BarredBuff's Homesteading Shenanigans

[BarredBuff]

I only questioned the ducks BUT they looked on track based on chicken eggs at this time...

 

[Denim Deb]

I don't have anything to compare them to! This is the first time I've ever been able to see anything in the eggs. Last batch, I had 2 that hatched, but the shells were so dark, I couldn't see thru them. Right now, I'm hoping and praying I get some from this batch!

 

[Bettacreek]

Sometimes, with darker eggs, the best you can do is shine the light through kind of the side of the air cell and look for veins. With really difficult eggs, sometimes you just have to look for a distinct aircell... The bottom will be super dark instead of as "clear" as the aircell. That's what I have to do with some quail eggs, since they can be too thick and colored to really see well through.

 

[BarredBuff]

They are veining, so some good luck!

 

[BarredBuff]

Almost three days until I leave for vacation. Which is good, and bad. I am gonna miss the garden fun They have to hill up our potatoes, which I believe we have FINALLY learned out to grow, they look great. Healthy vines, and growing good. We have had to use pesticide though as bad as I hate too. But at our location everything gets eat up with bugs like crazy. Why I don't know. We rotate each crop, and let the birds roam freely. I need a flock of Guineas I guess, who knows.

While I am gone, they have to plant the canning corn crop, the pole beans, some pole/bush type beans, winter squash, summer squash, cucumbers, and okra. I miss out on all the fun stuff.

Today I tried my hand at canning butter, and it was not very successful. I didn't get all the moisture worked out, and it was not successful. I'll know next round....this took most of the day. Making the butter, melting butter, washing jars, canning the butter, and realizing it was a flop. I have also cleaned out the chicken coop and have that in the compost pile.

Then tomorrow is my AP World Civics test, lets hope I pass it and get my college credit for it. It'd be VERY nice.

STILL haven't found out what the goats brought, I can't get through to the Stockyards I guess I'll know when the check comes.

 

[BarredBuff]

Well got back from my AP test which was grueling but I believe it will get me 6 hours of college credit if I passed. Suprisingly I wasn't killed after doing it and the garden was dry so I got the tiller and tilled the early corn out, and Gran worked it out and gave it some fertility. Then I started the tater patch, and The vines were so big and the rows so small. I had to cultivate them all by hand. I am absolutely worn out!!!!! After we have officer try outs tomorrow I am going to hill them up and mulch them before I leave Saturday. I will make them rows VERY wide next year. Tater madness!!!!!!

Now we are going over to Dads this evening to work with the pigs, what a way to end the day. Then after that I must finish packing.........so much to do.

Tomorrow after I get back from my practice deal at 10. I am going to finish the taters up, clean the meat rabbit tub, clean rabbit cages, and finish packing. Then give Mom the tutorial on incubation so she can fix my turkey eggs up while I am gone. Which I hope hatch off good!!!!!!!

 

[luvinlife offthegrid]

Potatoes seem like a lot of work. I remember working with my grandpa, and I would help him hill the potatoes. I think I might try them with some hay/straw over the roots in a rubbermaid tote. Instead of "hilling" you just add a little more hay. Worse thing that can happen is it doesn't work. Best thing that can happen, is you dump the tote over and your potatoes are in a pile on the ground. Your post made me remember to try that.

When are your chicks due?

I hope you passed your test, have a great vacation!

 

[BarredBuff]

I am following the method Jackie Clay prescribed to me, two hillings, easy on the poop, and mulch later on. That is what I am doing After they are hilled it is mulch time. I just hope I have enough. If not I have some old hay I could use, but I prefer straw.

Poults, and Chicks are due a week from today. Then Ducklings two weeks from today. I usually make Thursday my hatching day for some reason, why I have no clue.

Thanks and hope you do as well!


OH and the goats brought 150$ still 20$ short of what we paid, but oh well. Meat rabbit hutch here I come!

 

[Wannabefree]

sounds like you've been about as busy as I have little bro! Tater madness is right

 

[FarmerJamie]

hmmm... nothing going on this thread, I see....same old same old