Utah!

[Doughie]

Progress on the new coop.

I got the floor and both sides nailed down. I also got the vinyl flooring down and started on the back.

 

[themadchicken]

Quote: My chickens love tomatoes, zucchini, and pumpkins. This year i am growing them their own garden with tomato's and zucchini. Last year i planted 12 tomato's plants. We only got 3-4 bushels off of the plants and the chickens ate the other 8 bushels. But surprisingly they dint like cherry tomato's. Weird!

 

[themadchicken]

Quote: My chickens love tomatoes, zucchini, and pumpkins. This year i am growing them their own garden with tomato's and zucchini. Last year i planted 12 tomato's plants. We only got 3-4 bushels off of the plants and the chickens ate the other 8 bushels. But surprisingly they dint like cherry tomato's. Weird!

 

[themadchicken]

sorry dbl post.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Gary glad you mentioned pumpkins, they really do like those! I had quite a few stored in the fall and gave them one a week or so until it started freezing outside.
I plant tons of tomatoes too...we try not to use any can tomatoes, i read somewhere the acid makes the can leach chemicals that are bad news--so I can all my own tomatoes to make salsa and spaghetti and what not--I try to make enough to go the whole year, we usually have plenty extra. I tried giving my girls tomatoes last fall and they were not too fond of them, so I chopped them up and threw a bunch of bread in it and they ate it like little pigs What is everybody's favorite tomato? I really like beefsteak and big boy...any more recommendations on heavy producers (The most bang for your buck?) I cannot get roma to grow for some reason in my dirt, they are always puny. I like the grape tomatoes for salads too, but only plant one or two of those, then usually a dozen of the beefsteak, maybe 6 of the big boy, then i will grab a new variety and try, have not found one I like super well...I tried the heirloom tomatoes, and they are cool looking but I was not a fan of the taste, the purple ones just had an ick factor for me

Birdman, I knew you would have tons of great ideas, now I am writing them all down lol. What do you use comfrey for medicinally? I wrote it down to try some this year. Also I love tea, any kind, herbal, or otherwise, I remember you posted some things you could grow to make tea with, I do have chamomile, but cannot remember if there was other stuff.....if there is would you mention it again? I need to write it down this time, I meant to before and the thread moved so fast I did not get back to the post.

Blujems, glad you girl is perking up. Guess what? Sparkles junior is a "he" again. Pretty sure.

Daloorashens, I will still try and get you some huckleberries and bring them at Chickenstock for you

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Doughie, just saw those coop pictures, it is coming right along! Looks great!

 

[Doughie]

Gary glad you mentioned pumpkins, they really do like those!

My chickens cannot have my pumpkins!

I carve those!

 

[Sphinx]

Doughie, that's a really cool pumpkin! Your coop is looking really good too.

Blujems, glad the chicken is perking up. Did you give her any of the shots yet?

Lisa, sorry about Sparkles Jr being a boy.

 

[themadchicken]

Quote: That is awesome! I use to try stuff like this but it kind of turned out dumb, so i just carve faces now (usually around 20 or so). I usually have an extra couple dozen after carving so i just pile them up in the garden and let the chickens pig out.

Lisa, i found some at IFA last year called Better Girls. They are a cross between better boys and early girls. So far this is the best plant i have found. They don't get as big as beefsteaks but out produce them 3 to 1. But i love the beefsteaks for tomato's sand witches. YUMMY........as far as pumpkins i grow giants and jacks, but found one called warty things. Their skin gets harder as it ages like a gourd but the inside stays good. I was able to dig them out of the snow up until the end of January and and feed them the the chickens. The loved the fresh veggies in the cold of winter. I think they would stay good as long as the keep frozen.

 

[Desert Springs]

Casa, the purple tomatoes are good for making tomato ketchup or paste. The do taste different but I kept experimenting until I found something to use them for since I had a plant loaded down with them.


Doughie, awesome carved pumpkins!!!!! Looks like it'll be a great coop.


Madchicken, thanks for the info on the tomatoes and pumpkins. Didn't have a garden last year but this year for sure. Have always had gardens and felt strange not having one!