Random Rural Chat

[Chris 3,699]

1 hour ago, Hal said:

If they start falling , pick em they will keep for a bit

The deer, mama and the twins, have the good manners to eat the ones off of the ground. At least when I’m looking. 

[Chris 3,699]

I think we’re gonna have a bottle or two of cider to freeze:

[Chris 3,699]

Something to maybe spark a little more interest in this section:

I've been noticing strange bird calls. Namely, larger black birds making a more coarse, "ground-gronk" sound than I'm accustomed to hearing from crows. 

It's ravens. 

Now I knew they were in Upstate New York, but I thought they were more to the north, in the Adirondacks. As it turns out, there's been an increase in their numbers, moving southward over the past few decades. ( You can read more and see a couple awful looking maps here. And here's another article from 2014. )

So how do you tell the difference?

 

[Chris 3,699]

I believe we'll be getting some more layers this year to add to the flock. Not a lot, no more than 10, if that. I'll probably get one rooster, just to hear him crow.

The word "duck" has come up once or twice as well, though I'm still reluctant. 

[Chris 3,699]

And to show you how things work around here, I just ordered 13 more chickens. 

I got 6 Black Copper Marans which lay a really dark, chocolate looking egg. I also got a rooster because if a hen goes broody, I'll KNOW they're his, and therefore pure. At least from the BCM hens. And because egg prices are doing what they're doing, I threw in another half dozen of Barred Rock hens, which have always been one of my favorite breeds. 

I wanted them the week of March 17th but as you can well imagine, people are buying up chicks so it's hard to find what I wanted anytime before late May or June. And by then, it's too hot. I got lucky though, and managed to find both breeds were available the week of March 24th. 

No ducks though. 😁

[Hal 618]

5 hours ago, Chris said:

The word "duck" has come up once or twice as well, though I'm still reluctant. 

Hey Mister … wanna buy a duck ? LOL.

[Chris 3,699]

3 hours ago, Hal said:

Hey Mister … wanna buy a duck ? LOL.

*Shudder*

We’re talking about that now. And while she remembers it differently than I do, we both agree they were creepy. 

[Chris 3,699]

Second round of treatment for the chickens and their scaly leg mites got completed today. Their legs seemed to be getting better already but it definitely warranted a second treatment. Basically it’s just rubbing Vaseline on their legs and under the scales to suffocate the mites. I sprayed a little horse fly spray, which has permethrin in it, on them as well, just for the hell of it. Then soaked their perch in it again as well.

That method doesn’t require any period of throwing the eggs away, though I threw todays out just in case they went right in and laid them with the spray still fresh on them. The odds were slim, but just in case…

I got the goat shed cleaned out again. Staying on it through the winter can be a pain in the ass with the snow but makes it a LOT easier when warm weather comes. I sprayed their sleeping area too, because mites will become an issue for them soon as well. 

[Beekeeper 117]

For someone that is thinking of having chicks when I retire, how would you recommend I learn more?  I currently know nothing, except the one lady that came into a meeting in the morning exclaiming,"No one told me I had to feed the chickens in the blizzard!" (Needless to say, I know they need to be fed daily)

[Chris 3,699]

I’m not one of those people who name, hug, and do whatever kind of “pet” stuff with our chickens. They’re well cared for, because they feed us, but they’re livestock.

Certainly we can answer a lot of your questions here. If you’re looking for a good book, I’d recommend Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens

The #1 thing I tell people is to build their coop and run like it’s Fort Knox. ( I made this post about it a while ago. ) Not so much for keeping them in but to keep predators out. Not everyone listens though, and they learn the hard way that they should have.

Actually, there’s several good posts on this site about the topic. Here’s a post on starting with chicks.

But seriously, any questions you have, we’re here to help!

[Twin Tiers Living 573]

@Beekeeper and anyone else interested:

 

[Beekeeper 117]

Thanks!

[Hal 618]

Beekeeper, here is the book Chris referenced, he was kind enough to Gift it to me a few years back and it is IMO the most informative. As for myself I am toying with the idea of hatching a batch for myself . I so do miss having chickens and bees ! 

 

 

[Chris 3,699]

Yep that’s the one! Gail Damerow is very knowledgeable.

Another book I highly recommend, and not just pertaining to livestock, is Carla Emery’s Encyclopedia of Country Living. If it’s not in there, you don’t need to know it. I’ve given a few copies away as gifts over the years. 

[Hal 618]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

 

Another book I highly recommend, and not just pertaining to livestock, is Carla Emery’s Encyclopedia of Country Living. If it’s not in there, you don’t need to know it. I’ve given a few copies away as gifts over the years. 

LOL , Why … yes you have , Thank you ! 

[Beekeeper 117]

I have two more winters before I retire and have time to take care of these.  So just looking now.

[Hal 618]

6 hours ago, Beekeeper said:

I have two more winters before I retire and have time to take care of these.  So just looking now.

If I may ,as a suggestion of course . Since you have a bit of time before deciding to jump into the backyard flock , it may be to your advantage to grab and keep these books ( Gail Damerow preferably) nearby as you get closer to possibly pulling the pin on chickens . It will help you to avoid most pitfalls and disappointments that may occur later on . 

[Beekeeper 117]

Something to add to my summer list...Great idea!  Although with all the bird flu issues, I am becoming frightened.  Is it still worth it?

[Chris 3,699]

8 hours ago, Beekeeper said:

Is it still worth it?

Anytime you can find a way to become more self-sufficient, particular when it comes to food supply, it’s worth it. 

[Beekeeper 117]

Trivia question for the more experienced "farmer".  Do apple trees provide apples every 2 years?  Or does the frost keep killing my flowers every other year?

[Adam 601]

57 minutes ago, Beekeeper said:

Trivia question for the more experienced "farmer".  Do apple trees provide apples every 2 years?  Or does the frost keep killing my flowers every other year?

in my observations, the heavier the fruit load you allow on your trees one year will certainly decrease or halt them the following. pruning wrong sections of limb can also be a factor, and yes, once the blossoms open, any frost will likely eliminate or certainly negatively affect fruit for that year

[Beekeeper 117]

How does have never been pruned, didn't know that was a thing fit into this?

[Hal 618]

5 hours ago, Beekeeper said:

How does have never been pruned, didn't know that was a thing fit into this?

So , to be clear , your trees have never been pruned ? Other question , approximately how old are the trees . Kinda important for answering . 

[Beekeeper 117]

We planted 5 apple trees in 2021 when we first moved back to the area.  Only 3 survived. Three crab apples were already on the property.  We lost two in that hurricane in 20?11?. So we have 4 trees...One old sad looking thing and three stable.  The one left from long ago was planted as part of the Knapp Farm. My husband's grandfather bought the land and sold the small farmhouse.  The one that is left is from when it was on the farm.

[Beekeeper 117]

Oops!  I meant 2011 not 2021