EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[mlm Mike]

Good morning Mike yes it’s a happy Saturday. Got the tree cleared with the neighbor last night. Well at least the big stuff. So the task today will be easier. It was a little dark when we finished.
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Glad you had help getting it done.

 

[kwhites634]

Do any of you have a Huskee or a Troy-bilt log splitter? I'm weighing them one against the other; plan to buy one of them.
Interested in the maximum length of wood each will take.

 

[Pensmaster]

Do any of you have a Huskee or a Troy-bilt log splitter? I'm weighing them one against the other; plan to buy one of them.
Interested in the maximum length of wood each will take.

I’ll ask my neighbor what his is. You’ll get a very detailed answer.

 

[Pensmaster]

Glad you had help getting it done.

Me too. It was more the power of two tired people working a task that neither would say uncle. But it’s cleared.

 

[mlm Mike]

@kajira i really admire what you do for your kids but all the little ones are a lot of work. Why not send the older ones to school???
As a university professor I would NEVER consider I was capable of giving my kids the breadth of education esp in languages, math and physics that the school could. It would have put the kids at a huge disadvantage when competing with other kids for university /scholarships etc.
I would of course have LOVED to home school them. That would have been so much fun. Compromised with "topping up" what they did at school with on line and fun stuff like music and sport (and chickens etc). I know each to their own and some people don't want their kids minds "polluted" with school - but when they leave home they need to know how to REALLY deal with people who are non-family members.
And although my 2 older girls are at UNI they both call/text me every day -so school did not ruin them.
I love my kids to death but I know they are just "borrowed" and we do our best for them and then they go off and do their own thing with life, but also believe they won't be so sick of us that they will always remain close.
I know that on this thread there are lots of different views, including people who are very anti school and variety is good. Just putting my 2cents out there....

Home schooling is much different than you imagine. From what I have seen there is lots of networking between people that home school. Plenty of social interaction opportunities. They plan educational outings with other home schoolers. The small classroom size equates to individual attention. If the student becomes particularly interested in a subject, there is an opportunity to delve deeper into it.
I should just

 

[kwhites634]

I’ll ask my neighbor what his is. You’ll get a very detailed answer.

Thank you, kind sir (don't let it go to your head ) Details are what I need.

 

[mlm Mike]

Well, it's finally happened; a hawk flew into the uncovered chicken yard adjoining the run & picked off one of my birds. I saw movement from the window that didn't look just right, so I went to get a closer look. Mr. Hawk was dining on my last remaining RSL of 6, and the oldest bird in my mini-flock. At least the hawk was considerate enough not to take one of the 4 younger layers. The one he got seldom produced an egg anymore, but she got a pass 'cause I liked her.
Near as I can tell from the scattered feathers pattern, the hawk got hold of her inside the open gate between the chicken yard & the run & dragged her just outside the gate. Since there's been snow on the ground I haven't let them out to free range; 3 of the 5 (2 blacks & the RSL) would be easy targets against the snow. Without a rooster to guard them anymore, it wasn't worth the risk.
I just ordered a 50x50 roll of 2" nylon netting to cover the chicken yard; it takes me a while, but eventually I learn.

Sorry that happened. I hope the hawk doesn't stick around.

 

[kwhites634]

Sorry that happened. I hope the hawk doesn't stick around.

Not really surprised; bound to happen sooner or later with a topless enclosure. I went several years w/o it happening.
No sign yet of a return

 

[Pensmaster]

Sounds like you need a package of ladybugs for your aphids!

11 EE's have hatched with a bunch more pipped, at least one of the Birchen's is pipped (hallelujah!!), and the CCL's I can't tell as the visibility in that incubator isn't the best. Betting I get lots of chicks popping while I sleep! Goodnight everyone!

How’d the chicks do? Yea Marans
Tried the ladybugs seems they all flew home. They must be migratory.
My fault when the infestation hit so bad. I had one plant that I hoped would make it. It was a little sickly and the aphids started there and in two weeks wiped out a very healthy pumpkin patch. I won’t make that mistake again.

 

[mlm Mike]

Do any of you have a Huskee or a Troy-bilt log splitter? I'm weighing them one against the other; plan to buy one of them.
Interested in the maximum length of wood each will take.

My neighbor at the lake has whatever kind Tractor Supply sells. I got plenty of hours of use with it and it worked really well.