Fugly Farm

[igorsMistress]

What beans do you use IM?

Navy or pinto. These were navy and better the next day of course.

 

[Shadrach]

Powder wants to be broody so I’m keeping a close eye on the nests to make sure eggs are picked up a few times a day.

You are one of the few people I've read here on BYC who write "wants to go broody."
I usually know when a hen wants to sit and hatch long before she does it. I have this theory that a hen intends to sit and hatch from the first egg she lays of the clutch she intends to sit on. To be correct, such a hen is broody from that moment on. Many will disagree or disbelieve no doubt.
What signs do you see that makes you believe a hen intends to sit?

 

[igorsMistress]

I got 4 quarts of potatoes put up today in addition to the veg stock; I hate potatoes in a bag, a few were almost worthless. I decided to filter the raisin vinegar to get the sludge out of the bottom and did the apple too since the fruit was no longer floating. Both of those have a pH of about 3 and are on the counter until the weekend when I’ll put into sealed containers. The blueberry is at about 3.5 for pH and still has fruit floating in it so will check again when I bottle the other two. I started a strawberry vinegar from some berries I dehydrated earlier in the month, just a pint batch for now.

 

[igorsMistress]

You are one of the few people I've read here on BYC who write "wants to go broody."
I usually know when a hen wants to sit and hatch long before she does it. I have this theory that a hen intends to sit and hatch from the first egg she lays of the clutch she intends to sit on. To be correct, such a hen is broody from that moment on. Many will disagree or disbelieve no doubt.
What signs do you see that makes you believe a hen intends to sit?

I’ve had different behaviors from different hens. One of my girls gradually increases the time she’s in the nest box and then disappears. If she’s not around to eat she’s broody. The one who wants to go broody has been clucking and flaring her feathers at the others like she’s hormonal, but I’m not letting eggs build up to encourage it. I have also noticed that they tend to start not hanging out with the rest of the flock as much and hang out close to the nests.

You?

 

[Shadrach]

I’ve had different behaviors from different hens. One of my girls gradually increases the time she’s in the nest box and then disappears. If she’s not around to eat she’s broody. The one who wants to go broody has been clucking and flaring her feathers at the others like she’s hormonal, but I’m not letting eggs build up to encourage it. I have also noticed that they tend to start not hanging out with the rest of the flock as much and hang out close to the nests.

You?

Prefered nest change has in the past been a reasonably reliable indicator. One day they just stop laying in their regular nest and head off with their rooster to find a new nest site. This is with ranging hens on acres of ground but Tull, one of the hens at the field did much the same a while ago much to my surprise. I sort of lost them for a while and found Henry and Tull in a clump of grass nest building. Two days later Tull tried to sit on some eggs in the coop nest box.
Quantity of food eaten can give one three or four days notice, usually before they start fluffing up and keeping away from their group.
None of the above is 100% reliable. Some hens just sit and that's it. I'm pretty sure if one watched the just sit hens carefully one could see it coming.

 

[igorsMistress]

Prefered nest change has in the past been a reasonably reliable indicator. One day they just stop laying in their regular nest and head off with their rooster to find a new nest site. This is with ranging hens on acres of ground but Tull, one of the hens at the field did much the same a while ago much to my surprise. I sort of lost them for a while and found Henry and Tull in a clump of grass nest building. Two days later Tull tried to sit on some eggs in the coop nest box.
Quantity of food eaten can give one three or four days notice, usually before they start fluffing up and keeping away from their group.
None of the above is 100% reliable. Some hens just sit and that's it. I'm pretty sure if one watched the just sit hens carefully one could see it coming.

They do seem to be finicky and yes, they are off the food a bit too. I have noticed that with Powder and I was a little worried until she started the clucking and the feather bit.

 

[igorsMistress]

I found an old plant stand in the garage that I got from my mother a few years ago. I decided to take it apart and use it as a cooling rack. The metal one I’ve been using bends from the weight. I have four sections I can use

 

[igorsMistress]

Worked on the shade garden today. This little succulent was a gift a couple years ago and it outgrew its pot so I transplanted it and put it outside

Put the oregano in a pot

Put an aloe pup in a pot

Redid the water setup for the crew

 

[igorsMistress]

It is gorgeous outside! I filled the pool today and the ducks were drowning each other in it The wild birds are chatting and the ants are biting. The chickens are doing their own thing and Attila is underfoot as usual I think the corn grew six inches since I was out there a couple days ago! All the sunchokes are growing well, the Roselle has come up and all the little trees are putting on leaves. The air is cool but I can wear a tank top and shorts. Got much accomplished, now waiting for Igor and Frank to get back from HD so we can put up a support for the shade we’ll need later in the year. Then I have a canning project to get done before it gets hot.

 

[N F C]

It is gorgeous outside! I filled the pool today and the ducks were drowning each other in it The wild birds are chatting and the ants are biting. The chickens are doing their own thing and Attila is underfoot as usual I think the corn grew six inches since I was out there a couple days ago! All the sunchokes are growing well, the Roselle has come up and all the little trees are putting on leaves. The air is cool but I can wear a tank top and shorts. Got much accomplished, now waiting for Igor and Frank to get back from HD so we can put up a support for the shade we’ll need later in the year. Then I have a canning project to get done before it gets hot.

Sounds like a great day, glad you're enjoying it!