North Carolina

[starlingdaly]

So...what do you look for to tell you that spring is truly here? We see buds starting, new growth here and there...and they can all be killed back by another freeze. What do you consider a real sign of spring? I have two...tent caterpillars and red-winged blackbirds, although I think the caterpillars are earlier than the blackbirds! When the plants start budding, I start watching for those distinctive tents in the trees as I drive to work each day.

Tent caterpillars. They know.

My dad always said when the wild blackberries bloom you are past the last frost and it should be safe then to plant your summer crops.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

So...what do you look for to tell you that spring is truly here? We see buds starting, new growth here and there...and they can all be killed back by another freeze. What do you consider a real sign of spring? I have two...tent caterpillars and red-winged blackbirds, although I think the caterpillars are earlier than the blackbirds! When the plants start budding, I start watching for those distinctive tents in the trees as I drive to work each day.

Tent caterpillars. They know.

My dad always said when the wild blackberries bloom you are past the last frost and it should be safe then to plant your summer crops.

I'll watch the timing on those this spring, too! I love having specific things to look for.

 

[sbrooks88]

Hi guys!!! Been a looooong while since I been here. 2 jobs chickens dogs DH lol! Anyway, my hens have started laying a lot more even thought its cold. :/ I think they're confused. My 3 roosters that were ALL raised together are starting to fight. my ameraucana rooster was #1 then my cornish rock is #2 and my Rhode Island Red is last. they have him terrified!!!!! His comb has holes all in it and they're pulling his feathers out. He has always been the sweetest chicken! And I think because he is so good natured that's y they're beating him up. I really want to keep them all. Does anybody have any advice on how I can keep them and they not kill my RIR? I have then in a seperate pen now. I left my RIR with the hens. He doesn't bother them at all. They are just as scared of the other 3 roosters as he is! They all hide behind they're nesting boxes until I throw food in there. I feel bad and culling is NOT an option.

 

[ramirezframing]

Hi guys!!! Been a looooong while since I been here. 2 jobs chickens dogs DH lol! Anyway, my hens have started laying a lot more even thought its cold.

I think they're confused. My 3 roosters that were ALL raised together are starting to fight.

my ameraucana rooster was #1 then my cornish rock is #2 and my Rhode Island Red is last.

they have him terrified!!!!! His comb has holes all in it and they're pulling his feathers out. He has always been the sweetest chicken! And I think because he is so good natured that's y they're beating him up. I really want to keep them all. Does anybody have any advice on how I can keep them and they not kill my RIR? I have then in a seperate pen now. I left my RIR with the hens. He doesn't bother them at all. They are just as scared of the other 3 roosters as he is! They all hide behind they're nesting boxes until I throw food in there. I feel bad and culling is NOT an option.

You can try game pens. They aint hard to make. Its 2x4 welded wire done in either a square or a circle with a top. Makes for great single bird pens for holding extra roosters.

 

[sbrooks88]

Do you know where I can find the plans for that? So I know the dimensions and all that? I'm waiting on my tax money so that will be one of the first things I have to take care of along with spaying my dog.

 

[starlingdaly]

Do you know where I can find the plans for that? So I know the dimensions and all that? I'm waiting on my tax money so that will be one of the first things I have to take care of along with spaying my dog.

I thought about improving on chicken coops with my tax money but then I decided I'd rather have a dishwasher

 

[sbrooks88]

Well some of my tax $ along with DH is definitely going to go towards a house. We live in our camper at my parents. I'd love to even find a singlewide. It seems cheaper to buy at this point than to rent! Then my chickens can run free n the yard again. Not just in their run.

 

[starlingdaly]

Well some of my tax $ along with DH is definitely going to go towards a house. We live in our camper at my parents. I'd love to even find a singlewide. It seems cheaper to buy at this point than to rent! Then my chickens can run free n the yard again. Not just in their run.

Oooff, I hear ya. We too are trying to move to 15 acres and build but are still waiting on loan info before we decide to go that route for sure.
I look forward to being able to call my chickens organic and free range as right now they live adjacent to fields heavily treated with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer!

 

[sbrooks88]

Mine are still technically organic they used to be free range before we moved but there are too many dogs around here for that now. I feed them fresh vegetables from the greenhouse now. We don't use any pesticides or fertilizers except chicken poop in ours. Lol. Since I've separated the 2 bully roosters my RIR rooster is doing much better and not hiding anymore. An the ladies seem to like him. lots of squawking going on out there. BAHAHAHAHA! And they're no longer scared either. Now I just gotta make them a separate pen so they won't be in the dog kennel we use when we take the cats and dogs on trips in.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

How much trouble is it to get the permissions ...license? Whatever it is that you have to have to use "organic" these days? I've thought about it, but have been too lazy to do the research.