Colorado

[coop410silkies]

The zebra grass is lovely; I think I had some in Boulder but ended up taking it out when it got out of control. Some of the really tough stuff you really can't baby or it will go rank and out of character. I had a nine bark, too, in a side yard, and I just loved it. Was not as beautiful as your variety, though. Your side yard is quite nice. I did have the Dragon's Blood, liked it a lot, and it's one of the bunny casualties, here. The Sedum spectabile is a nonevergreen sedum that has a spectacular fall bloom; it is one of the few things the bunnies have ignored and has grown wild and flourished with no care at all. I will have to go check if any of the residual tulips have come up. I planted two thornless blackberries and put a sturdy guard around each: the sheep ate the tops, then tore down the guards, and the chickens finished them off to the ground. My dog dug a lot of stuff up, too, but she is settling down at last, and I may have another go at it - now that I have some idea of wh I'm up against. But first I have some serious erosion issues to handle.

 

[21hens-incharge]

There is a plant that will control erosion but is EXTREMELY hard to get rid of if you want to and may be toxic so please do look that up before deciding to try it. It is called periwinkle and grows madly with little encouragement. It is cute and blooms purple blue flowers but again I caution as it may be toxic. I read that somewhere but cannot put my finger on it just now.

Sheep will tear down about any barrier except hot wire and even that I fear may be bypassed if they want something bad enough. You certainly have a challenge on your hands finding something they wont eat.

My hens leave the blackberry alone that the stinking squirrel moved to by the back fence. He does that and it is a constant battle to keep things where I want them not where he wants them. Today I found he has discovered that yesterday I planted onions and moved roughly 30 of them. It is comical the battle he and I have every year. I am not sure why he likes the onion family plants but he certainly goes for the aliums and onion sets. I plant he moves I replant he moves again I get mad and add wire and he digs under. He is a real snot.

I found the link that says it is a toxic plant. Posting the link so others will be aware of it too rather then simply removing that portion of my post.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/periwinkle

 

[COChix]

COCHix, I , too, am keeping my fingers crossed for your hatch. I am so tempted by your friend in Bennett's offerings.

Thanks, what breeds are you interested in? Ger paired ducks and geese were beautiful.


Colorado family, picked up duck eggs for eating. Had one for breakfast, wanting to make an egg custard or creme brûlée with them, anyone had an absolutely to die for dessert recipe you can share?

 

[samsr]

Chicks started popping out like crazy yesterday evening and today. 15 out if 17 hatched. Not too awful bad. This was to offset my neighbors lousy hatch rate. Sold 10 of them straight run and have the other 5 sold tomorrow. Good thing i have another hatch next weekend.
Someone here wanted to see some pics of my ihome made incubator. I just cant remember who. If someone remembers please let me know.

 

[coop410silkies]

21hens, my erosion problem spot is planted with a variegated Vinca, close kin to the Periwinkle. It's not doing that good of a job and I'm slowly getting rid of it so I can terrace the slope off and grow something of a wind break that is nice to look at, as well. The Silkies forage all over, but not in the Vinca; nor have they ever seemed poisoned. With a squirrel like yours, who needs bunnies. They are the devil's own. My dog and cats kept them at a distance, but when I couldn't keep these, the squirrels ravished the house plants I summered outdoors. I have yet to forgive them.
Thanks for the alert on the periwinkle.

Wellll COCHix, if I had my druthers, I'd be interested in Khaki Campbells, or maybe Indian runners. Maybe Toulouse geese. I don't know. Since I'm not near ready enough to set up for them, I've not researched them thoroughly. I'd have to get my stored stuff out of the sheep shed and modify it for ducks or geese. Am not sure even if I could manage their water in the winter. It is for sure I have some sub cortical longing and weak spot for little duckiepoos.

Wow, Mr. Samsr, that was one heckuvahatch. And they are all sold! I have to say I am just a little green with envy. Am looking forward to making a bator myself, just a small one, though. Your results say a lot about you, wish I could pick your mind.

 

[samsr]

21hens, my erosion problem spot is planted with a variegated Vinca, close kin to the Periwinkle. It's not doing that good of a job and I'm slowly getting rid of it so I can terrace the slope off and grow something of a wind break that is nice to look at, as well. The Silkies forage all over, but not in the Vinca; nor have they ever seemed poisoned. With a squirrel like yours, who needs bunnies. They are the devil's own. My dog and cats kept them at a distance, but when I couldn't keep these, the squirrels ravished the house plants I summered outdoors. I have yet to forgive them.
Thanks for the alert on the periwinkle.

Wellll COCHix, if I had my druthers, I'd be interested in Khaki Campbells, or maybe Indian runners. Maybe Toulouse geese. I don't know. Since I'm not near ready enough to set up for them, I've not researched them thoroughly. I'd have to get my stored stuff out of the sheep shed and modify it for ducks or geese. Am not sure even if I could manage their water in the winter. It is for sure I have some sub cortical longing and weak spot for little duckiepoos.

Wow, Mr. Samsr, that was one heckuvahatch. And they are all sold! I have to say I am just a little green with envy. Am looking forward to making a bator myself, just a small one, though. Your results say a lot about you, wish I could pick your mind.

Pick away. I am pretty much an open book. My first wine fridge bator is a small one. It works well and i hatched out many chicks. Somewhere in my old posts on this thread is the build up and a lot of pictures. Probably within my first 50 posts or so. I have always enjoyed this site and especially this thread. I have learned a lot from reading the posts.
I would definately enjoy walking people through how to build their own customized incubator. Its not that cheaper than buying one but it definately gives you a sense of satisfaction
I have the first two that i built and my neighbor has the third version. He has been having problems with his so far this year but last year he hatched out a bunch of chicks. Not quite sure what the problem is. We will figure it out. Here is a pic of version two. I had two egg turners and 10 goose eggs in it befor this hatch.
It still has the last three chicks in it as well as quite a few of the egg shells from this hatch. I will clean it up tomorrow and get ready for the lock down on the other 24 that are in there.

 

[rf12345]

that would be me. thanks for photos

 

[coop410silkies]

Thank you, samsr. Can't member when I could pass up an open book. For my last hatch I used a digital thermostat, and even with a small computer fan, there were hot and cold spots everywhere. How did you manage a uniform, stable hatching environment? Heat source? Humidity? Thermostat? Fan(s)? Ventilation? What were your biggest issues, and how did you handle them. Do you think your big incubator could work effectively as a scaled down small incubator? What % humidity did you incubate at? Lockdown at?

One thing I've been thinking of trying for a small bator is to use a separate chamber for heating and humidifying air, and then fanning it into the egg chamber. Do you think something like this could be made to work? I think I will try to find your early posts, get some questions from there. Thanks you, again.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would be such a nervous wreck trying to hatch chicks.

That is some incubator samsr!

Good luck with all the hatching to everyone that is doing so.

You all are so much braver then I am.

 

[mtnpeople]

I have 2 nice BO roosters, 10 months old. I also have a beautiful Buff Brahma rooster, king of the flock. (He was bought as a female, oh well) My problem is only 13 hens.

Had a rooster fight between the then king BO, and Olf, the clumsy giant raptor BB. That BO lost the battle and did indeed end up in the pot, but I found out something, these birds have become pets. It was very tough to process a friend. Would have never believed it, being an outdoorsman and hunter all my life.

I will offer one of my Buff Orps roosters up for adoption if anyone is interested. Located in southern Fremont County.