Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[wingstone]

thanks for all the aquaponics updates,,,,,still researching

hubby is still planning to move ahead with this but on a small scale and the fish will not be for us at first,,,,he is gonna start with small size fish that would be more for the ducks and chickens and a neighbor said something about adding it to their dog's food,,,( i thinking stinky poo )

so what kind of fish would be good for this,,,,,,would the chickens even be able to eat them as a snack with out a fishy egg taste...

need easy growing fish for the first experiment....

I am talking small tank maybe the size of a cattle type water tank....

is that a good size for him to then run 2 area's of plants off of......

PS...it was the price of the fish that made him decide to experiment first,,,,could be a pricey adventure at first...

 

[ClucksNasty]

I'm getting my five chickies here next week supposedly. I feel so unprepared even for all my studying and reading. Thanks for the input on Pickering Valley. I would have never heard of it except from you guys here. I am really excited for it!

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I definitely think spring is around the corner, I feel like I hear birds chirping a lot more recently. Anyone else notice that? I feel like my dog is even bouncing off the walls (more than usual). In the salon I used to work at we had "the February Phenomenon" very year. People would come in and want a drastically different style or color. We think it was just because people are bored and cold and ready for spring this time of year and need a change. And it's usually been about 6 weeks from Christmas when they last did any kind of special style.

Back to Chickening.... What is everyone's preferred bedding for new day old chicks?

What kind are you getting, and when are you picking them up??

 

[wingstone]

Quote: I try to follow genetics also, I have a problem with glaze over after the first sentence,,,,,did any one print a genetics for dummies yet.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

sharing!

An amazingly informative article on how eggs are formed, REPRODUCTIVE Anatomy!

(I LOVE THIS article and all the details!!)

COOL read! Could help with alot of areas, production, fertility and so forth... a good bookmark and I will also add it to the Hatching 101 Article.

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avianreproduction.html

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: I try to follow genetics also, I have a problem with glaze over after the first sentence,,,,,did any one print a genetics for dummies yet.
lmao not possible

 

[fisherlady]

I try to follow genetics also, I have a problem with glaze over after the first sentence,,,,,did any one print a genetics for dummies yet.

I would be first in line to buy that one! I guess it just seems overwhelming right now because I am too small scale to worry much beyond good body type and personality when deciding who stays and who goes. Feather pattern and color hasn't been my thing when choosing the birds really. Now in the future, when I have more room to do some selective breeding it will become much more important for me.... but I always learned best with visual aids, and seeing baby chick results would be good aids! LOL

The genetics as a whole is fascinating, and I am (very) slowly absorbing more and more about it, it is very cool that you can so closely predict what characteristics the offspring will show, but for my backyard flock right now it doesn't have as much application as it will later on. So I have time to learn slowly (which is a good thing).

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

What kind are you getting, and when are you picking them up?? 

Pickering Valley Feed. I have on order one of each: a Black Australorp, Buff Orpington, Leghorn, Barred Rock, Sicilian Buttercup. Can't wait! They should be arriving next week.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Optimum Egg Quality from your Flock:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/optimum-egg-quality-a-practical-approach


DETAILED EGG Anaylysis in that article, explains in detail, deficiencies, coloring, egg shells, and so forth.... a good bookmark​

 

[chiques chicks]

Wing, I would look in to some sort of minnow, I had some breeding in a small backyard pond, like 5x8.

However, the fish commission technically limits how many you may posses, add they are considered bait.

Is there anything the government doesn't regulate?

 

[Cheralee]

I am hosting the first (that I know of) Barred Hollands breeder get-together. I have been talking to some relevant media outlets, and am looking to lineup some poultry judges, an LC (ALBC) rep, a farm-to-table dinner at a great local restaurant and lodgings. After I have an idea of how many we can gather, I can post the details. Please, please, PLEASE consider coming.

What: Barred Hollands Breeder/Enthusiast get-together
When: August 16-17, 2014
Where: Slippery Rock, PA (conveniently only 15 mintues from two major highways)
Why: It's really time to come together and pool knowledge, resources and ideas.
How: You can certainly drive, fly into PIT airport if you would like to, or carpool. I have an enormous house and yard to stay here or camp in the yard. There is also a major chain hotel only 10 minutes away if you would prefer to stay there.

If possible, I might also be able to do some podcasts and get them out to our western counterparts if they can't make it.

PM for my phone number if you have any questions!