Candace Williams

Another way to set a hen is to move her to your brooding spot and put one egg under her initially, then if she settles on it and continues to brood, in a day or so you add 12 or 10 or whatever you want her to set on.
Also it is good to make the nest area fairly dark. And allowing the hen to get off the nest, even taking her off once a day to eat, drink and poop is vital. It's OK not to for a couple of days but after that she will poo on her nest and ruin the eggs by so doing. I learned this the hard way!
Also it does seem to help if you can give a broody hen and new mom a place away from the rest of the flock for a while. I kept mine separated till the chicks were teenagers then put the whole group back in with the flock at night.

Love the idea that the thing that limits me is not pursuing my imagination.

The first thing I notice is excessive spacing throughout. I"d tighten every place where there is more than a line or maybe two between blocks of type and or illustrations.

Next I would edit the words. Cutting down the length of sentences. Making text more concise makes it much more readable.

I like this thread! It's filled with ideas, problems and solutions. Hubby and I are looking at options for our homestead. Thanks to all who contributed!

This moss art makes me think of Scotland where I oozed and ahhed along with hubby over the moss covered rocks that were everywhere.

Salad at my house may include, greens, nuts,seeds,flowers, herbs, cheese, raw veggies, onions, garlic ,olives and fruit in any ratio depending on availability and what suits me at the time.
Sometimes boiled eggs, and meat. So dressings can be a dollop of an oil and vinegar or of mayonaise.
 Also when faced with a group I often opt for a large bowl of greens and smaller bowls of things which can be added. Folks love making their own choices.
 When the salad is beautiful it doesn't need much to dress it up. Most dressings are full of ingredients because the salads folks are dressing are iceberg lettuce a slice of onion and wedge of tomatoes with very little flavor.

Sounds like it would be good, better and maybe even excellent to offer,"Paul's choice" whenever there is an opportunity to do so. Since it's helping you and helped one other person, let the option help others who are willing to give it a try!!
It seems logical that it also could help you to not be isolated by needing to watch others eat and then go away and eat separately. That separation could be kind of lonely and also kind of impractical. Eating with others can perk your spirits. Try it!! I say!!

Yes, do give a dish of dirt from outside and sand can work as a grit source. They need this until you begin to put them outside. Another great thing to have on hand is kelp. Kelp is great to give when birds show signs of stress. I've seen dirt,sand and kelp pull chicks and chickens out of a downward spiral on a number of occasions over many years of raising birds. Sounds like you are having a nice adventure. Hooray for you!!

I hear you , Paul, saying that you don't want on need folks to steer you. Instead you want support as you continue to go the direction you have chosen. That it's working well but could be better if you can have more people walk side by side with you. And that argumentative powerful buzzards don't help you fight through this tough stuff right now. Of course, you don't have the extra time and energy to deal with the distractions and distress those kinds provide.
I am clapping and cheering! You are explaining well what you need and want. Although I can't come their. I'm praying just the right folks hear your description and respond. That they may not only support you in your struggle but build a net for others to keep each other on the road to health.
So glad that even in this rather dark time you are thinking of how you can help others who are or will have similar struggles. Holding you up often through the day and night of this affliction as you share the hope that you have.