The Old Folks Home

[Wisher1000]

Pics, as promised.

They like the bigger box (brooder) and are easier to count now. There were 48 eggs. I had two that were not fertile, one dead in the shell (fully formed but never pipped) two chicks died after hatch, and two are in physical rehab for leg issues. The other 41 are happy and healthy. That means that 45/48 eggs hatched!!

That many chicks hatching produces a lot of fuzz.

But I have developed a pretty good system for easy clean-up.

I also have week old BCMs and RIRs in the other brooder.

 

[drumstick diva]

Chickisoup - I wonder if the renters will have a pay a hefty amount for all chicks that die during that period. A chance for that company to rake in more $$$$$$.

 

[vehve]

Wisher, the straw is semi hot, there's a bit of bunny poop in there, so I'd rather not use it on top. The raw compost is hot (like burn your hands hot) at the moment still, once the snow melts I'll probably start building this thing together. I'm thinking of starting seeds indoors this weekend, and the plan with this thing would be that it would still produce some heat in the ground to help protect from frost damage and allow for earlier planting outside. You're right about the layering though, I could do layers with the straw and raw compost to ensure a high nitrogen content so that the straw won't pull it all from the topsoil. Once I get the plants outside I'll probably plant them in less fertile soil closest to them to not freak out the roots.

 

[vehve]

Oh, and courgette is another name for a zucchini. More common in Britain though, to my understanding. Kesäkurpitsa ("summer pumpkin") in Finnish.

 

[chickisoup]

IT'S SPRING

 

[vehve]

Well, from the looks of it, even the fourth chick that we hatched ourselves is looking like a dude, the previous batch from the same combo has had mostly black females and brownish males, and the chick is growing brown wing feathers, plus he's starting to develop a comb at 2 weeks. So that puts us at approximately two thirds males in our total. Luckily we got the two female chicks, and our broody accepted them famously. They're 4 days younger than the baby cockerels, but seem to be strong members of the flock. Once our mommy starts laying again and we get another broody I'm going to hatch out more of the OE:s though, otherwise our egg basket will be a bit dull.

 

[perchie.girl]

bunny poo is good straight on the garden without composting

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/8156/rabbit-manure-in-the-garden

 

[vehve]

Deb, that it is, but there might be some bunny pee in there as well, and I don't want the poop and pee to touch the food either.

 

[Alaskan]

HOW UTTERLY INSANE IS THIS?????


Rent a pair of baby chicks for 2 weeks - then return them to the farm. Your children will love the newly hatched baby chicks and will enjoy learning how to care for them without a long term commitment. Pick up Chicks: March 26 10am-2pm…

I am a bit 'meh'. It is a manifestation of the way most view the world and kids. I don't see it that much as an excellent opportunity for animal abuse, but rather as a continuation of "let us be completely divorced from reality" mindset.

Let us not burden the kids with learning responsibilities.... Etc.

Deb, that it is, but there might be some bunny pee in there as well, and I don't want the poop and pee to touch the food either.

So... You are gunna tent the plant so that no wildlife gets near it? Come on V, just wash the food before you eat it.

 

[vehve]

Al, that sounds a bit too extreme already, but the straw, in addition to having all kinds of poop and pee in it is probably also moldy at this point, so I'd rather just keep it away from the food. I try to keep that kind of stuff away from my produce unless it's been through thorough composting.