Maine

[DwayneNLiz]

I can, yes, but I'm not going to. I have mutt guineas, and am not charging for eggs. I offer it as a courtesy to anyone with tick problems as Bangor and below regions have a high incidence of ticks with Lyme. I am not going to lose time/money on a silly mutt venture, sorry. Hopefully you can find someone locally.

we are having huge issues with lyme too
2 people have died from something that is not lyme but from ticks

 

[lazy gardener]

My neighbor across the street has pulled an imbedded one off himself. He wears white socks pulled up over pant legs, and says he regularly finds ticks crawling up his legs. I have yet to find one on me, or dog, or hubby. I know they are out there, but the chickens must be making a dent in the population.

I would love to have some Guineas, but the noise would drive us crazy. Not to mention the housing conditions being crowded already.

First 4 pullets went to new homes today. It's going to be very difficult for me to choose who stays and who goes. So many nice birds. I bought the Colombian Wyandottes simply b/c I knew they would produce a sex linked chick. But, I'm very pleased with the beefiness of those gals. They are super chunky, and very pleasing to the eye as well. The Buck Eyes are filling out nicely. They are developing the nice mahogany color that the breed is noted for. I will have a breeding pair, as well as a trio. They will be 10 weeks old on Tuesday, and I often have to do a double take to see which birds are pullets, and which birds are hens! Of the eggs that I hatched, the 2 Ameraucana hens have passed on their muffs and beards. At least one of the Am dtrs is showing signs of being every bit as curious and personable as her mother. That one will be staying for sure! I hope to get the birds banded this weekend, so it will be easier to keep tabs on who stays and who goes. I also have some nice cockrels available, if anyone has need! (Nope, didn't think so, but it doesn't hurt to offer!) I'd rather pass on a good cockrel if he's going to be managing a flock than eat him! But, I'll be practicing my canning skills on this year's crop.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm processing roosters on Sunday (near Augusta) if anyone needs to learn the skill.

 

[lazy gardener]

You know what???? I think it's fantastic that you take the time to offer to teach this skill.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

You know what???? I think it's fantastic that you take the time to offer to teach this skill.

So that means you'll be there?

Only one person has ever taken me up on it.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I'm processing roosters on Sunday (near Augusta) if anyone needs to learn the skill.

thats awesome that you do that for people!! wish i was closer!!!

 

[combatfuzzball]

Just found out another benefit of having chickens. I was looking out my kitchen window and saw my hen Uhura looking intently at some burdocks growing at edge of the yard. While I was watching I saw the leaves move and thought AH CRAP! Thought it was a fox. Turns out it was a Groundhog and when he walked out of the woods Orson my rooster came hauling butt across the yard. I stood at the window and watched this Groundhog get chased off by 8 Easter Egger chickens.
Since I garden most years I have a big hate on for groundhogs. I thought it was hilarious watching the little fat bugger waddle as fast as he could across the yard.
Picture is of Uhura in the front with the black head and white and black body. She's always very alert

 

[superchemicalgirl]

8 roosters are in the cooler, waiting for BF to come home from work and chop most of them up into parts and foodsaver them. Then I'll make stock with what's left after chopping with the necks I've saved. I don't save the feet, although I should, but I know where they've been...

Hopefully I'll be able to finish planting the kitchen garden today while he's doing that.

 

[lazy gardener]

So that means you'll be there?

Only one person has ever taken me up on it.

Sorry, nope, though I bet I could learn from you. I bumble my way through processing on my own. Do the broom stick to start, then move on from there. My biggest issue is that I NEVER have a sharp knife to use, even if hubby has just sharpened them. I need a QUALITY set of knives that will hold an edge, and would love some input from you all regarding what knives work best for processing.

Just found out another benefit of having chickens. I was looking out my kitchen window and saw my hen Uhura looking intently at some burdocks growing at edge of the yard. While I was watching I saw the leaves move and thought AH CRAP! Thought it was a fox. Turns out it was a Groundhog and when he walked out of the woods Orson my rooster came hauling butt across the yard. I stood at the window and watched this Groundhog get chased off by 8 Easter Egger chickens.
Since I garden most years I have a big hate on for groundhogs. I thought it was hilarious watching the little fat bugger waddle as fast as he could across the yard.
Picture is of Uhura in the front with the black head and white and black body. She's always very alert

Oh, I would have loved to see that. Jack, my roo will give a warning call when he sees a ground hog, but that's as far as he goes with defending his turf from any critters. IMO, ground hogs are good for only one thing: target practice.

 

[lazy gardener]

My tomatoes are blooming. Peppers starting to bud. Potatoes look awesome. Very little insect damage (so far). Second planting of Fortex pole beans are finally up. Sugar snaps are blooming.