The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Goose and Fig]

One of my chicken friends grows giant sunflowers for bird cover when they are in bloom, then when they are ready to harvest, the stalks are propped up to make a lattice cover, and the birds get the sunflower seeds to eat.

So- Chad is getting the Javas, and Michelle is getting a blue gander. I still have a few Ancona babies and lavender ameraucanas....

 

[wflynt01]

I have had almost the same luck with cream legbars - out of four eggs - 3 were boys, 1 girl. That has happened twice. And the larger hatches have had similar ratios. ALWAYS lots more boys than girls. Right now I have two broody hens - and they each have 5 cream legbar eggs under them. I'll be lucky to get one girl from each broody.

I have a CSA friend who will be processing chickens in the fall. I've asked if I could come and watch/help. I want to learn to do them myself - although I've read from some that it's more trouble than it's worth. I don't know. I just feel bad to keep giving away all these roos - knowing I've raised them but they'll end up on someone else's plate.

Here are a couple good videos on processing chickens
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farms-videos/how-to-butcher-chicken-part-1.aspx
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farms-videos/how-to-butcher-chicken-part-2.aspx

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Martin's in Murfreesboro has a good selection of the mid size fruit trees. They aren't full size, but they aren' t the four foot tall ones either.They weren't unreasonably priced and mine have done great. They are three years old now and have grown like crazy with little attention from me.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Martin's in Murfreesboro has a good selection of the mid size fruit trees. They aren't full size, but they aren' t the four foot tall ones either.They weren't unreasonably priced and mine have done great. They are three years old now and have grown like crazy with little attention from me.

 

[Penny Hen]

Martin's in Murfreesboro has a good selection of the mid size fruit trees. They aren't full size, but they aren' t the four foot tall ones either.They weren't unreasonably priced and mine have done great. They are three years old now and have grown like crazy with little attention from me.

Their is also someone who sells on Craig's List out of Joelton fruit trees and berry bushes for really good prices.

 

[DaddyBird]

We have had really good luck with stock from Freedom Tree Farms, McMinnville. They are always set up at the Nashville Farmers Market and usually at the Flea Market in Nashville as well. We have berry bushes and three fruit trees that came from there.

 

[wflynt01]

Got my first egg today.

Mine are 18 weeks old and it was one of my leghorn hens. Can't wait until they are all laying. My little bantam cochin roos are chasing everyone around. Even chasing my Jersey Giants, now that is something to see. They will grab them by the feather and the Jersey Giants will take off running dragging the roo behind and the roo will be trying to apply its brakes to no avail.

It is hilarious.

 

[Octoberlyn]

Thanks, everyone. I actually spent the day thinking and working. I have a very young bradford pear in the middle of the yard and just went out and bought several good size shrubs to plant. After some quiet time and isolation in my lap, my roo came around - so no loss (thank goodness). I put some netting over the juvenile run (that netting that you use to prevent birds from getting your fruit on trees) temporarily until I can do something more substantial. I was thinking of one of the shade sails that would cover a really large area - - - hawk wasn't spotted today, but I have noticed my border collie x watching to skies and alerting me to the turkey vulture he saw way high up.

 

[Octoberlyn]

If you can make any kind of cover for them- or even just one tree in the middle, it will save lives. I planted a Bradford Pear about 4 years ago and its a good 20 feet tall now. They provide shade from April to October, and even the branches are a good run-under spot in the winter.

Your little guy might just be in shock. Hope he wakes up for ya.     

He did come around - thanks. He was REALLY lucky because the hawk couldn't carry him away and my husband scared him away ( he also scared himself!)

 

[Octoberlyn]

One of my chicken friends grows giant sunflowers for  bird cover when they are in bloom, then when they are ready to harvest, the stalks are propped up to make a lattice cover, and the birds get the sunflower seeds to eat.   

So- Chad is getting the Javas, and Michelle is getting a blue gander. I still have a few Ancona babies and lavender ameraucanas....

OMG - the Sunflowers are a great idea and I have tons of seed left over. I planted them in my garden for my cucumbers to climb up - didn't think of the chicken yard. Thanks for the idea!