BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[stryker]

This is a cool picture and it is even cooler with that person standing in the background.....

 

[hellbender]

This is a cool picture and it is even cooler with that person standing in the background.....

There are at least 6 or 8 other folks standing around that aren't in the picture. I'm told the person seen in the background is the 'hunt-master'.

 

[ronott1]

There are at least 6 or 8 other folks standing around that aren't in the picture. I'm told the person seen in the background is the 'hunt-master'.

I had to make the picture bigger to see him.

 

[hellbender]

I had to make the picture bigger to see him.

Me too.

Edit...it was sunny here today and I took a pic of my future Muscovy duck pond...I'll post it tomorrow...not that anyone really cares.

 

[cyborg]

Me too.

Edit...it was sunny here today and I took a pic of my future Muscovy duck pond...I'll post it tomorrow...not that anyone really cares.  

Of course we care! I, for one, am still in the planning stages of a Muscovy pen and pond, and can evaluate every idea I come across. My problem is a small one acre lot with existing sheds and pens, and how I'm going to situate it for maximum room and easy access.

Haven't been on in a week or so and trying to catch up on the posts. Been on an antique woodworking tool buying binge, with the most notable purchase being a Stanley #45 plane made in 1886. The chickens are all fat and happy and producing, here is a pic of yesterday's haul...

And here is a pic or 4 Stanley 45 planes with accessories. The 1886 model is on the front left, all the others are from 1920 to 1950. Still negotiating for a Type I (1884-1885), and a Type III (1888-1890).

 

[neopolitancrazy]

...but what sort of housing arrangements do you guys use as growout pens...

- Ant Farm

So far, what has worked best for us in Bastrop is rolling pens made from fence panels similar to the one described at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ASC/ASC189/ASC189.pdf . My husband modified it a little (horse panels instead of cattle or hog panels, 2x4 wire on the ends and he made our doors to fit properly!) We found the solid, flat-proof tires work better in our sand than the inflated tires. I hang a feeder and a waterer from the top arch of a panel, and ta-dah! no more poop-shoveling! Of course, the chicks have to be about 8 weeks old before they are large enough to be contained by 2x4" wire/panels. This winter, I have added a small plastic dog house so the birds have a spot to get out of the wind and rain. In the summer, the tarp alone was plenty of shelter.

This is helping with our fire ant problems, and the Great Pyrenees keeps the predators from digging under and into the pens. For laying hens, I move the pen when it is best for the hens; for non-layers, when it is best for the pasture. The pasture forage is thickening, and the grass burs are thinning.

Best wishes,
Angela

 

[Beer can]

#2 Bear. Ariel took it out of a sycamore tree with the hunt-master's .444 Marlin. That's a whole lot of gun for a small woman but it would likely kill an elephant at very close range.

EDIT: This is NOT the bear they thought they were after. This one was in his prime and has a great jacket. Ariel begged them out of it (jacket only) and wants a rug for her bedroom. It will be ready in about 8 months to a year.

Awesome! My dad and brother got lucky there is a local guy that does taxidermy, mostly just deer head mounts, on the side, not a 'professional' but does a nice job at a fraction of the price. They both had rugs made, took about a year also. Paid half the price of what dad had a big one done by a professional twenty yrs ago.

 

[miss heny]

*returns to pop thy head in* I was told I may of been able to find help with some of my bantam darlings soulsuckers ?

 

[hellbender]

Awesome! My dad and brother got lucky there is a local guy that does taxidermy, mostly just deer head mounts, on the side, not a 'professional' but does a nice job at a fraction of the price. They both had rugs made, took about a year also. Paid half the price of what dad had a big one done by a professional twenty yrs ago.

A 'friend' who is a pro. and who's services are highly sought is going to hit me for $900 bucks. The bear weighed about 260 pounds and had a really nice jacket. I told Ariel she could drag the 'dust catcher' from the den (that Jason killed about 15 years ago) into her room and that didn't strike her fancy.

 

[hellbender]

*returns to pop thy head in* I was told I may of been able to find help with some of my bantam darlings soulsuckers ?

You might want to be a little more specific...