photos to come of this.

Quail 1

2009-03-25T19:05:00.014Z

Our temporary house mate Jon, a friend from uni, invited his Aunt and Uncle around for tea, they suggest getting some Quails as "we already have housing", that sounded like a excellent Idea! So the Quail venture began.

Quite early on I realised that they don't get on, so I will have to construct a new house, this time learning some lessons from both robs and jeffs shed, constructing the house in panel form as well as upgrading my tool etc. using a staple gun rather than funny u shape nails.

The Quail plan is to have a house which is splits into 2, Generation 1 (G1) that I will hatch with a borrowed incubator and will live in one section at a ration of 1 boy to 3 Girls. I will collect eggs from these both initialy for eating but also at week 10 for incubation. Generation 2 (G2) will live in the secon partition section, these will be bred for meat.

The build.

This is the base of the house, mesh under the soil to stop baddies getting in.

These are the panels

This is the house constructed, it is taller than the chickens one because, the Quails will not be allowed out to play like the chickens are so we have to go in and see them, also when they are startled they have a habit of flying directly up and hitting there heads.

There is a door where Sam is stood and another door at the far left, there is a step in to allow us access without granting the Quail leave. The partition will be put in when G2 get on the way between the central wood Columns.

Chickens

2009-03-25T18:33:00.007Z

Since I blogged last we have been on a bit of a poultry fad, after returning from the warm conditions of "away" and returning to "home", going out on the water seemed less appealing and as the night were drawing in, I found the Battery Hen Walfare Trust, the are a charity that buys battery hens after they are removed from the cages and relocates them to new home.

This was all the encouragement I needed to go about trying to get some, after asking my house mates and our landlord, who surprisingly was for the Idea 100%, his only criticism was that the house and run was too big for just 3 "I should have got more".

It was very appealing Idea, as chickens are cool!, they can pretty much look after themselfs for a week at a time (with enough food and water, and you get eggs! (not that I really like eggs). Also if we are going away for a longer stint, getting someone to chicken sit is easy as they get a supply of free fresh eggs in payment.

Also at 50p each and food at £6.80 for a 25kg sack, you cant go wrong! (plus about £100 or so for wood and stuff)

So I set out building a chicken coop, a Triangular natured contraption, with a run connected to the end.

This is my house on the inside, one white thing is food the other water. Chickens supposedly like to sleep on a perch.

This is there whole run and the house.

This is Margo, our prize hen as she has moulted and looks "normal again", Babs and Dandelion both are missing a few feathers still.

these are are first 2 eggs, over the winter we have been logging egg collection, and the 3 Girls are averaging about 1.5 eggs a day, however, we have lost this data dure to a hard drive failure, and since now it is spring we have had a couple of 3 a day!!!! so the new average is probably closer to 2!

van, sumer windsurf fun

2008-11-27T15:45:00.003Z

To read about the summer voyage in the van go to, www.traveleurope2008@blogspot.com
or some pictures at my flikr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycrabb/

Van Build

2008-04-08T12:02:00.001+01:00

Over easter than van build has defiantly started! very exiting, do have some pictures, but currently the building of the van is more fun than the documenting it, but watch this space, with exams coming up there will probly be a few volumes of build process.

Back to Lectures

2008-02-08T13:15:00.000Z

Back to lectures now, have millions more than last semester but some are more intresting, least have the evening free, ferrying around this weekend and prob a bit of sailing. but next week, the Nurf Log is back on the plan!

Hill Head

2008-01-25T22:23:00.000Z

Headed over to hill head where I got my first go on my exiting new stuff 5m and jp FSW wikid fun, almost got a gecko but still am no where near vulcan.

Kwoon - I Lived on the Moon

2008-01-25T00:59:00.000Z

Just remembered how amazing this song and video is, I'm just learning some case studies for my exam tomorrow!

So amazing, you can down load a higher resolution version at Kwoons website, you should also look at Krapooyo Yannick Puig by the same artist, a Yannick Puig

Second, best Idea of the day!

2008-01-23T19:51:00.000Z

This is the first time in the history of this blog where I have decided there are two equally good best Idea of the days, as you will probably appreciate this must be pretty special, Its an amazing Idea, a bike stand / locking to arrangement, with a build in bike pump!

Porn ophonique

2008-01-23T12:06:00.000Z

Sounds naughty but a good band and you can listen to it free on Jamendo, you can donate money to bands you think are worthy of your praise.

Another reason for plugging this band is that I thought I would get more hits, Google analytics is very addictive, for those of not in the know its a thingy you put in your stuff on your thing so you can see how many people view you doodle.

Biological stress Assesment is just . . .

2008-01-23T12:01:00.000Z

“.. A suite of experimental methods appropriate to the quantitative definition of the optimal environmental conditions for a given species or physiological race and the quantification of the biological effects of departures from the optimum.” NOC

Best Idea of the day

2008-01-23T11:12:00.000Z

Hoodies that can also double up as scaring people and keeping your head warm, impossible you say!?

www.monsterhoodies.com

Very cool

Science Chats coming to a Cafe near you (if you live in Southampton or another talked in area)

2008-01-22T19:02:00.000Z

Science talks!

What do I wont in life?

2008-01-22T17:31:00.000Z

"At the moment, wind, waves, warmth, music and friends to share them with."

Joe Crabb 2008

Windsurf Van

2008-01-22T17:19:00.000Z

I have kindly been advised by some off Britans top windsurfers on how to build my van the bestest, after poking Andy King, Ben Proffitt and John Hibbard. I have decided to style it on johns Van. I doubt it will look quight as dapper as John had some wizz kids at Action Van where he just gave them a "diagram" and away they went, Also for this reason I may move the cooker to near the sliddy door, these pictures have reminded me how wide windsurf boards can be so may rotate my bed.

also after speaking to these guys, apparently can get ubber windy around south Spain and Tariffa so saving up for a 3.5 may be on the cards.

ron and me in 49er

2008-01-21T20:02:00.001Z

ron and me in 49er
Originally uploaded by joeycrabb

This is a real test post!! me and ron sailing at chew in dads 49er, not very much wind.

Joe

Flickr

2008-01-21T19:58:00.001Z

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

My Shed

2008-01-21T13:58:00.001Z

Someone on Flickr liked my shed picture to go no his shed website, with a opening line off "if you are offended by sheddies showing off their garden buildings, please turn away now". This has made me keen to become a fanatic about something later on in my life.
Also I thought I would share it with my blog too, it is pretty cool think I will name it "Falling Apart". sadly it is a bit blurred up close (just showing that it's not enhanced like some of the shed pictures), fortunately I will be here for another half a year to get a better picture.

Sailing

2008-01-20T23:58:00.001Z

I'm once again sailing!! Am doing some training and a few RS 800 open meeting at the beginning of the season before I go away, sailing with Spod, soon to be ex coaches of the coaches team GBR squad, which is cool.

Flickr

2008-01-20T23:50:00.000Z

I have finally got round to getting a Flickr account under joeycrabb and uploading my picture

This is my final Distraction before the 2 weeks of exam/dissertation hand in, after that back to good old lectures and mostly free evening to do things, Excellent!

Bring on the good days and summer and wind and waves.

Nurf Log

2008-01-19T18:48:00.000Z

I have finally drawn up some schematic for my Nurf Log as you can see it's taking shape may change yet but at least you can see it works, the casters may need to be moved forward a bit and the deck made a bit wider.
I have also preformed some accountancy and I think this project will cost me £240 that is to build 2 turf dogs so £120pounds each if all goes to plans, this doesn't include tools apart from sand paper and thing that I don't know I will need yet.

Pictures

2008-01-18T13:59:00.000Z

Now that my blond hair has finally started to grow out from last summer I have gained the ability to add pictures and video strait to my post not just down the side! YAY

Surfing

2008-01-18T13:52:00.000Z

I have acquired a 6' surfboard very cool has stars on and everything, so one of my aims is to be able to use it, also I have decided to give painting a go after my exams and various things went to an art gallery and was very cool, I wont to do funky art, just need to decide what medium to use.

Best Cup Ever

2008-01-13T13:03:00.000Z

Went out for petes' birthday party in the Cube are uni club and they had non-plastic plastic glasses made from maize starch, poly lactic acid,

the only down side is im not sure how much power went into making it over a normal cup, but still pretty amazing and biodegradable!!! Great

had to run from the bouncers to get it out of place, Must be Good

Projects for semester 2

2008-01-13T12:58:00.000Z

I have been looking in to getting a skim board and found that they look pretty easy to make so I am going to give it a go, also I am going to create a Turf Dog replica which a have named Nurf Log, this will be my second project after I have practiced with my skim board.

The only 2 thing I am worried about in my Nerf Log is finding the right sort of casters and making sure the mast goes into the right place. but looks pretty strait forwards and cheaper than £375 hopefully.

These projects may have to start after my exams and stuff which is upsetting and means that I am not selling my 30%carbon mast any more so i can use stuff I don't mind destroying.

The LIST!

2008-01-11T14:42:00.000Z

I thought it would be best if I wrote a list of things I wont to achieve over the summer, so I have some kind of plan/ aim. Any way I should use my SMART goal setting form sailing squad at some point any way.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Time scale

So my provisional SMART goals are, by the end of the summer (1st October):

a) Off the water
1. 2.2 or higher degree in Geology with Oceanography
2. still own some money
3. learn how to use my camera (be able to choose aperture etc. setting and some photo editing)
4. have a plan for the winter
5. sell all not needed stuff (e.g. my kitesurf kites, boards, synth, and other stuff I find when I move out)
6. have a plan to earn money in a timely but fun way (if not included in winter plan)
7. learn at least 3 more guitar songs, and write down a joe/rob classic

b) On the water
1. Be able to surf competently in most conditions and on a 6.2 or under short board.
2.Be able to do a kitesurfing back loop and forward loop, and at least one board off maneuver, and surf switch
3. Reach level of ability need for a kitesurfing instructor.
4.Windsurf in most wave conditions
5.On flat water be able to plane through 90% of gybes, forward loop, Vulcan, flaka and at least one move on port tack.
6. Learn at least 2 old school moves and 2 new gybes
7. On waves, start to attempt back loops, table tops (at least donkey kick) and ponch attempts and be able to jump white water off the lip.

as well as this goals list I am thinking about a what do I wont to achieve from the trip list.

Finshed Hording

2008-01-11T13:18:00.000Z

I have finished hording things!

My travel quiver is:

SURF
7' minimal surf board
a body board

KITESURF

11m Best Waroo pro
135 Naish Thorn

WINDSURFING

Boards
67 Ltr Tabou Da Curve
84 Ltr JP Freestyle Wave
103 Ltr Mistral Joker

Sails

4.0m superstar
4.5m superstar
4.7m superstar (one of my old sails)
5.0m superstar
5.3m Neilpride Zone (one of my old sails)
5.9m Disco

keeping the extra old sails as Lou (my girlfriend) will need some so a tight quiver will be useful and there not worth very much anyway.

MASTS ECT.

400 Goya Sails 75% rdm
430 Ezzy Sails 91% rdm
140 - 200 boom
138- 192 boom
45cm rdm exstension
35cm rdm extstension
2 deck plates
1 deck plate cover
1 mast protector
Dakine Thermo kite harness

OTHER STUFF

Guitar
laptop
Storm Rider Surf Guide to Europe
The Kite and Windsurfing Guide
Tricktionary
Map of Europe
skate board
roller blades
Scrub mountain board
5.5m buster kite
Camera

This is all i can think of off the top of my head!

Surfs Up

2008-01-02T22:22:00.000Z

Just bought a second hand custom (not moulded) 7' minmal. Am very exited

however as I strive to sale my sails I am becoming continually attached to them!!! ahhh

But surfing !!!!!

FOR SALE

2007-12-27T14:25:00.001Z

I am selling my 10m and 14 m kite with bar and lines for 350 (or sepratly but for slightly more) and I dont even study business

also selling my f2 245 style for £250, 430 30% carbon mast, 2005 5.3 zone for £150 and probly 2004 4.7 super star for £110, and a x9 100% mast for £100

I am currently trying to locate my synth to sell also.

Hoarding Windsurfing Stuff: Sails

2007-12-21T22:35:00.000Z

As well as my plan to upgrade my board base, I have a similar plan with my sails, as I have a large gap in sail size between my 4.7m² 2004 North Super Star (the pink starry one with the cool star off the leach which matches my style board that I'm trying to sell) and my 4m² 2005 Super Star Which is a really nice sail.

As well as this annoying gap, my 4.7 is also slowly dying so need to up grade really but sadly its another one of those things that gets into the category of "not really worth selling, its not worth much and might wont it one day" for example "when" i get my turf dog will need a old sail to put on it. As well as the decrepitness, apparently Its nice to have sails all the same style so when you change size you don't go from a small powerful one to a bigger less powerful one (you know the gaps between your sails are equal) sadly this doesn't fit in with my buying things when there cheap plan.

The Plan

I am going to try and sell unless dad wonts a invest in my 2005 (cool blue metallic) 5.3m²Neil pride Zone sail as well as maybe my 4.7 (I'm undecided, see above paragraph). I am aiming to keep my nice 4m² and maybe my 2005 5.9m² North disco (this is a nice sail but is the only sail i have that does not fit on my 4m mast).

With the buying part of my plan I am aiming to get hopefully Gaastra Manics in the sizes of 4.5m and 5m with future plans to get a 3.5 and a 5.5 but this is not essential, these to are with my sub plan of selling my 5.9 and getting a Naish boxer or session that fits on a 4m mast this means I could also sell my 430 mast but again "not really worth selling, its not worth much and might wont it one day".

As you have probably noticed all this planning spending as well as finding money to run a van, pay for food and ferry costs as well as the lack of selling things may result in me having to work for a little while before I go or get a few jobs en route.

However doing a normal temping job for a week (all be it probably not that fun after the first hour) earning £5.50 a hour working 9am-5pm for 6 days you could earn £246 which is almost one really amazing second hand sails or food for five weeks or over half of a nice board (or a whole surf board!)! And even better last time i looked most jobs paid £6.50 a hour which means a weekly wage of £312, which is more than £246.

As I said before if your heading off to the yonder to go windsurfing all the time (I have convinced my self anyway) Its worth getting nice stuff (better having it now than when you have a bad back and have to work all the time (I have no current plans to work all the time ever at them moment). (but neither do I a bad back)

Hoarding Windsurfing Stuff: Boards

2007-12-21T21:44:00.000Z

What I have really been doing this week, perusing the internet for windsurfing stuff, I am planning on trying to steal my dads van and go on a venture to Europe so am slowly getting my windsurfing kit up to speed, by buying kit to slowly mold my quiver to let me sail in any conditions.

The plan is to slowly hoard things when they are cheap and then sell the kit that I don't need, however so far it has involved in a lot of looking at buying stuff and becoming emotionally attached to my current stuff that "cant be worth that much" and "is probably not worth selling any way".

So far I have bought a 2007 67 Litre Tabou la Carve thats been used once and bought for less than a third its current retail value however this was still over budget, a 67 Litre wave board is a really really small for most people, but luckily I am small so it is just quite small for me.

I now have created a budgeting system so this cant happen again, sounds good I know but sadly it consisted of a bit of paper I lost in a gust (some may say ironically) walking to someones house to look at a mast i couldn't afford.

As well as my new board, I also own a 2005 103 Litre Mistral Joker (thats currently being re gripped in south London) for those of you that know stuff thats the spotty graphics year, for those of you that do not Its spotty, which is a light to medium wind flat water freestyle board.

I am also planning on saving some more money and selling my 2004 79 Litre F2 Style 245 and in staid obtaining a Freestyle Wave cross over board of around 85 Litres. There are some key problems with this:

1. I don't have a Job
2. buying things comes allot more naturally to me than selling stuff as I was explaining earlier.
3. also I was explaining to my house mate Jeff in detail that the winter is a buyers market as people are up grading kit from 2007 to the 2008 and therefore selling stuff and at the same time, also it being cold and horrible fewer people feeling exited about buying new windsurfing stuff.

So any way I have put my board for sale on http://www.boards.co.uk/clsfds/index.asp?searchtype=boards my other plan is that my dad may wont to buy my board as a windy weather board for him.

I am continuing the pursuit for an affordable freestyle wave, I have my eyes on a Fanatic FreeWave 86 at the moment as I used one in greece and it was really cool.

However if I'm going to be come a windsurf, kite surf, and surf bum, I should get nice stuff as I will be able to use it more than ever before, however the more I spend the the less I have to stay bumming for longer, so am going to find a balance some where.

That bring me on to the last two board realted things that I "need" a surf board, I'm enjoying the 6'10" Flying Carpet at the moment but waiting for a cheap one and more advice.

I am also trying to get a cheap Turf Dog for something to do in light winds and to practice on land, both this and the surf board are long term projects as I know less about these avenues of boards.

Mapping Project

2007-12-21T21:28:00.001Z

The dissertation that is slowly making my brain melt. Has to be in just after my exams, but cunningly on my part have gone from being very behind not doing anything this week back up to speed by editing my plans, so again I am just really behind rather than the really really behind I was earlier today.

Whats the cunning plan and could I implement this into my work I hear you ask, well, rather than doing a digital map I am going to do some old fashioned coloring in (what I have been training for over the last 3 years), this allows me to spend the rest of the holiday on writing my report (about my coloring in).