Today's the day...moving this on down.

Here's something you can try, Herringboned 28. Take one of the accepted babies and hold it gently until it screams bloody murder. Momma hen gets anxious and then almost frantic. Then put the late-hatcher and the screaming baby in with the mother at the same time. In my experience, momma is so intent on the screamer being returned to her that she never even notices that she is getting two for one. And once it's in there... well, hens can't count. This trick is easier where larger numbers of chicks with mom. In this case, with only two accepted chicks, it might work best if you kidnap both of them. If you wear something with loose sleeves you can tuck the third chick up your sleeve so that it is less obvious to the hen what you are up to. It should be easy to release it with the one you are holding in that hand. I take no credit for this method. Someone's kid thought it up and his mother posted it on one of the forums a long time ago. I thought it was cute and clever -- and so I remembered it when I needed it last summer. Worked like a charm... and the advantage over sneaking it under at night is you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn to make sure mom isn't pecking on it. You can just hang around for a bit at a civilized hour of the day. Towards evening might be the best time... that way they will soon sleep and the little chick will have time on its side to get used to life under a momma hen.

An excess of honey anywhere never is an indication of a weak hive, but they will store the honey as close to the center of activity as possible. If they choose to put honey in the middle of the second super, it indicates no need for the space for brood, and a hive that has gone through the summer only needing one deep for brood is not a strong hive. If a queen has not moved up into the second deep super and laid more than a few eggs, then one can assume that she has filled the bottom one no more than one and a half times. I am assuming 10 frame deeps here. She starts in the middle of the bottom one (presumably, either from introduction or after bottom supering), lays about 8 frames of brood, then she should move up. These 8 frames should be filled in 6-8 wks. of a good spring. Around here, this means early June at the latest. So she has had most of June and all of July to work (she sort of lays off laying in Aug) and she didn't put any whole frame of brood into the second super? That is very different from what I was used to. I guess if all they need is 40 lbs then they'll make it, can't argue with what I don't know. Pollen is very different from brood. Pollen cells are not usually capped and can be from almost white, to frequently, orange, yellow or brown. Not much chance to mistake one for the other.

Hi there- I am happy that those of you who have received your return envelopes have found some treasures enclosed! We who selected seeds for the traders in this swap- either before the envelopes were mailed in- or here in MN, did our best to ensure that! This swap was a group effort! Every one of us did a great job! We still have 11 participants who have not reported receiving their packages- remember- I do have confirmation slips if we run into trouble- you know how to contact me for that information if needed. 2 of those 11 (Tammy MN and Sandys Garden) are MN folks who I will be getting together with to go though my seeds boxes to fill up their seed packets sent in and then some! That is a great way for us to "garden" in MN this time of year! Not to mention- looking through and sharing each others seed boxes is just plain fun and highly recommended! Barb- tell you daughter to visit the MN Gardening Forum!!! There are so many great folks (and gardens) in MPLS and the surrounding areas. I think we have a great garden community there. Oh Lisa- I hear you loud and clear about the hubby factor! Mine is constantly exasporated- and yet, still continuously supportive- and extremly handy with building cold frames from recycled building supplies- lighted shelves in the basment- and a great addition of 2 plastic coated steel wire shelves the length of the garage, which a clear plastic "curtain" can be rolled down to protect seedlings from the elements! I secretly think he is pleased that it costs so little to keep me so fully entertained! Till later then- Holiday activities beckon...... Julie