INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[leslea]

We've started checking our oldest girls individually to see who's laying and how often. The first one we tried is laying at least some of the really weird eggs we get and always keep for ourselves. She is on the stewing hen list for fall. Baldie is our last Jersey Giant and she wouldn't even be alive if we didn't keep her in the garage the entire winter the year before last. She's an "omega" bird who gets picked on even though she is bigger than everyone but the Jubilees in the big common coop/yard. I won't mind putting some in the freezer this year since I'll have 7 Bielefelders laying by about January, plus a few Orp pullets, too. We only have a list of 3 birds so far who get to live their entire natural lives with us because we just love 'em: Lillian (Australorp named after my late MIL), Sweetie (a very small BO who is more like a puppy than a chicken), and Sam (Ameracauna who is probably the smartest and most curious bird we own). Sam could fly out of the fenced area any time she felt like it, but she never has. We know she can fly that high because she has flown from the ground to DH's shoulder, which is roughly fence height. I have to modify a chicken saddle for her because right now she is living in the family group with LaRue, my lavender Orp roo, and he's wearing her back feathers off pretty badly. I can't even see her when he's on top of her!

But I swear I'm going to lose my mind if it doesn't stop raining. We put our garden in really late this year and can't tell if anything has suffered yet. They are all growing! Our resident bunnies were chomping the leaves of the hot peppers, so DH had to put some chicken wire around the plant cages. They've left the 'maters and squash alone. We also have some volunteers veggies that we're anxiously awaiting identification for.

I don't know why, but DH put in a row of sunflowers. I think they are going to get too much shade when they're grown, but right now they are the tallest plants in the garden.

The best thing is the neighbors did not have thier apple trees sprayed this year to sterilize them, so come fall, the chickens will have a gazillion apples to eat and it won't cost us a thing (we have carte blanche to use them, since they don't spray them for bugs, either).

We also added a few landscaping trees/shrubs. We added three Korean dogwoods with variegated leaves which are gorgeous, and some shrubs with yellow/green leaves, but the shrubs don't look happy. I think they have had their fill of the rain, too. The dogwoods are digging it. We also bought some variegated hostas that are lovely. (See a trend here? I love plants with variegated leaves!)

Here's hoping the excess rain stops soon, but that it's not followed by a hot drought!

That is a lucky break re: the apples. We have a walnut tree that drops nuts all over our coop. I think apples would be less work for the girls!

 

[ChickCrazed]

That is a lucky break re: the apples. We have a walnut tree that drops nuts all over our coop. I think apples would be less work for the girls!

I have a mature apple tree and it is a huge hit with the dogs and chickens. I don't spray either so there are very few off the tree that I would eat, but I do get a few. Last year I only got about 20 tiny apples off the tree. I think the nasty winter had something to do with it. This year is looking better.

I also got my garden in late and it is not thriving, but seems to be surviving with all the moisture. I am trying watermelon for the first time, I bought started plants so I am hoping my late start will still be ok since they need such a long growing season. Other than that I will only have tomatoes, zuccini, spaghetti squash and a few cucumbers. It was a light year for me.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Today has been such an emotional rollercoaster. Grandma ffinally lost her battle again lymphoma and passed away this morning. Received a call and was offered the job I've been interviewing for. Only issuetheey can't offer me what they thought they could in pay. So I have less than 24hrs to get back with them if I want to accept the job or not. Part of accepting the job willrlikely be me sselling the house and relocating closer to fort Wayne. I will be renting until I get to the position I want which may require relocating four of state.

So with that all being said I am going to be going through and starting to sell off my complete flock. This is going to hurt the most lol. I will be getting pictures and prices this week if weather cooperates. So be on the look out for what I have for sale!

I'm so sorry about your grandma. I am happy for you about the job opportunity. I can't even imagine you without chickens. That will be an adjustment!

 

[leslea]

I have a mature apple tree and it is a huge hit with the dogs and chickens. I don't spray either so there are very few off the tree that I would eat, but I do get a few. Last year I only got about 20 tiny apples off the tree. I think the nasty winter had something to do with it. This year is looking better.

I also got my garden in late and it is not thriving, but seems to be surviving with all the moisture. I am trying watermelon for the first time, I bought started plants so I am hoping my late start will still be ok since they need such a long growing season. Other than that I will only have tomatoes, zuccini, spaghetti squash and a few cucumbers. It was a light year for me.

I will say that I had a hanging strawberry plant that did well. First time I ever had a strawberry survive! I am tempted to plant it in the boxes around my coop, but the girls would just destroy it. Hrm...where to plant, where to plant. If I put it in the front it will be devoured by squirrels and bunnies. I discovered wild black raspberry vines in my woods and picked a few of those this year. My goal before next year is to remove the wild (invasive) multiflora rose that grows all around it so I can get back to the berries and pick more!

 

[ChickCrazed]

I will say that I had a hanging strawberry plant that did well. First time I ever had a strawberry survive! I am tempted to plant it in the boxes around my coop, but the girls would just destroy it. Hrm...where to plant, where to plant. If I put it in the front it will be devoured by squirrels and bunnies. I discovered wild black raspberry vines in my woods and picked a few of those this year. My goal before next year is to remove the wild (invasive) multiflora rose that grows all around it so I can get back to the berries and pick more!

I'd love to put a berry patch in my yard but I have an oddly shaped yard and am having a mental block over where to put it. One of these days I'll figure it out!

 

[pginsber]

...Received a call and was offered the job I've been interviewing for. Only issue they can't offer me what they thought they could in pay. So I have less than 24hrs to get back with them if I want to accept the job or not. Part of accepting the job will likely be me selling the house and relocating closer to fort Wayne. I will be renting until I get to the position I want which may require relocating out of state.

So with that all being said I am going to be going through and starting to sell off my complete flock. This is going to hurt the most...

Bittersweet emotional day. Our thoughts are with you. That hardly seems fair to get pressure to re-locate immediately for less salary than we told you--fingers crossed that it's a reputable and established company, opposed to a fly-by-night place that may not do good by you. You are a hard worker and good opportunity will surely be in your future!

...But I swear I'm going to lose my mind if it doesn't stop raining. We put our garden in really late this year and can't tell if anything has suffered yet. They are all growing! Our resident bunnies were chomping the leaves of the hot peppers, so DH had to put some chicken wire around the plant cages. They've left the 'maters and squash alone. We also have some volunteers veggies that we're anxiously awaiting identification for.

I don't know why, but DH put in a row of sunflowers. I think they are going to get too much shade when they're grown, but right now they are the tallest plants in the garden....

We're trying pole beans this year instead of bush green beans. I'm looking forward to tasting the one named "Pink tipped greasy" (EWWww--who names a green bean pink-tipped greasy anyway?) DW thought I was crazy when I built an 8ft tall, 4ft wide trellis tunnel for the beans to vine on. We have 3 rows of about 40 plants and they're vining up about 12 inches in the air above my trellis structure. Still not a single blossom...

I don't know exactly the science of pollination, but it seems that the only thing could be out pollinating these days is raindrops, and I don't think that's gonna do much good.

...I also got my garden in late and it is not thriving, but seems to be surviving with all the moisture. I am trying watermelon for the first time, I bought started plants so I am hoping my late start will still be ok since they need such a long growing season. Other than that I will only have tomatoes, zuccini, spaghetti squash and a few cucumbers. It was a light year for me.

Are you zucchini plants huge yet? How are they doing for you? I read somewhere to plant daikon raddish with the zucchini and the squash borers eat the raddish and leave the zucchini alone. So, I did that. The raddish plants are HUGE and overtaking my zucchinis. I had to pull the raddish next to two of the zucchini plants and say a prayer for them that they'll come out of it.

Sigh. I'm trying to practice organic gardening for pest control, but I'm not having huge success. We are usually plagued by cabbage worms on our cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, and collards.
Diatomaceous earth works fine, IF IT'S KEPT DRY, but in this rain, not so much.

We moved the cabbage to a raised bed area this year and something weird is happening. The stems on two of them are soggy/mushy like squash borers. The other cabbage plants are affected by roly poly (pill bugs) on their lower leaves, but otherwise fine. I need to look this up in my gardening book.

In the meantime, does anybody know what insect eats cabbage stems?

 

[ChickCrazed]

Bittersweet emotional day. Our thoughts are with you. That hardly seems fair to get pressure to re-locate immediately for less salary than we told you--fingers crossed that it's a reputable and established company, opposed to a fly-by-night place that may not do good by you. You are a hard worker and good opportunity will surely be in your future!


We're trying pole beans this year instead of bush green beans. I'm looking forward to tasting the one named "Pink tipped greasy" (EWWww--who names a green bean pink-tipped greasy anyway?) DW thought I was crazy when I built an 8ft tall, 4ft wide trellis tunnel for the beans to vine on. We have 3 rows of about 40 plants and they're vining up about 12 inches in the air above my trellis structure. Still not a single blossom...

I don't know exactly the science of pollination, but it seems that the only thing could be out pollinating these days is raindrops, and I don't think that's gonna do much good.

Are you zucchini plants huge yet? How are they doing for you? I read somewhere to plant daikon raddish with the zucchini and the squash borers eat the raddish and leave the zucchini alone. So, I did that. The raddish plants are HUGE and overtaking my zucchinis. I had to pull the raddish next to two of the zucchini plants and say a prayer for them that they'll come out of it.

Sigh. I'm trying to practice organic gardening for pest control, but I'm not having huge success. We are usually plagued by cabbage worms on our cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, and collards.
Diatomaceous earth works fine, IF IT'S KEPT DRY, but in this rain, not so much.

We moved the cabbage to a raised bed area this year and something weird is happening. The stems on two of them are soggy/mushy like squash borers. The other cabbage plants are affected by roly poly (pill bugs) on their lower leaves, but otherwise fine. I need to look this up in my gardening book.

In the meantime, does anybody know what insect eats cabbage stems?

I only got my zucchini in a couple of weeks ago, so they are still tiny! Luckily those mature pretty quickly so I should be able to get them harvested before fall. I read to wrap tin foil around the base of any plant the squash borers will get. I am going to try that this year. Seems an easy solution!

I have had issues with regular cabbage, but usually only minimal damage to my brussel sprouts (which is good since they are my favorite!).

 

[ellymayRans]

[COLOR=8B4513]IMO, having a broody hatch eggs is the best experience![/COLOR]

I've had 9 or 11 broodys over the course of several weeks. I threw them all out and candled and have set about 40 eggs in incubators and 11 of those under a broody I separated.

2 of the broodys were the Olive Eggers you returned to me, the 1 I'm letting hatch some is one of those girls. She's being very dedicated but what a turd! She was faster than me once and got me good! LOL!

Of those set are about 8 of their eggs. My DH's uncle wants all that I don't want which is fine. I'm done having chicks inside for now since I have the Peachick and another due to hatch this week. My broody Peahen has 2 that will hopefully be hatching this week also.

I'm bummed though...of the 40 eggs about 10 are Marans eggs. So far 10 chicks have hatched, 3 Marans and there's a Golden Cuckoo Marans chick that hatched with fully feathered shanks! Which is what I've been trying to get! From a dark egg nontheless!

I keep telling myself No...but I really want to keep it!?!?! Also hatched a really nice looking Blue Copper Marans. .all Marans eggs set were dark. 1 died while zipping yesterday of course I was at work! I just hate that!

 

[browncow15]

I'd love to put a berry patch in my yard but I have an oddly shaped yard and am having a mental block over where to put it.  One of these days I'll figure it out!

I'm that way about fruit trees. We have a long skinny lot that has a bunch of trees in the front yard already. DH wants to leave the backyard open for the kids to play and I don't want to take up any more pasture space than I already have! Well figure it out someday.

I've had 9 or 11 broodys over the course of several weeks. I threw them all out and candled and have set about 40 eggs in incubators and 11 of those under a broody I separated.

2 of the broodys were the Olive Eggers you returned to me, the 1 I'm letting hatch some is one of those girls. She's being very dedicated but what a turd! She was faster than me once and got me good! LOL!

Of those set are about 8 of their eggs. My DH's uncle wants all that I don't want which is fine. I'm done having chicks inside for now since I have the Peachick and another due to hatch this week. My broody Peahen has 2 that will hopefully be hatching this week also.

I'm bummed though...of the 40 eggs about 10 are Marans eggs. So far 10 chicks have hatched, 3 Marans and there's a Golden Cuckoo Marans chick that hatched with fully feathered shanks! Which is what I've been trying to get! From a dark egg nontheless!

I keep telling myself No...but I really want to keep it!?!?! Also hatched a really nice looking Blue Copper Marans. .all Marans eggs set were dark. 1 died while zipping yesterday of course I was at work! I just hate that!

What does a cuckoo chick look like? I think mine are either blue of black and 8 of the 9 have feathered shanks!

 

[Indyshent]

Bittersweet emotional day. Our thoughts are with you. That hardly seems fair to get pressure to re-locate immediately for less salary than we told you--fingers crossed that it's a reputable and established company, opposed to a fly-by-night place that may not do good by you. You are a hard worker and good opportunity will surely be in your future!


We're trying pole beans this year instead of bush green beans. I'm looking forward to tasting the one named "Pink tipped greasy" (EWWww--who names a green bean pink-tipped greasy anyway?) DW thought I was crazy when I built an 8ft tall, 4ft wide trellis tunnel for the beans to vine on. We have 3 rows of about 40 plants and they're vining up about 12 inches in the air above my trellis structure. Still not a single blossom...

I don't know exactly the science of pollination, but it seems that the only thing could be out pollinating these days is raindrops, and I don't think that's gonna do much good.

Are you zucchini plants huge yet? How are they doing for you? I read somewhere to plant daikon raddish with the zucchini and the squash borers eat the raddish and leave the zucchini alone. So, I did that. The raddish plants are HUGE and overtaking my zucchinis. I had to pull the raddish next to two of the zucchini plants and say a prayer for them that they'll come out of it.

Sigh. I'm trying to practice organic gardening for pest control, but I'm not having huge success. We are usually plagued by cabbage worms on our cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, and collards.
Diatomaceous earth works fine, IF IT'S KEPT DRY, but in this rain, not so much.

We moved the cabbage to a raised bed area this year and something weird is happening. The stems on two of them are soggy/mushy like squash borers. The other cabbage plants are affected by roly poly (pill bugs) on their lower leaves, but otherwise fine. I need to look this up in my gardening book.

In the meantime, does anybody know what insect eats cabbage stems?

Also trying zucchini for the first time this year. Really, this is the first year for meaningful gardening for me. I got rhubarb to live last year, but I've never been successful at anything plant related until this spring. The bird poo seems to be making for some happy plants!

Try herding some birds through your garden and using neem oil. RK sells it; it's organic, and it's actually working. I've tried a few homebrew organic omnicidal agents, but they've always hurt as much as they've helped. Neem oil actually works though. It hasn't burned my plants, and it's kept the pests (insects, worms, fungus, you-name-it) off long enough to let the plants heal and thrive again. You can use it up to the day of harvest too! It does not keep birds from ravaging my pumpkin plants when they get too close to the fence and doesn't harm the birds, so, if you use birds to get rid of pests, keep an eye on them to be sure they're not doing more harm than good

The birds are very good about weeding and pest removal, they just need supervision.