Surviving Minnesota!

erlibrd said:

OK, same thing. Yes I've heard lemon juice too.

A few years ago I bought a steamer canner, uses less water. I think that would be similar to the open kettle canning method? except it's covered so that may be the only difference. IDK, if the ingreds. in the jar are boiling and the lids seal I'd think that is what matters.

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Open kettle was filling the jars with boiling tomatoes and sealing the lids . Mom always said they spoiled when she did them while pregnant . Body chemistry she claimed . I think she worked slower while pregnant = cooler contents = spoilage .

duluthralphie said:

Are you feeding them game bird starter/feed?

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There isn't any available by me. "Meat Maker" feed is the best thing I've been able to find with higher protein, but that is only 21% or 22%. When I'm in GR this week, I'll take a look at L&M. If I could find Medicated Game Bird Starter that would be a jackpot.

In the meantime, they've been getting medicated chick feed with hard boiled eggs and dried mealworms on the side to keep their protein up.

erlibrd said:

I had a big scare today about 5ish, my chickens were all free ranging even Cocoa and her barely 3 week old chicks, I was sitting in the garage with the big door open so I could keep an eye on the littles, the birds had been begging for a treat and I threw them some BOSS . Suddenly a big ruckus around the corner and I ran out with the dog barking, and saw a large bird just flying over the trees and a pile of feathers on the ground. I was sure either Honey or Angel was taken because of the color of feathers. Only Mama hen was to be seen squawking like crazy and pacing back and forth. Found the chicks hiding and ushered them to the run then I saw the 2 juvenile pullets and they quickly went inside and hid under the poop board. Then I found Honey wandering behind the coop and got her inside. It took awhile to find the others under the porch and Angel was there too! The predator got nothing. I think the feathers belonged to Angel but checking her out I didn't find any blood, I can't be sure until they are calmer tomorrow I guess. I don't think it was a hawk it was pretty big and earlier I thought I heard an eagle but didn't see anything. If it was an eagle it wasn't a mature bald.

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I'm glad all your birds are okay! We have a hawk that nests and hunts in the field by our place, but it hasn't gone for a chicken yet. Yet.....

Any of you read Lisa Steele from Fresh Eggs Daily article on why she does not have roosters
It was the worst written article on why to not have roosters ever!!!

I commented this on her post

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/08/why-i-dont-keep-rooster-in-my-backyard.html



None of the points in the article really made any sense, and had easy fixes. You can still order hatching eggs and from hatcheries if you have a rooster, I am planning on hatching my own chicks so I know what they are etc. If you have an aggressive rooster get rid of it, my roosters are amazing and have fought off hawks, but they have never shown aggression towards people or other animals. Why would someone care if the rooster was finding bugs etc for the hens, and I had a crippled hen who could not scratch or run fast enough to catch bugs, the roosters always made sure she got some, and it kept me from worrying about her. My 40 birds have as much room as they want, they can go anywhere, but there are still squabbles with them quite often, my roosters come running to separate them. My alpha rooster stops fights between my lower roosters. You do not notice the crowing after a while, and I think it is cool how I can lay in bed and listen to them crow and be able to tell you who is who. I have roosters with very long spurs, they do not rip up my hens backs whatsoever, and if they did I would trim there spurs.

MinnesotaNice said:

I actually just have a feed question. I'm feeding them medicated feed and dried mealworms on the side for added protein. Is that sufficient?

Does your sister have a lot of peacocks? I'm enjoying them so far, but they're also little =)

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MinnesotaNice said:

There isn't any available by me. "Meat Maker" feed is the best thing I've been able to find with higher protein, but that is only 21% or 22%. When I'm in GR this week, I'll take a look at L&M. If I could find Medicated Game Bird Starter that would be a jackpot.

In the meantime, they've been getting medicated chick feed with hard boiled eggs and dried mealworms on the side to keep their protein up.



I'm glad all your birds are okay! We have a hawk that nests and hunts in the field by our place, but it hasn't gone for a chicken yet. Yet.....

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She does fed the little ones game bird starter and she also gives them boiled eggs in the beginning. She said she has tried chick starter on them but they just don't seem to do as good as with the game bird starter, they do need the extra protein. Maybe with the mealworms they would be OK. I wonder if you would wet down some cat food for them if that would give them more protein or if that would even be good for them, I don't know? My chickens love the cat food and it doesn't seem to bother them any. Just a suggestion, don't know if you want to try it or not.

She usually raises between 50 and 100 a year but I don't think she hatched as many this year. She is in the process of moving and is trying to slow down for a year or two but, personally, I don't think it's working. She also owns a nursery business so moving is a slow but busy process.

Enjoy your babies!!

I Love Layers said:

I commented this on her post

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/08/why-i-dont-keep-rooster-in-my-backyard.html



None of the points in the article really made any sense, and had easy fixes. You can still order hatching eggs and from hatcheries if you have a rooster, I am planning on hatching my own chicks so I know what they are etc. If you have an aggressive rooster get rid of it, my roosters are amazing and have fought off hawks, but they have never shown aggression towards people or other animals. Why would someone care if the rooster was finding bugs etc for the hens, and I had a crippled hen who could not scratch or run fast enough to catch bugs, the roosters always made sure she got some, and it kept me from worrying about her. My 40 birds have as much room as they want, they can go anywhere, but there are still squabbles with them quite often, my roosters come running to separate them. My alpha rooster stops fights between my lower roosters. You do not notice the crowing after a while, and I think it is cool how I can lay in bed and listen to them crow and be able to tell you who is who. I have roosters with very long spurs, they do not rip up my hens backs whatsoever, and if they did I would trim there spurs.

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I read Lisa's stuff often and follow her on social media. I really enjoy her photography and tips. Many things I have not tried due to time constraint. I would say adding a rooster to the flock can contribute extra issues with your hens the barebacks are tough to see and I've even had one hen have her entire flanks tore open with 3 inch gashes down the sides. That was the time I REALLY considered what a Pain Roosters can be. Not to mention the care i took in dealing with the Winter Dubbing of what happened to be a Single Comb Rooster. TOtal pain. And I'm sure I'll have another winter like the first with my new cockerel.

Although I see all her points I think she IS missing out. She does not let her birds free range ALL day. Which a rooster could supervise for her. I will tell you that my flock dynamic was very odd without a rooster. Hens everywhere --more squabbles. Albeit high maintenance sometimes; Roosters are part of the equation for me and our set up, our predators, etc. etc. The first year and a half settling the hormones are the years you need to get past. And I wonder if she's made her decisions about roosters in those young problematic years. A nice 2, 3, 4 year old Roo is something to behold: the don't overmate, the dubbing is done, they have a nice quiet control of their hens, they're in their prime with feathering....IDK. I'm with you though Layers...I love my roos.

Okay Jerry: I took a walk to the back of our Lot and where there is massive canes back there of Blackberries (i'm talking nearly 6 foot tall Canes) ...I think these are not hybrids. They are loaded with berries but all green yet with a hint of blush at the base of the berries. We've got a ways to go yet. I think you are on to something with the crossing and the seeing of some ripe now. As that one ripish one I found was on a shorter cane but still in a shaded area. Weird. You're one smart cookie, my friend.

I have another recipe for your cukes I will message you.

Here is the comb sprig from the first rooster named ralphie

And a close up of ralphies comb side sprig.

MinnesotaNice said:

There isn't any available by me. "Meat Maker" feed is the best thing I've been able to find with higher protein, but that is only 21% or 22%. When I'm in GR this week, I'll take a look at L&M. If I could find Medicated Game Bird Starter that would be a jackpot.

In the meantime, they've been getting medicated chick feed with hard boiled eggs and dried mealworms on the side to keep their protein up.



I'm glad all your birds are okay! We have a hawk that nests and hunts in the field by our place, but it hasn't gone for a chicken yet. Yet.....

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Martie's in St Francis has game bird starter, I also get finisher and breeder mixes from Marties.


The problem with a lower protein chick starter is the internal development. The organs will not mature properly without the extra protein. You will not notice it as a chick/poult/baby. You will when they start to lay eggs and breed.

Here are pictures of Mr. WILSON'S side sprig. Or in his case rear of comb sprig.