1

Land Management / Re: Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by Rosemary on July 04, 2025, 07:34:05 am »

I support both Sally and Fleecewife. We had a huge thistle problem, started topping just before they set seed, when they've expended most energy and we have ahrdly any now. I did buy spray but it's in the shed.

2

Marketplace / Re: cornish mozzarella courses

« Last post by waterbuffalofarmer on July 03, 2025, 10:38:09 pm »

heya! Sorry for the very late reply, haha. Yea,h I do have a link you could post and share if you'd like I posted on various groups on Facebook, haha!
https://duncan-aitkenhead-s-school.teachable.com/p/making-mozzarella1

3

Land Management / Re: Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by Fleecewife on July 03, 2025, 07:49:26 pm »

Which kind of thistles are they?  Spear thistles or creeping thistle?  Spear thistles need to be dug out by hand or sliced below ground just before the flower is about to open in June or July, creeping thistle is dealt with by frequent mowing.  So much safer than using poisons, which I can't advise about.

4

Land Management / Re: Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by SallyintNorth on July 03, 2025, 07:31:37 pm »

I can't help you with chemicals, sorry, but just in case it's useful to you or to other readers...

Top them in July, every year.  (You want them in flower but not yet gone to seed.  "July" usually works!)  You won't recognise the field within a couple of years.

Untreated cut thistles are highly palatable to livestock, or if you flail them all the nutrients will feed the ground for future years.

5

Land Management / Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by DorsetDear on July 03, 2025, 10:32:37 am »

Our hay field is slowly becoming a thistle field and other small paddocks thistles are competing with grass. We need to spray them. My partner would like to do it safely with a knap sack. What courses does he need to do? Is it PA1? I think I've found someone that provides the course online. Has anyone done it?

6

Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: Hatching goose eggs

« Last post by Richmond on July 03, 2025, 08:17:37 am »

As Chris says I'm sure they will be fine. If you've hatched ducks before they are not much different. Feed a dedicated waterfowl starter pellet (crumb is too fine and gets stuck under their tongue) for the right protein balance. Too much protein at critical bone growth stages causes angel wing. Get them out on short grass as early as possible during the day time to encourage grazing. I also feed chopped up dandelions which they love. They won't need any heat after 2 - 3 weeks, possibly even earlier if the hot weather continues.

7

Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: Hatching goose eggs

« Last post by Faye.Lear on July 02, 2025, 08:02:39 pm »

Luckily the power was only off for a few hours so will continue as normal to lockdown tomorrow and hope hatching commences over the coming week 

8

Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: Hatching goose eggs

« Last post by chrismahon on July 02, 2025, 03:08:28 pm »

How long is the power cut for? What is the temperature in the room? Usually they would be OK for a few hours, but I have no idea how long if they are in the process of hatching. Perhaps sort out a backup power supply in the coming week?

9

Poultry & Waterfowl / Hatching goose eggs

« Last post by Faye.Lear on July 01, 2025, 03:43:54 pm »

Help!

I am supposed to be locking down the goose eggs for hatching on Thursday. (Day 28) But there is now a very last minute planned powercut on Wednesday. (Will they be ok?!)

Also, they look to be later in their development than I hoped when candling on Sunday 29th. Temperature has been 37.5 - 37.7. And humidity kept between 50-55%

I have a Brinsea Octagon 40 with a humidity pump which I calibrated at set up if this is helpful at all.

I have hatched hens and ducks before but this is my first time hatching goslings so any advice is welcome.

10

Announcements / New diary post: Birthdays / Champagne / Newburgh

« Last post by TAS Bot on June 30, 2025, 08:52:15 am »

A new TAS diary entry has been posted: Birthdays / Champagne / Newburgh