Two Acre Homestead

Originally posted in March 2023 for a channel trailer. Fixed the volume issue so you can hear me, and cropped the video so you no longer see my cigarette. Also cut out a bit of rambling. And we now have 11 Chickens, if you are keeping score.

The puppy diarrhea treatment that saved Micco: https://www.wefeedraw.com/blog/what-to-feed-a-dog-with-diarrhea 50/50 Canned Pumpkin and Boiled Fat Free Turkey, the article explains why this is the best treatment, and it worked a miracle on Micco. How to boil Ground Turkey: https://recipes.net/articles/how-to-boil-ground-turkey-for-dog/ Just in case your a guy like me and need to know this too. And if you were wondering about that Harness, it is being replaced with a new collar from LupinePet. Micco really doesn't like wearing a harness, and this was Nanuk's old that we got about 10 years ago, also from LupinePet. Amazon Associate Link for LupinePet: https://amzn.to/3UU1qi7 These are Made in the USA, have a Lifetime Warranty (that you will likely never need), and are the only collars and harnesses that I'll buy. No, they don't sponsor me, but if you use the link above, I will get a small commission from Amazon on anything you purchase thru that link.

After 8 years at the same company, 4 in the office and the last 4 as Work from Home, I turned in my two weeks notice back on April 26th. It was simply time to get out from behind a desk, and honestly the isolation of the Work from Home environment wasn't great for my mental health. As my manager decided to surprise terminate me 2 days before my last day, I was not able to say my goodbyes properly to my co-workers and friends, so I am posting this short video. I wish you all the best, and feel free to reach out to me anytime.

After the passing of my wife's dog, Nanuk, a Lab Husky mix, we finally got my wife a new Husky. Miko. (formerly Posiden). He's about 4 months old and we picked him up today. He's getting to know our existing critters and settling in nicely. I apologize in advance for the onslaught of cute puppy videos that will be coming in the near futiure. LupinePet makes the best harnesses. Miko is now wearing Nanuk's 10 year old harness and its still good as new. Made in the USA in New Hampshire and very affordable. Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4b4RR5H As an Amazon Affiliate I make a small commission if you purchase anything by going thru that link.

He's about 4 months old and we picked him up today. He's getting to know our existing critters and settling in nicely. I apologize in advance for the onslaught of cute puppy videos that will be coming in the near future. LupinePet makes the best harnesses. Miko is now wearing Nanuk's 10 year old harness and its still good as new. Made in the USA in New Hampshire and very affordable. Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4b4RR5H As an Amazon Affiliate I make a small commission if you purchase anything by going thru that link.

He's about 4 months old and we picked him up today. He's getting to know our existing critters and settling in nicely. I apologize in advance for the onslaught of cute puppy videos that will be coming in the near future. LupinePet makes the best harnesses. Miko is now wearing Nanuk's 10 year old harness and its still good as new. Made in the USA in New Hampshire and very affordable. Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4b4RR5H As an Amazon Affiliate I make a small commission if you purchase anything by going thru that link.

This was done handheld with my cell phone using the phones flash. The flash apparently had enough after about 18 minutes and cut off and disabled itself. Didn't get the final exit from its shell, but still pretty freaky.

If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links on this page for your next purchase: https://amzn.to/3YZ9cYE GAMMA2 Gamma Seal Lid for 5 Gallon Buckets https://amzn.to/43e6r7k Manna Pro Crushed Oyster Shell https://amzn.to/43hFqjk Lil Clucker Large Automatic Chicken Waterer Cups https://amzn.to/3mgQhcW KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener https://amzn.to/3MsOb4s Egg Skelter https://amzn.to/3nSYeWe Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae 5 LBS It will cost you nothing extra, and as an Amazon Associate, I'll earn a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

Thanks to the folks at BackYardChickens.com for all their assistance and patience in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/debunked-toxic-levels-of-lead-in-black-rubber-feed-bowl-water-30-mg-l-2000-times-epa-limits.1620309/ About a week ago I saw this video at @AcresOfAdventure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGjeand_0pM In which he was talking about possible lead continuation coming from the ubiquitous Black Rubber Feed Bowls that most of us use. I ran my own test using common well water test strips that I had on hand, and those strips showed a hazardous level of lead. I then posted a video warning folks of this hazard on my channel and shared it on BackYardChickens.com I received a lot of useful suggestions regrading my 'unscientific testing' and this video is an attempt to retest more accurately. After posting my initial and then conflicting test results, I was made aware of this study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.0c07614 which basically points out that any At Home Lead Testing Kit is pretty much useless. So, after significant time and effort, the results are inconclusive, and I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of lead in these black rubber bowls. Hopefully someone with the proper scientific equipment can test a variety of these bowls and answer the questions regarding their safety.

Link to the Black and Decker adapter used in this video: https://amzn.to/3JByGEr Battery Adapter for Black and Decker 20v Lithium Battery USB Phone Charger, Led Work Light with Dual USB Charger and 12v DC Port There are versions available for pretty much any cordless tool brand out there. Very handy when your phone / camera battery starts running low, and a lot cheaper if you already have a bunch of these batteries on hand. Also the flashlight on this one is very bright. The link above is an Amazon Affiliate link and I earn a small commission off any purchases made thru that link (They make me say this)

Fed the chickens about a dozen cicada shells this morning I think that's one of their favorite treats

This is the complete Well Project from Discovery while working on Project Chicken on June 25, 2022, then finally getting serious about getting it running in December 2023 to completing the first stage of the project and having a working well and storage system by the end of February 2024. The next stage will involve setting up Solar power so the well will function in a Grid Down scenario. The pump is a 12 VDC Eco-Worthy well pump that I am currently running of either a 40 Volt Kobalt Battery with a step down converter, or a 120 VAC to 12VDC power converter. The pump is about 75 feet down the old well, and is feeding a 275 Gallon IBC tote, after passing thru a particle filter and a Calcite pH Neutralizing Filter. Any questions about this project, just ask. Partial parts list with Amazon Affiliate links is below: The Well Pump: https://amzn.to/3NL9BJG ECO-WORTHY 12V DC Submersible Well Water Pump First Stage Water Filter System: https://amzn.to/42g5ifu Culligan WH-S200-C Whole-House Sediment Water Filtration System Extra Filters: https://amzn.to/3Ukceqc Culligan P5A P5 Whole House Premium Water Filter 10" x 2.5" Aries Calcite pH Neutralizing Cartridge https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/10-x-2-5-aries-calcite-ph-neutralizing-cartridge Pentek 10" 3G Slim Line Filter Housing https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/pentek-10-3g-slim-line-filter-housing-black-blue-ib-w-pr 110V/220V to DC 12V 30A 360W Universal Power Supply: https://amzn.to/3SQKkQe Voltage Converter DC8V-40V to 13.8V 10A Automatic Buck Boost Step Down Up https://amzn.to/41EvdNK Sharkbite PEX Check Valve: https://amzn.to/3SaYU65 SharkBite 1/2 Inch Check Valve Good Deal on Bulk Assorted PEX Connectors. https://amzn.to/49vcs2i Lawnful 17 in 1 Water Test Kit https://amzn.to/3SN2DqJ If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links above for your next purchase: It will cost you nothing extra, and I'll make a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links on this page for your next purchase: https://amzn.to/3YZ9cYE GAMMA2 Gamma Seal Lid for 5 Gallon Buckets https://amzn.to/43e6r7k Manna Pro Crushed Oyster Shell https://amzn.to/43hFqjk Lil Clucker Large Automatic Chicken Waterer Cups https://amzn.to/3mgQhcW KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener https://amzn.to/3MsOb4s Egg Skelter https://amzn.to/3nSYeWe Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae 5 LBS It will cost you nothing extra, and as an Amazon Associate, I'll earn a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

After 3 years I might finally be figuring out how to garden. The first Contender Variety Green Bush Beans have sprouted. Amazon link below for the seed set which contains them, which was bought in Spring 2023. This is the second year of using the Raised Beds, Deer and Neglect took their toll last year and it was pretty much a failure. The front garden is mainly clay and only Tomatoes seem to thrive in that soil, so not even making an attempt this year on that. If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links on this page for your next purchase: 50 Vegetable & Herb Seeds for Planting Outdoor & Indoor Conventional Seed Gardens, 50,000 seeds: https://amzn.to/49vV90j Galvanized Raised Garden Beds, 8x4 feet: https://amzn.to/3PXlHAO It will cost you nothing extra, and as an Amazon Associate, I'll earn a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

Been working on other projects around the house, so just posting a short update. New chicks coming soon, Broody Hen, Mite problems, Water Storage Tank, etc. Will be back with more soon. If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links on this page for your next purchase: https://amzn.to/3YZ9cYE GAMMA2 Gamma Seal Lid for 5 Gallon Buckets https://amzn.to/43e6r7k Manna Pro Crushed Oyster Shell https://amzn.to/43hFqjk Lil Clucker Large Automatic Chicken Waterer Cups https://amzn.to/3mgQhcW KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener https://amzn.to/3MsOb4s Egg Skelter https://amzn.to/3nSYeWe Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae 5 LBS It will cost you nothing extra, and as an Amazon Associate, I'll earn a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

I recently got a garage fridge for cheap from a neighbor who was fleeing the trailer park in a hurry. Got it all cleaned out and giving it a good dusting of Borax before putting any food in there. Looking at the data tag, 1.5 Amps, 115 Volts, 178 Watts, I figured I'd see if the Kobalt 300 Inverter would power this fridge should we ever lose power.

Words and links and stuff will be added shortly... Full Well Project Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7dqOyqHTFXKGgjeiQyDmbXkQfoZ59DJs 10" x 2.5" Aries Calcite pH Neutralizing Cartridge https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/10-x-2-5-aries-calcite-ph-neutralizing-cartridge Pentek 10" 3G Slim Line Filter Housing https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/pentek-10-3g-slim-line-filter-housing-black-blue-ib-w-pr Neat Distributing 275 gal. FDA-Approved IBC Liquid Storage Tote https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/neat-distributing-275-gal-fda-approved-ibc-tote-nb275 Amazon Affiliate Product Links: IBC Tote Drain to Garden Hose Adapter: https://amzn.to/3IbjVrd IBC Tote Cover: https://amzn.to/3wBl48S 110V/220V to DC 12V 30A 360W Universal Power Supply: https://amzn.to/3SQKkQe First Stage Water Filter System: https://amzn.to/42g5ifu Culligan WH-S200-C Whole-House Sediment Water Filtration System Extra Filters: https://amzn.to/3Ukceqc Culligan P5A P5 Whole House Premium Water Filter The Well Pump: https://amzn.to/3NL9BJG ECO-WORTHY 12V DC Submersible Well Water Pump Terminal Blocks: https://amzn.to/47k1OJY MILAPEAK Terminal Block and Strip Fuse Holders: https://amzn.to/3vglNMe VANTRONIK Waterproof Inline Fuse Holder 3 Pack If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using these link for your next purchase: It will cost you nothing extra, and I'll make a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

Test results from the morning after install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxo4yS08zTc It Freaking Works!!! Check the Well Project Playlist to see this whole project of restoring an old well from the 1960's. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7dqOyqHTFXKGgjeiQyDmbXkQfoZ59DJs After getting the $80, ECO-WORTHY 12 Volt Well Pump installed I tested the water quality. The pH was 4.5, and Alkalinity was 0. The rest of the results were fine. Low pH water is not healthy and can deplete Calcium, so definitely not something I want to be giving to the hens. The common fix to raising pH is to run the water thru a tank outside the well, filled with a form of Calcium, or a Soda Ash drip system can be used to add calcium and raise pH. Seeing how this is a Grid Down SHTF source of drinkable water, neither of those methods fit my needs. My initial idea was to start dropping marble chips down the well, but seeing how I don't even know if my well has a closed bottom that was likely to fail. Then I had the idea to make a 'Calcium Anode Rod' like what is used in a water heater, and that idea turned into the "Marble Torpedo" that I installed today. One 50 pound bag of marble chips was used, $8 at Lowes. One 10 foot length of 3 inch PVC Drainage pipe, About $23, and a PVC cap cost me about another $4. Thats the entire materials list. It cost me $50 only because I bought an extra bag of marble just in case. I'll be testing the water in a few days to see if there is any improvement and will post the results. Partial List of Stuff used in this Project: Well Water Filter System: https://amzn.to/42g5ifu Culligan WH-S200-C Whole-House Sediment Water Filtration System Extra Filters: https://amzn.to/3Ukceqc Culligan P5A P5 Whole House Premium Water Filter Lawnful 17 in 1 water test kit https://amzn.to/3SN2DqJ The Pump: https://amzn.to/3NL9BJG ECO-WORTHY 12V DC Submersible Well Water Pump Sharkbite PEX Check Valve: https://amzn.to/3SaYU65 SharkBite 1/2 Inch Check Valve The Voltage Converter: https://amzn.to/41EvdNK HOMELYLIFE Voltage Converter DC8V-40V to 13.8V 10A Automatic Buck Boost Step Down Up If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using this link for your next purchase: It will cost you nothing extra, and I'll make a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

Short video, didn't have time to stop and take any video during the project, so you just get before and after. See the pic in the Community Tab for what I built last night then tore down this morning, if you want to see what the stand will look like. Hauled 1000 pounds of cement blocks and 600 pounds of cement in the past 24 hours, so I'm a bit wiped out.

How I made the Marble Torpedo: https://youtu.be/jAHmqlCz52c My only concern now is it if is going to work too well, if so should not be too hard to adjust the dosage by using less marble. Hoping I start to get some scale on the walls of the well to stop the iron leaching from the casing. I'm still in shock that this thing really worked, and worked so quickly. This test was done using the Lawnful 17 in 1 test kit ( https://amzn.to/3SN2DqJ ) If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links above for your next purchase: It will cost you nothing extra, and I'll make a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.

This test was done using the Lawnful 17 in 1 test kit ( https://amzn.to/3SN2DqJ ) The kit worked very well, but it showed me some results that I did not want to see. Basically I have 0 Alkalinity in the well water. A follow up test was done a couple of days later with a Low pH Test Kit (https://amzn.to/484G44Y ) that showed a pH of 4.5. I am currently working on a solution to raise the pH of the well water closer to 7. If you have any ideas on how to best accomplish this please let me know in the comments. If you found this video helpful, and buy stuff on Amazon anyways, then I'd appreciate you using any of the links above for your next purchase: It will cost you nothing extra, and I'll make a few cents as a commission on your purchase, even if you buy something else.