6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in

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FEATHERED FRIENDS | Breeding tips Choose the best eggs Medium-sized, strong-shelled, ovate-shaped eggs are the ones to set. Egg shape is heritable, so pull out elongated or round eggs as well as double-yolkers as they rarely hatch. Reject extreme-sized ones as extra-large eggs have poor hatchability, while small eggs may hatch a couple of days early and cause havoc for hen and owner. Of course, if you are colour-conscious, you may want to select for the brownest or bluest shells, but the importance of size and shape should not be overlooked. How many to put under your hen? The rule is that she should be able to cover all eggs — there should be no signs of eggs peeping out under her breast or flanks. Hens turn the eggs frequently, rolling them around so the outer eggs take a turn in the centre and vice versa. If eggs are observable, it’s likely the outer portion will chill and that over 24 hours, all eggs will be exposed to cool air. This is deleterious to a good hatch. Broody care Setting hens need to eat and drink and if they don’t leave the nest may defecate over the eggs. It’s important to check that these needs are being managed. Leave food and water nearby in case the hen prefers small snacks regularly. If food is untouched, you will need to gently lift the hen off the nest, checking that no eggs are caught under her wings, and then firmly (but not roughly) drop her on the ground and stand aside. The dropping movement stimulates a large, smelly poo that has been saved up for days. Broodies appreciate a puddle or wet area — their feet must get very hot as they will stand in the mud/water for some time. They also appreciate a dust bath if this can be arranged in the pen. How long is permissible off the eggs? Some hens gulp their food and return immediately, while others may stay off the nest for 20–25 minutes. Forty-five minutes is too long and henny needs guiding back. Family care Eggs can hatch from day 19 onwards and, if you listen, you can hear the chicks cheeping in the eggs and henny chirping and urging them on. Most eggs will hatch on day 21; any still unhatched by 23 days should be composted. Little chicks drown easily, so ensure their water is in a shallow container with a few large stones. Chick starter provides a balanced ration, although many people boil and mash eggs mixed with diced parsley for a good start. Keep the family enclosed for at least three weeks, by which time chicks are strong and smart enough to avoid predatory birds. A final word on ectoparasites. These pests multiply rapidly on a setting hen, so it’s essential to dust the hen and nest once during setting and on day 17 or 18. Chicks quickly succumb to these irritating or blood-sucking critters. Mother hen will soon demonstrate dust bathing to her brood, reducing infestation, but always keep an eye on them. Happy hatching and brooding. You can be certain your broody hen will choose an inappropriate site to sit. The communal nest box is unsuitable. Choose eggs to be hatched by shape, size and, if it matters to you, colour 74 | Good Organic Gardening
Breeding tips | FEATHERED FRIENDS Just hatched! Welcome to the world Keep them and Mum safely enclosed for three weeks Eggs are simply the best. We give them the best certifi ed organic grain – no meat-meal (unlike others). We value the welfare of our feathered friends; that’s why we give them an idyllic habitat with plenty of space to roam, lots of deep mulch to scratch through, shady trees and lush pasture so our eggs are nutrient dense and rich in omega 3’s. We run no more than 600 hens per hectare. Our hens are always occupied so we don’t have to debeak. Happy hens lay sensational eggs. For stockists and more details, go to our website: www.organigrow.com.au Good Organic Gardening | 75
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grow naturally, eat fresh, live sus
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CONTENTS 18 16 Contents 8 Editor’
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grow naturally, eat fresh, live sus
Page 11 and 12:
News | THE GRAPEVINE small changes
Page 13 and 14:
With melissa king | THE SEASONAL GA
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CLEVER CROP | Gourd Oh my gourd Her
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PLANT PROFILE | Capsicum CanStockPh
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PLANT PROFILE | Capsicum — but so
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POWER PLANT | Rosemary wine o’clo
Page 24 and 25: FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | Zucchini Top per
Page 26 and 27: FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | Zucchini fruit t
Page 28 and 29: GARDENING FOLK | Ann & Steve Robert
Page 30 and 31: GARDENING FOLK | Ann & Steve Robert
Page 32 and 33: GARDENING FOLK | Sean Morrow wildli
Page 34 and 35: GARDENING FOLK | Sean Morrow which
Page 36 and 37: GARDENING FOLK | Frank & Anita Vell
Page 38 and 39: GARDENING FOLK | Frank & Anita Vell
Page 40 and 41: TIME TO PLANT | Celery - in the - v
Page 42 and 43: TIME TO PLANT | Parsley Words Jenni
Page 44 and 45: TIME TO PLANT | Scarlet runner bean
Page 46 and 47: TIME TO PLANT | Taro - in the - veg
Page 48 and 49: TIME TO PLANT | Honeydew melon - in
Page 50 and 51: WEEKEND GARDENING | Water wisdom WA
Page 52 and 53: WEEKEND GARDENING | Water wisdom I
Page 54 and 55: WEEKEND GARDENING | Summer shade TH
Page 56 and 57: WEEKEND GARDENING | Summer shade Su
Page 58 and 59: PEST PATROL | Beneficial insects We
Page 60 and 61: PEST PATROL | Beneficial insects Ea
Page 62 and 63: GARDENING COMMUNITY | future feeder
Page 64 and 65: GARDENING COMMUNITY | Future Feeder
Page 66 and 67: ONLINE GARDENING | The Gardenettes
Page 68 and 69: THE SHED | Build a frog pond POND L
Page 70 and 71: THE SHED | Build a frog pond 5 Cutt
Page 72 and 73: FEATHERED FRIENDS | Breeding tips B
Page 76 and 77: SHORT SHOOTS | Earthy ideas 10 Top
Page 78 and 79: GARDEN CALENDAR | Late spring Thing
Page 81 and 82: GARDEN CALENDAR | Early summer Thin
Page 83 and 84: GARDEN TO TABLE | Seasonal edibles
Page 85 and 86: COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Basil
Page 87 and 88: COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Capsi
Page 89 and 90: COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Baby
Page 91 and 92: COOKING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Straw
Page 93 and 94: PRESERVING WITH JOANNA RUSHTON | Ch
Page 95 and 96: PICK OF THE CROP Are weeds taking o
Page 97 and 98: HLD_OFC_FINAL.indd 3 SPRING INTO 20
Page 99 and 100: Australians all let us rejoice THE
Page 101 and 102: Spring is here. Let us look after y
Page 103 and 104: ooks | REVIEWS Cover to cover Leafi
Page 105 and 106: Directory HUNTER DISTILLERY is a ce
Page 107: Directory Buy online at ... Austral
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6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in

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