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Post by chooky on Sept 10, 2014 9:08:16 GMT 8
My friend suggested that cockerels hatch from eggs laid by roosters!! We are in trouble if people like these decide to farm. We'll all starve.
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Post by chooky on Sept 10, 2014 9:10:06 GMT 8
Who is Martin Strapper? What did he talked about?
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Post by cannakid on Sept 10, 2014 20:05:04 GMT 8
He is a scientist from overseas and has been in Australia for a few years , he is a specialist dry land wheat Researcher . Was talking about biological farming and how to transition. Yes some people have weird precepts about things. There are a few with bad hatches about but some good ones too.
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Post by chooky on Sept 10, 2014 21:22:39 GMT 8
I tried to google search him but couldn't find anything. He was talking about growing wheat in the dry?
I am hoping for a good hatch rate. Got the IG eggs today and picking up some light sussex eggs tomorrow. I think this will be my last batch for the year. Otherwise, I will have issues with housing them.
The IG cross chicks I hatched 4/5 weeks ago are a bit slow growing. They eat heaps but not putting on much size and not feathering up as quickly as I expected either.
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Post by cannakid on Sept 11, 2014 19:54:02 GMT 8
Have you got them on turkey starter? They need more protein being a game breed. I made a typo with spelling dam auto correct on the I pad. Dr Maarten Stapper is his name .
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Post by chooky on Sept 11, 2014 20:26:10 GMT 8
Maarten Stapper, the bio agriculture specialist. Isn't that what you are doing on your farm? I have seen the results of similar methods on a residential garden. It worked wonders. The material used was a sort of garden tea made from soaking various types of manures, some straw and grain. The plants goes crazy a few days after application. Very effective.
At the moment the chicks are in a tractor of sorts. I move it around the garden. So they get fresh grass and bugs, etc. They eat more of that than the starter feed. May be that is why they are growing a bit slower. That should mean better flavour I hope in 6 months time.
Got the light sussex eggs this afternoon. Looking forward to the hatch in 3 weeks time.
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Post by cannakid on Sept 12, 2014 16:43:23 GMT 8
Yes it was good to hear him in person and to meet like minded farmers to talk to, I learnt a few things so might get better results now but there is always the odd mistake that we all make and learn from. they lay a smallish egg for the size of the hens but they soon grow hope you have a good hatch . I am going to get some eggs from my friend that I hatched the andalusians for last year that will be my last hatch for this year. I have mostly marans hatched this year and a high % females
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Breeding
Sept 12, 2014 18:35:01 GMT 8
via mobile
Post by chooky on Sept 12, 2014 18:35:01 GMT 8
Are you going to brew the microbes for the farm? I understand the concepts of using microbes, etc but how much can they add to the grounds water retention. That seems to be the problem here in WA. I kept the sheep in a small area for about 3 weeks about a month ago. Now the same area has thick knee high grass. Very encouraging. Now I am moving them weekly. Hopefully it will show the same results.
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Breeding
Sept 12, 2014 18:37:07 GMT 8
via mobile
Post by chooky on Sept 12, 2014 18:37:07 GMT 8
The last 2 batches, I got mostly cockerels.
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Post by cannakid on Sept 12, 2014 19:17:07 GMT 8
I am still working on brewing them right , I have got a microscope to look at them but don't have the variety yet needed. Did the rotation help reduce the onion weed ? The higher you get the organic carbon level up the less those weeds will occur same with barley grass. I had lots of roosters last year.
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Post by chooky on Sept 12, 2014 19:42:54 GMT 8
I think it is too early to tell with the weeds. The sheep do trample a lot of the weeds. The patch with the good grass growth, the grass is choking the weeds. So hopefully the weeds will eventually disappear. I think cattle do a much better job with bigger feet and stronger manure.
Have you noticed major improvements on areas you sprayed the microbes on?
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Post by cannakid on Sept 12, 2014 20:17:49 GMT 8
Only in the garden where it's had extra watering , it take at least three years to notice in dry land farming . But I did try using some molasses out this year got it a bit late but the pasture has come green again with the last rain most of the other hasn't
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Post by chooky on Sept 12, 2014 20:36:14 GMT 8
The molasses must have triggered some microbe growth. You should try mob grazing as well. I'll let you know how I go come summer. I am hoping that it will prolong the period of green pasture. If it works I will be a happy man.
Seeing the result of a mobile tractor for the chicks at home on the lawn, I am trying to formulate a way to do the same thing in York.
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Post by cannakid on Sept 13, 2014 5:53:41 GMT 8
Apparently in a couple of years you will be able to put on collars and control where they graze with your computer .
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Post by chooky on Sept 13, 2014 9:43:57 GMT 8
Would that be practical? Putting collars on a thousand sheep in your case is not cheap and requires additional work. I am quite happy with electric wires. They work well for now.
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