Maine

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I spent part of the morning reinforcing the hoop coop that I built earlier this summer. I am putting another fence around the coop to deter whatever got in and took the turkeys a month ago. Attached to that fence are a few panels from an old dog kennel to provide a bit more space to roam. Hardest part will be rigging a roof/tarp over the kennel part so the birds can't just fly out. Once that is done I will string some hot wire around the whole thing. It won't look pretty but I am so tired of losing birds to a fox and probably a raccoon.

Oddly enough neither predator had bothered the ten ducks housed next to the coop. The ducks are in a hastily thrown together pen made from the rest of the dog kennel panels. I attached a couple tarps over the top for shade that do great unless it is raining. Then they tend to sag too much. The door panel isn't even firmly attached to the rest. I have that braced with a cinder block. I hope to fix that issue once the weather becomes more tolerable.

And my three Muscovies free range 24/7. They are fat and lazy so I have no idea why they haven't been taken. Only one will willingly go in the pen with the other ducks. The other two hang out with each other and harass the third when they get the chance.

 

[jerseychix]

Not myself, but it sounds really interesting. Do you have a link to more information?

The organization that is starting it is at mesas.org

They are mostly geared towards plant agriculture, but, are starting to get into animal agriculture.

 

[gracejr]

Anyone local know about Boulder Ridge Icelandics? We're planning on taking our son there for riding lessons, going on a barn tour the 28th. Anyone have opinions or reviews on 'em?

 

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Anyone local know about Boulder Ridge Icelandics? We're planning on taking our son there for riding lessons, going on a barn tour the 28th.

Anyone have opinions or reviews on 'em?

Already posted a response on the Windham TSC swap thread but figured I would post here too.

Boulder Ridge is great. You won't be disappointed. Icelandics are a really fun and friendly breed. They may be pony sized but they are really just horses in short, stocky bodies. But beware once you meet one and ride one you will never want another breed.

I have two. Both geldings. And BR boarded them for me for a month when the boys first came over from Iceland

 

[gracejr]

Whoops! I must have been posting it over here the same time you answered over on that thread.

I am glad to hear the positive review! I've never actually met an Icelandic, but have heard so many great things about them. Our other top choice was Hearts and Horses, but Boulder Ridge was closer and cheaper. I figure if we get to a point where he wants to start jumping or more advanced things, we can find a new stable then - but for now, I think this place will be great. It's been 15 or so years since I last set foot in a barn or on a horse, I'm jealous of him!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I just want to hijack the thread again to talk about something other than chickens. Not to embarrass ashandvine but she graciously opened up her home and her family to me today to teach me to can. She was lovely and I learned to can.

I went home and made some blueberry spice jam all by myself! They just came out of the canner (I don't even want to admit how many hours this took me)...

Thanks, ashandvine!

 

[gracejr]

Way to go scg! I've always loved the idea of canning, but just haven't gotten around to learning it yet. Maybe one of these days!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Way to go scg! I've always loved the idea of canning, but just haven't gotten around to learning it yet. Maybe one of these days!

Thanks! I've wanted to do it a long time but wanted someone to teach/show it to me first so I didn't poison anyone. I'm ready to teach someone else now, LOL (it's that easy).

 

[gracejr]

Putting it out there again. I've got my heart set on some more Orpingtons!



Does anyone have splash, blue, or lavender Orpington pullets available? I'd love to get one or two "fancy" ones to add to the flock! I could drive as far north as Augusta, west to North Conway, or south to Kennebunk/Sanford area. Coop-ready only, I'm done with the mess of a brooder for this year! Pet quality is fine, we don't show them.

 

[buckabucka]

Way to go scg! I've always loved the idea of canning, but just haven't gotten around to learning it yet. Maybe one of these days!

I do some pseudo-canning. We make relish, and after filling the jars with boiling liquid, we just put the lids on and turn them upside down and when they're cool they're sealed. Not an approved method, but there's a lot of sugar and vinegar in there, and we haven't died yet.

Last year, we tried some advanced pseudo-canning. We made tomato sauce, and put the jars in our not-very-high-pressure electric pressure cooker for a while. We didn't die from that either, although DH would like to purchase a large pressure canner now. The electric one can only hold 4 pint jars.

In the past, I've always just frozen everything, but not only is our freezer getting more and more packed full each year, but it was easier to just open a jar and heat it (rather than having to start with frozen sauce).

Still, I have food paranoia about our home-canned items (since I have no idea what I am doing), but maybe once we get a real canner I'll be more relaxed. Hopefully, it will come with a starter book!