Winterizing trees

Winter is especially harse on trees and shrubs. Newer plantings are especially vulnerable, but even mature species can sustain damage. Ice, snow, wind, sun, dry air, and low temperatures all take their toll. Fortunately, taking protective measures now can minimize damage and keep your trees and shrubs healthy until spring comes.

Water

Winter’s lower temperatures and humidity dry out plantings, sometimes killing all or parts of them. To prevent winter drying, water trees and shrubs regularly throughout the fall, watering heavily in late fall before the ground freezes.

Wrap

On cold winter days, heat from the sun followed by sudden cooling can damage bark on the south or southwest side of a tree. This is called sun scald or southwest injury. To prevent it, wrap the trunk with tree wrap, which reflects the sunlight and keeps the bark temperature more even. Tree wrap also discourages wildlife from feeding on bark. 

Mulch

A layer of mulch around a tree or shrub acts an insulator, warming the soil and retaining precious moisture. To protect trees and shrubs, mulch them with 4–6 inches of wood chips or straw. I also use old dry leaves and straw that I have cleaned out from my chicken coops.

Shield

You can also provide physical barriers for young trees and shrubs by driving a few stakes into the ground around the planting, wrapping burlap around the stakes, and securing the burlap with staples. This will protect against damage from sun and wind. Evergreen limbs, which are often bent or broken by ice and snow, can be tied together with strips cloth or old nylon stockings.

Plant Now

Fall is an ideal time to plant a tree or shrub. 

Don’t Prune Too Soon

Fall often provides good weather for pruning trees and shrubs, but it may not be a good time for the planting. Late fall and winter is the best time to prune most trees. For shrubs, it depends on when the plant flowers. Ideally, you should prune a shrub as soon as the last blooms fade. If you prune a spring-flowering shrub in the fall, you may be removing next year’s flower buds. 

Turkey talk

Eastern Wild hens

Eastern Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) 

     I have researched eastern wild turkeys and have found out these incredible facts about them that I think you will enjoy. Read this and let me know what you think about these incredible majestic wild birds. 

The eastern subspecies of wild turkeys is the most widely distributed and abundant of the five distinct subspecies of wild turkey found in the United States. They can also grow to be the largest. Surprisingly, though, they are very mobile birds with running speed of up to 25 miles per hour and flying speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. 
      The general appearance of the wild turkey is similar to that of a domestic turkey, except that a wild bird has a more streamlined body shape. The head is featherless and is generally red, white, and chalky blue. The adult male, known as a tom or gobbler, is larger and more colorful than the female. He has spurs on the back of his legs for fighting, and a beard of stiff, bristle-like feathers protruding from the center of his chest. No one is sure why a tom has a beard. An adult gobbler may range from 16 to 25 pounds with a juvenile male (yearling) weighing around 12 to 15 pounds. 

     A hen, is smaller than a male and lacks head colorings as well as a beard and spurs.  A hen may range in size from 9 to 14 pounds with a juvenile female ranging from 7 to 10 pounds. A young male turkey is called a jake and a young female turkey is called a jenny. The young are smaller than the adults, and share the coloration of an adult female. A wild turkey is well adapted for survival. A turkey sees at least ten times better than people, and it can distinguish colors. A turkey can see almost 360 degrees, so it is very difficult to sneak up on a turkey without being detected. 

     Vocalizing is something turkeys do often. Members of a flock will cluck to let others know where they are. They make purring sounds when feeding, and a loud "putt" sound serves as a warning. Toms gobble during mating season to attract females. Hens will cluck to their young while they are still in the eggs. Once young turkeys, or poults hatch, they listen closely to their mother. They follow her commands to scatter, hide, or come back. 

     The reproductive cycle for the eastern wild turkey begins in spring. As days get longer and warmer, toms can be heard gobbling and seen strutting to attract hens. Turkeys are polygamous, mating with more than one partner, and a relatively few dominant gobblers do most of the breeding. No breeding is believed to be accomplished by one-year-old gobblers when adult gobblers are in the vicinity. Young poults will need high protein foods for rapid growth and to prevent health problems such as weak legs. In the wild the hen will take the poults to open fields and meadows to catch insects, which they really like. Turkeys also eat plants and seeds if allowed to free range. 

Wild turkeys are social birds and prefer to live and travel together in flocks. Every turkey in a flock has a place in the social order, and there is usually one dominant male turkey. 

I am sure that you will be pleased with having a few turkeys around. My big eastern tom male is very sweet and always comes to visit me when he can.

Eastern Wild Tom

Wood Pallet Shed

Finished shed for under $500.00

Are you are in need of a good shed and don't want to spend a lot of money? We all are. Do you see pallets all over the place at businesses just laying around? 

Well the idea of building a tool shed out of wood pallets is no longer a dream it is possible with these plans.  

 You can use pallets that would have been headed for the dump, so this is also a recycling project.
Your first task is to find suitable wood pallets.  Pallets come in all sizes.  If you search around you will find places where the pallets will happen to be in nearly new condition! Be sure to use the 42" X 42" square pallets so there wont be a need to modify them.  The less cutting you have to do to the pallets, the better, because they are made of extremely hard wood. Ideally 36" square pallets should be used, but I didn't know where a good source for that size was available.
To make one wall, bolt 3 pallets together, end to end (42" X 126" inch wall, about 10½ feet). For the rest of the details please click here.

Its actually very simple

Almost done with the frame

In summary, this 10 ft X 10 ft shed made from recycled wood pallets turns out very well.  Stronger than you can imagine, less complicated to make, and saves alot of money over the conventional building method or store bought sheds.  Since there is no plastic in the construction, it should last many years.  Total cost is under $500.
You can also add a smaller storage shed off the side of the main shed using 4 pallets and a 2X4 frame, fold-up roof attached with 4 hinges.

Smaller storage shed attached to the side

Is it necessary to refrigerate my eggs?

The USA is the only country in the world that requires its citizens to refrigerate eggs.  And there's a good reason for that!  Pharmaceutical companies pour millions of dollars into campaigns for politicians to get elected.  In turn elected officials "reward" the pharmaceutical companies with legislation that helps them sell more drugs. 

Let me explain:  When a hen lays an egg, her goal is to hatch that egg (ours is to eat that egg).  Since she can lay only one egg each day, it takes her 10-14 days to lay a "clutch" of eggs.  When her clutch is full, she settles down on the eggs and heats them up to 101 degrees.  Inside that egg is an enzyme named "trypsin," which causes the egg to begin to develop when the hen heats it to 101 degrees.  If the temperature falls below 50 degrees the trypsin dies...this is mother nature's way to telling the hen not to hatch the eggs because it's too cold for the chicks to survive.

Trypsin also lowers cholesterol.  (Something the pharmaceutical company would rather do by selling you drugs!)  Pharmaceutical companies know that your refrigerator will kill the trypsin in the eggs.  So, the favor they got from the newly elected politicians was legislation that requires us to refrigerate our eggs.

A second enzyme that your refrigerator kills is Lanamine.  Lanamine is responsible for healthy joints.  But, if your eggs are meeting your body's demand for lanamine, then the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't be able to package and sell their drugs...and politicians wouldn't have campaign money to spend.  So...refrigerate!  Lets keep those politicians politicising!

I recently learned of two other enzymes in eggs that die when refrigerated, but I've not been able to run down the benefits from those enzymes.  But, I bet the pharmaceutical companies know!  I think I'll ask them. 

Also note that If you pick up your eggs directly from the hen house, you do not need to wash them.  I use a damp sponge to knock off any dirt on them and then put them on the kitchen counter. 

When the hen lays an egg she puts an antibiotic coating on the egg.  This protects the egg from things like salmonella from getting into the egg.  However, if you wash off the antibiotic coating, you wash away the protection. 

It's interesting to note that the government also requires egg distributors to wash the eggs before they sell them.  Isn't that just great?

Chicken Guardian Dogs

Puppies stealing food from guineas

My dogs are trained to be used as guardian dogs for many breeds such as chickens, ducks, guineas, and geese. I place considerable value on my birds due to the fact that I show them which in itself is a large investment. Having a guard dog to protect my birds and to keep predators at bay is a necessity. Predators are always going to be near your livestock so we are one step ahead.

The training process starts as a pup. Our pups are penned at night with the poultry in predator safe pens and in the morning placed with free range birds to learn correct interactions. This is how the bonding process works. The dogs eventually are friends to the birds and can be trusted around them fully. In the initial learning period they need a lot of guidance. Never put a young puppy in with your birds without being prepared to assist him in his learning journey. Also be aware that even a very young puppy can damage or kill a chicken in the mildest of play activities. I  usually train my puppies in the beginning with guineas because they can fly out of reach if they need too. The boundaries of permissible behavior is set at puppy hood and firmly instilled in dogs. These limits of appropriate and inappropriate behavior are set under close supervision.

Pyrenese mix Puppies trying out some poultry food

   I use mixed breed puppies of the guardian dog bloodlines, Pyrenees, border collies, Australian shepherds and other related breeds. They seem to be the best candidates for training. Neighbor children come and interact with them so they are well rounded in all areas. My older dog Cody keeps them in line. They learn to respect their elders. Cody is a irreplaceable Livestock guardian, who is a non aggressive protector and is a role model for my pups. I use Cody as the guideline to mold their behaviors. The ideal poultry guardian dog has to have the following behaviors

1. Likes children
2. Does not harm cats
3. Chases off all predators such as coons, coyotes, unfriendly dogs, birds of prey, skunks, opossums, rats, mice, etc.
4. Watches the poultry and does not bother them
5. Does not hurt a chicken that disturbs him
6. Barks to let predators know hes there
7. Loves his owner
8. Tolerates other friendly dogs
9. Stays away from rattle snakes
10.  Alerts me when strangers approach

Puppies playing while guineas eat

   There are other benefits of a guardian dog but the list is long. The above list are the more important issues. Our dogs also learn to avoid rattlers if the time of the year is right. That is a very important issue out in the country. I recommend that all guardian dogs receive a rattlesnake vaccine shot.If you would like a Guardian dog and live in Texas please email me at carondesign@yahoo.com.

Bearsey as a puppy

Chick sale buy 10 get 2 free

My chicks are sweet  and not the least bit ANGRY.....all they need is fresh water, feed and a warm brooder.
Silver Sussex - $10.00 each
Welsummers - $5.00 each
Golden Laced Wyandottes - $5.00 each
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes - $5.00
Silver Laced Wyandottes - $10.00 each
Mottled Javas - $5.00 each
Partridge Rocks - $5.00 each
Australorps - $5.00 each
Runner ducklings - $10.00 each
Cayuga Ducklings - $7.00 each
You can email me at carondesign@yahoo.com to place your order.You can also call at 619-301-4538. We are located in Caldwell County near Lockhart, Texas in the city of Martindale. We are also 25 miles south of Austin.

Website and Graphic Design Services available

Blogs as websites

Reaching your target audience for your blog or small business is one of the key ingredients to being successful in the business world or on-line. I realize that you need something that says “Hey! Look at me!” and at the same time will also allow you to display all your information to those visiting your website. I can provide you with a beautiful site design that will interest your readers, and keep them coming back. Hey, its happened to me. I currently have several blogs advertising my poultry business and I can not keep up with my chick orders due to the influx of customers. My blogsite specialty is small farms and pet businesses, but I am able to design anything else that you want done.

The early bird gets more eggs

Welsummer chicks

I start my chicks for the new year in January. It is colder this time of year, but with careful planning it is relatively easy. Remember that it is important to keep your baby chicks warm and free from drafts. They will also need to be properly fed and watered, and be protected from predators. A 95 quart Rubbermaid plastic bin can be a satisfactory home for up to 20 newly hatched chicks. The size and shape of the bin is not as important as long as it provides enough space for the chicks and the equipment to feed and water them.  Next I take the lid and cut out the center leaving a 2 inch edge and attach chicken wire with plastic ties.This is to protect the chicks from cats and other predators. The sides of the box provide adequate protection from drafts. Next I place a brooder lamp on top and use a 65 watt light which is adequate if your chicks are kept indoors in a heated room. Make sure that the lamp is attached safely so it won't be a fire hazard. During the 1st week the temperature should remain at 90-95 degrees. As the chicks get older reduce the temp by 5 degrees a week. When the chicks are cold, they bunch up and give off a distressed chirp. When they are too warm they will pant with their mouths open. I use rubber shelf liner the first few days so that the chicks can get a firm grip as they walk. After that I use old newspaper and change it out every day. Make sure the paper does not have a strong ink smell. Be sure to change their water twice a day, or more frequently if necessary to keep the water clean and fresh. Clean the waterer each time you make the change, and refill it with fresh slightly warm water. Although chicks don't need feed or water the first 48 hours after hatching, both are usually provided as soon as the chicks are transferred to the brooder. I use a small dish the first few days for a feeder. Let the chicks scratch around in the feed for the first few days so they get off to a good start on the feed. Chicks are best started on a 20 percent chick starter mash. Remember the better you feed your chicks the healthier they will remain and they will also grow faster. When the chicks are approx 4 weeks old I transfer them outside to an outdoor brooder. Once again this all depends on the weather and time of year.We currently have week old baby chicks for sale, in the following breeds.

Silver Sussex - $10.00 a piece
Welsummers - $5.00 a piece
Golden Laced Wyandottes - $5.00 a piece
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes - $5.00 a piece
Silver Laced Wyandottes - $10.00 a piece
Mottled Javas - $5.00 a piece
Partridge Rocks - $5.00 a piece
Trout or Black Runner ducklings - $10.00 a piece
You can email me at carondesign@yahoo.com to place your order.You can also call at 619-301-4538. We are located in Caldwell County near Lockhart, Texas in the city of Martindale. We are also 25 miles south of Austin.

Bearsy our Pyrenean Mastiff

Bearsy our new pup

We have a new addition to Farmer in the Martindale. He is a Pyrenean Mastiff puppy named Bearsey. Bearsey is an appropriate name since he will weigh over 120 pounds in a year. Sweetest big boy and already has taken to the birds. They are bred to protect their flock from bears and wolves. I have found some information regarding this breed  at the Pyrenean Mastiff website.

 Below is a paragraph from that website.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a large solidly built breed which indicates that size and structure are of great importance. Often there has been confusion between the Pyrenean Mastiff (Mastin del Pirineo) and the Spanish Mastiff (Mastin Espanol). The Spanish Mastiff has a shorter coat, slightly bigger head and a little more skin on the throat. The Pyrenean Mastiff has a longer coat and the base coat color is always white with an obligatory mask around the eyes and on the ears and well defined patches of color on the body. The mastiff has a thick, abundant and coarse coat that is medium long on the body but is slightly longer on the throat and neck. Coat colors most frequently seen are white with markings either golden, any shade of gray, black or badger, sand, red or marbling markings on the sides of the head and ears and the beginning of the neck. Double dew claws on the hind legs are typical but not obligatory in this breed. The double dew claws added support to the mastiffs when ploughing through deep snow much like a "snow shoe" would. In both breeds the head is important, the structure powerful, a wide chest and round ribs.

Barred Rock pullet staring at Bearsy

The Pyrenean Mastiff, is different to the wonderful, Spanish Mastiff in that the Spanish Mastiffs were developed for much less traveling than their cousins. Due to the characteristics of the countryside in the old Kingdom of Aragon the seasonal journeys were much longer and the work routines of the dogs much harder than that of the other breeds.

There are again many who would compare the Pyrenean Mastiff to its French counterpart, the Great Pyrenees or Pyrenean Mountain Dog as it is known in the U.K. Each breed is unique - the Great Pyrenees is more profusely coated and the coat tends to stand out much more from the body and possesses a more graceful head. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a strong and powerful dog of great size. Average height at the withers for males is 32 inches/81 cm and 29 1/2 inches/75 cm for females. Life expectancy is around 12 or more years. The head should be massive, broad and strong, with a wide and deep muzzle. The neck is powerful and surrounded by loose skin and hanging double dewlaps. The face is symmetrical and the eyes are small and dark with the lower eye lid showing when relaxed. The tail is carried low ­ much like a staff - and has a fringe and should have a curl at the tip and although it stands up when active, is never carried over the back. With regard to the feet ­ they will have splayed toes and webbing between. This assisted with movement in the snowy seasons.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a dog of loyal and honest character and an excellent protector of children and family. For those who would dare challenge the temperament of this breed - watch out! Although always friendly and alert the Pyrenean Mastiff has the ability to defend itself and those in its charge should the need arise! It is a very calm dog and has not inherited the "hair - trigger" or stubborn personality of many other guardian breeds. The Pyrenean Mastiff is a dog happy to please his owner and enjoys his owners company. In comparison to the Great Pyrenees ­ they will not consume food sparingly! The Pyrenean as a breed that is playful and not difficult to train. Our breed upon first glance has also often incorrectly been compared to the Saint Bernard ­ with which there actually is not any relationship. It would be considered a fault for the Pyrenean Mastiff to display a Saint Bernard type head or muzzle and the structure of both breeds is completely different.

Rooster Survives Rattlesnake Bite (Warning graphic pics)

Wow, what a lucky cockeral my Black Australorp is. Today I was outside feeding and my dominant Australorp cockeral was pestering the less dominant one which caused him to try and run outside.

Growing up .... Rhode Island Red

This is one of my favorite breeds and is truly an American class hero. Developed in the early part of this century in the state of Rhode Island, they have maintained their reputation as a dual purpose fowl throughout the years.

5 month old RIR cockeral- Reserve American Class Champion

Growing 95 pound watermelons

My son holding our first giant melon

Well the time has come to harvest our first giant watermelon. This is our first year of growing GIANT melons. For fertilizer I used plain old chicken poop and hay mixed in with dirt. I planted the seeds the end of March right into the ground.

Summer Breeze Ice Tea

Blackberry Summer Breeze Iced Tea

The Texas heat can be cruel, but some of the good things about summer include tubing on the river, BBQ with friends, and Iced tea. With the summer garden at its peak, there are plenty of fresh herbs to choose from to make blended iced tea. Some herbs immediately spring to mind: the mints, lemon balm, and lemon ­verbena. There certainly are others, including some of the familiar culinary herbs, that provide cooling refreshment as the temperatures soar. I have grown a small herb garden this year so that I am able to use my own herbs. Blended with your favorite tea and mixed in a blender with ice and fresh fruit makes a delicious treat that is sure to sooth your soul. Don't forget to keep all the poultry cool its going to be a hot one. I have also included a tea for chickens, yes they like tea also.

Freshly Picked Garden Minestrone

Serve with fresh baked cheese bread

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 /2 onion diced
1 scant cup olive oil
pinch of oregano
3 whole fresh diced tomatoes

1 cup diced zucchini

1 cup diced yellow squash

1 whole fresh diced potato

1 can of kidney beans

1 can of tomato soup
1 tsp chicken bouillon soup base
1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt
pinch of pepper
pinch of red pepper flakes

Cajun seasoning
10 ounces Rigatoni
3 tablespoons fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet, saute chopped onions and garlic in olive oil, when browned, stir in tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally. Add 6 cups cold water. Add salt. Stir in diced potatoes, squash, can of tomato soup, and kidney beans. Bring to a boil, then drop in Rigatoni. Cook pasta and squash until done.
When pasta is cooked, remove from the heat. Add basil, and some of the grated cheese. Sprinkle to taste with sea salt, and freshly grated black pepper. Add a light dusting of Cajun seasoning (optional), as you like it. Serve hot with cheese bread.

I picked the squash, potatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, and onion out of my garden today as I was preparing this dish.

Elephant Garlic and Roma Tomatoes

Yellow Squash

Giant Sunflowers and bananas

Small Herb garden growing in sections of plumbing pipe

Snakes on a plane ??????.......I mean Henhouse

Rattle snake ready to strike next to my broody hens

You can see how large he is

Wow today is Easter and we had quite a surprise, a huge rattler curled up next to my 2 broody Silver Laced Wyandotte hens. The one pic is upside down because my son was standing above it when he took it. It shows you how darn big the snake was. What saved my hens was that they did not see it curled up next to them. I have a 17 year son who is not afraid of rattlers. He wants to be a Navy Seal when he gets older. He shot the snake in the head with his high powered pellet gun. I am very grateful to have my son around and especially at times like this. This is the 4th large rattler we have killed this year. I attribute their heavy presence to the drought and because we have water out for the chickens and of course where there's chickens there's mice. Rattlers love mice. I have a healthy respect for rattlers.

Narcissus the Guinea Fowl

This is the funniest story I have written in awhile. It seems that my guinea fowl have discovered their reflections in my Smart Car. These 2 guineas spent the whole day attacking my car. They have literally become obsessed with themselves. My car has little scratches where they have been spurring the guinea guy that they keep seeing. I ran them off several times but they come back immediately and resumed their chaotic frenzy. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on what to do? If so please e-mail me at carondesign@yahoo.com.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I can not be trusted around poultry

Look at that cute face....some folks say its a face only a mother could love?  Well let me be honest, there's absolutely nothing to love about a raccoon once one has attacked your poultry. I recently had a pen full of Coral Blue guineas ravaged by a raccoon. It was absolutely horrifying to see how my birds were killed and one nearly dead when I woke up and found them. The night before that the coon tried to kill my White China goose but the gander alerted me with his stressed out screams. I ran outside to find him fighting off Mr. Rocky with his bites and wing slapping. Raccoons really can be your worst nightmare, because they will slaughter every last bird that is in a pen that they are able to get into. One of the best deterrents is a coon proof pen.This can be accomplished by following these tips.

1.  Never use chicken wire, use strong wire that is used for cattle. (No chicken wire ever, chicken wire is a death sentence for your birds)
2. Do not leave the top of the house or run uncovered, it has to have a roof or a heavy duty wire top.
3. Do not leave small openings or gaps unless they are covered with wire.
4. Always put several locks or latches that are difficult to open. (Raccoons have hands like monkeys and can figure out how to open certain latches)
5. Cover the ground around the outside of the house where they sleep at night (locked in) with wire or metal so that the raccoons can not dig under.
6. Always lock all doors to the house where they sleep right at dusk because raccoons come out at night and sometimes they arrive early.
7. Remember the words "Fort Knox" when you build your coop/hen house.

 After the attack I rushed out a bought three types of traps, the Pied Piper, a hand trap and a regular ole' trap from tractor supply. Results are no raccoon yet. Tomorrow we are making a barrel trap that we made as kids. It worked very well. A barrel trap is simple, inexpensive and considered humane. Any type of barrel or smooth trash can works. Set it next to a picnic table or something else that helps the raccoon to climb up to the edge of the barrel and fill it about one third of the way with water. Place a board over the edge of the picnic table that should end midway over the mouth of the barrel. Set bait on the board, such as sardines or tuna. Do this nearer to nighttime so that other animals will not eat it. The raccoon should walk onto the board to eat the bait and will fall into the barrel. The water in the barrel will weigh the raccoon's fur down, keeping it safely trapped in the barrel proof pen. Another great deterrent is a Livestock Guardian Dog or a LGD. I will be naming the 2 LGD's I just purchased Hansel and Gretal. I recently purchased them from a lady in Holland, Texas. If you need a LGD I will give you her contact information. I will be calling them Chicken Guardian Dogs.

I am a chicken guardian dog

Rhode Island Reds - An American Classic

"I'm just enjoying the view out of my pen"

What can I say, the name speaks for itself, they originated from Rhode Island and were developed by crossing the Red Malay Game, Leghorns and some Asiatics in 1904. There are 2 varieties the Rhode Island Red and the The Rhode Island Whites with 2 different types of combs the rose comb and the single comb. There are also bantam versions of the Rhode Island Reds. This is a dual purpose breed that makes an excellent choice as an egg layer of brown and dark brown eggs or as dinner with their nicely colored yellow skin. Reds can be also seen at poultry shows across the nation and are the subject of breed club chat rooms. I am posting pics of some RIR chicks that I purchased recently from a breeder who has many generations of his red own specific bloodline through the mail from Minnesota. They already possess big chunky breasts and legs, and are richly dark red in plumage.  I was thinking how good they would taste but I think I will show them first, I have some hopes for them. I will also have another bloodline to study in separate pens. I am curious to see the difference between these two bloodlines and will document the outcome. If you are interested in Rhode Island Reds be sure and join their breed club. Enjoy the pics. If you are interested in breeding Rhode Island Reds and showing them I have started a Rhode Island Red Breeders site called Red Barrons.

Wow look at that grasshopper over there, do you see it?

Well he's gone now, I swallowed him with one gulp !!

Javas- Second oldest breed of chicken in America

We are really old

Read about Javas in this months issue of Exhibition Poultry magazine. It is a free publication that may be downloaded off the Exhibition Poultry Magazine website. The article was written by Christine Heinrichs who is a professional journalist who began writing about heritage poultry after her daughter and her acquired their first chickens in the 1980s. She has written regularly for publications such as the Poultry Press, Backyard Poultry Magazine, Exhibition Poultry Magazine and has written her own books, "How to Raise Chickens" and "How to Raise Poultry." She is also a regular guest on Andy Schneider's Chicken Whisperer radio program. Visit Christine on the web at The Official Poultry Bookstore.com blog.

Baby Chicks = love & care

95 qt. Rubbermaid bin

It is important to keep your new baby chicks warm and free from drafts. They will also need to be properly fed and watered, and be protected from predators. A 95 quart Rubbermaid plastic bin can be a satisfactory home for up to 20 newly hatched chicks. The size and shape of the bin is not as important as long as it provides enough space for the chicks and the equipment to feed and water them.  Next I take the lid and cut out the center leaving a 2 inch edge and attach chicken wire with plastic ties.This is to protect the chicks from cats and other predators. The sides of the box provide adequate protection from drafts. Next I place a brooder lamp on top and use a 65 watt light which is adequate if your chicks are kept indoors in a heated room. Make sure that the lamp is attached safely so it won't be a fire hazard. During the 1st week the temperature should remain at 90-95 degrees. As the chicks get older reduce the temp by 5 degrees a week. When the chicks are cold, they bunch up and give off a distressed chirp. When they are too warm they will pant with their mouths open. I use rubber shelf liner the first few days so that the chicks can get a firm grip as they walk. After that I use old newspaper and change it out every day. Make sure the paper does not have a strong ink smell. Be sure to change their water twice a day, or more frequently if necessary to keep the water clean and fresh. Clean the waterer each time you make the change, and refill it with fresh slightly warm water. Although chicks don't need feed or water the first 48 hours after hatching, both are usually provided as soon as the chicks are transferred to the brooder. I use a small dish the first few days for a feeder. Let the chicks scratch around in the feed for the first few days so they get off to a good start on the feed. Chicks are best started on a 20 percent chick starter mash. Remember the better you feed your chicks the healthier they will remain and they will also grow faster. When the chicks are approx 4 weeks old I transfer them outside to an outdoor brooder. Once again this all depends on the weather and time of year.We currently have week old baby chicks for sale, in the following breeds.

Silver Sussex - $10.00 a piece
Welsummers - $6.00 a piece
Golden Laced Wyandottes - $6.00 a piece
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes - $10.00 a piece
Silver Laced Wyandottes - $10.00 a piece
Mottled Javas - $6.00 a piece
Partridge Rocks - $6.00 a piece
Trout or Black Runner ducklings - $10.00 a piece
You can email me at carondesign@yahoo.com to place your order.You can also call at 619-301-4538. We are located in Caldwell County near Lockhart, Texas in the city of Martindale. We are also 25 miles south of Austin.

Outdoor brooder