Good Morning! 2019

[Bayvistafarm]

Good morning! Cold here still. Says 7C, but feels colder.

Its been awhile since I've been on here, don't know why really. Been busy, mostly babysitting grand kids seems. We are calving now, I think we have 18 on the ground? One set of twins. They are in the barn with mom, until they get used to mom. And she gets used to the fact shes got 2. The cows have been in the barnyard mostly this spring, because of all the damn rain. I haven't done much but pull some weeds. I have moved some perennials from the other house, and just started cutting grass night before last. I did get the lawnmower stuck... was ON the greasy laneway, and slid right down into the muck beside the barn. Nice.

Leaves are just barely out here, but out more in the bush. Its so nice back there.

My L shaped barn off the main barn is collapsing, so I had to dump many birds. I'm not incubating this year, and that makes me sad. I've no place for young birds. I do want to hatch guinea's.... have lots of eggs, but will have to release my old bunch (never been outside), to make a pen to raise babies. Will have to buy layers now, instead of raise my own. Oh well. It is what it is. NO turkeys left, but the old non fertile boy, and 2 original girls. Have the pea's still... but why? Keeping them inside in a box stall to dump food and water in, and walk away is pointless. Not much of a life for them. I fear they will soon go too.

I want to go to a plant sale this morning, starts at 8am... and then going to Northland nurseries with my sister. I don't have much room at this house to put many more plants either. My peppers in the greenhouse (started usual time, but with the new grow light set up I bought they did too well. I have huge jalapeno's on the plants, and now sweet peppers too), are huge. I started a new crop. I have tons of peppers and tomatoes, lol. Need to plant potatoes. May stop for seed potatoes at Dam's this morning. Hope NO rain for this weekend.

We had a movie shoot here this past week. What a lot of people here, traffic/lights/action... and they used Jeremy's house extensively as well as Dave's. Not so much here, but did use it for one scene, where a nosy neighbour peeks thru our living room curtains. I'm in the shoot at the very end. Had to get up Friday morning at 4am to drive the bus, stop at the laneway and pick up the kid screaming help me help me... and then I drove away with him. An hour later, the whole kit and kaboodle was gone! Except our laneway is a double lane road (so wet/pot holes.. people drove around on grass)... Dave's lawn is trampled to muck... as well as other spots on lawns/driveways. And I heard from the guy who ran the food truck, we didn't get paid nearly what they would have. Well, we didn't know any better.

The movie is a crime docu-drama Fear they Neighbour. Interesting.. never seen it before. I've watch a couple episodes since. We are to get a DVD copy.. well, we will see.

Well, its been daylight for a while. I guess I will go outside, see if there are any new babies today. Have a good one!

[Killerbunny]

Like your new avatar!
Good to see you back here.

[SusanH]

@baronrenfrew Your rough patch sounds awful! Condolences for all your losses.

How’s your spring so far?

[Killerbunny]

SO we are moving into the Summer Palace tonight. DH decided to move the popup trailer to behind the house despite the mud. Fortunately one of our neighbours with a tractor was ready and waiting to drag it out. All good now!

[SusanH]

They say the definition of a stupid question is the one you need answer to but are afraid to ask. So here goes.
Scenario. Broody hen, no rooster
Possible solutions
1. Buy fertile eggs to put under her
2. Rent a rooster.

I tried solution 1 last summer but the eggs turned out not to be fertile. What can I do to improve those odds?
If I borrow a rooster, what am I looking at in terms of timing? Chicken has carnal knowledge of rooster, then 24 hours later one fertile egg is produced and that’s it? Or several days?
Given that the broody hen is not laying, introducing her to a rooster is likely pointless, right? The rooster would need to make whoopee with her sisters in order to get fertile eggs for Miranda to sit on.
Grateful for your thoughts

[Killerbunny]

I would NOT rent a rooster. You have the possibility of bringing in disease. The lady has to like the rooster too. Last year I had horrible fertility because my girls suddenly decide they didn't like their boy. I would go with trying for fertile eggs again. You're always taking a chance with eggs but at this time of year your odds are better. How about some of "Jans Jewels" from @windwalkingwolf.

[Kbr42]

They say the definition of a stupid question is the one you need answer to but are afraid to ask. So here goes.
Scenario. Broody hen, no rooster
Possible solutions
1. Buy fertile eggs to put under her
2. Rent a rooster.

I tried solution 1 last summer but the eggs turned out not to be fertile. What can I do to improve those odds?
If I borrow a rooster, what am I looking at in terms of timing? Chicken has carnal knowledge of rooster, then 24 hours later one fertile egg is produced and that’s it? Or several days?
Given that the broody hen is not laying, introducing her to a rooster is likely pointless, right? The rooster would need to make whoopee with her sisters in order to get fertile eggs for Miranda to sit on.
Grateful for your thoughts

Hi Susan, I have for sure fertile silkies eggs! My boy have been getting around. You can have today's eggs if you'd like.

[Killerbunny]

@SusanH that sounds like a plan to me!

[Jaye]

Hi Susan, I have for sure fertile silkies eggs! Mine boy have been getting arou d. You can have today's eggs if you'd like.

Oooo, Silkie eggs! If I had a broody hen I'd be up for that.

[Kbr42]

Hi Susan, I have for sure fertile silkies eggs! Mine boy have been getting arou d. You can have today's eggs if you'd like.

Oooo, Silkie eggs! If I had a broody hen I'd be up for that.

I just put 5 eggs under a stubborn broody silkie and all 5 are developing