Michigan

[chicken grandma]

Nova- duck eggs at a health food store in Grand Rapids were priced at $3.50/six.
That seemed cheap to me. They were not huge but they were bigger than chicken eggs.

 

[NovaAman]

I know! And I am selling them for $4 a dozen! People will take them if they are free. HUH! No. It was recommended to me to see about selling them to the Asian stores. I am going to ask at a few on my way to work in the morning. I get between 21-28 eggs a week for the ducks and about the same for the chickens right now. Well, no, I only get 28 a week with 2 broodies and 1 Veena. LOL

 

[RaZ]

Quote:
Same here. I like to dig into the research behind the published findings. The article I cited was from the west coast and the one you cited was from the east coast. My curiosity and skepticism senses are tingling.

I don't claim to be a scientist or even an expert, but I've picked up a thing or two over the years.
When I took my master composter classes, they claimed that coffee grounds were actually "green" according to MSU literature. That raised a few questions in class. The short answer was that the small amount of coffee grounds added to compost or soil was only a short term response. Soil structure and composition developed over thousands of years and what we do is merely short term. That makes sense to me.

I've posed similar questions to the professors in the biology department and not one of them can provide an answer. They suggest going to the geology department and ask there. Trouble is, we don't have a soil science expert on campus. Geology profs say they use MSU for soil analysis. It seems to me that there should be more interaction between the disciplines of science. Perhaps some day.

For now, a soil test is less than $20 from your Extension office. Or if folks like, I can get soil pH metres if anyone wants to do spot tests. I can have them at Chickenstock.

 

[Juise]

Quote:

Nova, ours have been growing up chicken wire the last few years.

 

[NovaAman]

Well heck, I got plenty of that!

One of my customers plants stakes and runs the chicken wire along it tight, and grows his beans up that. I should have asked him if he did peas too...

Sweet. Going to be putting seeds in this week...

 

[swampducks]

yup, this is my neighbor who lives right next door, my friend, dog sitter, he would do anything for you or your dogs. His dog Yogi is Luna's actual uncle. The dogs adored Uncle Butch. His dogs wouldn't really eat the first 2 days.

Swampducks... That is terrible!

Is that your dogs roaming buddy? Hope it didn't have anything to do with your cranky neighbor...

 

[theron]

I forgot who was asking about sebastopols, but we plan on bringing some to chickenstock to sell.

 

[Juise]

Quote:

Same here. I like to dig into the research behind the published findings. The article I cited was from the west coast and the one you cited was from the east coast. My curiosity and skepticism senses are tingling.

I don't claim to be a scientist or even an expert, but I've picked up a thing or two over the years.
When I took my master composter classes, they claimed that coffee grounds were actually "green" according to MSU literature. That raised a few questions in class. The short answer was that the small amount of coffee grounds added to compost or soil was only a short term response. Soil structure and composition developed over thousands of years and what we do is merely short term. That makes sense to me.

I've posed similar questions to the professors in the biology department and not one of them can provide an answer. They suggest going to the geology department and ask there. Trouble is, we don't have a soil science expert on campus. Geology profs say they use MSU for soil analysis. It seems to me that there should be more interaction between the disciplines of science. Perhaps some day.

For now, a soil test is less than $20 from your Extension office. Or if folks like, I can get soil pH metres if anyone wants to do spot tests. I can have them at Chickenstock.

So... I grow a diversity of things, and usually just throw lots of different things into the compost and soil, turn it all together, and hope for the best.

I feel like I would have to test my soil every few feet for any sense of accuracy, and I am not terribly keen on altering the soil specifically for each one of hundreds of different types of plants. I rely on crop rotation and symbiotic relationships. What I am saying, I think, (because who knows, really?) is that while I would like to test and have the best type of soil for each plant, it seems pointless unless I were to do a lot of soil testing, and invest quite a lot of money.

Sorry, I was up all night with a fussy baby, and then 4 y/o decided to wake up hours early, and wake her baby sister up as well, so I have been stumbling around trying to take care of everyone and get done the things what need doing in a haze all day. I've had a pot of coffee and a few double shots of espresso by now, which haven't managed to wake me up, so if I make little sense, that's my excuse.

 

[SillyChicken]

Finally, I caught up, been running around like a chicken with my head cut off

the last few days. Last week is now officially this year's week from hell. After the chicks dying and my dog gone missing and essentially imprisoned, on Friday night a very good friend, next door neighbor and bestest dog buddy in this village died suddenly. Everyone is in shock and sort of floundering around. I still can't freakin' believe it.

let me tell you how that story really went.... when I was about 7 yrs old, my dad was processing some chickens. He cut the head off and tossed in the yard.. I'll be darned if that stupid chicken didn't get up on it's feet, and start flipping chasing me in a circle...... of course I was screamin my head off... the chicken seriously followed me for several laps. Now THAT is running around like a chicken with it's head cut of! True story! Honest it was, even the screaming part!



Hanging out with somebunny

They're starting to come out! Found two today, about the size of a fat pinky! Can't wait!

 

[Juise]

Quote:

Well heck, I got plenty of that!

One of my customers plants stakes and runs the chicken wire along it tight, and grows his beans up that. I should have asked him if he did peas too...

Sweet. Going to be putting seeds in this week...

Haha, I was figuring on it probably being an option. It gives them lots of places to attach to. Ours is also stretched across stakes. (Okay their really tuba fours.

)