Just a quick post tonight. It rained off and on most of the morning but dried out enough that I started mowing the Horrible Buttercup infestation this afternoon. Takes a lot more time doing it with a riding lawn mower than the brush hog but I am trying to get all the little yellow flowers. I did notice that there is a good amount of Clover and some actual grass mixed in with the Buttercup so maybe if I keep it mowed the other stuff will take over as it dries out and heats up. Apparently that Buttercup does not do well in hot, dry conditions. Which we will get eventually.
The rain is settling in the new posts nicely so looks like I may be able to finish the crossroads paddock by this weekend, weather permitting. Ya I am trying out different names until one sticks.
And the question plus answer? Well Mrs. PP came and showed me one of the chicken eggs she collected today and it had the spot on the yoke.
Apparently Rocky wasn't getting the job done and simply wanted to just rough up the hens more than anything else. I have also noticed this new rooster gets randy only a fraction of the number of times Rocky used to pretend he was doing anything.
He also doesn't act all upset when some of the hens are off doing their own thing or get pissy about hens hanging out on the porch. The hens have stopped picking on him too so I guess he is winning them over. We will see if his good disposition holds though. It took Rocky almost a year before he started getting mean.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!!
I wish roosters didn't get all mean after a year or two. We always end up having to eat ours for dinner. Every single time.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Ya I am learning that too. It's like they just get jealous or something. I hope this one stays nice or at least afraid of us.
DeleteWe would get buttercups in the spring,they did die off as soon as it warmed up. I haven't seen any since we moved. Hopefully this rooster works out for you
ReplyDeleteJ&M - Does it actually die off or just stop blooming? I can't find a definite answer to that. If it dies off the sheep might be able to keep it from coming back as I read the new shoots are not toxic for a while.
DeleteIt died off. I only ever had a small patch, in the same spot. In the summer, the area dried up, I never watered in that spot. There was only vegetation there in late winter/early spring.
DeleteBantams! They are the answers to all your issues, PP! One rooster and three or four hens will keep The Smallhold out of the clutches of the hatcheries!
ReplyDeleteBantam roosters are too small to idly harass the bigger hens. Sure, they can win a pitched fight, but won't abuse the hens for idle amusement. The hens are excellent mothers that will even squabble among themselves to raise the chicks. At least, that was my experience with them. YMMV.
GF - But then wouldn't I have little bantam chicks or half anyway if a hen goes broody?
DeleteYou would have a much hardier and healthy cross breed...but it would come at the cost of egg production. It would only make sense in a SHTF situation or if you were a poultry hobbyist.
DeleteCongrats on the spot in the yolk, I hope this fella works out Ok for you
ReplyDeleteDM - Now if a hen would just go broody :)
DeleteQuiet and sneaky?
ReplyDeleteAs to the buttercup...Maybe dry conditions and mowing will do it...the shock of short cutting and then no moisture to recover.
Fiona - I am hoping. Of course we have at least another month of the traditional rainy season to go yet.
DeleteMaybe he can keep his little mind on the hens and stay out of trouble. We have a rooster that was hatched here and so far he hasn't caused problems, something just seems to set them off though even after years of good behavior.
ReplyDeleteSf - Ya that's what I hear. Ya just never know when or if they are going to go bad.
DeletePP,
ReplyDeleteSounds like your new rooster knows what he needs to do in order to earn his keep on the farm :-)
Clover is going to be the death of me!!!