Recent content by Johntodd

It's November 30th, and we've just come out of a very cold spell. Days are short, nights are long. But my hen laid an egg. She is a Buff Orpington. I use no artificial anything to enhance egg laying. Your thoughts? Thanks! -John

I have 16 day-olds that will arrive July 16th. Trying to avoid a heat lamp situation. I need a backup plan in case the broody hens reject them. Temps here are in the mid 90s during the day and upper 70s at night. Will I need a heat lamp for them outdoors? They will have a nicely-enclosed...

Wow! I did not know that!

No candling. But how would she know if they are infertile, and what happened to them? Where did they go?

So our proud gamefowl, Tilly, was given a clutch of eggs when she went broody. There were 16 of them. She very dutifully sat on them, leaving only once a day, as usual for broodies. Yes, she seemed to be giving adequate coverage to all 16 eggs, even though gamefowl are a bit smaller than most...

Hi! Can chickens be put in perennials beds during the off-season, ie, winter? I have an asparagus and hops bed I'd like them to debug and poop in, but I don't want the plants destroyed. Thanks! -John

It takes a few days to get through the 5-gal bucket. I don't think it ferments enough during that time. But I like your idea of using 2 buckets. I think you have hit the solution! That would allow the other bucket to ferment properly before consumption.

How long does this stuff last ... or is safe to eat ... after you start fermentation? I'd like to fill a 55-gall plastic drum I have with feed and ferment it all. I only have 13 chickens, so it would take a while to consume it all. Right now my 5 gallon bucket doesn't seem to get...

I don't think she's being pecked at all. She is the Leading Lady of the flock. But sunburn could be a thing. OTOH, they all have access to shade. When they go broody and get a clutch to sit on, the offending roosters will be sent to freezer camp. We want those genetics and that's all. Wow...

Never knew such a thing existed! Found out there's also Chicken Armor! LOL! Great ideas, keep'em coming! Thanks! -John

Hi! One of my poor hens has been, uhm, romanced way too much. :rolleyes: She has completely bare skin over most of her back. Otherwise she seems in good health. She is spry, able to run and fly, and friendly. But the molt is over and she won't get new feathers until next winter. So for...

Another update: Since I let the chickens into the garden to "debug" it before the fall planting, we have been able to grow a bumper crop of cabbages this year! The reason this matters: We were NEVER able to grow any brassicas out there. The soil was rich, the sun full, the rain plenty, but...

It is a lot of hay. But during my fall hay-in last year, I didn't put enough down for this year's garden. We have been gardening (only) this plot since 2009, and were not putting enough back into the soil. So when I started putting hay down, the soil started eating it like candy. I failed to...

So, how about it? Anybody got any thoughts, questions, or suggestions? -John

Another update: So the split system has been operating for a year now. It was a resounding success! Here is the breakdown: I have a 2-split system, one side garden, the other side chicken run, and swap yearly. Each side is 3000 sq. ft. This year's chicken run is always next year's garden...