Leghorns -19 weeks to first eggs

[AllenK RGV]

I lost all 12 of my avocado plants.
I am not pleased that I didn't bring them indoors the second time.

So sorry to hear about your setback there KikisGirls hopefully they just dropped their leaves and will recover. The second front was so much colder than the weatherman was calling for this next one they are calling for it to stall north of the Valley, but since they messed up the call for the last I'll be watching it close!

NM just looked that front is already dead at http://www.spaghettimodels.com/ the one after is a 50/50 chance of stalling before getting here.

Up early waiting for chicken o'clock.

 

[Kiki]

So sorry to hear about your setback there KikisGirls hopefully they just dropped their leaves and will recover. The second front was so much colder than the weatherman was calling for this next one they are calling for it to stall north of the Valley, but since they messed up the call for the last I'll be watching it close!

NM just looked that front is already dead at http://www.spaghettimodels.com/ the one after is a 50/50 chance of stalling before getting here.

Up early waiting for chicken o'clock.

I haven't touched the plants....I am pretending they are still alive and will magically come back. I am afraid they won't though.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I haven't touched the plants....I am pretending they are still alive and will magically come back. I am afraid they won't though.

I'd give em a good watering in since you are 60 and sunny today? I'm just guessing since I only looked at Statewide Temperatures.

So I have an idea on how to make a simple and easy to assemble/clean heating pad brooder mama. TSC sells those 4 and 6 gallon feed storage bins from Behrens that I am very fond of. My idea is to glue the heating pad to the inside of a 6 gallon one, since it is galvanized metal it requires specialized but not hard to find glues here is the list:
sourced from: https://www.galvanizeit.org/educati...chnical-faq-dr-galv/adhesives-stickers-on-hdg

Most common Types of Adhesive for hot-dip galvanized steel:

• two-part no-mix acrylics (metal-bonding or industrial formulations)
• two-part mix acrylics (Loctite AA H8600, and other industrial formulations)
• two-part epoxies (metal-bonding or industrial formulations)
• polyurethane glues (Gorilla Glue, Grizzly Glue, Elmer’s Polyurethane Glue, and other industrial formulations)

Once it has served its purpose just give it a sponge clean and leave in a shed to dry until needed again. Down here in Texas mine are already into the 100's when the sun is shining.

 

[Kiki]

I'd give em a good watering in since you are 60 and sunny today? I'm just guessing since I only looked at Statewide Temperatures.

So I have an idea on how to make a simple and easy to assemble/clean heating pad brooder mama. TSC sells those 4 and 6 gallon feed storage bins from Behrens that I am very fond of. My idea is to glue the heating pad to the inside of a 6 gallon one, since it is galvanized metal it requires specialized but not hard to find glues here is the list:

Most common Types of Adhesive for hot-dip galvanized steel:

• two-part no-mix acrylics (metal-bonding or industrial formulations)
• two-part mix acrylics (Loctite AA H8600, and other industrial formulations)
• two-part epoxies (metal-bonding or industrial formulations)
• polyurethane glues (Gorilla Glue, Grizzly Glue, Elmer’s Polyurethane Glue, and other industrial formulations)

Once it has served its purpose just give it a sponge clean and leave in a shed to dry until needed again. Down here in Texas mine are already into the 100's when the sun is shining.

I don't hatch yet but I can tell you that I will not ever worry about any added heat when I do.
I have friends who have chicks running around on the ground all year long.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Well I think I have finally found a source for some acceptable Malay stock so thinking about going broody again! Additionally, Malay nutrition isn't the same as chicken nutrition so they will need to be segregated from the all flock feed after 10 weeks. Malay cockerels have low protein and high grain/grass requirements as well until their legs are fully developed after 16 weeks. If anyone gets the bug feel free to ask me more at a future date. Cockrels tend to go down on their legs if kept on grower between the 10-16 week window.

edit: more Malay reading tips found here:
https://ultimatefowl.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/malay/

 

[RUNuts]

Refresh my memory, what is the attraction to the long legged birds? Lawn ornaments? I thought you mentioned they were overly protective/aggressive? Having 2 sets of dietary restrictions will keep you busy.

97 eggs for last week. Includes a fairy egg. One of the leghorns had a misfire. Still finding homes for all. Crazy Lady has started eating egg salad again. That's a day's worth gone.

Need to use all the rice flour up. Not successful finding a gluten free bread we like that I can bake. Brownies and cornbread boxed mixes, yes. Now taking recipes. 1/2 cup rice flour added to gluten bread is fine and will use up the rice flour slowly. Son is eating that with relish. Homemade bread! Smells great. I like the sorghum, so will seek one with that.

The 5 dogwoods sticks have leaves. The 5 redbuds do not. One of 2 Crepe Myrtles have leaves, but the one that had leaves before the freeze does not. I am hopeful. Waiting for the figs. Need to plant the banana and moringa. I kept them alive.

How big were your avocados? Seedlings? I've been tempted to start a few of the pits myself.

 

[AllenK RGV]

For Avacados I would suggest air layering an established plant vs trying em from seed you will shave years until production that way, however I would never recommend growing them in Texas we just don't get enough rain to justify their hydration needs.

As far as the long legged birds I can't shake the breed from my head. Also I want a fowl that would probably take out a hawk and the hawk to know it!

 

[Kiki]

I started all of my avocados from seed.
Some were almost 3 years old.


I just plants 8 more seed this morning. I hope they sprout.

 

[Kiki]

I tried a few different ways to start the avocado seeds...including the toothpick method over water. The best way for me was to just throw the seeds in a certain potted plant I have. They always sprout in this particular pot and when they do I just scoop them out and re plant them. I just throw a couple of seeds in that pot and I put some in dirt in another container. I should mention I cut the bottom of the seed off.

I will see which one if any sprout faster this year.

Have I mentioned I am really kicking myself for not brining them indoors during our ice storm?

 

[RUNuts]

For Avacados I would suggest air layering an established plant vs trying em from seed you will shave years until production that way, however I would never recommend growing them in Texas we just don't get enough rain to justify their hydration needs.

As far as the long legged birds I can't shake the breed from my head. Also I want a fowl that would probably take out a hawk and the hawk to know it!

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?