Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[OneMountainAcres]

For about $5 more, look at this one: http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24_28&products_id=193
I highly recommend Cutler Supply, I've ordered from them twice now and been happy with their service.

I think the electronic thermostat is worth the extra, though Sally swears by the old-time wafer ones. If you want to save even more, the still-air version of the one you found goes for about $55 on Cutler's site. If you know any computer junkies, see if you can get them to hook you up with a fan from an old computer and a power supply from an old cell phone or other DC voltage electronics. I replaced the worn out fan in my old Hoverbator with a PC fan and it works great. I use it as a hatcher and turn the fan off (unplug the separate power supply) once they start to hatch to prevent shrink wrapping.

my incubator came in the mail today YAY! Thank you so much for the recommendation. It's so much easier to set up and use than I thought it would be (though I'm always over thinking things lol). I've had it on the counter runner and holding stay at 98° for a good hour. I'm going to let it run overnight and see how it goes. I'm running it dry though (should I have water in it for a test run?). Do you recommend an easy to use hygrometer that would work well with it? Off to search. I can't wait until spring to do some hatching

 

[stake]

I'm from Hanover pa anyone close to me

Howdy from Chester Co....not close at all...what do you have and what are you looking for......

 

[chippysmom327]

For about $5 more, look at this one: http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24_28&products_id=193
I highly recommend Cutler Supply, I've ordered from them twice now and been happy with their service.

I think the electronic thermostat is worth the extra, though Sally swears by the old-time wafer ones. If you want to save even more, the still-air version of the one you found goes for about $55 on Cutler's site. If you know any computer junkies, see if you can get them to hook you up with a fan from an old computer and a power supply from an old cell phone or other DC voltage electronics. I replaced the worn out fan in my old Hoverbator with a PC fan and it works great. I use it as a hatcher and turn the fan off (unplug the separate power supply) once they start to hatch to prevent shrink wrapping.

my incubator came in the mail today YAY! Thank you so much for the recommendation. It's so much easier to set up and use than I thought it would be (though I'm always over thinking things lol). I've had it on the counter runner and holding stay at 98° for a good hour. I'm going to let it run overnight and see how it goes. I'm running it dry though (should I have water in it for a test run?). Do you recommend an easy to use hygrometer that would work well with it? Off to search. I can't wait until spring to do some hatching

You can grab an analog hygrometer in the reprile section at Petco. I use them for my hermit crabs and picked an extra one up for the bator. They're very simple to calibrate and use. Here's a link for calibration instructions:
http://cigars.about.com/od/humidors/qt/hygrometers.htm

 

[dheltzel]

my incubator came in the mail today YAY! Thank you so much for the recommendation. It's so much easier to set up and use than I thought it would be (though I'm always over thinking things lol). I've had it on the counter runner and holding stay at 98° for a good hour. I'm going to let it run overnight and see how it goes. I'm running it dry though (should I have water in it for a test run?). Do you recommend an easy to use hygrometer that would work well with it? Off to search. I can't wait until spring to do some hatching

I use Accurite brand thermometer/hygrometers. I get them at Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/AcuRite-Digital-Humidity-and-Temperature-Monitor/16888914
It's good to calibrate anything you get. I've found mine dead-on for temps but about 8% low on humidity.

You probably will not need to add water until lockdown, but some home are drier, especially at certain times of the year.

 

[stake]

What time does everyone let their chickens out? I have a coop with a small fenced in area for them, But open the big door for them to let them frr range in the mornings, how early do you let yours out? I would like to let them out 6-7- we live on 5 acres and worry about predators. We lost a Duck to a fox a few weeks ago at noon but i can't keep them in until that late.

Kada:

I currently leave my coop and run open....I am up early and the crew lets themselves out at dawn and put themselves to sleep at night....(I check on them after they roost and when I take the pooch out)I have some issues with hawks getting baby chicks but none of the big girls....I also have had x4 fox attacks and not lost a chook yet...the fox attacks all happened at different times of the day so...early or late doesn't matter....its more about that I've been at home when they occurred and was able to chase them off....if the pooch would stay in the backyard, there'd be no issues....

 

[kada6305]

I let mine out at 6 o'clock every morning. They need to dodge hawks and the occasional skunk for the most part. Most of them are out all day long and go into their coops or roost on top in the evenings. I go out shortly after night fall and put them all (usually about half a dozen) inside and securely close all the coops. I've lost three pullets to a hawk lately.

Kada:

I currently leave my coop and run open....I am up early and the crew lets themselves out at dawn and put themselves to sleep at night....(I check on them after they roost and when I take the pooch out)I have some issues with hawks getting baby chicks but none of the big girls....I also have had x4 fox attacks and not lost a chook yet...the fox attacks all happened at different times of the day so...early or late doesn't matter....its more about that I've been at home when they occurred and was able to chase them off....if the pooch would stay in the backyard, there'd be no issues....

We have way too many coyotes to let the big door opened. They have access to their run 24/7 though.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

 
I hear you............but I still wish I could have had a better result.
Its not so much about the cost........I just thought that they would be healthier, tastier etc.........
I will try them again next year................
the potato tower was just so that it would not take as much space............and get more yield...........I have the sq foot gardening book.......but potatoes in a raised bed......seems like it would take lots more space..........

Yeah, potatoes are not nearly as good a crop as tomatoes, peppers, beans, etc. for replacing expensive or sub-standard vegetables. Potatoes are easily cultivated in large areas and produce a lot for little effort. Other root crops and corn are similar. Tomatoes are about the opposite end of the spectrum, needing a lot of care per plant to produce less "calories". Oddly, potatoes and tomatoes are quite closely related. Some people have even grafted tomatoes onto a potato to try to get both from one plant (nice novelty, but not for maximizing yield).

Potatoes love mulch and can emerge through thick mulch that will keep all the competing weeds at bay. Start saving mulch now for next year. Leaves are great for mulching potatoes, so if you can manage a big pile this fall, keep them from blowing away and you are all set for next year.

This was my first year for potatoes, I hear 'dr. Oz'? Says potatoes have more pesticides in them than any other crop. I don't know if that's actually true, not entirely sure who dr oz is, but that is reason enough to grow them in your back yard provided you find starts that are pesticide free. I'm not overly partial either way. I was overwhelmed with potatoe beetles, I tried DE and Sevin, but found that hand picking the nasty buggers off worked best -I only had about 6 plants. I had intended to stick some starts back in the ground last week to see if I could get another yield before we get a hard freeze, but time got away from me.

I'm too busy cleaning the duck brooder, lol. Arrrgh! Ducks! They are sooooo stinking cute, how in the world can I justify taking them to auction?? Kada, what's your trick? Do you have a pond or stream?

 

[LisaYolkUm]

I just put some seeds in for fall veggies...........might still be a bit late but maybe an indian summer?
this weeks colder temps are not leaning that way but who can really predict our weather.
we seem to go up and down more wildly these days

arugula
bok choy
lettuce

these seeds all popped up so quickly!

I am waiting for my swiss chard and spinach............I love to eat them and sure hope they come up and do well.

I never got any leek this year......

maybe I can still try?

I remember my grandmother going out in the winter to get some leek for soup.............these plants were full grown at that time..............

what fall and winter veggies do you all plant?

what have you had the most success with?

 

[Housemom408]

I had to move my mallard pair out of the chicken coop. The drake would not let my hens go in to the nesting boxes to lay. He would guard the door and chase them out if they did get in. I hope after mating season he calms down. They have all been together since they were a few days old.

Then I have a hen that wants to sit, so I moved her into a separate area in the run. It's actually a small coop from TSC. So nobody can get to her, but they can all see each other. I gave her 4 eggs ( she is just a bantam). Don't you know it she will not sit now!

What to do
What to do........

 

[Sally Sunshine]

@Sally Sunshine , They have gone better! I only did one after Easter, because my new hen was laying eggs and I was excited. So I hatched three of her babies. 2 cockerels and a pullet. Found a great home for the pullet where she'll be a pet to a little girl and have other flockmates. So that's good. I'll get a picture of Shimmer in a few minutes. She's not understanding the whole "follow the flock or you'll get lost" concept, but we're working on it. My roo is obsessed with her. He's been dancing circles around her. Literally. She was sunbathing amd he was just dancing around and around and around her. She wasn't impressed.

I am glad to hear this! ha ha ha thats an image! Have a great weekend!

Quote: We do as well, or sometimes amazon has a multi pack of them cheaper, but it depends on who is listing what when. Good luck!