Michigan

[chickflick]

Sorry about you hen, Mom.

Farmerboy, love those pics!! Beautiful.

 

[snowflake]

I can't recommend strongly enough the need to support bird netting due to snow loading. I use a heavy duty mesh with 2" holes and one would think to look at it that there is now way could snow be a problem. I got the mesh given to me by an individual who had all of his pheasants killed when the snow loaded the mesh and crushed his birds. When I built my run I install 12 rafters to support the mesh. At various times I've had snow as deep as 24" standing on top of the mesh without any sag.

Yes I can see, we need more support. DH was sure we had enough, this spring he put extra support down the center and on the corners. Will need to work some more on it when the weather is a little better. How lg is your run and how close are the rafters? Was wondering,when you smoke your chickens are you using older birds or cornish X or a meat bird of some sort? Was thinking about getting meat birds again the spring.

 

[M.sue]

Trying this to see if it works......

Now I have to figure out how to crop it......just love playing on the computer!!

 

[Chickmate]

For the study, any hen between 26 weeks and 5 years will be considered. Girls gone broody are not to be counted.

OK, then that makes 12 laying hens for me Raz, I have one broody. What about if they're moulting?

 

[RaZ]

I actually do the container gardens too. My dad and I built a pot table, it holds 4 big square pots and 6 long pots. Used them for beans, carrots, strawberries, raddishes, onions leaks, basil, parsely... well, you get the picture. I make raised boxes to be able to plant the other stuff. BUT, I want to maximise that space by using trellises for things that can grow up, and not cast shadows on other things, so, at the west ends of the boxes. I have 4x8 raised boxes.

Oops, I re-read my post. It seems a bit curt, which was not my intent. Maximizing space is always a good thing and trellises are a good way to do that.
I built a raised bed on wheels for a lady in a wheel chair. It had a trellis on one side and with the wheels, she was able to turn it about during the day so there was never any shade cast that she didn't want.
I think that this year, all of my veggies will be in straw bales. Dang pots are getting too expensive.

 

[Olive Hill]

So now i have the mission of finding out how many grams of protein is right for chickens; the food bags tell the % not the grams.

I highly recommend The Nutrient Requirements of Poultry.

I actually do the container gardens too. My dad and I built a pot table, it holds 4 big square pots and 6 long pots. Used them for beans, carrots, strawberries, raddishes, onions leaks, basil, parsely... well, you get the picture. I make raised boxes to be able to plant the other stuff. BUT, I want to maximise that space by using trellises for things that can grow up, and not cast shadows on other things, so, at the west ends of the boxes. I have 4x8 raised boxes.

4x8 is a good size. How many do you have? Bell Peppers grow bush-like, they stand erect and take up very little space all on their own. For trellising things you'll actually want them on the north side of your beds. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west and takes a slightly southern trajectory across the sky in the summer. If you plant your trellises on the west end they'll shade your beds in the afternoon and evenings -- some of the best sunlight. Planting intensively is a great way to maximize your space in raised beds.

 

[RaZ]

Quote:

Good point. I hadn't thought about that. My initial thought is to keep them in the group. I'll have to sleep on that. I've been at this all day long and I'm starting to get tired.

 

[snowflake]

 

[snowflake]

getting the pic on was easy, how do you add words?

 

[M.sue]

getting the pic on was easy, how do you add words?

After you submit the pic & it posts in the reply box. You can type before and after the pic...I think that is what I did. lol