Congratulations on the new birds. If both your chicks turn out to be males, they will tussle, but only a little. It won't take long for one to establish himself as Boss and the other will; be second in command. They'll more than likely end up patrolling together, the dominant male will breed a hen first, then the second in command. (if he's lucky). Otherwise, #2 will try to woo away a few hens for himself. But they won't be having very many (if any) knockdown, drag out bloody battles once they've established the pecking order. You don't need any roosters to get eggs, but you do need them if you want chicks. You can also run the boys with the girls, it's actually interesting the way the males take care of "their" ladies, watching out for danger, calling them over to eat first when they find a treat. The hens will seek him out and want to hang around him all day. But, if the two males start seriously ganging up on one or two hens, or spend all their time chasing girls and breeding, then you can get rid of one of them. One rooster can easily take care of at least ten hens, but I wouldn't keep more than two roosters per dozen hens because they'll harass the ladies constantly and you'll end up with fewer eggs unless you keep them in separate breeding pens.

Hello and welcome Spider Lily, I haven't been around here much lately, you know with the holidays and all. Just been really busy, so I'm trying to catch up tonight. :) I know exactly where Opp is. I used to live in Andalusia a long time ago. Now I live just north of Montgomery. Hope you enjoy it here. Jan

Fair enough. Soy based inks have VERY VERY VERY LOW levels of VOC's. :) Heck, even wood releases some VOCs as do some trees as they grow (turpenes, for example). Actually, the USDA says none, if you want to believe them. "Using more soy oil in the vehicle means that less pigment (black, blue, red, and yellow) is needed, because the soy oil provides a lighter vehicle," says Erhan. And soy-based printing inks contain no volatile organic compounds." Note this is an OLD article, 1995, so take it for what it's worth. Curious, what makes you think that ALL VOC's are "unsafe"? Here is a link that might be useful: Soy based ink This post was edited by JerilynnC on Sun, Dec 23, 12 at 2:51

LOSING YOUR LIFESTYLE, but GAINING A NEW YOU! All change has some pain if it's going to be successful! You sound like you are on your way! I have learned to eat carrot stick (those small ones) when I want something crunchy instead of chips. Radishes too. Celry too. Celry and peanut butter. After awhile, you don't want the COST (mentally) of chips... I get a huge bag of almonds, lay some out in a brownie pan, freeze the rest, and bake them until done. I have some in a jar at my desk at work RIGHT NOW! No salt, no sugar...plain, baked almonds. I do eat DOVE DARK CHOCOLATE and sometimes I throw in some almonds. DARK Chocolate has good ingredients for you vs. milk chocolate. Sometimes I splurge and make chocolate mousse. It's worth all the sugary candy in the world! It has improved my palate so that I only want the good stuff now. Less costly in the long run, for my budget, and my diet. I EAT VEGGIES with some Velvetta cheese. Yup, I cheat a little, but it get's me eatin' steamed brocolli, caulifower and brussel sprouts. Do you know a handfull of baby carrots will keep angina away!! I eat NO SALT whole tomato's...I eat those first during a meal or have a cup of tomato juice to fill me up a little first. I make raw veggies and blend the Italian season w. olive oil. Somes I add some cooked whole wheat pasta with hot pepper flakes. I eat more apples now. Never liked them, but now I do. They are filling! I still love fudgesicles and try to fine ones with the least sugar. I do have some indulgences. I have to! But I always EAT CERTAIN FOODS FIRST. Before I can have a fudgesickle, I must eat something of protein or some veggie. I love a good hamburger and buy only lean meat. In another email I told you how I eat more fish. For superbowl weekend, I'll probably be watching LIFETIME or something else, but I'll have my good munchies and crunchies. Ooowww, shrimp sounds good! If anything, the next day, you can ask, WHAT DID I DO TO BETTER MY LIFESTYLE OF EATING BETTER...and you feel soooo good! That has kept me going. Knowing that I CAN do this and I can do this with a new attitude about eating. You will be gaining so much! You need to think of all this junk food in they way your heart would look at it.... "potato chips...Oh, MY, all that FAT and empty calories", "Candy bars...gee all that WAX and hydrogenated oils"... "Store bought cookies...sugar, empty calories, and hydrogenated oils".... "Greasy hambuger...oh, please get the LEAN beef next time....you're cloggin' my arteries!" TAKE YOUR HEART WITH YOU IN YOUR HEAD EVERYTIME YOU BUY OR EAT SOMETHING! Ask her, "WHAT do you prefer?" You are on the road to a new and happier life! Good Luck, June Lynn