Maine

[longgrove]

Rhubarb came in by the truck loads this week. I need some ideas other than the standard strawberry, pineapple and pork chops. PM me ideas please.

I like to closely crosschop it and cook up with some sugar in 1 cup jars. ( I keep in the fridge or freezer, not so much the fuss for pressure canning). It combines well with almost any fruit for jams, (esp if a sweet fruit) as it comes available in small amounts through the summer, eg strawberry, blueberry, peach, rasberries, etc. (the high priced jams and jellies in the store are sweet and moist these days, but not very flavorful). It also works well in sweet and sour stirfries, or as a sauce over (or an ingredient in, ) cake or over ice cream.

 

[ashandvine]

It also works well in sweet and sour stirfries, or as a sauce over (or an ingredient in, ) cake or over ice cream.

I wouldn't have thought of the stirfry, wow, that's a first new great idea! Thanks. I do put it on ice cream and in pies and sauces for ice cream and in pork chops. I agree with you btw about most of the jams. I don't buy them anymore unless they are a lemon or marmalade because those are a lot of work. Thanks!
Two more ducks pipped and partially zipped. No more cochins though. IDK what's up with that.

 

[Widget]

Chocolate rhubarb without chocolate? I am confused. Baklava is delightful and a lot of work but... with rhubarb??

Sorry for the confusion. I mean that with all the talk about rhubarb I am in the mood for rhubarb pie. I just need the rhubarb. I mentioned chocolate since I really like chocolate and there are very few desserts that I like that do not have chocolate as an ingredient. Rhubarb pie being one. Baklava another, along with strawberry shortcake and Indian pudding. No chocolate in any of those.

 

[lazy gardener]

Seeking advice. My chicks are about 6 weeks old. There are 9 Pioneers (big beefy goobers, they are). 11 pullets, and 5 cockrels from my hatch. The 5 big girls have been watching the chicks in the tractor, and I've put out some millet both inside and outside the tractor to encourage the chicks to be "foraging with the big girls". I've also let a few chicks out when the big girls have been hanging around the tractor. The chicks don't seem to fear the big girls, and other than a single instance of raised hackles, there have been no signs of aggression. I'm hoping to have the electronet fencing up and running this weekend. Would it be ok to let the chicks into the electronet run with the big girls, or would I be inviting disaster? An other big fear is hawks. I hate to keep them confined to the tractor because it doesn't allow them the movement they need, not to mention them being over crowded, and the amount of poop they can generate in the course of a day. The other option would be to separate the new layers from those intended for the freezer. Assuming that I butcher the Pioneers at 12 weeks, will I run into much issues with rooster drama by that time?

Also, one of my hens is a feather picker. She's picked the beards off her EE sisters, and is now working on their hackles. Has anyone used pinless peepers? Success? The other option is to lock her out of the loft at night since that is the only time she appears to be doing it.

 

[buckabucka]

All my birds would be totally bald if one of the leghorns did not wear pinless peepers. She's worn them for 4 years, with a short break to see if she was still obsessed with feather picking (she is). If she gets in just the right position, she can still grab a few feathers now and then. She's the only hen that needs them.

As far as the integrating chicks dilemma, it is hard to judge from afar. I would do whatever is most convenient, keep an eye on things, and then deal with any issues as they arise. How's that for a generic answer?!

 

[quailtrail]

How do polish chickens do in Maine? ??

I want dessert now reading these posts!!! Lol!!!

 

[dowgirl71]

I got some eggs from the people I gave my Dark Brahma roo to, last year and they have some Barred Rock hens. Any thoughts on what kind of chicks this might produce and if they could be some sort of sex-linked? I ask because it seems I'm, once again, having bad luck selecting the little boy chicks.

I'm suspicious of the SLW chick I have and my blue Australorp. I'm not the one hatching these eggs. A friend of mine is doing it in her Kindergarten class.

 

[keesmom]

I got some eggs from the people I gave my Dark Brahma roo to, last year and they have some Barred Rock hens. Any thoughts on what kind of chicks this might produce and if they could be some sort of sex-linked? I ask because it seems I'm, once again, having bad luck selecting the little boy chicks.

I'm suspicious of the SLW chick I have and my blue Australorp. I'm not the one hatching these eggs. A friend of mine is doing it in her Kindergarten class.

Dark Brahma over barred hens *should* give you barred cockerels and solid black pullets.

 

[CoopChick719]

Mmm rhubarb!! The neighbors have some huge old plants that they never harvest. I'm going to see if they mjnd if I take some. Same with their raspberry bushes. I picked some of those last year just before they went by. Getting them early this year. They told me take what I wanted. Nice people just not outdoor oriented!

Turned off the heat lamps tonight. Gonna check on the chicks before I go to bed to see how they are.

Gave my little meaty some Vitamin B tonight! Why didn't I think of that sooner?!! He's been scooting around his cage and trying to stand. Hopefully this works.

 

[mlowen]

Mmm rhubarb!! The neighbors have some huge old plants that they never harvest. I'm going to see if they mjnd if I take some. Same with their raspberry bushes. I picked some of those last year just before they went by. Getting them early this year. They told me take what I wanted. Nice people just not outdoor oriented!

Turned off the heat lamps tonight. Gonna check on the chicks before I go to bed to see how they are.

Gave my little meaty some Vitamin B tonight! Why didn't I think of that sooner?!! He's been scooting around his cage and trying to stand. Hopefully this works.

Have you given them raw liver (chopped fine?) That's often recommended, especially for chicks fed medicated feed.