Michigan

[Avalon1984]

I love the early mornings too. We have trees surrounding our property so you can see the sun working its way through the trees, chickens are clucking happily inside their houses and the horses graze peacefully in their pastures. Some also graze peacefully outside their pastures after breaking the fence

. I will be selling 5 of my 3 months old chicks today. I am sad already. But hubby said that 67 chicks is too much, plus I will be getting 20 meat birds this weekend. Sooooo saaaaddd.

 

[Living the Simple Life]

Quote:

There was a crazy amount of food. I didn't even get to the desserts!

Then you missed out on the awesome Rhubarb bars. They were delish! I am hoping that Farmerboy16 will share the recipe...please, please, please!!!

 

[fifelakelooper]

Hickchick....every small village in N. Michigan must have "the best fourth in the North!" At least they all proclaim it!

 

[Mom 2em All]

the tortoise and the hare...and the geese?

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
Mom2em - ck out barley straw - we JUST read about it - actually it was in the last BYC newletter - picked some up REALLY cheap when compared to pond chemicals from Hammond Farms here in Dewitt....does take some time (we also are using up our chemicals) but I would say that there is definetely an improvement and MUCH less costly...hmmmm wonder why Hammond Farms never mentioned it to us....hmmmmm
we also have fish and frogs....there are many "user friendly" chemicals out there that don't harm the darlins.

 

[Opa]

When you are my age it's okay to set up a swing for the grand kids but don't even think about a teeter totter. I foolishly put on in and when only one grandkid is here they are constantly asking me to supply the totter to their teeter. Old knees don't like it.

Hope is taking care of her two year old grandson and he certainly is a handful. She's going to have to have a talk with her daughter-in-law. She brings the kid over shortly after ten and announces every day that he's just gotten up and hasn't had breakfast. No big deal feeding the kid but then his schedule doesn't jive with ours. Makes meals a hassle, naps in the afternoon impossible. But by letting the kid sleep in she doesn't have to deal with him we do.

 

[RaZ]

Barley straw for sure, I use 2 balls at a time.
Also get some water lettuce and duckweed for clearing the water (phytoremediation).
A UV light as part of the filtration also works. It breaks down the cell structure of the algae.
An external filter is easy, you need a 35 or 55 gallon drum and 2 bulkhead fittings. Plus the sponges to fill the barrel. That can be done for less than $50 if you do it yourself. I have extra barrels if you need one, maybe even some fittings lying around.

Also, have your water analyzed for salt content. You need about a pound per 100 gallons. I added 10 pounds to mine yesterday. Forget to buy barley balls though. Must be getting old-timers

Let me know if I can help more.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
Sounds like you and Hope are busy Sam - perhaps a vacation is in order!

 

[keyt1969]

I can't wait to get the mortar and supplies to fix and expand our pond/s. We have the greening problem too but only because for most of the day the water is in direct sunlight. I was going to put a canopy over it but we saw a really nice pond set up where I got my calls using mortar in the bottom so we're going to follow that.

When we first built the pond we didn't have as many ducks and we used just the water, but our ground soaks it up in no time. Then we ran across someone who was throwing away a huge pool cover last fall so we've been using that and it works great. We just have to wash it off really well every other water change to help keep the greening from being as bad.

This weekend is going to be really busy. First comes Gandalf's private run and coop entrance then the pond. But I have to decide whether I should be here in case Aric needs help or disappear because he gets kinda grouchy when he's building stuff here because he's like me...a perfectionist! lol

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
Have a GOOD one Opa, you sure deserve it.
Kisses to Granny.