Maine

[lazy gardener]

Thanks. Do you rest them in fridge for 3 days before grilling?

I'm asking all to please be in prayer for my friend, Rachel, otherwise known as Donrae. For an update on her situation, you can check into her "leukemia is back" thread, post # 9679. Thanks.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

The person looking for guinea keets (not eggs) should call Knights Farm Supply in Augusta. They had keets yesterday and may still have some.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Howdy! I see we're back up and running. Not sure I like the new format at all. Kind of bummed to find out one of my supposed hens is actually a very late blooming rooster. Gives me a total of 4 Easter Egger Roosters and 3 Black Australorp roosters. Thinking I'm going to have to cull several of them. Going to work on building an incubator as soon as I have a few dollars I can spare. Saw one using a Styrofoam Broccoli shipping container. Good thing my father in law works at Hannaford in produce. Hoping he can hook me up with one for free.
I have all the chickens outside finally just have to finish the coop. Using an old blue tarp for a roof at the moment.Why is it so darn hard to get anything done when it needs doing?

 

[lazy gardener]

Howdy! I see we're back up and running. Not sure I like the new format at all. Kind of bummed to find out one of my supposed hens is actually a very late blooming rooster. Gives me a total of 4 Easter Egger Roosters and 3 Black Australorp roosters. Thinking I'm going to have to cull several of them. Going to work on building an incubator as soon as I have a few dollars I can spare. Saw one using a Styrofoam Broccoli shipping container. Good thing my father in law works at Hannaford in produce. Hoping he can hook me up with one for free.
I have all the chickens outside finally just have to finish the coop. Using an old blue tarp for a roof at the moment.Why is it so darn hard to get anything done when it needs doing?

For free appropriate sized containers, you can also check with a pharmacist. Many of their drugs are shipped in styrofoam. You also might luck out at a pet store. They receive tropical fish and plants in foam that is 15 x 15" Perfect sizing. I have used both the bimetal and the digital thermostats. The bimetal holds a closer range for me but is harder to regulate. The digital is much easier to regulate, but I find that it needs to be set 1* higher than your target temp, b/c it drops back 2* before it kicks on again. Computer fans are easy to come by: local dump or computer repair shop. 12V DC to AC converters: I find those for $1 each at salvation army. When ever I see one, I buy it, even if I don't really intend to be building a bator! You can gut out a lamp or two for the light sockets. Triple tap extension cords at $ store.

As for getting stuff done this time of the year: Spring, we wait all year for it, then go nuts trying to prioritize the hundreds of things that need to be done. And they all need to be done RIGHT NOW, if not last week! I find myself walking around in circles trying to figure out what I should be focusing on.

 

[combatfuzzball]

For free appropriate sized containers, you can also check with a pharmacist. Many of their drugs are shipped in styrofoam. You also might luck out at a pet store. They receive tropical fish and plants in foam that is 15 x 15" Perfect sizing. I have used both the bimetal and the digital thermostats. The bimetal holds a closer range for me but is harder to regulate. The digital is much easier to regulate, but I find that it needs to be set 1* higher than your target temp, b/c it drops back 2* before it kicks on again. Computer fans are easy to come by: local dump or computer repair shop. 12V DC to AC converters: I find those for $1 each at salvation army. When ever I see one, I buy it, even if I don't really intend to be building a bator! You can gut out a lamp or two for the light sockets. Triple tap extension cords at $ store.

As for getting stuff done this time of the year: Spring, we wait all year for it, then go nuts trying to prioritize the hundreds of things that need to be done. And they all need to be done RIGHT NOW, if not last week! I find myself walking around in circles trying to figure out what I should be focusing on.

It's so rough this year. So much rain and still very cool so can't take AudriAnna out and keep her in a baby jail while I do yard stuff. I did manage to get the yard mowed... Mostly. Have a friend that may have enough metal roofing for my coop. Just have to get to his house to pick it up. Course Wife's truck is in for repairs now. Always something to worry about. I guess you either deal with it and find things to smile about or your brain just explodes. Now maybe I can get out and plant something! Gardening is my safety valve and still nothing planted other than the tree's I got from Arbor Day foundation by mail. 10 BLue Spruce and a couple of Lilacs.
I'm happy the 3 Blueberry plants I brought with me from old place made it through the winter.

 

[lazy gardener]

That's something to be thankful for: the blueberry plants surviving. And, better weather is coming. I think.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Here's my Chickens. I have more roosters than I thought. One I had named Lessa and suddenly developed into a rooster in the last week and a half. LOL I was hoping to get some nice eggs with her coloring. Now I'm down to just my Leia being my brown with blue. GUess the coloration would be Blue Wheaten. I'll try and take some Pictures today.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

Hey group!!! We've been without chickens for about 4 years now and this weekend we tore down our old coop/pig pen and have started construction on our new coop. Yay!!

Is anyone looking to sell any birds that they've raised? I'm not 100% sure when our coop will be ready, but we want to avoid chicks since we're a bit behind this year...young pullets are fine, not necessarily laying already. If the weather holds up, we'll hopefully be ready in 2 weeks or so?

We're in Midcoast Maine - so anywhere from Augusta to Rockland to Topsham.
Thanks guys! So excited to get some girls back...it's been far too quiet around here the last few years!!

 

[lazy gardener]

I tried to send you a PM, but can't figure out how to post it.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

I tried to send you a PM, but can't figure out how to post it.

I think I got it....?
On mobile, so hopefully I did it right.