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#1241
05-02-2012, 08:13 PM
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BrudderT- given that you only want a very few chicks, you're probably going to have to get whatever is available locally. And since they'll essentially be pets, you might as well get a breed that appeals to YOU, although obviously if you want eggs, it's best to get one which is bred for decent rate of lay...
You might want to consider the Aracauna (or "Americana"... as the breed sold most places has been bred for good rate of production of colored eggs and no longer has the same show type as the old fashioned Aracauna. They're neat birds for small flocks, as they come in assorted colors (easier to tell individuals apart) and, of course, they lay colored eggs- generally shades of green or greenish blue, although I do have one which lays light brown eggs (one of the "side effects" of interbreeding with brown egg laying breeds to increase production and also get a wider range of colored eggs) The ones I've had have been quite personable and easy to tame. Despite my preference for the Slow White broiler birds for a dual purpose (meat and eggs) and my favorite Cuckoo Marans, I've got another half dozen Americana pullets coming next month. Dunno why, but there's something about those colored eggs that's just plain fun... Summerthyme 
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#1242
05-03-2012, 03:24 AM
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Quote:
I've been very busy, too. I am in high gear, indoor germination, and my little greenhouse is filling up. I have hundreds of seedlings, already, and I have a lot more to plant (!!!). Of course, this year, I get to plant fruits/veggies in my Orchard, still mostly dirt. Right now, have a Rhubarb that is 4' tall, and 5' wide, and will need to harvest from this big gal, very soon! This is a large variety, just gets huge every year, big stalks, too, giant leaves... The Strawberries are blooming (all 9 varieties), harvesting Asparagus every few days, Kale is blooming, have one primary yearly garden bed fully planted (Peas, Alpines, Onion varieties, Blood Veined Sorrel, Celery, Cilantro, Swiss Chard, Lettuces, and Spinach). Of course, the perennial fruits/veggies are all growing very rapidly now. I feel like I am getting a late start, and lost a few days recoving from a fall, but in actuality, I am in better shape than last year on timing! One of my last year's Artichokes is flat HUGE compared to the other one, but both had babies, need to split them off. A number of my Comfreys are beginning to bloom! Since DH is so busy working on multiple Welding/Machining jobs, he has no time to help me in the garden. DS to the rescue! Rob, 22, is a lot of help, enjoys weeding (not kidding, even told me he did). He is coming over on Friday and we are going to work on finishing the weeding that is left, prepping planting beds/areas, and spreading composted manure where needed. So far, seedlings include Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash, Herbs, Asparagus (4 kinds), Green Globe Artichokes, Purple Artichokes, Onions, and soon I'll be planting Beans. This year, I have over 200 seed varieties, lots more space available, and looking forward to doing some much less formal garden planning. It will be fun 
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#1243
05-03-2012, 10:18 AM
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Brushing up on my Land Navigation skills. Never know when the grid will go down, and you have to move. Roads could be blocked... anything. You need to know how to travel across country. I had been using those cheep compasses, but I'm upgrading to a Cammenga B3H lensatic today... just as soon as UPS gets here.
 
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#1244
05-03-2012, 03:48 PM
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Ordered a Lee lead smelter from Cabela's. Best price I could find. Was pennies less than 70 bucks with shipping and tax.
Right now I have a mold for .44 mag (most expensive bullets I buy) and will certainly be making up some boolits. I have both a rifle and revolver in .44 mag.
__________________
"Revolutions are not made, they come. A revolution is as natural a growth as an oak. It comes out of the past. Its foundations are laid far back." Wendell Phillips "We" scare me Thanks Huny for the quote. THE PLURAL OF ANECDOTE IS NOT DATA.
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#1246
05-06-2012, 03:22 PM
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Bee's and chickens!
Checked the new batch of bees yesterday. It's been cold and wet ever since I put them in on Tuesday afternoon. I'd seen ZERO activitity at the hive and was getting a bit concerned. Opened it up and found that they are doing well. Queen has been released and I found her on the first frame I lifted, how lucky is that! Did'nt have to take the whole thing appart to find her.
Yesterday I went to get chicks but came home empty handed. Got everything else though. Today I went to another place and got my chicks. 2 Buff Orpington's and 2 Black Australorp's. They are soooo darn cute! They're all snuggled up in a corner of the box under the lamp. Napping from their big adventure. BrudderT
__________________
Observe the masses then do the opposite. One thing Remains
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#1247
05-07-2012, 12:16 AM
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Craigslist score. Got myself a pump setup that appears to have come from an old newspaper printing press. A brass sealed vain type pump with a 1/2 horsepower motor and a spare pump for $20. Less than the scrap price for the total weight of brass, copper and steel. Purchase price for new equivalent would be $1k or more.
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#1248
05-07-2012, 03:25 AM
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BrudderT- Congratulatoins on the chickens & bees! I'll be heading out to get our chickens on Tuesday. My Blue Masons are working hard, soon it will be time to release the Osmia Californica's (the late Masons who pick up the pollination slack). I realized I would need to label the houses (make sure I release each type at the right time). By storing some of the houses in our extra fridge, we can release the Masons at the time the Fruit Trees start blooming, to insure higher pollination rates. Today, I weeded another 5' X 20' bed, getting it ready for planting. I also started a lot more Comfrey plants (54 isn't enough), took care of hundreds of seedlings, checked the progress of many emerging ones, was thrilled to see my cuttings are rooting (Italian Oregano, Greek Oregano, Lavendar, and Trailing Rosemary). I hand-watered some emerging seedlings out in our garden beds. Then, I made some decisions on where I would be putting some of those hundreds of seedlings growing in my greenhouse & inside my germination room, currently under lights. Now, my gardening plans are set!
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#1249
05-07-2012, 03:43 AM
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I was lucky, no snow for 3 days, but heavy frost as usual, 16 years and not a decent garden yet, I wonder if the cold weather might be a factor,,,I will have to concider that
__________________
"THE ESSENCE OF HIS DOCTRINE WAS VIOLENCE AND LUST: TO EXALT THE BRUTAL OVER THE SPIRITUAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE (John Adams's capital letters).
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#1250
05-07-2012, 11:39 AM
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A week or so ago I started having problems with the tennis shoes I'm wearing. A pair of $50 New Balance. I'd get a sharp pain at my little toe, thought it was the seam on my sock twisted. Felt the inside of my shoe and the lining is ripping. I need to get out and get another pair or two of shoes, but wanted to keep this pair for working in the garden. So I got some mole skin, cut pieces and fitted them inside the shoes where the lining is going bad. Works great! So I think mole skin should be something in our preps to help extend our shoes. Might be a good thing to have in the BOB for if you have to do a lot of walking and start getting a sore spot on your foot.
I also got DH to get me another pocket knife. It's a tiny Swiss Army. Not much, but it has 1 blade, a screwdriver and scissors. It's going in my BOB. My other pocket knife is just a regular knife with 3 blades. I use it mostly when I'm working in the garden. gardengal
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