Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[fisherlady]

CB100, with your post being on a Sunday afternoon it may take a bit longer for responses... I don't deal with show birds, so not too sure, but I have used simple bird netting over my run to reduce overhead exposure (but my run is 8ft tall chain link, so taller than most birds would fly anyway)

The bird netting is found at any garden type store or often at feed mills and such places, it is used to protect crop berries and trees from birds. They also have 'deer netting' I believe, but I am not familiar with it.

 

[pagumby]

I've been hatching for over a month now.  I turned the 'bator back on around the beginning of December.  I have 4 hatches in the brooder, but the hatches have been small.  I wasn't getting any eggs at first, but I set what I was getting.  Fertility is down in many of my pens.  Of course, it's a Cochin thing so I will have to trim butts.  I am running 90-95% fertility in my MFC and BC/MFC pens now.  Since I set up the lights, I get between 9-18 eggs a day now.  I am setting every 5 or so days, so having the eggs set that long does not help fertility either.

Yep, hatching season is upon us!  I can say that I am very thankful that I now have an off season, though.  Since getting the Sportsman, I hatch enough Jan-Jun that I can shut down in June and have plenty of eggs to sell afterwards.  I know to get anyplace on my projects I should hatch everything, but I don't have the space to house all the birds I could potentially hatch!  And what's worse is this year hatching season started early.  I did that so I wasn't dealing with fertility issues into March like last year!  Hopefully I won't get any brooder illnesses like last year, either.  I lost over half the chicks I hatched because of whatever it was.  I have no ducks this year, so no wet bedding to cause any illnesses! 

I am curious to what you do with all of the chicks. Sell, auction, keep. I would love to get an incubator but I know I would be addicted and dont want to be stuck with so many mouths to feed.

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

LMP... I have no idea, they do seem sweeter than the beets in red beet eggs..
I know nothing about them except they are good,,,,
are they red when harvested or do they get that from cooking
I assume they grow like a radish would, but just guessing.

can I harvest and can them for use all year long

I don't know if the beets you are talking about are different from the one's we grow..just regular red beets...hahaha, maybe just the brine is different . in that case...this spring, get yourself some red beets seeds..whatever kind floats your boat...,plant them..i am very liberal with them..i do go back in after they have established a little and "thin" them out a bit..i don't throw these away, i just extend the row a bit

...then I pretty much forget about them till fall...that is it...so very easy..may have to weed them every now & then..
Oh, I also take some of the larger leaves as they grow & feed them to the chickens ..they LOVE the leaves!!! Beets love cold weather...most of the time, the colder the better...even after the frost hits...the leaves will "look" dead..they are NOT..just let them go..next thing you will see is they are back to normal...really cool!!
Yes, you can "can" them..they last forever...hahha...a "good" year! Pickled or however you like them...I can give you my pickling recipe if you want...it is not as sweet, maybe..as you like or are used to, but they are good. hope you're having a good day...

 

[chickenboy100]

CB100, with your post being on a Sunday afternoon it may take a bit longer for responses... I don't deal with show birds, so not too sure, but I have used simple bird netting over my run to reduce overhead exposure (but my run is 8ft tall chain link, so taller than most birds would fly anyway)

The bird netting is found at any garden type store or often at feed mills and such places, it is used to protect crop berries and trees from birds. They also have 'deer netting' I believe, but I am not familiar with it.

Thank you.

 

[regcal966]

I know its early but I was wondering if anyone will be hatching Marans, Welsummers, or Olive Egger chicks in or around March. I am interested in getting a couple of each breed but not until March. I can order from a hatchery but would prefer to get some from someone local. I'm in Snow Shoe, but I will travel up to an hour. Thanks!!

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Morning everyone.....the sun is finally shining here!!!

...wow, it is amazing how much that little thing called light can make things better....okay, I have a question..hahha, well-you knew it was coming...I am NOT having this issue at the moment & hopefully never will, but got thinking about egg-bound hens....i have read some about this, but was wondering what any of you have done or would do if faced with this issue.?....having new girls coming into their egg-laying time..weird things happen all the time, just would like to be informed a little more than what i am..not. thank you-danielle

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

I know its early but I was wondering if anyone will be hatching Marans, Welsummers, or Olive Egger chicks in or around March. I am interested in getting a couple of each breed but not until March. I can order from a hatchery but would prefer to get some from someone local. I'm in Snow Shoe, but I will travel up to an hour. Thanks!!

Hi..not hatching anything..sorry, ...didn't realize we were neighbors...Hello from central

also

 

[Sally Sunshine]

FLEAS ticks and BUGS lol I ran into this, now read it carefully.... I had not known this has a 30 residual effect! this is a good all around animal product for those of us who choose to do preventatives. and the price? well ONE QUART makes 25 gallons... just sayin! I may switch to this from the powder... thought I would share!

 

[beaglady]

Wing,

We like Lutz Green Leaf for beets. They get big without getting woody, and we like to eat the greens too. You're welcome to my recipe for picked beets. It's pretty sweet. You've canned before, haven't you?

 

[Reyvaughn]

I am curious to what you do with all of the chicks. Sell, auction, keep. I would love to get an incubator but I know I would be addicted and dont want to be stuck with so many mouths to feed.

I hatch out for the June and September swaps in Maryland and to keep. I raise them out to see who I want to keep first and then sell all the others. If I don't sell at the swaps and I don't want to keep them, I take them to auction.