The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

And this is for LW

 

[TipihlowLadies]

Three week old's highly involved in dirt bath ! Not sure why pics say 3-3 just taken.

 

[kian]

That is why we think it is so cool. I have tried myself but no luck. He was a preteen when he started it. So I am probably off on the age. The tree would be between 12-15 years old. It is quite tall.

His father sold his house, so him and I dug it up and moved it to my parents' house 7 years ago. It transferred really well. He asks about it often. How's his tree doing?

I have successfully rooted trees before, but never fruit trees.

Our strawberry seeds have sprouted. Those strawberries are the hardest to find organic.. We had to get regular strawberries. Strawberries are a big hit in our family, and we are growing all of our own food. Anything we do not grow ourself will be purchased locally or we will not eat it. It's our 2013 challenge!

Excellent challenge! We're trying something similar here.

 

[aoxa]

I didn't think it EVER got warm there!!!!!!!

I think you're right on the apple trees. At least that's the way it used to be. Sometimes I can't keep up on all the things they're experimenting with in the gm world!

It gets really nice in the summer. Our summers are unbeatable as far as I'm concerned

Nice and cool in the evening (so you don't overheat while sleeping), and in the 80's during the days, sometimes late 70's.

 

[Kassaundra]

It gets really nice in the summer. Our summers are unbeatable as far as I'm concerned

Nice and cool in the evening (so you don't overheat while sleeping), and in the 80's during the days, sometimes late 70's.

I'll be the first to admit our summers are a bit excessive for heat, especially since it is usually drought too. However I would freeze to death through your summers, it takes temps over 70 if the sun is shining for me to take my coat off. I think temps under 50 (which it does get here) are inhumanely cold.

 

[lalaland]

those summers do sound nice, Justine.
It keeps getting hotter where I am, but it is the black flies and mosquitos that do me in.

Talking about strawberries, I can't wait for June to be able to eat some - it has been hard to see them in the stores but trying to eat seasonally makes them an incredible treat when they come into the garden or farmers markets here. I go for local too, but...exceptions are spices, chocolate and coffee. On yeah, bananas too!

Chickens are deadly in the strawberry field, by the way

 

[Shan30]

I wonder with the apple seed if it is radiated like some potatoes. They will grow a plant, but it will be sterile.

On a more chicken-ish note, my very first broody should pop on Wednesday we are super excited to see what the chicks look like as we have about 10 breeds of hens and three different breeds of roosters in there and just let her pick which eggs she wanted to hatch. Should be interesting!

 

[aoxa]

I'll be the first to admit our summers are a bit excessive for heat, especially since it is usually drought too. However I would freeze to death through your summers, it takes temps over 70 if the sun is shining for me to take my coat off. I think temps under 50 (which it does get here) are inhumanely cold.

LOL.

Our wood fire put our indoor temp yesterday at 25 (77F) and I nearly died. No joke. Sweating all over. It takes a lot to get a wood fire going just perfect. I still have not mastered it.

It was 50F yesterday and I had short sleeves on. No wind, and the sun was really hot. It was beautiful.

those summers do sound nice, Justine.
It keeps getting hotter where I am, but it is the black flies and mosquitos that do me in.

Talking about strawberries, I can't wait for June to be able to eat some - it has been hard to see them in the stores but trying to eat seasonally makes them an incredible treat when they come into the garden or farmers markets here. I go for local too, but...exceptions are spices, chocolate and coffee. On yeah, bananas too!

Chickens are deadly in the strawberry field, by the way

Yes we are fencing off the garden, but after harvest they will have their way. We've already agreed Margaret gets free run of it. Eat all you want Margaret! You deserve it!!

How much can a 1 pound chicken eat anyway?

I'm with you on those bugs.. Wish the chickens would take care of the mosquitoes and black flies! if they land near the chicks, they will eat them, but adult chickens could care less.

Ticks were terrible last year.

 

[mlowen]

I wonder with the apple seed if it is radiated like some potatoes. They will grow a plant, but it will be sterile.

I believe that wild apples (originally and from seeds) are pretty random for taste. The fruits we eat all come from grafts--since before Johnny Appleseed. True grown apples make good cider, but not good eating. I *think* I learned that about apples from a documentary years & years ago...so details are fuzzy.

 

[countrygirl74]

Anybody have any experience and comments on either Delawares or Partridge Rocks? Never had them and was wondering if either one would be a good or bad addition to my flock? Thanks!