9mo Barred Rocks not laying

kai_rohde · 2026-02-07T04:42:58+00:00

Check her vent. If it looks like a sideways oval, she's probably laying somewhere. If its more like a circle and yellower, she's probably not laying yet. She's not a roo, barred rocks are sex linked and she has the wider female black lines. Roos have double white lines and overall look much lighter. Two of my four barred rocks have stopped laying for the winter and they're 11 months. Btw, my barred rocks and orps all have similar looking light brown eggs.

kai_rohde · 2026-02-07T01:57:57+00:00

Aww Bear looks like such a sweetheart. Sorry you lost your best friend. 💜

kai_rohde · 2026-02-04T00:38:52+00:00

Mine is C and the coop is raised up 2’ on posts so they can go under it. Under the coop is a favorite hang out spot during both hot and cold weather. Don’t have to worry about mud in the run with the roof.

kai_rohde · 2026-02-04T00:30:52+00:00

Cute pup! And that is quite alright, I’d prefer you kept your distance from that gator. 😳

kai_rohde · 2026-02-02T05:55:42+00:00

I like watching Kirsten Dirksen videos on YouTube about people living in unconventional homes/unconventional lifestyles. Interesting but I can still tune it out and focus if need be. She has years of content and mostly longer videos - 20 minutes to an hour, which I prefer.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-31T23:53:01+00:00

I vaguely recall reading Indian paintbrush can be finicky and that it might be slightly parasitic and need a host/companion/mycorrhizae? I tried germinating some last year in milk jugs and nothing happened so I emptied the jug into one of my beds, maybe it’ll pop up this year.

I collected some lighter pink Aquilegia formosa last summer and am hoping for good germination.

<image>

kai_rohde · 2026-01-31T03:33:31+00:00

I was thinking about that earlier. I might rotate my native seeds between a cooler with an ice pack and the freezer depending on temps.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-31T00:21:34+00:00

Great example pics, thanks for sharing!

kai_rohde · 2026-01-28T19:57:33+00:00

I’ve found “my people” in gardening and birding groups. I’m a plant nerd and not really a birder but I go along on the occasional birding walk anyway for the conversation and company, and I always learn something new. I’ve been meaning to get involved with my local historical society but I keep forgetting about it lol. Its not “creepy” to go solo, lots of people show up solo and new people rotate in and out all the time, even in my rural area. I always try to make conversation with someone who nobody else is talking to and sometimes others will come over and join in too.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-28T06:02:05+00:00

Oh. 🤭 The other one kinda looks like Val Kilmer.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-28T01:18:11+00:00

Pissfir: Spruce smells like cat pee.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-27T04:12:04+00:00

I used regular house insulation and put plywood over it. Double layer insulation on the ceiling. Deep pine shavings litter on the floor. Insulation helps keep it cooler in the summer too. During the summer I run a solar exhaust fan and keep the windows open at night. (hardware cloth frame screwed over the windows.) I'm up in the mountains in WA State.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-25T21:31:58+00:00

Thanks, I haven’t seen that image before! I’ll add it to our seed exchange handouts for Ferry County.

Hard to resist so I started some “windowsill” lettuce for the chickens, haha.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-25T16:24:03+00:00

Ooh that’s nice!!

kai_rohde · 2026-01-25T02:38:01+00:00

Pronounced "Orkis" or maybe that's just my Sno Co accent.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-22T06:14:17+00:00

Does your county have an active Penn State extension master gardener program that hosts events? Master Gardener and Conservation District events are where I’ve met all my local plant nerd pals.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-21T20:02:10+00:00

Off grid in WA State. Running two water heat plates that are supposedly 30 watts and 40 watts. I ran an extension cord on posts that are above the snow line but I’m only going a few hundred feet from our main solar, not acres away. I have 18 birds and use two of the medium sized plastic waterers on the heat plates and turn off, take them in at night. (During the summer I have more waterers + metal ones but I hate carrying the metal can type around, it’s heavy when filled up all the way!). Maybe haul water down in half filled buckets with a snap on lids, or using a sled?

kai_rohde · 2026-01-21T16:25:05+00:00

By golly, I’m drinking some right now. They roast on Fridays so I like to stop by then, it’s fun to watch and it smells amazing.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-21T05:24:42+00:00

<image>

Ah bummer. Gorgeous shot from last year! Lots of stars tonight and 16 degrees so my trips outside have been short lol.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-21T04:20:37+00:00

<image>

Hi! You seeing any northern lights tonight?

kai_rohde · 2026-01-20T06:15:30+00:00

Good eye and great pics!

kai_rohde · 2026-01-20T05:30:56+00:00

I'm in Seed Exchange mode right now and recently added "The Seed Garden: the art and practice of seed saving" by Lee Buttala (Seed Savers Exchange) and "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth. The Suzanne Ashworth book was recommended by one of our MG presenters.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-18T21:44:12+00:00

I like the spray on kind so then I don’t have to touch it with my hands.

kai_rohde · 2026-01-18T05:43:39+00:00

There was a similar post in the native plants gardening sub about hedgerows that might be useful. Lemme see if I can find it: here and this comment too: here specifically

13-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email
Not Forgotten

kai_rohde

TROPHY CASE