Maine

[lazy gardener]

2 nights ago, I heard animals calling to the west of my grow out coop. I got up, and went out with a flash light, and the .22. I saw a critter way high up in a tree, and it was calling to an other critter of same species about 60' away, in an other tree. Since I couldn't ID, I chose not to shoot, other than a warning shot to try to get it to move so I could get a positive ID. From further research, I believe it was a pair of mink checking out the chicken buffet. I am now prepared with a 5K lumen spot light.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Well I've got all 4 of my Easter Egger hens laying now. I have a brown layer, an olive egger, and now am a bit confused since I found 2 blue eggs this morning. I also have a couple of mint green colored eggs. I'm confused as too how I could have 2 blue eggs when I don't have the hens for it laying right now.
SO either my Mint green layer has darkened up or a strange chicken is sneaking in. Is it possible for a chicken to lay 2 eggs within hours of laying? I picked up after they roosted last night and there was no eggs this morning when I opened the coop this morning. One egg was in the nest as they have all been laying in. The other was in the middle of the coop floor.
I'm ecstatic that they are all laying in the coop since they have been free ranging. Not only that but actually using the laying boxes. Granted they are using the same one but still very happy with the girls.

 

[Hiltonizer]

Anyone here work at a Home Depot/Lowes/Agway in Central?

Had good luck with a bunch of my own transplants this year with my new greenhouse, but haven't gotten around to a proper compost setup to make my own potting mix. I'd like to stock up when bags go on sale half price or less... hoping someone who might be around the stuff regularly has an idea when that might be.

EDIT: also if anyone has a lead on someone that makes tumbling compost barrels around. May make that a weekend project if not... seems that might pay for itself quickly.

 

[buckabucka]

2 nights ago, I heard animals calling to the west of my grow out coop. I got up, and went out with a flash light, and the .22. I saw a critter way high up in a tree, and it was calling to an other critter of same species about 60' away, in an other tree. Since I couldn't ID, I chose not to shoot, other than a warning shot to try to get it to move so I could get a positive ID. From further research, I believe it was a pair of mink checking out the chicken buffet. I am now prepared with a 5K lumen spot light.

Do you think it could have been a porcupine? They make some weird noises. I know mink are capable of climbing, but I don't know if they normally hang out in trees. I wonder if raccoons make a noise. You may be able to ID by listening to different sounds online and seeing if you can match it.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Anyone here work at a Home Depot/Lowes/Agway in Central?

Had good luck with a bunch of my own transplants this year with my new greenhouse, but haven't gotten around to a proper compost setup to make my own potting mix. I'd like to stock up when bags go on sale half price or less... hoping someone who might be around the stuff regularly has an idea when that might be.

EDIT: also if anyone has a lead on someone that makes tumbling compost barrels around. May make that a weekend project if not... seems that might pay for itself quickly.

I use a plastic garbage can that has a locking lid that I just roll around the yard occasionally for my composter.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Okay I have a riddle. I have 4 Easter Egger Hens, 3 Black Australorp hens also. My Easter Eggers have started laying. I was fairly thrilled to have a brown layer (Honor), a Mint green layer, a blue layer, and an olive egger. a few times this week I have found 2 blue eggs in the nest along with a brown egg. TOday I went and got 3 blue eggs and 1 brown egg.
How? What? When? Where? Can an EE run out of ink? Change her Egg printing settings or what? I have a dozen eggs in the incubator right now. One is an Olive green, 3 are Mint Green, 2 are brown and the rest are blue. Now I am getting straight up blues.
I thought for a while I had a hen that was double laying. I know it can happen occasionally with a hen but not constantly.
I am all out of ideas of what caused the green eggs and where the layer or layer of them is or was. Totally puzzled so if you have an idea please share!

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I have noticed that my EEs tint will change depending on thickness of shell and such

ETA- for ees itsnot paint it is in the shell whereas marans and quail actually paint their eggs

 

[combatfuzzball]

I have noticed that my EEs tint will change depending on thickness of she'll and such

ETA- for ees itsnot paint it is in the shell whereas marans and quail actually paint their eggs

Yeah, I was joking regarding paint. I have never heard of them changing from olive green to blue though.

 

[Hiltonizer]

I use a plastic garbage can that has a locking lid that I just roll around the yard occasionally for my composter.

That's so simple it makes me feel like a dummy for not just thinking to do that in a pinch. +1

In other news, holy squash bugs. Pumpkins are taking a beating but there's plenty of fruit almost ready.

Picked my first watermelon this morning. Little suckers are prolific, have a ton coming in. Diana's from Fedco. Haven't had any bug or fungus problems with these yet, knock on wood.

 

[lazy gardener]

Anyone here work at a Home Depot/Lowes/Agway in Central?

Had good luck with a bunch of my own transplants this year with my new greenhouse, but haven't gotten around to a proper compost setup to make my own potting mix. I'd like to stock up when bags go on sale half price or less... hoping someone who might be around the stuff regularly has an idea when that might be.

EDIT: also if anyone has a lead on someone that makes tumbling compost barrels around. May make that a weekend project if not... seems that might pay for itself quickly.

I buy Pro Mix by the bale. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck. A bale of the stuff will last me 2 or more planting seasons. And it's inoculated with bacteria to kill the damping off fungus.

I have a compost barrel/tumbler that I bought, and am not at all impressed with it. IMO, they are not all they are cracked up to be. However, I do use it to put in the stuff that I don't want the chickens to spread. It goes anaerobic easily b/c I don't balance out the carbons, but I can't smell it until I open it up to harvest it. Then... it's enough to gag a maggot. I'm a fan of sheet composting, or simply making a pile. If you wanted, really wanted to contain it, I'd consider making a bin out of hay bales.

Do you think it could have been a porcupine? They make some weird noises. I know mink are capable of climbing, but I don't know if they normally hang out in trees. I wonder if raccoons make a noise. You may be able to ID by listening to different sounds online and seeing if you can match it.

I did a google search of the various creatures of the night, and mink was the one that most closely resembled it by sound, and by the looks from my limited perspective. I did see a video of a mink climbing down a tree, so I figured, what comes down, must also go up. I saw a dead one on the side of the road earlier this week on my way to work, and think I saw an other dead one today as well. Must be mink season.

Picked my first watermelon this morning. Little suckers are prolific, have a ton coming in. Diana's from Fedco. Haven't had any bug or fungus problems with these yet, knock on wood.
View attachment 1100075

Good to know that you're getting production from your Diana. I planted that variety and am now getting first fruit set (from late planting) I've never produced an edible melon, so if I get no melon this year, it won't be any more disappointing than all of the other years I've tried it!!!