I just went out and bought more frost cloth today as it is usually December we get our first frosts. Last year was so mild though I have been wondering how this year will be!
Sue, great! My swiss chard is just starting out and I can't wait for it as it is one of my favorite veggies! I often wonder whether to leave things longer to see what they will do, your swiss chard being a great example of that!
Four chickens 1 RIR 1 BO and 2 EE I got them 2/05/09 and they started laying 07/02/09. All four were laying in 2 - 3 weeks. Right now the EE seem to be the better layers. I think the BO is the worst both BO and RIR occasionally lay soft shelled eggs. I think they are better suited for cold weather so might do better in the winter.
We tried to build a VERY cheap coop but it did ad up. I am guessing it ended up costing around $400.00 - $450.00 It is nothing fancy.
If you want pictures of anything in particular or would like to come see it just let me know. I live in Mesa. This week Friday - Monday won't work. But most days I am flexible. You can email me at pcgstuff@gmail.com if you want to.
No floor it is just on the ground.
We aren't worried about dogs getting in or any other predators. Might have to worry about mice at some point but not so far. Both the food and water hang so it seems to stay cleaner that way.
We do use pine shavings on the floor and on a board under their perch. But they have been sleeping on top of a nesting box so I just scrap that clean every morning and put it in the compost pile.
I kept a cover (like a metal grate) over the top of the tub. The dog did kill one of my hens later on, we were out of town and she got into the coop and killed and partially ate one hen and injured the other 2. Needless to say I DO NOT trust that dog. She lunges against the chicken wire sometimes when I'm in there gathering eggs. It's a 1 yr old Lab, still really a rambunctios puppy, but now that she had a taste I don't trust her around the hens at all. You just have to always watch, hopefully your dogs are calm and listen well when you tell them No. My dog doesn't seem to know what No means. It was pretty awful when she got the hen. It belonged to my 5 yr old and he was so upset.
Michelle,
Your garden looks great. That's my next step. I only have container plants now. We have a really destructive rambunctious labrador so I don't dare plant in the ground until we put up a little fence.
I wanted to tell you when I first got my chicks I kept them in my house with a clamp light for warmth. They stayed in a rubber tub (like the kind with the rope handles) with pine shavings or Feline pine cat litter on the bottom. They stayed that way for almost 4 wks. It can get a little dusty, but if you have a spare room or laundry room it wouldn't be bad. So maybe you can get some towards end of summer and by fall they will be old enough to move outside to a coop. They're so much fun and amazingly relaxing to watch. I really enjoy them, and even my stubborn husband does but he'll never admit it.
Good luck with everything, and you really found a priceless resource by joining this group. They are all loads of help!
kris
For families who are interested in raising eco-conscious children and living more in balance with nature... Bring your kids to this fun, interactive and informative class on learning more about sustainable living and permaculture. What does it mean…
Mesquite and Carob Milling
Requested Donation:
--Milling - $5 for each 5 gal bucket of beans milled
If you have four or more 5 gallon buckets for milling please arrive before noon!
Join the Phoenix Permaculture Guild as they host a mesquite bean (…
Be prepared for the fall planting season. Are you confused about what and how to plant in the low desert? - Where to get quality seeds – heirloom or not? Transplants, or seeds? How do you get an extended harvest? What is companion planting and what…
Turn your kitchen scraps and certain waste materials into nutrient-rich fertilzer! Compost not only provides a source of slow-release organic fertilizer, it also boosts the community of microorganisms that helps keep plants healthy and improves wate…
What does a Permaculture Design mean? - and where do I begin? How do we pull together sustainable principles and apply them to OUR urban property? This class is an overview of implementing various aspects of permaculture to an urban home and lot - n…
I've got some small, black little bugs on my butternut squash. I'm a Phx native and have never seen bugs like these, but I've also never grown the squash before, either. They seem to hide when I reach for a leaf - creepy! What are they and will they…
Sophia,
The AZ Homegrown Solutions group has a community table at the downtown Phoenix Farmers Market. This is a great way to share your over production and make a little cash in the process. Their website is: http://azhomegrownsolutions.ning.com/.…