Maine

[Widget]

You guys are all very helpful, thank you. The disposable paint suit is a great idea and I'll also check out Mardens to see if they have a less disposable but inexpensive option. Widget, the only ad I see on Craigslist is for nucs. Right now I'm looking for a package. I may change my mind if I can't find a package, but that's the way I'd like to go. Two coworkers are getting nucs this year and I want to do a package to compare how much different the experience and end results are.

This is the gentleman I bought my bees from last year.

Sparky's Apiaries
130 High St.
Hope ME 04847
207-831-5085
[email protected]

http://www.sparkyshoneyandmaple.com/Packages___NUCS.html

 

[kinsey228]

18 eggs just put into lockdown! They're from my mixed flock, so I can't wait to see what kids of fuzzy butts hatch! Out of 20 eggs set, 19 were fertile. They will be Barred rock crosses and EE's.

 

[ashandvine]

No, no! The fish were made by Brindlebtch! She shipped them all the way from Texas. They ARE awesome. I have one in my yard and love watching it spin in the wind. I made the other smaller metal sculptures.

There's a lady in bath that sells packages of a mixture of the carniolians, russians and italians. Maybe I should get that?

I will tend your bees if you tell me what to do. I love them an am not allergic. (Did I tell you I teach all my kids to pet bees from toddler age? Yup) What about the cleaner bees that are being developed out west?

Well... still hovering at 40 humidity here. Very irritating. I think the house is dry because of winter and I think the temps are ranging so much between day and night... oh another hatch doomed from the start.

 

[kinsey228]

I will tend your bees if you tell me what to do. I love them an am not allergic. (Did I tell you I teach all my kids to pet bees from toddler age? Yup) What about the cleaner bees that are being developed out west?

Well... still hovering at 40 humidity here. Very irritating. I think the house is dry because of winter and I think the temps are ranging so much between day and night... oh another hatch doomed from the start.

Have you tried putting a humidifier in the room with the incubator? It might help.

 

[Clover Run]

Olive Egger chicks avail for local pickup/delivery only - 23 left (also 4 Black Copper Marans) straight run - 1 week old - $6 each (for now) - not hatchery - local farm. PM me if interested - or even better PM me on my facebook page - i am there more often www.facebook.com/CloverRunFarm

 

[CoopChick719]

Very cute! Love Chipmunk. Looks like Flacco is the only boy?

Thanks SCG! Chipmunk is very daring too. I think Flacco is the only boy. Hoppy saw pics when they were younger and said it looked like 2 girls, 1 boy on the BR's.

 

[gracejr]

Widget, congrats on being FT again!!

Bees sound like an interesting project, are they difficult? Do you need yardage or can they thrive on small plots? Those of you with kids, no issues? It wouldn't be something I'd start this year, but maybe in the future.

We have two roosters in our flock, both have crowed previously and I've seen them both mount females in the past, but only one of them crows now. Is there ANY chance the non-crowing male could still be dominant and the primary fertilizer? I like both roos, but the quiet one is the one I was hoping would be dominant! I don't have the space, time, or financial commitment to set up a whole new run and coop to split the flock to make sure he does his job.


Also, a gardening question... Picked up seeds and a mini-greenhouse yesterday. IF I can actually get the seeds to sprout and grow, this will be our first year with a garden. I'm planning on doing raised beds, either one or two 4'x8' grids. BUT, how do I determine when to start seeds indoors? I never got around to ordering from a catalog and wound up just picking up a bunch of heritage and organic Burpee seeds instead. Cucumbers, carrots, peas, green beans, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and watermelon. There are more things I'd like to add, but for a first garden this should be plenty! Can I start everything indoors, or do some (like the carrots) need to go directly in the garden? I am completely new to gardening (obviously!), so any suggestions would be appreciated! Was the watermelon a bad idea, or should I go for it? Love watermelon, but man it takes a lot of space!

Also picked up some mammoth sunflower seeds for the kids and chickens, would I be better starting those indoors? Haven't decided yet where I'm even going to put them, maybe along the chicken fence? Any other plants that would be good to plant along the fence for the chickens to snack on through the wire?

 

[CoopChick719]

Chipmunk is awesome! Did you say she is an EE?

I also think it would be fun to meet people, but eggs right now are limited to Olive eggers. The lavender Ameraucanas appear to still be on winter break. Finally both Basques are starting to lay, but I won't have extras until after I collect for my next hatch, which I'm thinking I'll set around March 22.

Maybe my hatch will be postponed, due to lack of lavenders, or perhaps I'll just move forward without them. I'm starting to wonder if they're ever going to lay again.

Thanks Bucka...we kinda like her!

Yes, she is an EE from MaineChick's eggs.


I know, ashandvine, I can only imagine how the owner felt. I was thinking about getting some of those Red Eyes. Who are we PMing about the meet & greet? I am in the Hallowell/Gardiner area.

 

[Mainechick168]

Widget, congrats on being FT again!!

Bees sound like an interesting project, are they difficult? Do you need yardage or can they thrive on small plots? Those of you with kids, no issues? It wouldn't be something I'd start this year, but maybe in the future.

We have two roosters in our flock, both have crowed previously and I've seen them both mount females in the past, but only one of them crows now. Is there ANY chance the non-crowing male could still be dominant and the primary fertilizer? I like both roos, but the quiet one is the one I was hoping would be dominant! I don't have the space, time, or financial commitment to set up a whole new run and coop to split the flock to make sure he does his job.

Also, a gardening question... Picked up seeds and a mini-greenhouse yesterday. IF I can actually get the seeds to sprout and grow, this will be our first year with a garden. I'm planning on doing raised beds, either one or two 4'x8' grids. BUT, how do I determine when to start seeds indoors? I never got around to ordering from a catalog and wound up just picking up a bunch of heritage and organic Burpee seeds instead. Cucumbers, carrots, peas, green beans, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and watermelon. There are more things I'd like to add, but for a first garden this should be plenty! Can I start everything indoors, or do some (like the carrots) need to go directly in the garden? I am completely new to gardening (obviously!), so any suggestions would be appreciated! Was the watermelon a bad idea, or should I go for it? Love watermelon, but man it takes a lot of space!

Also picked up some mammoth sunflower seeds for the kids and chickens, would I be better starting those indoors? Haven't decided yet where I'm even going to put them, maybe along the chicken fence? Any other plants that would be good to plant along the fence for the chickens to snack on through the wire?

Grace, I have a chart from MOFGA what tells when to start what in and out.... Lets see if I can find it online....well ok I can't. I'll scan and upload mine for you!

 

[Mainechick168]

Here is the planting
chart! I figured I'd post it here in case anyone else wanted/needed one....