Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[LittleMissPurdy]

so...my Magnolia decided to bloom, must actually be spring here!

beautiful!! ...i would love one, but...when those flowers are done..boy do they make a mess

I have missed you all so much!

I had a lovely round of mishaps that made it so I couldn't log in for months....
Computer died, no money to replace due to a financial emergency
Had to cancel Internet at home and cell service by of same financial emergency.
Not able to access BYC from work during lunch anymore be they changed our security protocols


Just got everything back up and running this weekend.... Thank God for tax refunds!

How is everyone doing?

wowsers!!!...

..hang in there...that's what I keep mantra-ing to myself..hahaha..glad to have you back!

 

[dheltzel]

beautiful!! ...i would love one, but...when those flowers are done..boy do they make a mess

The species shown in the picture is a Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia). It's a large bush, but not the mess that the larger species that grow into trees make.

 

[chippysmom327]

So I put 41 eggs in the incubator, and only 6 were fertile!!! What the heck?!?

That's only 15% fertility! My roo's only 2... most of the girls won't let him mount them though. The eggs that are fertile are from the only one that does.

 

[dekel18042]

So I put 41 eggs in the incubator, and only 6 were fertile!!! What the heck?!?

That's only 15% fertility! My roo's only 2... most of the girls won't let him mount them though. The eggs that are fertile are from the only one that does.

Just wondering, if you removed his favorite from his presence would he turn his attentions to another? Or if you penned him with one or two different hens, would he become interested in them?
That seems strange behavior for a healthy roo. When I had one with 14 hens, all my eggs were fertile.

 

[jmayday]

Message for the locals around me,
Today and Friday will be processing day for roosters and older rabbits... nothing fancy, all skinned quickly and bagged for canning over the weekend.

If you have anything that you need done, get it over here and I can add it..

i have one roo where are you located? How much?

 

[chiques chicks]

If you want milk, go for a milking breed. Scour your classifieds for a solar charger and any fencing equipment you can find. Wire sucks used, but the posts and charger are just fine used. It will make your life much easier in the long run. Goats can be a real PITA with escaping and destroying everything. I ended up sticking with sheep. I get milk and lamb meat AND wool to spin. Win-win-win.

Hmmm, I already have an old solar fence charger. Picked it up because the solar panel was shot. Replaced it and the battery and it works fine. Had it around my garden to keep groundhogs out before I installed the high fence.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Another member here had and may again have a market for them, I think it's primarily an Asian market? There are some people who value the eggs. They are said to have high nutritional value. Current prices seem to be in the $3/ dozen area. I'm just starting them, we'll see. I am always eat them. I try not to raise anything that can't be used in some way. Trees that I plant provide fruit, nuts or firewood, animals provide some sort of food. Only exception is my dog. She's purely companionship since I'm alone most of the time. I already have people asking if I'm going to have turkey this year. Now to get some to hatch!

now Ray..you are NOT alone... ...just say the word, I would love to visit ya...told Todd all about ya..the crazy-good guy with the kilt , and serious enabler who handed me a bator!! ... he said.."sounds like someone to meet!"..hahaha

CC- I have turkey eggs if you want to swap me some chicken & quail. Blue slates & mixed heritage.

I have missed you all so much! I had a lovely round of mishaps that made it so I couldn't log in for months.... Computer died, no money to replace due to a financial emergency Had to cancel Internet at home and cell service by of same financial emergency. Not able to access BYC from work during lunch anymore be they changed our security protocols Just got everything back up and running this weekend.... Thank God for tax refunds! How is everyone doing?

Welcome Back!! Glad you're here and things are looking up for you.

Quote:
Do you mix it or does the feed store do it? I think I might try purina. Does anyone use purina chicken feed?

I go to the mill & they mix it for me. Some mills require 1,000 pound minimum order, others only 500 pounds. My current mill is 500 pounds & cost me about $100 for a batch. That's about $5 per 50 pound bag. MUCH cheaper than commercial feed & protien is 18+% without any soy. Seriously?? I NEED. A deal like that! Just had someone today ask me about soy free feed for my chicken, I would totally buy that right up if I could get it that cheap closer by.

Still waking on goats. See a lot of pygmy on craigslist. Not sure I want any that small. Process are all over the map. I've seen various breeds from $95-$700. Then there is the fencing issue.

I have my goat tied out to a rather heavy dog box...takes 2 adults to move it easily. We just scoot her box every few days so she can reach fresh grass. Tie her where she can reach the creek or put a water bucket against the back of her box where she can't tip it with the chain. No problems unless I put her close enough to tangle a tree.

Blarney- PM me & I'll give you my mix ratios. Call your local mill & see if they can mix feed. It's a mash, so fermenting is best.

 

[wingstone]

Message for the locals around me,
Today and Friday will be processing day for roosters and older rabbits... nothing fancy, all skinned quickly and bagged for canning over the weekend.

If you have anything that you need done, get it over here and I can add it..

i have one roo where are you located? How much?

Mount joy

 

[wingstone]

Silkie I want a copy of that mix also. That is way cheaper than what I get. Will need to take that to the mill and see what they would charge... I do prefer a pellet mix though, even in the summer for fermenting, and I am OK with soy....depending on what the other additives are.

Also you need to pm me your new address..

Also I will be seperating the Hedemora and bantam Cochin on Sat into their own pens, so those eggs will be available in a couple weeks if you want any smaller breeds....

When I did my rooster elimination yesterday I could not bring myself to take the little old English guy,,, he is in charge of my layer pen right now, it is just him and an old silkie boy till sat....I like him so much that I am thinking of getting rid of the bantam Cochin for the OEGB ( I only have the 2 side pen's for off breeds other than my rocks.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Silkie I want a copy of that mix also. That is way cheaper than what I get. Will need to take that to the mill and see what they would charge... I do prefer a pellet mix though, even in the summer for fermenting, and I am OK with soy....depending on what the other additives are.

Also you need to pm me your new address..

Also I will be seperating the Hedemora and bantam Cochin on Sat into their own pens, so those eggs will be available in a couple weeks if you want any smaller breeds....

When I did my rooster elimination yesterday I could not bring myself to take the little old English guy,,, he is in charge of my layer pen right now, it is just him and an old silkie boy till sat....I like him so much that I am thinking of getting rid of the bantam Cochin for the OEGB ( I only have the 2 side pen's for off breeds other than my rocks.

I'm considering getting back into oegb. They are cute & easy on the feed bill.

I have almost half the cabinet still empty. Cochins, silkies, polish, coturnix quail, heritage turkeys, peafowl & any heavy bodied dual purpose bird will do. Or odd colored eggs. I am staying away from waterfowl for now.

I'll just post my feed mix here so everyone can have it. The distiller's is the base (high protein) & how I get it so cheap. Not sure if it can be made into pellets or not. I don't mind a mash for fermenting.
Gotta go find the paper from the mill...