Chicken coops on leach fields

How do you feel about chicken coops and yards on leach fields? Secondly, are you familiar with specific hardy egg layers that do well in the desert heat? I think I had some from a neighbor during the Y2K scare that were Egyptian something or other that were hardy and self-sufficient in harsh desert climates, but I can’t seem to find info on such a breed.

Pamalyn Peterson
Nelson, Nevada

Chickens can free range on a leach field, but you shouldn’t build a chicken coop or yard on one, as it does compact the soil a lot. I’ve tilled several chicken yards and it takes a while to fluff up the soil. You wouldn’t think a flock of chickens roaming on a leach field would compact the soil (they have such little feet). But it does.

I think the chickens you are referring to are Egyptian Fayoumis. They are a medium-sized bird that is very active and hardy. Murray McMurray Hatchery has them, as well as many other breeds. I’ve had luck with White Rocks and Silver Spangled Hamburgs in New Mexico, although we were on the high plains, not in the desert. But it did get hot there! — Jackie

Rust on jar lids

I use glass gallon jars to store dry goods, rice, beans, noodles and the such. Some of my lids are showing signs of wear and rust from use. I have been unable to find replacement lids and wonder if you have any suggestions. I don’t want to throw away my jars.

Alecia
Washington CH, Ohio

Light surface rust won’t hurt a thing. If it gets too cruddy, use steel wool and scrub the lids. I don’t have a source of replacement lids, either. Do any readers have a source? — Jackie

6 COMMENTS

  1. We live in central Texas, and our summers are brutal. We are having 100 degrees or more every day, and only getting to the eighties at night. We have Black Australorpes, Red Sexlinks, Americaunas, Barred Rocks, and Buff Minorcas. They are doing fine in the heat, and they are still laying.

  3. Rust on jar lids: Try CLR multi-purpose kitchen and bath cleaner to remove the rust, or naval jelly. If waxed paper works wouldn’t rubbing the threads with a bar of canning or sealing wax do the same thing? I would think bees’ wax would attract moisture and make the problem worse.

  4. I agree with Betty. That is what my grandmother taught me to use. She used it even if the lid as still okay. It was another layer to keep the moisture out.

  5. I don’t have a source for replacement lids, but my mom just put waxed paper between the jar and the lid. Seems like plastic wrap would do just the same.

  6. I get my Gallon Jar lids from Azure Standard (online).
    They cost $2.50 for 4 lids. There are two different styles of jars thou and Azure only sells one of the styles. The one they sell is the one with the least threads.

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