Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Wisher1000]

I think Sun Chokes are a variety of perennial sunflower...........or may be related to daisys.

 

[juststruttin]

Aren't sun chokes, Jerusalem artichokes? I think I looked those up before. Thanks for the tip, I had no idea they got that tall. I tried to grow sunflowers this year to provide relief from the afternoon sun. I started late but I really expected them to get taller than 36". I used some of my black oil sunflower seeds. They grew well, just not big enough to make a difference.

Yes, they are the same thing. I have grown them in beds for the past few years and they quickly grow to 10 feet. You may want to consider planting in beds as they have the tendency to take over. On another note, gophers love them so beds or baskets should keep them safe.

Edited to add a link:
Here is an article about just how invasive they are. I wanted to post it as a warning. I can attest to the fact that they are prolific. I planted 2 pounds of them and harvested 20 lbs my first year and close to 100 lbs this year. If they like their environment, they will take over.

Here is a good article about one persons experience.
http://www.commonsensehome.com/before-you-plant-sunchokes/

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: SOmeone on here sent me seeds of these. She forewarned me that they will take over so I planted half the seeds at my back property line where the compost pile used to be. They can take over all they want there

 

[NanaKat]

 Discussing Cochins: shortened
I have Blue, Black and White...unfamiliar with the Partridge.  All of my hens are solid breasted and thick thighs.  They have a nice spread to their pelvis/legs and broad backs.
The 3 year old Blue hens do lay better numbers than the White hens...but I don't know the age on the White hens. 
A few of my hens have actually gone broody more than once this year...they make great incubators...making keeping them  worth the feed they consume.

 Do the feather footed breeds make a big mess in the nestboxes? My property can get muddy and having to clean additional eggs would be an issue with me. My coop is floorless and I have tried putting straw down in front of the boxes, but that can work against you sometimes because it holds the moisture.

Yes, I often have to wash Cochin eggs when the weather has been wet. I use deep litter in the main hen house ..bags of leaves, wood chips on top of a dirt floor. The hens mix this up and that helps clean feet as the girls move to their selected nest. The Cochins prefer the lowest nest boxes...six inches off the floor or I set refrigerator drawers filled with straw for them. In the smaller coops I use straw with sand in front. Lots of sand helps with our Oklahoma red clay. I'm periodically bringing in more sand.

 

[Pozees]

Aren't sun chokes, Jerusalem artichokes? I think I looked those up before. Thanks for the tip, I had no idea they got that tall. I tried to grow sunflowers this year to provide relief from the afternoon sun. I started late but I really expected them to get taller than 36". I used some of my black oil sunflower seeds. They grew well, just not big enough to make a difference.

We tried the same thing - they grow, but the wind either stunts them or breaks them off. The natives are more branched but the tallest we have were maybe 4' tall.

 

[Pozees]

Thought this would be the place to ask (along with the CO thread of course, and I may also try the KY thread) - if there is anyone traveling from KY to CO in the near future who would be willing to transport a pair or two of Adult Speckled Sussex, I would gladly pay for fuel. Please PM me if this is a possibility. The gentleman who owns the birds (Walt Reichert) will be going to the show in Knoxville December 7th and 8th also, if someone would be coming to CO from there.

 

[cbnovick]

LF Buff Rock.
the Good news:
5 months. 7.5 lbs. Love her big and wide head. Pretty darn even color throughout. Excellent depth and length of body and nice, tight wings. Tail is still finishing length.
the Bad news:
oh dear, the dreaded cushion

albeit, the tail is not done, it looks like it may be a tad on the lowish side (< 20 degrees)

all in all I think this is a nice pullet with lots of good things going on...hopefully she will be a good and not just decent layer...She'd dress nicely as a roaster, no doubt. Dual purpose is goal here congruent with the SOP...and she's still real easy on the eyes

 

[cbnovick]

forgot to add this quick side shot I caught late this afternoon...feather width is good just have to wait and see if it will lift....I am not counting on it though

 

[Wisher1000]

Here's another shot at posting pics..... FAIL!

 

[Arielle]

Quote: SOmeone on here sent me seeds of these. She forewarned me that they will take over so I planted half the seeds at my back property line where the compost pile used to be. They can take over all they want there

I was wondering if they could grow in New England-- you answered my question-- If they can handle NY they can handle here. Yeah.

Thought this would be the place to ask (along with the CO thread of course, and I may also try the KY thread) - if there is anyone traveling from KY to CO in the near future who would be willing to transport a pair or two of Adult Speckled Sussex, I would gladly pay for fuel. Please PM me if this is a possibility. The gentleman who owns the birds (Walt Reichert) will be going to the show in Knoxville December 7th and 8th also, if someone would be coming to CO from there.

I did wonder who you were getting stock from when I saw the postingon the SS thread. Nice.