The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[getaclue]

Mealworms are easy to raise. In your plans for your own flock, consider electric fencing. It sure helps with predators.

 

[Twizzler]

I just might end up with too high of a mealworm to chicken ratio if I grow my own worms for my small flock. At least currently.

Thanks for the advice about the fencing! I’d really like to breed more cream leg bars and birds that are partridge colored for the natural camouflage those patterns seem to offer to help evade aerial predators. Plus honestly those are my favorite colors in chickens. Well those and spangled like hamburgs

 

[speckledhen]

You know, Twizzler, Barred Rocks are very hard to see as well. I've had a devil of a time finding my "hiders" like Athena and Zara. They hold still and they're invisible. But, mille fleur and partridge patterns are super good camo!

My potatoes are harvested! The sweet potatoes are still "cooking" in the ground, but the whites are on the cool basement floor on a sheet curing for a bit before canning. Here is a video for you:

 

[getaclue]

Great potato harvest. All the other things growing, look good, and healthy.

 

[Twizzler]

Thanks to you Speckled, I now know what a well bred Barred Rock looks like, and yours are gorgeous but they just don’t make my heart flutter in the same way as mille fleur or partridge does. I absolutely love your Brahmas!

The potatoes remind me, have any of you heard of buttercup squash? It’s supposed to be a good replacement for sweet potatoes if you live in an environment with a short growing season due to elevation or a northernly latitude. It was developed in one of the Dakotas I believe with a sweet and creamy flesh.

 

[speckledhen]

The first purple hull peas....the doe can't reach them all, ha!

 

[speckledhen]

The potatoes remind me, have any of you heard of buttercup squash? It’s supposed to be a good replacement for sweet potatoes if you live in an environment with a short growing season due to elevation or a northernly latitude. It was developed in one of the Dakotas I believe with a sweet and creamy flesh.

Not sure that I have, actually. Will have to check that out, thanks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Buttercup (and Delicata) are the tastiest squash in my opinion. Buttercup are large and have a deep, rich orange hue and robust sweet flavor. Delicata are smaller and paler fleshed, and very sweet when ripened properly (left out for at least a freeze or two).

 

[Twizzler]

I should try growing peas. I like them and hardly ever have any. You’re welcome Speckled! Also, thank you for your personal experience with that 1muttsfan! I’d like to grow them next year for pies and such

Apologies for not remembering everyone’s given name, especially for having read through the thread. I’m going to blame medication on that one. I’m Kaley, so y’all don’t have to keep calling me Twizzler

 

[speckledhen]

Hi, Kaley. I'm Cynthia. The others can chime in if they want. I forget names at times. Used to remember them all plus their associated screen names, but I don't try anymore, though some I know very well, especially my thread regulars. Too much input lately! Peas are easy if you have a hot summer. We grew purple hulls and Crowders. The Crowder peas came originally from my grandfather's farm, though I know I've said that before here somewhere. The jar I got from my dad was years old before we actually planted any and some of those originals still came up this year alongside the ones we saved from last year.