Michael Yates

Brett,
The question of the Strawberry/Cabbage connection is one of soil pH. Brassicas prefer alkaline soil and strawberries like soil more acid. either one or the other will thrive depending on the pH. a good happy medium of 6.5-7.0 will be a middle ground for both to do well but neither will be exceptional.

Thanks John and Kris.
A few of the mushrooms have popped up before, but nothing like this year. I am covered up with all shapes, sizes and colors. From what I have read having these are a good thing as far as soil goes. I was just a little worried for the chickens. Thanks for your replies.
Mike

Is there any harm in chickens eating mushrooms? My small orchard is filled with mushrooms in the wood chip mulch after the recent rains. The chickens are free range and spend a lot of time there in the chips. I have not seen them eat any of the many types of growing mushrooms , but am concerned with poisoning if they do.
Any thoughts?
Mike

Ann, Jay and Alder,

Thanks for the replies. If babies are still going to setting goose this afternoon, I think I will pen the family until the other eggs hatch.

Jay,
I do not know if they are related. I purchased them from a gentlemen who had suffered a stroke and was unable to care for his flock. His wife did tell me they came from Ideal hatchery three years ago. so I suppose they could be siblings.

Thanks,
Mike

I have two mated pairs of American Buff geese. One goose built her nest and began laying, followed about three weeks later by the second one.. I pulled the first few eggs and allowed each of them to go broody as they filled their nests. The ganders were very diligent in guarding the broody geese. Everything was going perfectly I was so happy with these geese. One goose went broody two weeks before the other.
Two days ago six healthy goslings emerged and one happy family seemed to be doing great. Then, yesterday I could find no goslings. Mom and Dad were there as usual, but no babies. I searched and found nothing. I was thinking hawk, owl as I found no sign of struggle. Then I went to check the second broody goose and she was sitting with her wings in a odd position. There were all six of the goslings. I eased past the gander watchdog and recovered the six and placed them back with their mother/father. They seemed contented the rest of the day.
This morning all six were back with the broody goose. Has anyone had this happen to them? Every player in this scenario seems content (except myself). I am afraid if I allow the goslings to take up residence with the foster mom she will leave her eggs thinking this is her babies.
I really would like to keep them free range and not pen them, but that may be the only solution. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Mike

Gilbert,
Check out the book "The Ideal Soil" by Michael Astera. It contains excellent info on balancing soils. website SoilMinerals.com is good place to start. Logical no nonsense info to help correct imbalances.

Judith & Victor
Thanks for the responses. WOW, I was on the same wavelenght as Sepp! There may be hope for me yet.

John,
I'm a newbie to fungi but ordered some plugs and got my first logs going last week. I did not have wax to plug the holes, so I improvised with some wooden 5/16 poplar dowel rods. I just cut into small pieces with pruners and tapped in with a hammer. Don't know if this is acceptable or not. Every how-to source says wax or styrofoam plugs. If anyone on the forum knows if the wooden dowels won't work please post and I can drill them out and get some wax.