Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[chikenscratch]

speckled6-Jean I have been using the DL method and love it. If you have questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Cl2Abbeyrd]

Hi! I don't have any info on the bantam EE's, but I love my full size EE's! They are shy, but loud and SO pretty.
I got a roo or 2 out of my 3, but looking forward to colored eggs!
Chickens are awesome and I smile just being around mine.
Don't be afraid to start a thread, everyone here is so welcoming and full of useful info. Jump right in, make yourself at home, ask any questions you need answered and most of all...post pics! We love seeing chickens!
Again, welcome! So glad you joined us!
jean

Thank you . I'll try not to be shy. As soon as I find a few winter hardy pullets, I will be sure to post photos!

 

[speckled6]

Thank you . I'll try not to be shy. As soon as I find a few winter hardy pullets, I will be sure to post photos!

YAY... definitely post pics when you get them! My understanding of bantams is that they're much smaller than large breed birds, but their eggs are large for their size (if that makes sense). I want to say the pics I've seen of bantam eggs are about 1/2 the size of regular sized eggs.
At any rate, also remember chicken math! Are you in town? Do you have statutes you have to stay within? We're in the country, so we don't have anything like that. We only wanted a colorful flock of 8...we currently have 31
Do you have your chicken coop built/bought yet? There's SO much info on this site about that. The one thing I totally wish I'd done differently is to build the coop before getting our chickens and to build it bigger than I ever thought I'd need!
Again, so glad you joined us in our chicken madness! Hope you find your girls soon, they are such a joy to have
jean

 

[chikenscratch]

We do have a restriction on chickens and chicken math is still a problem here. I only wanted 3 hens, but luckily built a coop bigger than needed.

 

[jvls1942]

good morning,
for some reason I am not getting the notification that somebody posted.

the duck is still pipped.
and from one of the bators I can smell a bad egg.
have to check that out asap..

going out to the cafe for a cuppa today.

Am thinking of rototilling the tomato row again just to provide some good fine loose dirt to hill them with.

I mowed lawn yesterday for over two hours. almost got it all done.
even in the nut grove..
....jiminwisc......

 

[chikenscratch]

Jim-how frequently do you add fish emulsion, what exactly do you think benefits from it, and do you have a preference for brand/type?

 

[Cl2Abbeyrd]

YAY... definitely post pics when you get them! My understanding of bantams is that they're much smaller than large breed birds, but their eggs are large for their size (if that makes sense). I want to say the pics I've seen of bantam eggs are about 1/2 the size of regular sized eggs.
At any rate, also remember chicken math! Are you in town? Do you have statutes you have to stay within? We're in the country, so we don't have anything like that. We only wanted a colorful flock of 8...we currently have 31
Do you have your chicken coop built/bought yet? There's SO much info on this site about that. The one thing I totally wish I'd done differently is to build the coop before getting our chickens and to build it bigger than I ever thought I'd need!
Again, so glad you joined us in our chicken madness! Hope you find your girls soon, they are such a joy to have
jean

I'm so excited! We are in town, but only have neighbors on one side, and they are excited about getting some eggs here and there. We have a large, fenced backyard that is quite private. The coop isn't huge - it's like one of those tractor supply coops and has 7sq ft of coop space inside, and 30 sq ft of run space. We are building a fence around the coop so they can have an additional space to "free-range" when we're home without being in the rest of our yard. We will be leveling off the ground in the picture and putting fence around that whole space. We do have a collie and a sheltie and don't want them eating bird poop lol.

We have the coop set up, and did some reenforcements. Water seal, extra caulk, a tarp and stakes for storms, 4x4s along the bottom. In winter, we will put insulation all around the full outside of the coop. Or at least half and use some clear plastic for drafts so they still get sun. Currently beta-testing lol to make sure it doesn't leak during storms and all that. Been a month and so far so good!..

We can have 4 hens and no rooster per our ordinance, but to start, we're going to get 3 bantams or 2 smaller breed standards (I'm thinking EE's or RSL or one of each?) My husband wants 3 standards to start, but I'm worried about space/the coop being too small.

If all goes well for a year, we will build a bigger coop ourselves and have 4 standard sized birds. We didn't want to jump in too deep to start and be overwhelmed!

Waiting for state fair to see what the 4-h kids have available afterwards.

 

[jvls1942]

chk sdrch
this is the first time I am using it.
it comes highly recommended by a good friend with green houses..

I mix it 1 Tablespoon (capful) to a gallon of water.
use it in the pump sprayer,.
apply it en early morning, or late afternoon.
one gallon should do about 25 individual plants.
treat the plants about every two weeks..

update on the odorous egg.
the first egg I touched exploded in my hand, up my arm and into my face.. BANG !! happy 4th of July..

I floated the rest of the eggs in that tray and tossed them.. two of those exploded when they hit the ground..
they were all chicken eggs.. way past due..
I have 3 more trays to check out.
I am kind of gunshy at the moment.

I could not find water soluble kelp.
I found some pellets with fish and kelp in them. they are more of a slow release treatment. really meant for mixing into the dirt prior to planting..
they might be OK for side dressing , though..

.....jiminwisc......

Nobody ?? OK then I will just add onto this post.

what did I do today ?
well, let me tell you..
I weeded the whole 190 feet of tomato row, and hilled every plant.
then I turned on the hose and watered all of them.
as long as I had the hose running, I watered the 190 feet of bean row and the 190 feet of potatoes..
the horseflies were terrific !!!
anyhow i got done at 6:3o ..
I think I deserve a beverage of my choice..

there are a few blank spaces in the tomato row.
I think I will take some out of the short row and fill in the long row.
the beans that get the afternoon sun have huge leaves compared to the ones that get shaded in late afternoon. but they all are looking good ..
the potatoes are too tall to try to hill them again.
I think Ollie is a little short between the wheels..

we have 4 ducklings now. and #5 is real close.

.......jiminwisc.....

 

[CherMoz]

Morning!
Jim, that would be my worst nightmare having a rotten egg explode. Your Independence Day celebration must have been a blast! My potatoes have been hilled and weeded for the last time, as well as the corn. How are your sweet potatoes doing?

DH's sister will be visiting us today on her way back to Denver. It will make for a fun day. We will have turkey, fresh produce from the garden, and a berry pie.
Have a great day you all!

 

[chikenscratch]

Thanks for the info Jim!

Could someone explain the hilling for tomatoes and why you do it?