fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[kcan2]

Handsome Joob Joob is growing up nicely, he is comically in charge of the two gigantic Erminette hens and calls them to eat treats. There does not seem to be any issue with my other rooster, but I notice JJ cautiously hangs around the outside edges of the group.
View attachment 4278935

Joob Joob ice cube! He looks ready for spring!

 

[1muttsfan]

Anyone have information on Portuguese kale (Tronchuda Beira), or varieties Wild Garden Frills (Russian) or Mars. Landing? I've been limiting myself pretty much to garlic and onions the last few years but I think I would like to grow a little kale.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Anyone have information on Portuguese kale (Tronchuda Beira), or varieties Wild Garden Frills (Russian) or Mars. Landing? I've been limiting myself pretty much to garlic and onions the last few years but I think I would like to grow a little kale.

I've heard of Mars Landing but never planted it.

Looks like Renee's Garden sells seeds for all 3. Burpee surprisingly has Portuguese Kale.

There are so many varieties, plant a few and see what you like best. Most grow quickly and do well in cool weather. I know you're weather is much colder than here, but you could still probably extend your growing season with a cold frame.

I usually plant Siberian Kale and have done Red Russian in the past, mainly because that's the seeds I have and are easily sourced in the little local feed store here...
Siberian holds up pretty well even in cold weather as long as it's sheltered (cold frame).

@Mother of Chaos may know more about these?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I've heard of Mars Landing but never planted it.

Looks like Renee's Garden sells seeds for all 3. Burpee surprisingly has Portuguese Kale.

There are so many varieties, plant a few and see what you like best. Most grow quickly and do well in cool weather. I know you're weather is much colder than here, but you could still probably extend your growing season with a cold frame.

I usually plant Siberian Kale and have done Red Russian in the past, mainly because that's the seeds I have and are easily sourced in the little local feed store here...
Siberian holds up pretty well even in cold weather as long as it's sheltered (cold frame).

@Mother of Chaos may know more about these?

I’m afraid I know nothing about kale, including growing it! I’m impressed at how many varieties people know. My approach to kale is pretty much that of a six-year-old glaring at Brussels sprouts on his plate. (Although I love Brussels sprouts!!)

 

[1muttsfan]

I have found that kale is really delicious when added to soups. I have a recipe for a lentil soup made with sweet Italian sausage, you stir greens in at the end. The curly kale had a great textural input. But I live in a small town and we seldom have kale at our local market.

Renee's Garden has an onion start that grows very well up here, the blush hybrid. It's a long season onion and stores really well.

I also adore their Shirley poppies, one of my raised beds has been turned over just to their gorgeous flowers.

 

[Molpet]

Anyone have information on Portuguese kale (Tronchuda Beira), or varieties Wild Garden Frills (Russian) or Mars. Landing? I've been limiting myself pretty much to garlic and onions the last few years but I think I would like to grow a little kale.

@kattabelly recommended some kale they grow in Scotland

 

[1muttsfan]

I think this one sounds interesting

https://www.reneesgarden.com/collections/kale/products/green-curls

 

[kattabelly]

I personally wouldn't ever grow curly kale, other than maybe for baby leaves for salads. Really the only thing those varieties are good for fishmongers' counter displays. (IMO)

The heirloom Russian and Italian kales would be my first choices from that website.

Italian will be great as fairly big, mature leaves after it's been through a good hard frost- pick before the ribs get too fibrous and woody and you shouldn't need to trim them. It'll be nice just steamed until tender but not soggy; with a bit of butter, or lemon juice and olive oil. You can make a really good winter salad with blanched leaves too.

The russian can be eaten that way too but it'll be even better either as smaller, young leaves or once it's started to flower - small leaves and the flower sprouts they're growing next to should all be great.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Handsome Joob Joob is growing up nicely, he is comically in charge of the two gigantic Erminette hens and calls them to eat treats. There does not seem to be any issue with my other rooster, but I notice JJ cautiously hangs around the outside edges of the group.
View attachment 4278935

Handsome guy!

 

[fuzzi]

Today's big project was creating a barrier between my chicken coops and the rest of the yard, so my new dog Caleb doesn't have to be on a leash all the time. He scares the chickens if he gets close, and I don't want them to injure themselves in their panic.

I've been thinking about how best to do this. I had an "Aha!" moment while in the shed...plastic fencing!

I had a lot.

I attached the end of the roll to the back of Coop Deux, with zip-ties.

Next I used cup hooks to attach it to the back of the small shed.

But how to hold it up across the yard? I have a few 3' T posts, which are not tall enough.

Then I found these in the shed, stakes I acquired for future electric fencing, never been used.

I wove the stakes through the fencing, but it kept sliding down as the stakes were smooth. I used electrical tape to secure it, as a temporary fix.

I'll figure out something better than tape.

I put two more cup hooks on the back of the big shed to hold the other end of the fencing.

I used a similar method to block off the south side.

Success!