Homesteaders

[OrganicFarmWife]

I would keep an eye on her and see how things go. Duramycin won't hurt. I usually use just a weak dose and have really only used it once or twice in all the years I've had chickens. Watch the humidity in your coop. 

I rarely use it but keep some in the fridge just in case. I would watch her and make sure she's eating and pooping. Use a high protein feed. 

Of course you have to do what you think is best so if you don't take my advice that's okay. I just want your bird well. 


IMHO, I think the reason for all the soil erosion on farms is lack of real soil.  Too, I think the desire to eradicate every weed is too much. A few weeds won't hurt. There is a natural  balance that is lost when adding so many chemicals. 

I have read that the percentage of increase in yield using chemicals is negligible. It increases the cost of the producing a crop. Might as well dump on lots of horse manure and save money.

Besides horse are nicer than a chemical plant.  Can't ride a chemical plant. Can't hug,nuzzle or kiss a chemical plant.  When's the last time a chemical plant acted happy to see you?  

Okay I'll stop.  

My area is generally very dry this time of year, but it did happen to rain today, probably be snow tomorrow. But I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want advice. I will keep an eye on everything, and get the antibiotic as soon as possible.

To butt in on your other conversation. There is soil erosion because farmers keep farming more and more areas that really should not be farmed, like hillsides. they do not even bother with creating terraces here. But soil, and what should be in it, is one of DH favorite subjects. Today's farmer does not care about soil health, they literally talk in years, "I have 10 more years to use this land, then I will get rid of it" figuring that is how long planting the same crop and fixing the soil with chemicals will work.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I don't find horse manure offensive. It doesn't smell like roses, but it doesn't have an awful smell either. 

The area I plan on putting in my small orchard, is where I used to have one of my corrals. Lots of horse manure has been put into that area. I'm hoping it will help my new trees.

it should . Horse manure makes everything grow better, including kids. My kids clean stall 2 times a week and are all starting to fill out nicely. Poop and physical labor do wonders for a body.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I would keep an eye on her and see how things go. Duramycin won't hurt. I usually use just a weak dose and have really only used it once or twice in all the years I've had chickens. Watch the humidity in your coop. 

I rarely use it but keep some in the fridge just in case. I would watch her and make sure she's eating and pooping. Use a high protein feed. 

Of course you have to do what you think is best so if you don't take my advice that's okay. I just want your bird well. 


IMHO, I think the reason for all the soil erosion on farms is lack of real soil.  Too, I think the desire to eradicate every weed is too much. A few weeds won't hurt. There is a natural  balance that is lost when adding so many chemicals. 

I have read that the percentage of increase in yield using chemicals is negligible. It increases the cost of the producing a crop. Might as well dump on lots of horse manure and save money.

Besides horse are nicer than a chemical plant.  Can't ride a chemical plant. Can't hug,nuzzle or kiss a chemical plant.  When's the last time a chemical plant acted happy to see you?  

Okay I'll stop.  

horses are all around great. For companionship, fertilizer, farm equipment, therapist, transportation and so much more.

Let big business keep ruining their reputation, soon people like us will be in big demand. Small local family run farms who refuse to use chemicals. Its not got a huge financial gain but the spirit lifting feeling it gives is great. Several of us in my area have started trading goods. One grows lots of 4 or 5 things another does the same with other veggies and so on. We each concentrate on large amounts of a few things, alternating yearly, so we all have enough of eve for the coming winter. I provide eggs and some veggies one provides pork and some veggies another does dairy and another beef. We aren't in it for profit but for health and friendship.

 

[KlopKlop]

horses are all around great. For companionship, fertilizer, farm equipment, therapist, transportation and so much more.

Let big business keep ruining their reputation, soon people like us will be in big demand. Small local family run farms who refuse to use chemicals. Its not got a huge financial gain but the spirit lifting feeling it gives is great. Several of us in my area have started trading goods. One grows lots of 4 or 5 things another does the same with other veggies and so on. We each concentrate on large amounts of a few things, alternating yearly, so we all have enough of eve for the coming winter. I provide eggs and some veggies one provides pork and some veggies another does dairy and another beef. We aren't in it for profit but for health and friendship.

that sounds awesome! i would love to get into some kind of co-op like that where everyone exchanges goods. allowing micro-specialization and shared labor. Not to mention the friendship it would cultivate working as team.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

that sounds awesome! i would love to get into some kind of co-op like that where everyone exchanges goods.  allowing micro-specialization and shared labor.  Not to mention the friendship it would cultivate working as team.  

I haven't done it yet , or even approached the hubby with it , but would like to start something for the school here. It's a small town with only 100 kids or so per grade. Maybe get it set up so the 6th graders all get a 4×4 square to tend them self. I have 9 acres and am only 3 miles from the school. If the kids get excited enough about it before school is out that year set up for their parent/guardian to bring them out weekly to weed/harvest what they planted. That is still several years down the road though. First I have to talk to hubby, insurance, lawyers and the school. I know it's a lot of paperwork but if I can inspire even one youngster a year that's one more family not buying chemicals in place of food. It sounds like an impossible task, but hey the best things in life take work.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Plus it only takes a tiny thing in common to start a life long friendships. If carrots and kale can bond 2 families for life why not.

 

[KlopKlop]

I have been watching the back to eden videos. very interesting stuff! i turn my garden with a plow and till it.... and this video is making me feel like a bad person for it! i had no idea this was an option!!

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I have been watching the back to eden videos.  very interesting stuff!  i turn my garden with a plow and till it.... and this video is making me feel like a bad person for it!  i had no idea this was an option!!

it's also called "no till gardening " it's a rediculous easy idea but makes such a difference.

 

[KlopKlop]

it's also called "no till gardening " it's a rediculous easy idea but makes such a difference.

I will be honest that I learned my techniques from my dad who learned from his and so on. They were cash croppers so the plowing and tilling came natural for them. I literally had no idea this was an option haha

The part where he talks about tilling in uncomposted organic matter robbing nitrogen was a total head cannon! I can't believe I didn't put that together in my head like 2+2!

 

[rancher hicks]

My area is generally very dry this time of year, but it did happen to rain today, probably be snow tomorrow. But I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want advice. I will keep an eye on everything, and get the antibiotic as soon as possible.

To butt in on your other conversation. There is soil erosion because farmers keep farming more and more areas that really should not be farmed, like hillsides. they do not even bother with creating terraces here. But soil, and what should be in it, is one of DH favorite subjects. Today's farmer does not care about soil health, they literally talk in years, "I have 10 more years to use this land, then I will get rid of it" figuring that is how long planting the same crop and fixing the soil with chemicals will work.

I hope you didn't take me the wrong way. I might have been a bit sensitive since others will sometimes offer contradicting advice and correcting all that. Know what I mean? There are those in the world I like to call "Toppers". They always pipe in with "better" whatever the conversation is about. Get it?

You feed your birds this? Well I feed my birds this and they always lay eggs even in the winter. Hundreds of eggs every day. Sometimes two eggs a day.

You have whatever breed? Well I keep this breed and they are the best. They never get sick and they're so friendly and nice. I never have to collect eggs they just lay them right in the basket for me.

exaggeration but I think you get the idea.

So I like to say, "do whatever lets you sleep at night". I hope folks understand. I don't mind once in a while but to everything everyone else says? It get annoying.

I don't have all the answers. I know some do, but I just like to offer what I do that works for me. Somewhere else on the planet it may not work. If it helps I'm happy. If not at least I reached out to a friend.