The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I wanted to share this little present my in-laws gave me for Easter. Wouldn't it be nice if it was this easy IRL?

I saw this on FB!

I want one! Parker would LOVE it!

 

[Adenium]

I bought one of those last year from Big Y or something. Someone had a bigger grander version in a video on BYC that I sadly couldn't find. I think it sang too.

Good for the kids at Easter.

And the infantile adults.

 

[kian]

I have to admit I was majorly tickled by it! Don't know where they got it.

 

[Sally8]

Thanks for that info

When it warms up here, I can't wait to get my fruit trees/vines. We'll be getting kiwi vines again as well as a few apple trees.

Is there certain apple trees that are faster producers than others?

My best friend actually grew an apple tree from a sprouted seed in an apple. That apple tree is in my parent's yard and is now 12 years old, and has still not produced any apples or even went into bloom. It's green, and healthy, and probably 15 feet tall now. Red Delicious I believe it's called. One of those apple trees that produce shiny red apples that the skin is quite tough. Not a fan of the apples themselves, but it would still be nice to see it bloom!

I have a tree that has done the very same thing. Looks very healthy. My birthday and mother's day are just day's apart so my children always buy me a fruit tree or berry bushes. My strawberries and blueberries are doing great. 2 of my apple trees are only a couple years ol but the one in question has bloomed before, gets sun light, everything it's supposed to but doesn't blossom or produce any fruit. It's a Northern Spy. I have read where another tree needs to be near but can't be a Northern Spy, has to blossom at the same time. It's driving me crazy. Do you know how long a apple seed takes to grow? Holy cow, never heard of anyone (other than Johnny Appleseed) making that happen. Very cool!

 

[Kassaundra]

From what I've read, because of all the messing they've done with tree mixing and genetic making of new fruit, the seeds will never do what the parent tree did. I was going to have my girls plant a cherry pit, but found in my research it's just not recommended.

I believe it is more a grafting issue then a genetics issue, most fruit trees are grafts, they take a hardy rootstock that grows well and is disease resistant and graft the good tasting, but less hardy fruit types to it for the best of both worlds.

 

[aoxa]

I have a tree that has done the very same thing. Looks very healthy. My birthday and mother's day are just day's apart so my children always buy me a fruit tree or berry bushes. My strawberries and blueberries are doing great. 2 of my apple trees are only a couple years ol but the one in question has bloomed before, gets sun light, everything it's supposed to but doesn't blossom or produce any fruit. It's a Northern Spy. I have read where another tree needs to be near but can't be a Northern Spy, has to blossom at the same time. It's driving me crazy. Do you know how long a apple seed takes to grow? Holy cow, never heard of anyone (other than Johnny Appleseed) making that happen. Very cool!

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!

 

[delisha]

Quote: Ingredients

• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbs powdered sugar
• 1 tbs lime or lemon juice
• 2 tbs vinegar
• 1 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tbs cornstarch
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 c boiling water
• 2 tbs vinegar
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions

1. Mix the first four ingredients together with a mixer.
2. Slowly drizzle the oil into the egg mixture making sure to mix thoroughly. Be careful not to add your oil too fast. I add it while blending on high
3. Mix in 2 tbs of vinegar and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch, mustard and vinegar together till combined.
5. Add to cornstarch mixture to boiling water and cook till smooth and pudding like. It should only take a few minutes.
6. Slowly add the hot cornstarch/mustard mixture to the egg mixture and blend well.
7. Add paprika and garlic powder. I did this at the end but you should be able to add this anytime.
8. Refrigerate in airtight container or clean Miracle Whip

Makes enough to fill one 11.25 oz jar.

​

 

[Kassaundra]

Ingredients

• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbs powdered sugar
• 1 tbs lime or lemon juice
• 2 tbs vinegar
• 1 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tbs cornstarch
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 c boiling water
• 2 tbs vinegar
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions

1. Mix the first four ingredients together with a mixer.
2. Slowly drizzle the oil into the egg mixture making sure to mix thoroughly. Be careful not to add your oil too fast. I add it while blending on high
3. Mix in 2 tbs of vinegar and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch, mustard and vinegar together till combined.
5. Add to cornstarch mixture to boiling water and cook till smooth and pudding like. It should only take a few minutes.
6. Slowly add the hot cornstarch/mustard mixture to the egg mixture and blend well.
7. Add paprika and garlic powder. I did this at the end but you should be able to add this anytime.
8. Refrigerate in airtight container or clean Miracle Whip

Makes enough to fill one 11.25 oz jar.

​

​

Awesome I'll have to try it, I prefer MW to mayo also.

 

[Ashdoes]

I believe it is more a grafting issue then a genetics issue, most fruit trees are grafts, they take a hardy rootstock that grows well and is disease resistant and graft the good tasting, but less hardy fruit types to it for the best of both worlds.

That was the word! Grafting, couldn't think of it. That was what the article said, not to use the cherry pit, because the tree it came from was pro able from a grafting, and the seeds from it wouldn't replicate the parent plant.

 

[Leahs Mom]

When it warms up here, I can't wait to get my fruit trees/vines. We'll be getting kiwi vines again as well as a few apple trees.

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

Quote:
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!