Maine

[ashandvine]

And I have another weird story about tall Christmas trees.....
DH is not a big fan of Christmas, and he has bad allergies so we don't get a tree, but we have a set of 6 + foot tall windows on both the ground floor and second story, facing south. There is a floor between the first and second story (as opposed to 16 feet of vertical space). Anyway, DH's idea is to cut down a 16 foot tall tree, chop it in half, and put the lower half on the first floor, directly below the top half (on the second floor), so people see a 16 foot tall Christmas tree in the south facing window. Then everyday, he wants to move them just a little bit in opposite directions, just to freak people out.

We have a rather strange household here......

I LOVE!!!! this idea. You should take pics too! That would be awesome.

My tree is ugly. I knowyou are all gasping. It gets worse so get your hater hats on. We have been making home made ornaments. BF bought lights (the Last Vegas kind) and I did decide to buy glittery cones instead of make them but everything else so far is hand made.... with three kids. Now this sounds quaint and charming but the Martha in me sees this tree and gags. The Plutonian in me sees the value and the penny pincher too but that isn't the first eye I look with.

I am now totally waiting on Mainechick to get her camera down here for the turkey pic. I have the wreaths! I have the turkeys!

I really want a multiple colored egg basket this coming year from the laying flock. So I am going to be adding several breeds - French Copper Marans, White Leghorns (have a few but need more), EE's and I have not decided which for a blue egg - any suggestions - was thinking Cream Legbars. This flock is just for us and we do sell some eggs but mostly give to friends and family. I never have enough surplus after that to really be serious to sell.
I am thinking 6-8 of each breed - so if you raise these and will have chicks or pullets let me know. I would rather support local than order from a hatchery.

Clower I agree with you about local. I would like to offer this humble advice: most of the breeds you are talking about having just for yourself are very expensive. I know because I tried some or most of them out. I might be able to hook you up but we should pm about this. Which brings me to Bucka's questions about brahbanters and spitz etc.
Any crested bird is more liable to have frozen feather issues from drinking and getting their feathers wet in winter. If you tied up or clip their crests then it isn't as much of an issue but I like seeing the crests and hate trimming them. They do get picked more by other birds and they tend to have harder times with lice in their crests but that is only U having issues with lice and getting rid of them really. The woman I know who has Brahbanters likes them a lot. The Spitz so far are supposed to be a little skittish but pretty and fairly good layers. Not everything is going to be or should be an egg machine. What a life!

 

[Clover Run]

I LOVE!!!! this idea. You should take pics too! That would be awesome.

My tree is ugly. I knowyou are all gasping. It gets worse so get your hater hats on. We have been making home made ornaments. BF bought lights (the Last Vegas kind) and I did decide to buy glittery cones instead of make them but everything else so far is hand made.... with three kids. Now this sounds quaint and charming but the Martha in me sees this tree and gags. The Plutonian in me sees the value and the penny pincher too but that isn't the first eye I look with.

I am now totally waiting on Mainechick to get her camera down here for the turkey pic. I have the wreaths! I have the turkeys!
Clower I agree with you about local. I would like to offer this humble advice: most of the breeds you are talking about having just for yourself are very expensive. I know because I tried some or most of them out. I might be able to hook you up but we should pm about this. Which brings me to Bucka's questions about brahbanters and spitz etc.
Any crested bird is more liable to have frozen feather issues from drinking and getting their feathers wet in winter. If you tied up or clip their crests then it isn't as much of an issue but I like seeing the crests and hate trimming them. They do get picked more by other birds and they tend to have harder times with lice in their crests but that is only U having issues with lice and getting rid of them really. The woman I know who has Brahbanters likes them a lot. The Spitz so far are supposed to be a little skittish but pretty and fairly good layers. Not everything is going to be or should be an egg machine. What a life!

I will PM you - I just can't wait til spring!

 

[hoppy]

I'm hoping for an early spring myself. and I'm starting to incubate based on that.

I will PM you - I just can't wait til spring!

 

[Clover Run]

I'm hoping for an early spring myself. and I'm starting to incubate based on that.

We are on our second hatch attempt - there are 18 eggs that candled positive. I am excited that they all hatch but then tell myself I am nuts to have to worry about baby chicks in the middle of winter! We will fill the incubator again in a few days so maybe we will have a new years hatch as well.

 

[ejcimd]

And I have another weird story about tall Christmas trees.....
DH is not a big fan of Christmas, and he has bad allergies so we don't get a tree, but we have a set of 6 + foot tall windows on both the ground floor and second story, facing south. There is a floor between the first and second story (as opposed to 16 feet of vertical space). Anyway, DH's idea is to cut down a 16 foot tall tree, chop it in half, and put the lower half on the first floor, directly below the top half (on the second floor), so people see a 16 foot tall Christmas tree in the south facing window. Then everyday, he wants to move them just a little bit in opposite directions, just to freak people out.

We have a rather strange household here......

I love his idea!!!!

 

[ashandvine]

All I want for christmas is a good bator, a good bator,
one with fans that turns now and later
that heats consistently and cools alone
because I am forgetful prone
it has to have windows to spy and little lights
that will all glow through 21 nights
Let it have luck for chickies who'll cluck
after they hatch from each little batch
and learn to peck and run like heck
then make more eggs to incubate!
oh, all I want for christmas is a good bator, a good bator, a good bator.

 

[Widget]

Just scheduled another interview for tomorrow evening. This one is with Maine Med. Not exactly the ideal job but it does have great benefits.

I've spent the last two days preparing for the TSC interview that is taking place tomorrow morning. Watched all their career videos online. Gave thought to their mission statement. I know I am qualified for the job and would make a great employee but there is always that part of me that has doubts. I have the animal knowledge and some of the hardware and equipment knowledge but do I have enough? Then again I'm sure that most of the employees don't have a great deal of knowledge and they were still hired.

 

[ejcimd]

AshandVine...

I second that little ditty!!!

I've done researcha time or two on them and have yet to buy one. I really should so I can keep my Buckeye's going. Also, need to get my hands on another line. I know nothing of genetics or whats good vs bad, heck to me all my birds look good. Even when I try to do a visual comparison to the Standard. Wish there was a 4H chicken club for adults.

 

[Widget]

AshandVine...

I second that little ditty!!!

I've done researcha time or two on them and have yet to buy one. I really should so I can keep my Buckeye's going. Also, need to get my hands on another line. I know nothing of genetics or whats good vs bad, heck to me all my birds look good. Even when I try to do a visual comparison to the Standard. Wish there was a 4H chicken club for adults.

We could start one.

Or something similar. The no pressure, we all started at the beginning and will never know everything there is to know about chickens club.

I have a Hovabator with with auto temperature, fan and a turner. Works great for my needs. Had some great hatches in it. And some not so great but they were shipped eggs.

 

[ejcimd]

Hrmmm... I kind of like that idea!

So often I find myself thinking of things I wish I knew and of course there is BYC and I have several books I've read. But it isn't the same as hands on lets talk Chicken and what not. There already are some clubs but I think they are more geared to showing. If' I'm wrong please do let me know.

I'm pretty shy until I get my feet wet and then I'm good to go.