Michigan
- Thread starter Grammi
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Good morning everyone! Quick, somebody put a gold star on my forehead!! I actually got up at 6:15 this morning and I want to announce it because that happens only once in a Blue Moon. . . well, actually never. After 32 years of getting up at 4:00 a.m. and making the commute in rush hour traffic I promised myself that when I retired I would never get up early unless I had to. And I don't. Just was wide awake this a.m. and figured I might as well get going. First cup of steaming coffee before I start some housework, then off to a Bible Study at 12:30.
Got the front yard mowed yesterday and will do the back tomorrow. The cottonwood is blowing so bad here that I looked like a snowman driving my lawn tractor yesterday. I had it stuck all over me. Then when the mower chops it up it mixes with the grass and makes big clumps that I had to keep going over and over to disburse which wastes more gas
. I have never had a grass catcher that worked so I don't bother with them anymore.
And talk about ponds, mine looks like it has a layer of bread dough floating on top of it.
Mom2emAll - RaZ mentioned he also has a large pond, like 1400 gallons, maybe he has some tips on keeping it clear. I wanted to put Pond Clear in mine this year, but still haven't gotten around to it. I thought once the swans were gone it would clear up, but I still have algae problems too. Also now the plants are really growing since the swans aren't here to eat them.
Hmmm, mead sounds good but I've never tried it. Don't even really know what it is but will do some research on the web.
The chickens seem to have recovered since the fox attack and two of the wounded are doing very well. I have one ISA Brown who I still have in a dog crate because she's still kind of slow and now walking right yet, but she's eating and drinking so I think she'll be OK. I feel so bad when I go out to the coop because they all run to the door for me to let them out and I just don't feel safe doing it anymore, or yet. I think when I'm actually out mowing the back yard I will let them out as long as I'm out there and then put them back in when I'm done.
Going to be another beautiful day everyone!
Only 11 more days till Chickenstock, but who's counting?
Got the front yard mowed yesterday and will do the back tomorrow. The cottonwood is blowing so bad here that I looked like a snowman driving my lawn tractor yesterday. I had it stuck all over me. Then when the mower chops it up it mixes with the grass and makes big clumps that I had to keep going over and over to disburse which wastes more gas
And talk about ponds, mine looks like it has a layer of bread dough floating on top of it.
Hmmm, mead sounds good but I've never tried it. Don't even really know what it is but will do some research on the web.
The chickens seem to have recovered since the fox attack and two of the wounded are doing very well. I have one ISA Brown who I still have in a dog crate because she's still kind of slow and now walking right yet, but she's eating and drinking so I think she'll be OK. I feel so bad when I go out to the coop because they all run to the door for me to let them out and I just don't feel safe doing it anymore, or yet. I think when I'm actually out mowing the back yard I will let them out as long as I'm out there and then put them back in when I'm done.
Going to be another beautiful day everyone!
Congrats on your early rising Chickmate!! I like getting up early....I'm a morning person and have lots of energy first thing which dissipates pretty quickly by around 4pm. Make hay while the sun shines...or something to that effect.
I looked up info on ponds turning green...it seems that if your pond is in the sun...it WILL turn green from what I've read. You have to have so many plants per sq. feet to keep it shady and prevent the algae formation and I guess ducks eat the plants which is why people say you get green water when you have ducks.
I've never had mead before either but I bet the honeymead would be good for when you have a scratchy or sore throat. My husband is Polish and his family usually has a drink called "krupnick" on hand. It has alcohol and honey in it and if you take a sip numbs your throat the whole way down!
Morning is starting out well....the computer is on the 2nd floor overlooking our yard ,field and woods and I just watched two button bucks wander from the woods to our yard (timidly) and back.
Enjoy another beautiful day everyone!
I looked up info on ponds turning green...it seems that if your pond is in the sun...it WILL turn green from what I've read. You have to have so many plants per sq. feet to keep it shady and prevent the algae formation and I guess ducks eat the plants which is why people say you get green water when you have ducks.
I've never had mead before either but I bet the honeymead would be good for when you have a scratchy or sore throat. My husband is Polish and his family usually has a drink called "krupnick" on hand. It has alcohol and honey in it and if you take a sip numbs your throat the whole way down!
Morning is starting out well....the computer is on the 2nd floor overlooking our yard ,field and woods and I just watched two button bucks wander from the woods to our yard (timidly) and back.
Enjoy another beautiful day everyone!
Someone is selling a flock of 50 chickens over in Holly, lots of silkies I know some of you have been looking for http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/grd/2436427900.html
What guys no moonshine??!!!!
I might have to show up at this shin dig, now if someones bringing home made raspberry Jam I am IN. Why am I up so early O yeah dog yacking beside my bed this a.m. Lovely sound to wake up to.
At least I didn't step in it this time..lol.. good morning!
At least I didn't step in it this time..lol.. good morning!
- Apr 15, 2011
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Raz- I'm guessing you keep bees, too? We've been considering it for over a year. I have all my hives materials, supers, gear, etc. Just no bees. It's all second hand though. The foundations are shot on the frames. Can I just get new foundation wax, or do people buy new frames each time? They are really covered with a lot of propolis. Also, do you think it's too late to get the bees? I've read that they need to be started early in the spring in order to have enough food to support themselves over the winter. What are your thoughts? (Can you tell I don't have any beekeeping friends to bounce ideas off of?)
Mom2- Somewhere on BYC, I've seen pictures of beautiful ponds WITH ducks in them. I want it both ways too! If you figure it out, let me know!! I have visions of a lovely pond with plants even growing in it- as opposed to a duck buffet. Sigh.
Still no improvement with our duck. He seems to like it when I put him in the pond to float a bit. He's eating and drinking and wagging his tail. Even quacking for peas. But, a duck with only one leg is bad. Our daughter feels pretty guilty about it all, but we've been trying to reassure her that it was an accident, things happen. It's life. Our ducks are more like pets than our chickens. They freeload, get lots of love, and hang out with us, like dogs I guess. We have a vacation planned for next week, so we'll need to make some hard decisions about this.
Mom2- Somewhere on BYC, I've seen pictures of beautiful ponds WITH ducks in them. I want it both ways too! If you figure it out, let me know!! I have visions of a lovely pond with plants even growing in it- as opposed to a duck buffet. Sigh.
Still no improvement with our duck. He seems to like it when I put him in the pond to float a bit. He's eating and drinking and wagging his tail. Even quacking for peas. But, a duck with only one leg is bad. Our daughter feels pretty guilty about it all, but we've been trying to reassure her that it was an accident, things happen. It's life. Our ducks are more like pets than our chickens. They freeload, get lots of love, and hang out with us, like dogs I guess. We have a vacation planned for next week, so we'll need to make some hard decisions about this.
If anyone's interested I have a lemon mead (lemon honeywine) recipie that's taken a few ribbons.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/30078_mead.jpg
Oh my gosh! I want this even more than honey!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/30078_mead.jpg
Oh my gosh! I want this even more than honey!
Good morning everyone!
Wow, chickenstock is looking like it's going great! I hope you all have loads of fun. Hopefully I can make it next year!
Well, the plans for coop expansion are final. Once Aric finishes the bigger eggs for sale sign, we'll probably begin. Most of it is a one man job so I might take off to go fishing while he works on it
Meanwhile I'm waiting the hour it takes for the coffee maker to brew a whole pot. I get enough for a few sips every 10 minutes or so lol
Have a great day!
Wow, chickenstock is looking like it's going great! I hope you all have loads of fun. Hopefully I can make it next year!
Well, the plans for coop expansion are final. Once Aric finishes the bigger eggs for sale sign, we'll probably begin. Most of it is a one man job so I might take off to go fishing while he works on it
Meanwhile I'm waiting the hour it takes for the coffee maker to brew a whole pot. I get enough for a few sips every 10 minutes or so lol
Have a great day!
Quote:
It sounds like your coffee maker is plugged and water isn't getting thru. You could blow a hose and have it all over the counter top one day, happened to me. RUn some white vinegar thru it, dump it out and run another pot full of vinegar thru it. It will work better and faster. VInegar clears out the oily crud that builds up. Make sure you give it a rinse perk with clear water tho or you'll have sour coffee.
lemme know if it worked for ya. HAve a great Day...
It sounds like your coffee maker is plugged and water isn't getting thru. You could blow a hose and have it all over the counter top one day, happened to me. RUn some white vinegar thru it, dump it out and run another pot full of vinegar thru it. It will work better and faster. VInegar clears out the oily crud that builds up. Make sure you give it a rinse perk with clear water tho or you'll have sour coffee.
lemme know if it worked for ya. HAve a great Day...
Woke up late today, made coffee and chatted with the neighbors before checking the forum. So many comments and questions...
I do have a pond that is 1450 gallons. Last week it turned stagnant in the span of 4-5 hours. The cause was not covering it last fall which led to an excessive build up of debris that fermented over the winter, along with a mast year for maple samaras that quickly sank. Letting the ducks play didn't help either. The biggest problem was that my pump failed and I had no water circulation. The perfect storm for having a pond fail!
The remedy was to completely drain it, put on the waders and shovel out the stinky muck.
I filled the big, brown trash bin 3/4 full with the muck. Not even thinking about composting it, too much methane being released.
Anywho, I went to Grass Roots and bought a new pump (~900 gph), 2 big bags of filter sponges, 2 barley balls and a couple bags of bugs. THe filter sponges and 1 barley went into my external filter which is a 35 gallon drum that I think I will upgrade to a 55 gallon or add a second barrel. If I can sell enough honey I'll probably add a surface skimmer to the pond. My ducks are molting and between them and the cottonwoods, it looks like a layer of snow on the surface.
I think the key to maintaining a man-made pond is keeping it cleaned up, skimming the surface and vacuuming the bottom. Try the folks at Grass Roots, they are the best in Michigan. http://www.grassrootsnursery.com/ Tell them Randy from YardWerks sent you. If you need help with your pond, e-mail or call me, I can help you get an external filter going and I have extra 55 barrels if you need one.
I've been keeping bees for 15 years or so. I lost my hives over the winter and need to replace them. If you have all of the hive bodies, supers and frames, you should be OK. You can skive off the propolis if it is too thick. If the foundation is shot, you can let the bees make their own but it will not be as neat and tidy as the store bought foundations. If you are at Chickenstock, bring a frame or 2 and I can take a look at them. Also check out SEMBA for more info http://www.sembabees.org/
I'll check around to see if anyone has any bees for sale. They might be hard to find, there was a 60% loss of colonies over the winter.
Please feel free to e-mail, PM or post questions, I'll help if I can or refer you if I can't.
I do have a pond that is 1450 gallons. Last week it turned stagnant in the span of 4-5 hours. The cause was not covering it last fall which led to an excessive build up of debris that fermented over the winter, along with a mast year for maple samaras that quickly sank. Letting the ducks play didn't help either. The biggest problem was that my pump failed and I had no water circulation. The perfect storm for having a pond fail!
The remedy was to completely drain it, put on the waders and shovel out the stinky muck.
I filled the big, brown trash bin 3/4 full with the muck. Not even thinking about composting it, too much methane being released.Anywho, I went to Grass Roots and bought a new pump (~900 gph), 2 big bags of filter sponges, 2 barley balls and a couple bags of bugs. THe filter sponges and 1 barley went into my external filter which is a 35 gallon drum that I think I will upgrade to a 55 gallon or add a second barrel. If I can sell enough honey I'll probably add a surface skimmer to the pond. My ducks are molting and between them and the cottonwoods, it looks like a layer of snow on the surface.
I think the key to maintaining a man-made pond is keeping it cleaned up, skimming the surface and vacuuming the bottom. Try the folks at Grass Roots, they are the best in Michigan. http://www.grassrootsnursery.com/ Tell them Randy from YardWerks sent you. If you need help with your pond, e-mail or call me, I can help you get an external filter going and I have extra 55 barrels if you need one.
I've been keeping bees for 15 years or so. I lost my hives over the winter and need to replace them. If you have all of the hive bodies, supers and frames, you should be OK. You can skive off the propolis if it is too thick. If the foundation is shot, you can let the bees make their own but it will not be as neat and tidy as the store bought foundations. If you are at Chickenstock, bring a frame or 2 and I can take a look at them. Also check out SEMBA for more info http://www.sembabees.org/
I'll check around to see if anyone has any bees for sale. They might be hard to find, there was a 60% loss of colonies over the winter.
Please feel free to e-mail, PM or post questions, I'll help if I can or refer you if I can't.
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