Bummer about the trees! We bought 100 saplings from DNR in 2003 and about 20 are still alive. It IS a lot of work I agree.
We have about 5 3yr old saplings we've been growing--tulip, cedar, oak, etc... If you decide you want to re-plant some trees, you're welcome to have them. We live NW Indy.
Thanks for the offer! That is so nice of you! I may take you up on that! I went out to look at the fruit trees and it looks like all but three made it through. I am glad not to have a major setback on those. I need to find a couple cherry and maybe another apple or pear to replace the ones that died. Looks like more holes are in store! I just can't decide if I want to replace the poplars. I wonder if winter is supposed to be bad again this year? I really don't want go through all this again just to have them all die again!
The marans seem to be settling in with my flock. They roost at night but huddle together on the shorter roost away from the big kids. I went out and called the chickens for some scratch yesterday and the marans came running out of the run to eat with the bigs when I called. That is the first time I have seen them #1 run to me and #2 come out of the run without trepidation. I think they are starting to realize I almost always buy love with food and they seem to be getting more comfortable in their surroundings. That is great to see. Patrick has offered me a couple 11 week old barred rock pullets and a couple EE pullets. I am super stoked. They should be laying around the same time as Ugga and PeeWee (Marans) and that will give my current hens a bit of relief from Chewie sooner!
I need to get updated pics of my Bielefelders and Isbars. I know I have two pullets and three cockerel Bielefelders, but the Isbars were straight run and are all 4-5 weeks. It is looking like I got lucky and have 3 pullets and 2 cockerels there! If I don't have a surprise roo sprout out of the Isbars I will only need to re-home one Bielefelder cockerel! Woohoo!!! I won't be rehoming for a few months yet (12-16 weeks) but let me know if anyone is interested. They are supposed to be gentle giants, super docile and HUGE. He should be 10-13 lbs when done growing. He will be free to any of the Indiana BYCers (as long as he is not going to the pot). If no one here wants him I'm sure I can sell him on the Buy-Sell-Trade or Craigslist.