Connecticut!

[calamityfarm]

Hi All, I've had chickens for almost 20 years, in various amounts and breeds. I'm focusing my energy now on Black Copper Marans hoping to eventually switch over to almost all dark brown eggs, and to try to promote the breed. Just thought I'd say hi. I am in West Suffield.

 

[Muzzie]

Hi Calamity welcome to BYC

 

[BirdsinBethel]

I was hoping insticts would keep the chickens from eating the lawn chemicals, and minimal foraging time on the lawn would mean minimal exposure...darn it.. I have a whole forest of maple seedlings that the mower beheaded but are stll visible...

 

[new chick 203]

I know, weren't the maple seedlings crazy this year!?

 

[mallory2013]

Hey CTers! I havent posted in a while, but I figured I'd stop in to say hello and to see if anyone is interested in my bantam blue cochin rooster, named "Piccolo". He is 5 months old, and a little too rough with my 3 banty hens. I think he just needs more hens. He is a great rooster otherwise, he does the dragging-wing-mating-dance and also calls the girls over for food. I am selling him for $5 so I can get back what I paid for him. He is very handsome! Here are some pictures:

 

[OmeletMan]

Hey, any one have advice on lawn weed & feed type stuff and chickens? We need to feed the lawn and kill some weeds, and the organic stuff can be pricey...while I am trying to keep the girls in their area until my perennials get a head start, they do escape to the lawn sometimes. And I don;t want to poison them!

One big question I have, is what is your definition of weeds? One person's weed is another persons wildflower. Moss is whole other topic.

Keeping the lawn short is the worst thing you can do for weeds. You want to keep the grass as tall as you can tolerate it. Weeds out-compete grass because they grow so much faster and produce abundant seeds.

Think about what it takes for plants to germinate? Seeds need light and contact with soil to grow. When grass is short you maximize light exposure to the weeds and weed seeds in your soil. Grass allowed to grow tall shades the soil, reduces soil temperature, retains moisture, and reduces weed infestations.

Cutting grass short reduces its tolerance to drought conditions. Grass roots, depending on the variety, can go 1-3+ feet in the soil. Instead of allowing the plant to develop deep roots to tap into available ground water supply, it has to use a lot of energy to repair the damage of close cutting.

Set your mower to the highest setting and enjoy!

 

[little blue]

Had a great time at the show sold alot of chicks. My 2 orps i showed did really good at the show, Denzel and Blueberry i am really proud of my 2 Orps.
Denzel got reserve champion for large fowl and Best in breed and Blueberry got reserve Breed

 

[calamityfarm]

How are people getting their birds pullorum tested these days? It's been a few years since my kids showed so I am out of the loop, but would like to start again- myself this time!

 

[BirdsinBethel]

Moss isn't a problem-at least it's green and under control. The 'weeds' are dandelions (which I can pull if I have to), creeping Charlie (at least that's what my mother called it; kinds of a round leafed vine that weaves through the grass) and the ubiquitous maple seedlings which I've been pulling out of my garden beds by the hundreds, and don't have the time or the patience to pull from the lawn. In all honesty, the weeds aren't the big deal so much as I want to fertilize the lawn and overseed it ... I can keep the girls contained while I reseed but how to evenly fertilize without hurting them??

Quote:

 

[kvmommy]

Hi all...i haven't been on here in a while. I want to keep up with this page because I just found out I missed out on a show. I want to learn how to show poultry. Probably seramas. I have one little guy/or gal and am already in love. So is DH. Anywho, I'm also curious on how to fertilize safely.