[Squashmania]

Pallets may be the best option for you. Horizontally placed slats can hold perches from side to side. A tarp zip ties in place, and even double thickness can protect from wind and rain. (I LOVE a good tarp) A remnant of vinyl flooring on the bottom with a coating of pine shavings can make clean-out day a breeze, instead of a chiseling nightmare. And it gets a great compost pile started. Might as well put them to work. I use milk crates with one side cut out in a U shape leaving about an inch or two of edge with a square of astroturf for a laying area. Believe it or not, my hens prefer orange and red to black and completely refuse blue! Please keep in mind the deceiving name of “chicken wire”. Chicken wire will keep chickens OUT of things, but is generally too flimsy to keep predators OUT of your coop. Use hardware cloth or welded wire.

[Squashmania]

Last late summer I culled Mr. Rogers, aka “Feed”, because. I had 5/12 girls with bald backs. It was insurrection when I put hen saddles on them, and they just about took up picket signs. Fred was initially a gentleman, but as he established his favorites, things did not go well. I decided that God makes new roosters every day, and if I needed another, one would show up. I like the idea of self sufficiency, and have incubated and hatched several clutches of eggs. Your own chicks are pretty special. I am incubating quail eggs right now.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Squashmania.

[Squashmania]

Exactly. The police were berated for “profiling”, but how often do we hear a patient being referred to as a diagnosis? “The gallbladder in bed 3”, the sepsis alert in bed 10, the gsw in the trauma room, etc. Not just mentally, but physically, everyone is pulling a sack of rocks. Some are heavier than others.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Squashmania.

[Squashmania]

This is why I believe that natural remedies will have a resurgence, and discovering what can cure that grows on your land, or you can cultivate will be really important.

[Squashmania]

Thanks so much for the recommendation!

[Squashmania]

That is fantastic. I didn’t want to add identification to the recipe to let those interested, do their due diligence. Your description is very accurate. I only have 5 acres, but I back to many acres of undeveloped park land that borders state scenic river. Best! I have found several motels and some chicken of the woods(?) It may have been something else. We sound like kindred spirits

[Squashmania]

How do you have roosters in the same flock without fighting? I had an EE roo who jumped 2 fences (away from his girls) to go toe to toe with my older roo. They both took a bad beating and much cornstarch was used on heads and necks. They are both in the freezer now. Just wondering for the future.

[Squashmania]

You could TOTALLY have a group of hens on your deck! Don’t let your HOA Bully you. Fantastic fertilizer, Epicurian delight eggs. What’s not to love? You can find ppl on Craigslist selling eggs for hatching or birds. The birds can be a little more. Sexed juveniles can be around $1/ week of growth up to about $8 for a confirmed laying hen, but they are prolific and quiet! They can be sexed at 3-4 weeks by a seasoned pro, or as soon as they start crowing, into the freezer. It’s not a huge rooster crow, and can be mistaken for local songbirds.

[Squashmania]

That sounds like you have a great roofing plan.

[Squashmania]

Turkey tail double decoction tincture

First , to go identify it, grab a book or a vlog or a friend you trust. YT “Learn your Land” is an excellent source in woods foraging.

Bring home 3-4 handfuls of turkey tail, I rinse and trim up the attachment end and pop it into a quart mason covered with the highest proof vodka you can find, ideally 80+ proof. Leave it in a dark quiet place for 30 days. Strain off the vodka and reserve. Put the steeped mushrooms in a saucepan with about 1.5 cups of water and simmer for one hour. Boiling is not needed. Remove from the heat and allow the water /turkey tail mix to cool, then strain the water into the reserved vodka mix, cap, and shake gently to combine. Take one teaspoon twice daily for viral-type symptoms.

P.S. I had all this typed in the other night but the app didn’t have any submit or post buttons anywhere, so this is try #2.

[Squashmania]

I can install and do basic electric, but fault chasing is a real weak spot for me. I thought about taking some electricity trade classes, just to learn more. Electric still seems like magic to me.

[Squashmania]

Amen sister friend! We are doin’ it! Husband is first in line for being a critic and last in line for help.

[Squashmania]

I was so excited and looked to see if eastern redbud were nitrogen fixers, but Univ. Of PA says they aren’t. I have a ton of redbud on my property.

[Squashmania]

You have some serious landrace crops!

[Squashmania]

There are 5 different varieties of goji?? I learn so much on this site.