What did you do in the garden today?

Have to Say Smudge is the roos only name here he is good boy almost 4 now?

So I'm having a rough start to chick season. I probably lost a dozen and a half chicks last year due to first time mamas not knowing what they were doing, etc... So I tried to prepare this year.

1. The first to hatch eggs was the game hen. She had 4 eggs that I gave her. She was in an enclosed pen since game hens can be very aggressive mamas. Hatched all 4. Then one started limping really badly. I managed to get the injured chick and a friend out and bring them inside. Didn't matter. Chick died. One down.

Took the friend back to the mama. By this time the chicks were nearly 10 days old so I allowed the GH out of the brooder pen so she could take the chicks into the run. This turned out to be a bad idea because....

2. I had 2 small Silkies who were collectively sharing a nest with a bunch of eggs. Four chicks hatched. One of the Silkies took 2 of the babies to the other side of the coop where... I suspect...they encountered mama GH. Found 1 of the new Silkie babies in the run. It was pecked to death. Two down.

3. Moved the Silkies and their babies & remaining eggs into the brooder pen for their safety from mama GH. Yesterday, a week had passed since the initial Silkie babies had hatched so I was going to remove the excess eggs only to discover one was zipping! I left it and checked back last night to discover a beautiful little black Silkie baby. This morning I went to feed everyone to discover yet ANOTHER Silkie chick was dead inside the brooder pen. It was black but I don't know if it is the one that hatched yesterday or a different chick. It was clearly pecked to death but I also discovered its leg hanging on by a thread. Not sure what happened there... But that definitely wasn't mama GH.

So 3 babies down.

And I have at least 3 more broodies sitting on eggs.

I have seperate for Silkie and big birds. No one gets
stomped.My silkie are just the age to start going broody.

Ran around at midday to two different feed stores. We do not have a mill near here and ALL the feed I looked at was using corn as the first ingredient. Not my preference. I feel corn is mostly carbs and entertainment and short on nutrients. 50lb bags going between $18 and $20 depending on which store. 16-20% protein. Scratch is a bit cheaper of course. Around $15 for the same size bag.

So I think this week I'll put some research into black soldier fly larva and see what I can DIY because I'm not paying $180 for something I can rig with some thought and ingenuity for probably less than $20. That would up their protein intake and I could cut some scratch grains into the regular feed according to some math and a video I watched.

Garden is doing its thing. I need to go water it, but it's hot out and I'm procrastinating, lol. Talked to my aunt in Georgia the other day and she said her Blue Lake beans aren't germinating well either. Anybody else having trouble with that variety?

ETA: Also any tips for germinating the beans?

I grow blue lake, but I save my seeds every year. I've never had a germination problem with them. I direct sow & do nothing special. I'd be happy to send you some if you'd like, I have tons. @Elyrian1

ETA: I'm so excited - I have water outside again! No more lugging buckets to the garden. I bleached all the feeders too. Here's hoping to no big freezes.

If I go another month with no luck I might have to ask for some Sueby. Thank you! I'll let you know.

Got garden raked, roots and rocks picked as much as I'm gonna fool with sand fertilized.
Ran outta juice before getting anything planted! So guess I'll be bringing it all back inside couple more times lol.
Got the buffet table gutted and sturdied up to be brooder for 5 week olds inside the run! Now just gotta paint and add hardware cloth to protect em from 5 month olds for few weeks.

Has anyone ever used greensand to lighten up heavy soil?

Sally PB said:

Has anyone ever used greensand to lighten up heavy soil?

Click to expand...

Yep, did nothing but cost me money.

Went into town to look at a utility gator, didn't find one.
Did get more seeds. Found seed saver band at a local shop.
Grabbed some daffodils for over the dog's grave, so I'll have daffs come each April for her.
New rice cooker.
Got some UK chocolates.
Sold the old lawn tractor with snow blade to a neighbor and delivered.
Wild fires caught up to us with their smoke, can't breathe outside and visibility is down to 2.5 miles. MISERABLE.
Broody hen in prison.