Texas

[LBejaran]

That's great!  Glad that Cutie is alive and well.

Oh, she's been an absolute cutie since I found her. Now, as if I wasn't guilty enough, she'll jump on my shoulders twice as often and tangle herself in my hair and fall asleep. She knows how to make her mama tear up, haha!

 

[TammyTX]

We got 2 inches here. I hope the twelve pours into lake travis. It even rained worms! We did an internet search and found some comfort, but at first we were pretty freaked out, had to take a shower. Found strange hair like worms in containers that were under trees. Creepy. I should have taken pics before we dumped them out. I have the urge to feed everyone copious amounts of garlic!

Were they horsehair worms? I found some in my dogs water years ago along with a floating wasp.

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/horsehai.html

 

[akelley]

I've definitely wanted to ferment their feed for awhile; my browser history can attest to that, haha! My only problem right now is putting money aside for the buckets and ACV, and setting aside time to turn those buckets into the perfect place to let the feed ferment. Apparently, I am my father's daughter becauseI'm already finding ways to customize the buckets. I'm thinking of cutting out a portion of the bucket's lid and replacing it with window screen to keep the air flow up and the bugs out. And instead of drilling holes, maybe installing a colander within the bucket itself so I don't have to lift an entire bucket out. It would enable me to have less work for the same result. Plus, there would be a little less of our feed falling through the holes.

So many plans! I just wish I could already set them into motion.

M
I just have one bucket ($5) that has feed, enough water to cover, and a little buttermilk to start. I use a strainer to scoop it, so I don't have to worry about drilling holes in the bucket and all that. I cut most of the lid away and replaced it with hardware cloth. It works great and was SO easy and cheap! I hope you can start a bucket of your own soon; my chicks LOVE FF.

 

[LBejaran]

M
I just have one bucket ($5) that has feed, enough water to cover, and a little buttermilk to start. I use a strainer to scoop it, so I don't have to worry about drilling holes in the bucket and all that. I cut most of the lid away and replaced it with hardware cloth. It works great and was SO easy and cheap! I hope you can start a bucket of your own soon; my chicks LOVE FF.

Do you know if older chickens get used to fermented feed, or does it take longer for them to adapt? I'm already seeing the difference in them now that they are eating the new, more balanced feed (they can't get enough!), but I'm just a tad worried they won't take to it easily. I mean, if they are hungry, they'll eat practically anything. But if they don't take to it right away, I will have to make them get used to it by not feeding them any dry feed.

It's not my favorite plan, but I'll stick to it if it means I can save money while still feeding them something good. I kinda wish I had started them out on FF when they were chicks, but you can't do what you don't realize exists.

 

[jockeyeba]

I've definitely wanted to ferment their feed for awhile; my browser history can attest to that, haha! My only problem right now is putting money aside for the buckets and ACV, and setting aside time to turn those buckets into the perfect place to let the feed ferment. Apparently, I am my father's daughter becauseI'm already finding ways to customize the buckets. I'm thinking of cutting out a portion of the bucket's lid and replacing it with window screen to keep the air flow up and the bugs out. And instead of drilling holes, maybe installing a colander within the bucket itself so I don't have to lift an entire bucket out. It would enable me to have less work for the same result. Plus, there would be a little less of our feed falling through the holes.

So many plans! I just wish I could already set them into motion.

M
I just have one bucket ($5) that has feed, enough water to cover, and a little buttermilk to start. I use a strainer to scoop it, so I don't have to worry about drilling holes in the bucket and all that. I cut most of the lid away and replaced it with hardware cloth. It works great and was SO easy and cheap! I hope you can start a bucket of your own soon; my chicks LOVE FF.

I just use 1 bucket to ferment in with a towel laying over the top. I dip it out with a slotted spoon or sometimes I pour it into a collander that I have sitting in a smaller bucket to drain

 

[chicki-vicki]

almanac saying Texas to have one of her coldest winters - bur - I'm trying to get ahead and a little ready

 

[jockeyeba]

 
Austin is reporting 12.5 inches of rain in south Austin!  Here, 25 miles east of downtown, we have only had 1.5 inches so far.

How much have y'all had??

So far, just under 1.5 inches.  I'm just north of San Antonio.

We had 3/4" early this morning, it has rained all day long but real light most of the time, another 3/4" by this evening. Plenty of wet chickens looking for feed when I went out :cd

 

[LBejaran]

I just use 1 bucket to ferment in with a towel laying over the top. I dip it out with a slotted spoon or sometimes I pour it into a collander that I have sitting in a smaller bucket to drain

I like making things complicated, haha! Dad and I were talking it over and already he was coming up with a huge set up where you can turn one thing and both the colander and the lid would lift and enable you to scoop out feed then you can wind it back down. There were confusing objects and a pulley system involved, I just know it!

We are those people who design custom items in their backyards. It's not necessary, and sometimes it doesn't seem practical, but it certainly makes things easier in the long run, hehe!

 

[chicki-vicki]

Texas women not needing a man around -- but they are so very handy with the heavy lifting - maybe that's something that comes with age (wisdom)

 

[TammyTX]

almanac saying Texas to have one of her coldest winters - bur - I'm trying to get ahead and a little ready

I would like a cold winter but not a horrible cold winter. It would be nice if we could get the new coop done before it gets too cold.

We have so many dead trees and brush to burn from the drought that there is enough wood to keep a weenie roast going all winter.