Moving the hens to their outdoor quarters is one of the spring tasks that always seems to be delayed. This spring, the coop temperatures have been kept reasonably cool by the biomeiler and the outdoor temperatures have been kept unseasonably cool by fate. So, the hens have stayed indoors too long, as usual, and the […]
Chickens Relocated Read More »
The Cornish Cross chicks are growing at such an amazing rate that the surprise chick looks like a songbird when it perches above the fray. We had a second fatality. That was disappointing, but not too bad. We still have all 50 chicks that we ordered, plus the surprise chick. As soon as the
Broiler 22-Day Update Read More »
In the fall, after it was too late for any significant regrowth, I rented a brush hog and mowed the tall grass and small shrubs that had grown up in the lawns, field, and garden areas. I was determined to accomplish the task with only one day’s rental expense, but that goal was hard to
The chicks are growing rapidly. They are in that remarkable stage of growth in which it is possible to see daily changes. It is our great fortune to have had only one chick fatality, to date. In the past, we have had very few fatalities after the chicks have reached this point. So, we are
Chick 12-Day Update Read More »
Two weeks ago, I made the first snow-free circumnavigation of the house. It was a modest expedition, to be sure, but its completion was an important box to check in the development of Spring. The snow is almost gone from the yard, but it lingers in the sheltered area under the branches of one of
The temperatures in the biomeiler pile are measured with thermocouples buried in several locations. Nine of them are found at three heights (1’, 2’, and 3’ above the ground) in the inner core, outer core, and mantle of the pile. The graph in today’s post shows the temperatures measured by thermocouples at 2’ height. These
April Experimental Results, part 2 Read More »
The graph shows the temperature in the chicken coop, the temperature of the air in the vent pipe coming from the biomeiler, and the temperature of the outdoor air. The electrical energy usage would be shown for any days when the electric heater was used, but it was not needed this month. All month long,
April Experimental Results Read More »
This year we are raising the Cornish Cross breed as our meat birds. We had planned to raise Big Red broilers, again, but, when attempting to order them, we discovered there were none available. So, despite a strong disinclination for this breed, we placed an order and will hope for good results. On Tuesday afternoon,
Chicks Have Arrived Read More »
Our order of meat bird chicks will arrive shortly. Proper preparation is vital to the success of raising chicks so I spent some time getting the brooder table and equipment in good working order. I washed the waterer and prepared the special welcoming beverage we give to the chicks when they arrive. It consists mostly
Chick Preparations Read More »
Now that most of the snow has melted, we are entering the ugliest time of the year. It is no longer a crisp, white winter, but it is not yet a warm, green spring. We are no longer constrained by the cold and the dark, but we are dispirited to find that we can’t
Ugliest Time of the Year Read More »