Surviving Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

Ivie
The gosling is doing much better, today I moved him into a larger area so he can move around a bit more.
He's getting a lot more used to people, when I moved him he didn't fight whatsoever, maybe cause I put a sweatshirt on him

 

[I Love Layers]

Not a 'goose' sweatshirt but I threw a human sweat shirt in top of him

 

[Cluckies]

So I Love Layers - how is the gosling doing? Cluckies - Severe Flu Therapy works really well. Mine has been with me since May 9th but the first week was the worst. Liquids! Hope yours gets better FAST! I would not want anyone to have this crud. Wrap yourself in a bubble of protection. Pale yellow works for me. I wonder what your color is? My vegetable garden is a 10 x 20 area, supported by 8 x 10 planks. I liked it that way for a number of years because I believe it is more weed free and warms up faster in the spring. Now, as I grow older, I am beginning to build up separate boxes within that area for a more raised garden. I have 'made do' until now but am creating another honey dew for the DH as I want them raised substantially now - not just my make do effort. Its kind of a mess at this point so I do not want to show pictures for a couple of weeks yet. But I will. I practice the Square foot gardening method and have been dividing the area into 4 x 4 boxes with accessibilty between each box. Well, trying with my mundane methods. Time to step it up. So there are four 4 x 4's along one side of the garden. A center path and then a little different configuration along the other side. Pictures, I promise. Good Memorial Day Morning.

I'm with you lvie! want raised gardens! So my husband found these, brand new at the home depot this year (2016). I'm thinking of picking up enough for one garden (4x6) today, work on it through the week, then get another one or two next weekend. what do you all think of these? I think they look great! you can do 4x4, or any rectangle there after. But I think 4x6 is a good size for me, then I'd need 5 boards (2x6x12) per garden. Although with a 4x4 you would only need 4 boards. basically Planter Wall Block

Here is a reason I and others that free range are sometimes low on eggs. This chicken has figured out a great hiding place. I am going to leave them there and hope she goes broody, I cannot think of a safer place for her outdoors to brood.

This is so fun! Those girls are so ingenious!

 

[I Love Layers]

Just contacted 5 different Large Fowl blue cochin breeders.
Hopefully i get a response from at least one of them.

Usually when i contact someone it is either they don't breed them anymore, they don't ship eggs or chicks, or they flat out don't sell birds

 

[lvie]

Hi Cluckies. For me those are too spendy. I would want to know their composition. And I do not use treated lumber. So There you have it! LOL. A person can do what they want though - we all have opinions of how to do something. And for me, I will make (or if the DH will do it) a 4x4 block for each corner and then screw 8 x 10 (cut to size of course) onto each block to make a bed. The treated lumber chemicals leak into the soil and I grow a garden to get away from that. So hence, I would check what the raised bed is made of. The 8 x 10s I have now are over ten years old and so far so good - but will need to be replaced at some point in time. Hopefully before I am 70. I want all the big projects done before that.

I had visitors today and a two year old walk too close to Tom and Tom nailed him. That is the last of Tom. I talked to my next-door neighbor and he was telling me how he and Tom had a go yesterday. He was laughing about it and he likes Tom. Also, he has raised alot of chickens and roosters, including broilers and culling those. He said that Tom is thee meanest roo he has ever encountered. But he likes that about Tom. That Tom just does not give up at all. I told him to get rid of Tom. Don't let me know, I don't want to. I do not want the a cacass. Ralphie says that Tom is old enough that he would have to be very slow cooked or he will be tough. The neighbor says I have to starve Tom for a couple of days so he does not have anything in his system and that he has to stay quiet so the testestrone (whatever) isn't coursing through his body or it will ruin the meat. Just get rid of him. The DN also said that he bets Tom's testees are a quarter size and they should be dime size.

We will see how Reggie develops. Anything less mean than Tom will be considered acceptable. I can handle Tom but no one else seems to be able to be around or he attacks. Too dangerous but a good watch roo. Anyone want him? Better speak up now because he could be gone tomorrow. He is very handsome. I bet he was showing these traits when the person I bought him from sold him and Gilda to me. Oh well, live and learn. He's had it pretty good. Time to go bye-bye.

 

[Cluckies]

Hmmm, i did not think they are too expensive at 2.76ea, I'm thinking 3 for each corner (18 inches high). They are cement. The cedar is the most expensive part though, that is for sure, a 2x6x12 cedar board ran me 16.98 each at menards, like i said, 5 needed for each garden, i did pick up enough boards for 2 gardens since they were on sale, until today. We'll see how it goes. I'd like to Ultimately, meaning someday, have 12 gardens That may take a few years, lol. My allowance isn't that fantastic

 

[lvie]

Hmmm, i did not think they are too expensive at 2.76ea, I'm thinking 3 for each corner (18 inches high). They are cement. The cedar is the most expensive part though, that is for sure, a 2x6x12 cedar board ran me 16.98 each at menards, like i said, 5 needed for each garden, i did pick up enough boards for 2 gardens since they were on sale, until today. We'll see how it goes. I'd like to Ultimately, meaning someday, have 12 gardens That may take a few years, lol. My allowance isn't that fantastic

Hmmm, i did not think they are too expensive at 2.76ea, I'm thinking 3 for each corner (18 inches high). They are cement. The cedar is the most expensive part though, that is for sure, a 2x6x12 cedar board ran me 16.98 each at menards, like i said, 5 needed for each garden, i did pick up enough boards for 2 gardens since they were on sale, until today. We'll see how it goes. I'd like to Ultimately, meaning someday, have 12 gardens That may take a few years, lol. My allowance isn't that fantastic

Actually those corner posts are probably a great deal. And I love the raised beds. It is just that when I looked at doing them that way it was like a $100. each.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Ivie sorry Tom has to go but that's how it goes with those mean boys!

My 4 yo SLW has been looking slow and just sitting around this weekend, I picked her up this afternoon and she sounded like a half filled water balloon. Then some liquid like water came out her beak. I think she's on her way out but was curious what it could be, anyone know?

 

[lvie]

Ivie sorry Tom has to go but that's how it goes with those mean boys!

My 4 yo SLW has been looking slow and just sitting around this weekend, I picked her up this afternoon and she sounded like a half filled water balloon. Then some liquid like water came out her beak. I think she's on her way out but was curious what it could be, anyone know?

Sorry to hear about your four-year old hen. I would be interested in knowing about this also. Thanks about Tom and I am determined now. He has got to go.

 

[lvie]

Ivie sorry Tom has to go but that's how it goes with those mean boys!

My 4 yo SLW has been looking slow and just sitting around this weekend, I picked her up this afternoon and she sounded like a half filled water balloon. Then some liquid like water came out her beak. I think she's on her way out but was curious what it could be, anyone know?

Ascetis?