Maine - Page 372

I have several silkies for sale, 1 pair roo and hen, and maybe up to 3  pullets, all whites. 1 blue show quality cockeral, 1 pet quality blue cockeral. decided not to use these in my paint breeding.

any guesses of how many sizzles it takes to hatch 4 eggs? correct answer is 3 hens all in one bucket!

I spent part of the morning reinforcing the hoop coop that I built earlier this summer. I am putting another fence around the coop to deter whatever got in and took the turkeys a month ago. Attached to that fence are a few panels from an old dog kennel to provide a bit more space to roam. Hardest part will be rigging a roof/tarp over the kennel part so the birds can't just fly out.  Once that is done I will string some hot wire around the whole thing. It won't look pretty but I am so tired of losing birds to a fox and probably a raccoon.

 

Oddly enough neither predator had bothered the ten ducks housed next to the coop. The ducks are in a hastily thrown together pen made from the rest of the dog kennel panels. I attached a couple tarps over the top  for shade that do great unless it is raining. Then they tend to sag too much. The door panel isn't even firmly attached to the rest. I have that braced with a cinder block. I hope to fix that issue once the weather becomes more tolerable.

 

And my three Muscovies free range 24/7. They are fat and lazy so I have no idea why they haven't been taken. Only one will willingly go in the pen with the other ducks. The other two hang out with each other and harass the third when they get the chance.

The organization that is starting it is at mesas.org

 

They are mostly geared towards plant agriculture, but, are starting to get into animal agriculture.

Anyone local know about Boulder Ridge Icelandics? We're planning on taking our son there for riding lessons, going on a barn tour the 28th. Anyone have opinions or reviews on 'em?

Already posted a response on the Windham TSC swap thread but figured I would post here too.

 

Boulder Ridge is great. You won't be disappointed. Icelandics are a really fun and friendly breed. They may be pony sized but they are really just horses in short, stocky bodies. But beware once you meet one and ride one you will never want another breed. I have two. Both geldings. And BR boarded them for me for a month when the boys first came over from Iceland

Whoops! I must have been posting it over here the same time you answered over on that thread.

I am glad to hear the positive review! I've never actually met an Icelandic, but have heard so many great things about them. Our other top choice was Hearts and Horses, but Boulder Ridge was closer and cheaper. I figure if we get to a point where he wants to start jumping or more advanced things, we can find a new stable then - but for now, I think this place will be great. It's been 15 or so years since I last set foot in a barn or on a horse, I'm jealous of him!

I just want to hijack the thread again to talk about something other than chickens. Not to embarrass ashandvine but she graciously opened up her home and her family to me today to teach me to can. She was lovely and I learned to can.

 

I went home and made some blueberry spice jam all by myself!  They just came out of the canner (I don't even want to admit how many hours this took me)...

 

Thanks, ashandvine!

 

Way to go scg! I've always loved the idea of canning, but just haven't gotten around to learning it yet. Maybe one of these days!

 

Thanks! I've wanted to do it a long time but wanted someone to teach/show it to me first so I didn't poison anyone. I'm ready to teach someone else now, LOL (it's that easy).

Putting it out there again. I've got my heart set on some more Orpingtons!



Does anyone have splash, blue, or lavender Orpington pullets available? I'd love to get one or two "fancy" ones to add to the flock! I could drive as far north as Augusta, west to North Conway, or south to Kennebunk/Sanford area. Coop-ready only, I'm done with the mess of a brooder for this year! Pet quality is fine, we don't show them.