Stormcrow's Hobby Farm

[U_Stormcrow]

Last week's baby goat - with a wether (forground), mama (background obscured) and sister, mama of baby above (background right).

I use the broken concrete as a way to control their hooves - since they have to jump on it every time they go to eat. Helps. NOT a lot, but some.

 

[NanaK]

Baby boom!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My "haven't done anything but eat" since last summer ducks have suddenly started popping out three, four eggs a day. Looking at the upcoming weather, strongly considering incubating a fresh batch. THEN culling virtually all the adults for sausage.

Also, my single plow just came in (still needs assembly, as does a stand to keep it on when not in use), AND I need to go fill out a BATF 4473 and do a background. Will leave repacking the chest freezer to my wife. Then must refill. At least one goat, a bunch of old duck & chicken sausage.

There are also a half dozen projects in process I haven't been able to work on due to rain, bitter cold, or both...

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Also looking toward my spring seed order (after I plow some ground) and a spring chick order for my culling project.

 

[Sally PB]

Also looking toward my spring seed order (after I plow some ground) and a spring chick order for my culling project.

What seeds, from where?

What chicks, from where?

This time of year, when gardening and other spring things are just a dream, all I can do is read what others are doing.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Seeds from Hancock, I had decent results from them in some fall picks I placed on my driveway. Looking at the (out of stock) Spring Goat Forage mix. On the waiting list. Their chick mix is WAY pricy, but so is everyone else's. I wrote asking that they reach out to me to talk about my needs further, since I'll likely buy 100# of seed or more. No contact yet.

Chicks - Still not 100% decided - though as I look through available hatchings of some of the birds I had considered at one of the hatcheries (Meyer), it looks like I should have placed my order back in November. They are out of stock (or nearly) on most everything I looked at!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Seeds from Hancock, I had decent results from them in some fall picks I placed on my driveway. Looking at the (out of stock) Spring Goat Forage mix. On the waiting list. Their chick mix is WAY pricy, but so is everyone else's. I wrote asking that they reach out to me to talk about my needs further, since I'll likely buy 100# of seed or more. No contact yet.

Chicks - Still not 100% decided - though as I look through available hatchings of some of the birds I had considered at one of the hatcheries (Meyer), it looks like I should have placed my order back in November. They are out of stock (or nearly) on most everything I looked at!

Would you be opposed to Hoovers or Ideal for chicks if they had breeds that worked for you?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Would you be opposed to Hoovers or Ideal for chicks if they had breeds that worked for you?

I have enough Hoover's birds that I would not be eager to pick up more - particularly if I pay shipping for the privilege. Looking at Ideal tonight - I had looked at both them and Meyer before when considering which birds I wanted to bring into the genetic mixing bowl next.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Just glanced at Ideal. Remember this post?

Though it would be late April before anything is available, and I've reconsidered the Welsummer - eggs are much darker than I'd like. Might round out the order with straight run red broilers, keep the best.

Need to go eat something for lunch, then get back to work.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have enough Hoover's birds that I would not be eager to pick up more - particularly if I pay shipping for the privilege. Looking at Ideal tonight - I had looked at both them and Meyer before when considering which birds I wanted to bring into the genetic mixing bowl next.

Personally I really haven't had much in terms of bad experience from Ideal. I ordered from them nearly 5 years and I had 4 birds substituted that I can remember out of hundreds. 1 was just a different color, and the other 3 were a different breed but still the same size I ordered