➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[Cyprus]

Good morning Cyprus! I hope you have a great day.
I will try and find time to get the twins thread started today.

Thank you!
Tag me when you do

I just let the girls out into their run. They are loving the small amount of birdseed that I scattered for them.
Incy is holding steady at 98. I may try to turn it up.
I still have not cleared the feeding station that I used with the chick.

 

[Cyprus]

Oh I just realized that this would be a fantastic time to make a thread about the performance of my wooden incubator.
With various breeds and a few test runs already hopefully it will turn out well.
Just wondering if anyone would follow.

 

[PirateGirl]

8 eggs started. 1 was eaten on day 1.

7 eggs candled sometime between day 10 and 15. They will hatch this month.
1 real clear - pulled.
1 had a little blob - pulled. I'll open these this weekend.
1 with half a blob. Need to look at that one closer. We will call it runt. Guessing it also quit.
4 with huge, massive blobs. Looks like everything is fine and on track according to Pugsy's chart. I'm hoping for all girls. I know Kiki is gonna jinx me when 4 yellows pop out. Best outcome will be 4 Australorp girls.

How long do you stare at the blobs before they move? Couple of minutes and these didn't appear to budge.

Other hen got on roost. Glad we didn't get another broody.

Incubators:
I decided they couldn't be that simple. Well, they are. Cyprus' box. Kiki's frankenbator. Bada bing, bada boom. Done. Winter project to go along with quail run/habitat. I wanted this on north side of garage. Looks like it will need more sun. Really liking the cattle panel greenhouse and quail habitat idea and looks.

For home, how many quail do you normally need? Guess this will be limiting factor on bator size. Bring in new stock every 2 years. I'm getting a plan.

@KikisGirls - were you considering doing meat chickens this year?
@PirateGirl - requesting a sunflower update. How'd they do? the BOSS ones the chickens planted got 1 foot tall, flowered and are withering in the heat.

I failed with my sunflowers. Many sprouted and were a few inches tall and then one day they were all gone. I'm convinced something ate them.

Have you planted potatoes? This is my first year. They got big and bushy. Now the leaves are turning yellow. I'm not sure if it's just the life cycle or something is wrong or how to know when it's time to harvest?

 

[jwyles]

I am truly loving my new job, with that said, I miss sooooo much here.
The Good news is it sounds like one of the people I used to work with ( I am back at the same unit in the same hospital) may really want one of my cockerels ( I still have 3 ) They bought 4 acres and a house and barn while I was at home and are looking into starting a mini farm. I have to take pictures so his wife can see which one she wants. And he has a bit of work to do to set up a coop and run. I am really excited about that. What has everyone else been up to @KikisGirls how are the quails?
@Cyprus How is your chick, is she getting better?
@RUNuts when is your hatch date?
What's everybody else doing? Anybody else hatching?
I have 1 broody and am thinking about a fall hatch, may be some lavender Marans. Gris Gris on Kiki, I want more pullets than cockerels this time.

There's a lot of good news in this post! Wooty !!! School is life once again for me and my fam now. Trying to keep up with this thread but it takes up all the BYC time I'm getting now. Glad your new job is going well and you may have a home for one of your fellas. This is just great!!!

 

[R2elk]

I failed with my sunflowers. Many sprouted and were a few inches tall and then one day they were all gone. I'm convinced something ate them.

Have you planted potatoes? This is my first year. They got big and bushy. Now the leaves are turning yellow. I'm not sure if it's just the life cycle or something is wrong or how to know when it's time to harvest?

When the potato plants bloom, they will already have started making potatoes. Many people use their hands to gently probe around and under the plants for new potatoes which can be harvested when they are big enough to satisfy you. It will not cause harm to the plants. I do not harvest the potatoes until the plants are dead but before the ground freezes. A light frost will not kill off the plants but a hard frost will.

If you feel like harvesting the potatoes, go ahead or perhaps just dig up a few for now.

 

[jwyles]

I love it so much. I still can't get over those inside bedroom windows to the sunroom - I squealed when I realized what you were showing us! You just don't see that anymore. Plus, imagine all the plants you can have in that sunroom! I also can't get over how much I love your kitchen with those grey cabinets.
Those cute narrow doorways with the simple, but decorative trim... the built in storage spots. I think you should do almost nothing other than the obvious sanding, painting, woodstove, I could go on. Maintain that 30's charm!

Yes to the plants! I would have so many plants in that room! It would be like my own little indoor garden!

 

[Cyprus]

There's a lot of good news in this post! Wooty !!! School is life once again for me and my fam now. Trying to keep up with this thread but it takes up all the BYC time I'm getting now. Glad your new job is going well and you may have a home for one of your fellas. This is just great!!!

Pardon if you've mentioned this before.
Are you in HS or College/University?

 

[PirateGirl]

When the potato plants bloom, they will already have started making potatoes. Many people use their hands to gently probe around and under the plants for new potatoes which can be harvested when they are big enough to satisfy you. It will not cause harm to the plants. I do not harvest the potatoes until the plants are dead but before the ground freezes. A light frost will not kill off the plants but a hard frost will.

If you feel like harvesting the potatoes, go ahead or perhaps just dig up a few for now.

Hmm... the weather has been wetter and colder, perhaps I should leave them alone and hope they keep growing underground.

 

[Cyprus]

Anybody got input? https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-i-store-forage-for-winter.1268140/

 

[Kiki]

Oooh. Ouch.
I just realized how many chicks I lost this summer.
12. I lost 12.
Patience
Tanzi
Pemba
Kendwa
Zanzi
EE #1
EE #2
5 D'Uccles.

And then adults that I lost...
2 Buff Orpingtons
1 ISA Brown
1 D'Uccle Cock
1 D'Uccle Pullet
2 Bantam Cochins.

Damn Summer of 2018 sucked!

I'm catching up.