Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[babylady4]

So finally doing my proper research on beekeeping..... a little behind the 8 ball here.

I am going to try using Warre Hives instead of the usual Langstroth hives. The Warre Hives mimic natural bee nesting sources ( like a hollow tree) and do not require so much hands on manipulation of the bees. You do not get as much honey as you would with the Langstroth style, but I am not in the honey business so I am fine with that. I also have research different breeds of bees. I am going to try and get Buckfast bees, which have a genetic trait of identifying the larve with mites and systematically removing the infected larve.

And of course on top of all of this, I have been planning out my coop..... I just need to figure out where to put it. I want to build one up off the ground on stilts. Something like this..... https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/how-to-build-a-post-beam-shed-foundation-on-a-slope/

I also need to order plants.... black raspberries, grapes, and I want to plant wildflowers in the lawn area exposed to a lot of sun..... the lawn is very sparse there and the bees need flowers, and it would cut the amount of mowing we have to do so it is a win-win in my book.

Off to the builder shows today to get some information on building that 40x60 shed we need......

 

[Hurley]

We're a day overdue to hatch but I have a handful of pips this am. 2 marans and 1 olive egger aling with one of the cemani. Will see how today progresses, if any more pips.

 

[Hurley]

Well, looks like now there's a Legbar egg pipped, which is nice. The super dark chocolate egg that I presumed was a black copper marans hatched, looks like it's probably a blue. Nice egg color, hope it's a pullet. Got plenty of cheeping from the pipped eggs.

I love to paint and draw, though I don't always find time to do it. I decided today was a painting day and just finished my painting of my son that I started 4 years ago, but put away because I wasn't good enough to do it justice. I studied, practiced, and learned, then finally felt maybe it was time to drag it back out and attempt to finish it. I'm pretty happy with the end results. It's not perfect, far from it, but I was able to bring it to a finish I could be happy with so after having this one hanging over my head, it's complete

Here is "Lil Farm Boy" (02.09.2019; Portrait in Oils on 20x24 Canvas)

http://conniehurley.wordpress.com - a website where I post my art.

 

[bigzio]

Very nice Hurley...really easy on the eyes and a keeper for sure! Suzie really likes it too!
Hope this is the last of the below 0 temps. I know I've had enough hours outside in these temps to say "enough already".
Seeds arrived from sandhill preservation. Wishful thinking seems to help cope with the cold temps.

Keep Warm....bigz

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Well, looks like now there's a Legbar egg pipped, which is nice. The super dark chocolate egg that I presumed was a black copper marans hatched, looks like it's probably a blue. Nice egg color, hope it's a pullet. Got plenty of cheeping from the pipped eggs.

I love to paint and draw, though I don't always find time to do it. I decided today was a painting day and just finished my painting of my son that I started 4 years ago, but put away because I wasn't good enough to do it justice. I studied, practiced, and learned, then finally felt maybe it was time to drag it back out and attempt to finish it. I'm pretty happy with the end results. It's not perfect, far from it, but I was able to bring it to a finish I could be happy with so after having this one hanging over my head, it's complete

Here is "Lil Farm Boy" (02.09.2019; Portrait in Oils on 20x24 Canvas)


View attachment 1668515


http://conniehurley.wordpress.com - a website where I post my art.

Wow! That's beautiful!!

 

[Heinzie]

Nice painting, you are way more artistic than I am

 

[Loveak9]

So finally doing my proper research on beekeeping..... a little behind the 8 ball here.

I am going to try using Warre Hives instead of the usual Langstroth hives. The Warre Hives mimic natural bee nesting sources ( like a hollow tree) and do not require so much hands on manipulation of the bees. You do not get as much honey as you would with the Langstroth style, but I am not in the honey business so I am fine with that. I also have research different breeds of bees. I am going to try and get Buckfast bees, which have a genetic trait of identifying the larve with mites and systematically removing the infected larve.

And of course on top of all of this, I have been planning out my coop..... I just need to figure out where to put it. I want to build one up off the ground on stilts. Something like this..... https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/how-to-build-a-post-beam-shed-foundation-on-a-slope/

I also need to order plants.... black raspberries, grapes, and I want to plant wildflowers in the lawn area exposed to a lot of sun..... the lawn is very sparse there and the bees need flowers, and it would cut the amount of mowing we have to do so it is a win-win in my book.

Off to the builder shows today to get some information on building that 40x60 shed we need......

Wow, did not know there was so much detail in bee keeping. That is an adventure I would like to take in the future, but I guess I need to do research before I start that adventure.

Well, looks like now there's a Legbar egg pipped, which is nice. The super dark chocolate egg that I presumed was a black copper marans hatched, looks like it's probably a blue. Nice egg color, hope it's a pullet. Got plenty of cheeping from the pipped eggs.

I love to paint and draw, though I don't always find time to do it. I decided today was a painting day and just finished my painting of my son that I started 4 years ago, but put away because I wasn't good enough to do it justice. I studied, practiced, and learned, then finally felt maybe it was time to drag it back out and attempt to finish it. I'm pretty happy with the end results. It's not perfect, far from it, but I was able to bring it to a finish I could be happy with so after having this one hanging over my head, it's complete

Here is "Lil Farm Boy" (02.09.2019; Portrait in Oils on 20x24 Canvas)


View attachment 1668515


http://conniehurley.wordpress.com - a website where I post my art.

What a pretty painting, if it was mine I would be sooo proud of it.

 

[babylady4]

From one artist to another; Hurley that is fantastic work! We are always our own worst critic....

Making Limoncello...... picked up some Meyer lemons for it.... would be nice to have for the bash.....

 

[Hurley]

Thank you, overall, I was happy with it. I've got lots of things to work on, but am pleased. Will keep pushing paint around. Slowly but surely I'm improving.

Happy note on the chicks, I have 4 out now, including an Ayam Cemani chick, and looks like at least 3 more pips. They're behind schedule, but otherwise look good and are hatching well.

I need to figure out what I wish to do egg-wise for the school this year. I am putting little incubators in two of the classrooms this year (have done one class the last 3 years) and will be giving the chicken talk to 4 or 5 classes that share the experience (vs. 2 previously). The kids are excited and have been asking if we're doing chicks again this year. Trying to decide between gambling on more shipped eggs (did fairly well with the two boxes I got in January) or grab a couple dozen local, something nice and hardy. Decisions, decisions. Off to browse the hatching egg ads. LOL Never hurts to look, right?

 

[bigzio]

Got snow? The driveway is cleared one more time today.....sounds like it won't be the last time this week either. These temps are better on the birds and the pullets continue to lay every day without additional light. It's also much better for collecting eggs....they aren't in danger of freezing with these temps, so I can collect twice a day with no worries.

Have Fun …. bigz