Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[fisherlady]

Did you PM yet? Not sure if I am missing it.

Sorry, didn't send the PM yet.... I got a message to the fellow but he is getting back to me, probably tomorrow. I should have been more specific in my first message.
The Leghorns have some great attributes, but calmness sure isn't one of them!! LOL

 

[dheltzel]

DH has used Kosher Pickling salt with good results, I don't know what all is in the feed additive salt.... basically the intent is for it to be used as a desiccant or dryer, if you have a skin with a common feather color to use as a test hide I would give it a try, though a 50lb bag would probably last you for quite a few years! LOL

The feed additive salt I used to buy for hatching brine shrimp (when I had tropical fish) was very pure. It's cheap precisely because they don't put in additives to make it free flowing or prevent iodine deficiency. I think it should work fine as a dessicant.

 

[dheltzel]

Sorry, didn't send the PM yet.... I got a message to the fellow but he is getting back to me, probably tomorrow. I should have been more specific in my first message.
The Leghorns have some great attributes, but calmness sure isn't one of them!! LOL

The only redeeming quality I find in leghorns is that they are egg laying machines (the commercial ones, I have nothing nice to say about the others). Every other thing about them is a negative for small flocks. But most of the negatives go away if crossed to another breed. Last year I hatched a bunch of "super blue egg layers", but putting an Ameracauna roo over commercial white leghorns. The chicks were large and robust. They did very well, but were hard to sex due to many of them getting the pea combs from their dad. I free ranged some that I suspected were roos when I needed cage space. The hens I kept, and the ones that were free ranged accidentally, are excellent layers. We sold several pullets and the buyers were very happy with them. People say they look like owls, from the Ameracauna cheeks.

One in a layer pen:


Our best free range egg producer. She likes this nest and reliably lays an egg there every day. Looks comfy, doesn't she?
This pic was with a flash, it's quite dark back in those straw bales.

 

[wingstone]

 

DH has used Kosher Pickling salt with good results, I don't know what all is in the feed additive salt....  basically the intent is for it to be used as a desiccant or dryer, if you have a skin with a common feather color to use as a test hide I would give it a try, though a 50lb bag would probably last you for quite a few years! LOL

The feed additive salt I used to buy for hatching brine shrimp (when I had tropical fish) was very pure. It's cheap precisely because they don't put in additives to make it free flowing or prevent iodine deficiency. I think it should work fine as a dessicant. 

Thanks, the large quantity is needing to do lot's of rabbit also...just looking for a cheap route. Between all the Roo's and about a dozen rabbit saved up, I think 50pound should be good.

 

[chiques chicks]

DH has used Kosher Pickling salt with good results, I don't know what all is in the feed additive salt....  basically the intent is for it to be used as a desiccant or dryer, if you have a skin with a common feather color to use as a test hide I would give it a try, though a 50lb bag would probably last you for quite a few years! LOL

Excess also works quite well to melt ice on sidewalks. The other year I it about 60 or 70 pounds of "ice cream" salt for next to nothing at the end of winter at a dollar store of some type. Nice thing is, it keeps and doesn't really go bad if you keep it dry (or have a big hammer).

 

[wingstone]

Does anyone know the details of how to go about tapping the 2 black walnut tree's....I want to try it this year...I have no clue what the rest of the tree's are..
Where can I get the equipment cheaply

 

[chiques chicks]

I think if you want to go real cheap, a hollow tube (like a piece of PVC) an old jug and an auger type hand drill can get the job done. Really just a hole the sap can leak from and a spout to direct it into a collection container.
https://autonomyacres.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/maple-syrup-part-2-tapping-the-maple-trees/

 

[dheltzel]

Lots of new baby chicks this morning! I left for work early to avoid the temptation to pull the hatched ones out early. I can't wait to get home and put them into the brooder and see what actually hatched!

I really need a digital camera too, so I can show them off. My phone won't let me pull pics off. I suppose because I went too "low tech". Hello, Craigslist.

 

[wingstone]

Boredom results in the spamming of pics..

A top hen that thinks she is a queen.

I see she did not drop that litter yet.

This has me worried.

My bare garden is just begging to have something planted.

My duck house really needs a spring cleaning

Everything is looking so cold and dreary..

Even momma scovy is hiding today..

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Does anyone know the details of how to go about tapping the 2 black walnut tree's....I want to try it this year...I have no clue what the rest of the tree's are..
Where can I get the equipment cheaply

http://www.amazon.com/Maple-Syrup-Spile-Lines-Spiles/dp/B00B5579E4#
I was looking at this for our Maple trees. Seems cheap enough to me. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to wait until next year to do it since we don't have anywhere to store the sap yet before cooking it down.

Boredom results in the spamming of pics..

A top hen that thinks she is a queen.

I see she did not drop that litter yet.

This has me worried.

My bare garden is just begging to have something planted.

My duck house really needs a spring cleaning

Everything is looking so cold and dreary..

Even momma scovy is hiding today..

awesome pics! It looks very bare over there right now. We got an inch of snow today and are under an advisory for tomorrow 2-4 inches :/