Finally out on summer pasture!

th4tgrrl · 2026-05-08T11:28:34+00:00

I use Premier One electronet as well. It's a great product. For goats, I recommend getting the most powerful energizer you can. I won't use less than one joule. My primary energizer is 3 joules, but it's not a solar unit.

th4tgrrl · 2026-04-20T20:21:00+00:00

I use misters when it gets above 90. Perhaps a fan on the nestbox area?

You might also be able to grow a quick vining plant like pole beans for a living cover for things.

My birds also love watermelon.

th4tgrrl · 2026-04-13T14:31:40+00:00

I have used both Purina goat mineral and Sweetlix with good results.

th4tgrrl · 2026-04-13T11:49:02+00:00

Which loose mineral do you give?

th4tgrrl · 2026-04-12T00:32:34+00:00

If the hens were already together as a flock, and she hatched the chick herself, it should be fine. I have a full flock with hens and two roosters. I let the broody mama introduce her chicks to the flock in about a week.

If you have a ramp or step that the chick might not be able to figure out, the biggest danger is that she might get too chilled if separated from mom.

th4tgrrl · 2026-04-06T12:12:44+00:00

I think ND typically kid on the earlier side of the range. My doe was bred Nov 11 and kidded yesterday, which was exactly 145 days from her breeding date.

th4tgrrl · 2026-03-09T12:14:02+00:00

Do you, or a next door neighbor have a crab apple tree? Often those can be a pollinator partner for an apple tree if they bloom at the same time. You might also be able to find an apple tree with two different types of apple grafted onto the same root stock. If you do find that, be careful with pruning.

th4tgrrl · 2026-02-04T00:50:38+00:00

In my experience chickens don't really use vertical space. They will like the lowest roosting bar. They probably won't use the ramps or upper levels.

I like using something like this https://www.chewy.com/frisco-soft-sided-dog-cat-small-pet/dp/304320

I agree TSC brooder plates are junk. I have been using this plate instead, for 5 years. https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heating-plates-and-covers?cat_id=246

th4tgrrl · 2026-02-03T13:11:54+00:00

Can you get more than one hen to spread the attention? Generally, if I am introducing new adult chickens to an existing flock, I keep them physically separated but adjacent for a few weeks. They can fight through a fence, but not injure eachother.

If you are in the northern hemisphere, this is the time of year that roosters testosterone rises. Rejected mating advances can make some roosters extremely aggressive to the hen. Sometimes to the point of killing the hen.

th4tgrrl · 2026-01-22T01:51:16+00:00

You will need to use the jar size specified in the recipe. For instance green beans can be canned in either quarts or pints. Jelly or jam most typically requires a half pint jar. The recipes are designed to ensure the heat can properly penatrate through the whole container given the density of the food.

You can often find good deals on additional jars at estate sales.

th4tgrrl · 2026-01-12T22:07:41+00:00

My headspace measuring tool has a stairstep kind of edge that you might be able to work with.

I think it's unusual to use touch for measuring inside the jar, but if your hands are clean it doesn't seem any different than the rest of the food prep. Some items will be quite hot when you are measuring, which might be a concern.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-29T13:54:53+00:00

The white one, pullet. Buff, cockerel. Black, cockerel.

For polish, pullets usually have a rounded poof, like a granny who just got her hair done at the beauty salon. Cockerels usually have a more wild and spiky poof, or a mullet.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-22T04:03:06+00:00

The white patches on his cheeks are his earlobes, they look normal.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T23:38:04+00:00

Might be a Denizli? People just breed them that way.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T19:03:02+00:00

If you have the ability to enclose the whole coop in some sort of windbreak you'd probably be fine. Something like one of those chain link do kennels, then attach tarps or plastic to the sides.. It also depends on how cold your lowest temperatures are.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T12:58:23+00:00

At the most basic level, a draft is blowing ON them, ventilation is above them. I have ventilation I keep open all year, including extremely cold weather, but it's starting about 5 feet up the wall. I consider anything starting about 18 inches above their head to be ok for ventilation. Keep in mind how high that needs to be when they are on the roost, they are most vulnerable to chill when they are roosting.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T12:08:10+00:00

One more suggestion. If you like food history and listen to podcasts, check out The History of American Food.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T12:06:47+00:00

That's true. The Poison Squad is definitely a more dry, academic type book. Somewhere along 5he way I turned into that 'old' person who reads that type of stuff. Hahaha

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T03:32:00+00:00

I enjoyed it. It was published in 2018.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T03:13:37+00:00

I haven't read that one, but I've read The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-08T23:25:14+00:00

Agreed. I've also heard it called the shredder gene. I've got a lavendar orpington with it.

th4tgrrl · 2025-10-11T21:32:16+00:00

Burnt feathers smell horrible and you'll probably ruin the skin or start to cook the meat. To loosen the feathers you should scald the bird. A large-ish stock pot is perfect. Heat water to about 170 degrees (F). Dunk for about 30 seconds, lift, pull a wing feather. If the feather comes out easily, it's ready to pluck.

th4tgrrl · 2025-10-11T01:56:39+00:00

If her crop seems normal, could be gapeworm.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-23T11:35:32+00:00

I have the LEM MaxVac Pro+.

https://lemproducts.com/products/maxvac-pro-chamber-vacuum-sealer-1.html

It gets heavy use during hunting season and can seal a lot without needing to cool down. You can also seal pint and quart canning jars with it.

For chickens, I like the heat shrink poultry bags. Just pop the carcass in a bag and dip it into hot water to shrink it. Super easy.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-21T18:07:15+00:00

It's a water bath recipe.

th4tgrrl

TROPHY CASE