Leghorns -19 weeks to first eggs

[Kiki]

Look!!!! I'm super excited.

eta:
I guess the cold snap didn't totally kill some of my avocados!
WOOT!

Did ya notice I am a fan of re using egg shells?

 

[Kiki]

Hydration needs? I hope I don't drown mine. Allen, remember we are in the swamps. Not the desert part of Texas. My yard has had standing water for 3 weeks now. Besides the fact that it doesn't drain and it rains every day, the clay is just one big sponge.

Looking for trees. Any that say "well drained soil" is out. Or does not do well in heavy clay - nope. I'm hopeful for the mulberry, banana and moringa. I think this will be my limit this year. The daughter wanted the dogwoods, redbuds and figs. We shall see.

Anyone have suggestions for a fruiting tree that likes heavy clay soil and wet feet?

I stole a little clipping of my neighbors dog tree a while back. What? It's over grown the fence and hanging on my side of the fence. I just broke off a piece and stuck it in some dirt. It worked. Everyone has bananas around here. The Men doesn't want me to plant any because they take over everything.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I stole a little clipping of my neighbors dog tree a while back. What? It's over grown the fence and hanging on my side of the fence. I just broke off a piece and stuck it in some dirt. It worked. Everyone has bananas around here. The Men doesn't want me to plant any because they take over everything.

See and I would be planting those all along the fence lines so I don't need to weed! Maybe that is an idea ask him where he hates weedeating the most.

 

[AllenK RGV]

@RUNuts weren't you talking about doing a batch of CornishX not too long ago? The reason I ask is you can thank a Malay breeder for being the basis of that breed. They may not be a commercially viable breed, but they are commercially important for how inexpensive broiler meat is today. Anyway, just another reason I want to keep them.

Oh we moved all the dog crates and cat crate layer boxes to clean the porch the other day and just that little disturbance has them now all laying in the hay in the most hard to reach back half of their coop! Also, we lost a days worth plus of eggs due to that. I think I'm going to build something more permanent for them next to the house and close off the coop because it sucks going back under a 4 foot ceiling and duck waddling to my collection point now.

 

[RUNuts]

Yes to the CX. Negotiating with the suppliers now. Finally have the tractor finished enough to get chicks. Apparently, you need to place your spring time order in January. Else, wait for fall?

Free ranging birds are trying to protect the eggs from all predators. Even you. LOL!

Use the hay and blank it off. Got the naner planted. Now need dirt for the garden.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yes to the CX. Negotiating with the suppliers now. Finally have the tractor finished enough to get chicks. Apparently, you need to place your spring time order in January. Else, wait for fall?

Free ranging birds are trying to protect the eggs from all predators. Even you. LOL!

Use the hay and blank it off. Got the naner planted. Now need dirt for the garden.

Well if that fails just use TSC they placed their order in time you can be sure!

 

[AllenK RGV]

@RUNuts and @KikisGirls you are so lucky to already be out from under the cold front, we still have to wait a few more hours before we have our on shore winds again. Here is an infographic I thought you would enjoy!:
https://earth.nullschool.net/#curre...ographic=-92.95,28.99,1564/loc=-88.824,24.946

Also seems I get 5:2 eggs on alternating days now. so 3.5 er day average from the 5 gals. Feed costs are so low because they went back to snubbing their noses at this feed so just prefer free ranging the grass.

The alfalpha cubes how are they for total protein?

 

[Kiki]

@RUNuts and @KikisGirls you are so lucky to already be out from under the cold front, we still have to wait a few more hours before we have our on shore winds again. Here is an infographic I thought you would enjoy!:
https://earth.nullschool.net/#curre...ographic=-92.95,28.99,1564/loc=-88.824,24.946

Also seems I get 5:2 eggs on alternating days now. so 3.5 er day average from the 5 gals. Feed costs are so low because they went back to snubbing their noses at this feed so just prefer free ranging the grass.

The alfalpha cubes how are they for total protein?

That is a very very cool link!
thanks!

 

[Kiki]

I think the alfalfa is about 16% protein...
I don't have any right now.
We usually buy them for our horses and I steal some out for my chickens every now and then.
I usually soak one or two in my fermented feed for a few minutes to break it up some then feed it.

 

[RUNuts]

The references I saw had alfalfa at 19% protein. I put it in a bucket with BOSS right after I feed in the morning. Empty bucket then fill bucket for 24 hour soak. 17 birds is one hand of cubes. 4 medium ones usually. Cover with water until they float. I've also been adding grain. 1/2 cup of rice. Was wheat berries until they were gone. Cleaning up the kitchen. Kitchen scraps, red pepper and ACV added occasionally. The AVC is what remains after my salads.

They will of course pick out the BOSS first.

The alfalfa, if I put too much, or they get tired of it will sit at the end of the day. I add chicken feed to soak up the free water. 2 - 20 ounce cans usually does it to make a paste. This concoction gets scarfed up each day. Nothing but crumbs remain at chicken o'cluck.

I've been cutting back on the alfalfa mix. They are devouring the larger yard I opened up. Big, muddy, mess. But they are getting fresh greens. The egg yolks are oranger. I want to say the alfalfa does this. But the fresh greens have to be more of a factor since they nibble all day now.

My next trick will be to put a ramp to the top of the compost heap and open one side by removing one pallet. Lots of earwigs and rolly pollies at the top.

Chaos rules the chicken yard!