APRIL
Here we are – it is the 4th Month in 2024 already !
March came in like a Lamb and went out like a Lamb into April. Maybe Spring is here !
POTATOES & ONIONS
The Potatoes and Onions have arrived.
Customers that had ordered 50 lb bags in February have been notified to come and pick them up.
There are smaller quantities available in the store for the smaller gardens.
- Choices - Kennebec, Red Chieftain and Canada Gold .
(Yukon Gold is not available this year but Canada Gold is a very similar choice.)
- Onions: Yellow Sets (Dutch Sets), Spanish and Red Sets
Other Garden Products
- Peas, Yellow Beans and Green Beans are available now in 250 gram packages
- Sweet Corn – Bodacious, Peaches & Cream, Bilicious and Big Jim III are in stock as well.in 250 gram
- Do not forget the Seed rack. It has lots of seed descriptions to pick from.
Products to Help with Spring Jobs
Come in and check out:
Hoes, rakes, shovels
Wheel Barrows
Water hoses
Fencing to keep unwanted animals out of the gardens
Brooms
Clothing
Polyester-Cotton:
Long-Sleeved Coveralls Navy or Tan
(Regular, Tall and Short Sizing)
Short-Sleeved Coveralls Navy or Tan
(Regular, Tall and Short Sizing)
CHICK DAYS Continue
Order RTL Early
Order Day-Olds by RTL by Delivery
March 18 N/A April 23
April 8 N/A May 14
April 29 N/A June 4
May 21 May 13 June 25 RTL delivered
June 24 N/A July 30
July 29 July 25 Sept 4 RTL delivered
- Bonnie Heavy Reds are not available again in 2024
- White Rock are sold only as MIX – (not sorted)
- Plymouth Barred Rock (Not available for 2024)
- Muscovy Ducks sold as Mixed (Male/Female)
(Ducks delivered April 23 until June 25)
- Remaining dates for Ready-to-Lay delivery are:
June 25 and Sept 4. Order Early, RTL sell quickly.
NOTE: We know the schedule says “Order Day Old” on a date shown. You can order early for any Delivery Date you prefer. The Order by Date is when the incubators are starting to set for the next order.
Example: Order by Date: June 24 - Delivery is July 30. The order could have been given to me any date before June 24 for the birds to arrive July 30.
The Hatchery registers the orders in their computors for each particular Delivery Date.
RTL they say to order by May 13 to receive delivery on June 25.
The other delivery date is : Sept 4 - Order by July 25.
As mentioned before, order RTL early as the availability can go quickly.
When they are gone, it is too late.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
We encourage ALL Small Flock growers to practice strict bio-security protocols around their birds.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect the pens before the birds arrive.
- Containers for transporting RTL Pullets should be thoroughly washed and disinfected before the customer receives their new pullets.
- Consideration should be given to changing footwear upon entering a chicken pen. Visitors are best not to enter the pens to prevent viruses from entering.
- Protect birds from co-mingling with wild birds on the premise. It is best to keep them inside a building or within a protected area away from other birds and bird droppings.
Chick ‘N Swell
McBrayne Feed began carrying Chick ‘n Swell Products during the last two years and we have received positive results. With the Chicken season beginning, it is a good time to try their products.
- Made in Canada (Canadian based Company in Quebec
- 100% Natural
- Health Product Approved & Registered by Health Canada.
- Just recently they have been approved for the U.S. market.
Interesting articles on the internet are shown below:
www.chicknswell.ca products
In stock, we have ‘Chick ‘n Swell’
Breath, Gut, Egg and Refresh
Also, we have Chick ‘n Swell 300 gram Packages of:
Electrolyte, Vitamins + and Prebiotic.
Lawn Care
Spring is the time to repair and clean-up your lawn. It’s a prime time to build your base. A better base offers healthier grass and less chance of weeds to seed and succeed with their growing annoyance.
- Rake your lawn to de-thatch.
- Get rid of garbage such as twigs, papers and matted dead growth.
Purpose of De-thatching
- Disturbs the soil. Turns over old growth.
- Breaks up thatch layer and opens-up bare soil areas.
- When you have the base of your lawn ready, think about re-seeding bare spots with lawn seed.
- If the bare spots are minimal, fertilizers will promote growth of existing grass.
GRASS SEED
Premium
Over-Seed
Sun & Shade
Fertilizer for Lawns & Gardens
10-10-10 21-6-12 6-24-24 16-16-16
(Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash)
According to an Agronomist: – “It is best to use a higher phosphorus and potash in the Fall or Early Spring because it helps to strengthen the roots. Grubs do not like tough roots.
Keep the Nitrogen low and the grass will grow slower which is good to prevent a lot of top growth before you finish raking up stones, leaves, small sticks. Fertilizer – 6-24-24
High Nitrogen causes the roots to work harder to grow the top growth and in turn, it eventually softens the roots.
A favourite fertilizer for lawns by customers later in the Spring or Early Summer Fertilizer - is 21-6-12 (Slow release Urea).
FORAGES
Alfalfa #1 5kg or 25kg
Alfalfa 70/Timothy 30 Coated 25 kg
Timothy Common #1 5 kg or 25 kg
Double Cut Red Clover 5 kg or 25 kg
White Clover 5 kg or 25 kg
Permanent Pasture Mix 8 kg or 25 kg
Horse Pasture Mix 8 kg or 25 kg
Sheep & Goat Pasture Mix 25 kg
If you have other mixtures you would prefer for planting, please contact us and we can arrange to have it delivered. During the Spring, Speare Seeds is in the area about every 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the demand.
“APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS”
With Spring in the air, there is a chance you will need a rainsuit. We have two types that contain both the jacket and overalls.
Green Colour – are a sturdier poly/fabric and offers a stronger protection for a longer period but they are more money.
Yellow colour – is less expensive but the texture to withstand a lot of wear is less. Ideal for the occasional wet days Or short employment such as corn detasselling.
Black Hawk Boots – replaced the red-soled boots made by Baffin. Our understanding is they are a fully moulded boot with no seams.
Gel Fil Boots by Baffin – is a popular boot for retail.
On the Lighter Side (taken from the internet)
What rock group has four men that don’t sing?
Mount Rushmore.
Did you hear the rumour about butter?
Well I’m not going to spread it!
A cheese factory exploded in France.
Da brie is everywhere!
How does Moses make his coffee?
Hebrews it.
I’m starting a new dating service in Prague.
It’s called Czech-Mate.
I found a wooden shoe in my toilet today.
It was clogged.
How do you tell the difference between a bull and a dairy cow? It is either one or the utter.
Why do trees seem suspicious on sunny days?
They just seem a little shady!
HAVE A GREAT DAY !