Homesteaders

[Molpet]

Folks must be busy with the harvest I hope. Threads have died due to lack of interest I suppose.

anyhow I've been reading, like I do and recently on Broody vs. Incubator. I've sold my incubator this year. Having always more than a few broody hen. Total 22 chicks of which I kept six and gave the others away.

Anyhow I wanted to comment on the author stating they'd no experience with breeds noted for being brooders. Silkies and Cochins. I don't have either but wanted to share my thoughts that it is good to keep a few hens of a breed that is a good brooder.

Mine were hatched by Delaware, EE's and Marans hens. Some did better than others but I blame myself since eggs were not fertile and I took chicks as they hatched. Eggs weren't given all at once.

Right now even though fall is coming on I have a hen on four eggs. Frenchy an original Frizzle from my first order of chicks, is over 8 years old and she has gone broody again. She's an easy girl and I do have to check her as another hen gets in an lays an egg nearly every day. I'm glad it's only one. I didn't want her to brood due to her age but she's determined.

I've been picking a few raspberries. Something ate most of the grapes. Even though it's wasn't a big crop I was upset.

I've gotten more tomatoes than I expected but do which the heat would last a few more weeks.

The scarlet runners are doing better than they have all year with the cooler weather. Is there something I need to know about growing beans.

The potatoes were a bust so I may not grow them again. Garlic didn't get picked in time but still usable I guess. Next year I'll do better.

Some Squash but I think the rodents got one and I've seen some small acorns.

Would lettuce and greens germinate still? I've planted some old seed but not much coming on. I'm thinking of getting some Swiss Chard to start.

I've been catching squirrels and dispatching them, but there are still to many rodents about. Hard to catch and I've considered getting a cat, but I couldn't let it out for fear it would get snatched by a coyote or fox. Anyone have an idea of what I can do. Would putting traps under a cover help?

I seen a small bunny twice lately. Not sure where it came from but I figure it's a good sign.

Hope there are some folks still following this thread.

coons get my grapes
I plant leaf lettuce, it can withstand light frost, spinach too is worth trying

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Hey, I'm still following. Life gets really crazy this time of year. Kids back to school, vegetables needing picked, chickens who are crazy, and winter prep.

My potatoes did great both ways I tried. First I just ripped a 40ft row and planted,great yield. Then I put 6 inches of old horse manure and used chicken bedding in a big plastic tub, tossed I some seed potatoes and coveted with more "crap". Grew great. I have enough potatoes for 2 months. Onions are big and sweet. Chickens went from 40 in 1 coop to
Coop 1- 31
Coop 2- 56
Coop 3- 25
Coop 4- 40

Yup I'm still working on more coops and more birds. I need 20 dozen eggs a week and 50 cx a month and that only covers the sold food. I have to grow out 25 cx for my freezer a month plus we need 5 dozen eggs a week . Plus we started clearing out our back field to get cattle. Geez do farmers ever slow down!?

Oh and I also am making plans for a turkey setup and goats as well.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Oh and we have a 100×10 section planted with berries of various types. 6 new grape vines. Plus we have to build (very soon) a new garage and barn.

That's it, I quit, I'm moving back in to an apartment!! Lol. Not ever I love our farm.

We also found and easy a name, Critter Craze farm.?

 

[rancher hicks]

coons get my grapes
I plant leaf lettuce, it can withstand light frost, spinach too is worth trying

I think it was birds. How can I protect them next year?

I do have some spinach seeds. I will put them in.

 

[Molpet]

I think it was birds. How can I protect them next year?

I do have some spinach seeds. I will put them in.

if it's birds , bird netting.. coons will tear that up

 

[spurrer]

I put mine in a fire on a bbq grill and let them stay as long as the coals are hot. I season them with lard. I have put lard on them before I put them in the fire. My daddy always burned Mama's in a fire. I have one iron skillet that is like satin inside.

 

[spurrer]

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here. He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw. I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here.  He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw.  I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

my apologies for sounding ungrateful. My grandfather is suffering from late stage dementia and I at times forget to stop and smell the flowers. You have my prayers for you and your family. I do thank God daily that I still have all 5 of my children and we all woke healthy. Sometimes I just get a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

My husband has Parkinson's Disease. He would give anything to be able to walk steady and do all the things you talked of doing. About all he can do is sit on the couch and watch TV. His mind is getting confused and he sees people who are not here.  He said yesterday he needed to get a job. It is sad because there is no job he could do. He was in construction from the age 16 to 75. He was supt on jobs costing millions to build. And now he can't remember how to turn on a table saw.  I have to help him take a bath and get dressed. He wears diapers all the time. He uses a walker and can't remember what to call it or where he left it. He has fallen several times but never hurt himself except for bruises. I am saying all this so that we will all be thankful that we have work to do and are able to do it. I get angry sometimes that I have to do everything now but then I stop and think that it could be me with PD instead of him. I am afraid for what the future holds for us. I have two chickens that are a lot of pleasure to me and a little cat that loves me very much. I have started making my own butter from cream I buy at the store. You see, I have had to give up a lot of things because of my husbands sickness. We used to go hiking in the woods, fishing, sailing, flying to see our kids in Vermont and San Franscisco. Now we just stay at home. We do go out to eat sometimes but I have to push him in a transport chair because he can not walk very far at all. We bought our house with seven acres 10 years ago and had big plans to have a garden and a beef cow or two. We enjoyed walking our land and sitting by the spring and crossing the railroad tracks to see the creek.But now he goes no further than the back yard. I pray that I can get rid of resentment because of the way might life has been kind of put on hold along with his. I know this is off subject but we need to rejoice at all the things we can do and that we have lots of things that we are interested in. My husband has lost interest in almost everything. I am talking to myself.

now that you are here you are no longer talking to yourself. We share the good and bad here and help one another along the way of life. The best friends in the world are the ones who listen and care.

 

[spurrer]

Thank you so much/. I was worried that I might offend someone but I am trying to talk myself in to believing what I am preaching.