Recent content by MeepBeep

In regards to X-mas lights and rope lights they can work, but they might not be optimal in all cases, especially in larger coops... The threshold for photo-stimulation in chickens is about 0.15 foot candles, but maximum egg production is not achieved until about 0.5 - 1.0 foot candles or...

Red wave length light has the best ability to penetrate the feathers, skin and skull and stimulate the chickens light sensitive glands, but that doesn't equate to red light being best as the glands react to other wavelengths as well... From the one study I read 'warm white' light (2700K -...

There is a 'Subscribe' button under the title at the top of each thread...

We have already had overnight frost in Northern IL...

They should be mounted several inches below eye level, so that the bird is pecking downward when they use them like they are drinking from open water or a bowl... Unlike vertical nipples where you want the bird to peck upwards to use them you want the opposite with horizontal nipples, the bird...

Yep, tis' season the season, I just had to take care of a possum that attempted to breach the coop through the dog door that accesses another sectioned off part of the same building, the dog caught it in the act and drove it up the tree next to the building, I did the rest... I like the dog...

As said it takes more than a few days to see any changes, more like weeks and any more than about 30 minutes of increase in light a 24 hour period can stress the birds out and have a negative effect, ideally you should really ramp up their supplemental light slowly in 30 minute increments each...

I know the source is not the best, but it's actually a pretty good overview... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_book To me the are simply well written literature that goes well beyond the surface of story and actually create and tell a much bigger story beyond the text... I know...

A lot of people spell it out, as it stops it from being automatically 'hidden' by Craigslist and also makes it harder for automated phone number harvesting bots to grab... People do the same with email addresses, but spelling out 'at' and 'dot'

Be aware that these sound systems effectiveness diminishes with use as the animals become accustomed to it, kind of like people that live next to train tracks or near airports tune out the noise that would drive many others crazy... I have never had an issue like that, and this is not all that...

Yep, I agree and it irks me to no end when people list a 'free' pet on Craigslist with a $100 or whatever re-homing fee, what part of free involves payment in these peoples minds? Also, I believe a lot of these people really need to accept that once you sell or give something away like a pet or...

After cleaning with a hose and or power sprayer, set it on the driveway and fill up a bleach friendly 1 or 2 gallon pump sprayer (or a cheap one that is immediately flushed and cleaned with fresh water) and spray it down, no need to rinse, after 24 hours the bleach will have evaporated and left...

Although there is some kinetic heat created by the movement of water slightly lowing it's freezing point the difference in freezing points is minimal at best... Moving water still freezes it just takes longer because the heat drop is 'mixed' and more uniform, unlike stationary water that...

Yeah, if you really want to nail it down and know for sure... As I said though for me even if it's running 24/7 (it's not) it's worth the cost to not have to worry or deal with frozen water... A smaller water container for me simply is not practical, my birds will drink between 5 and 10...

Yeah, the other night I had the windows open and just outside my fenced yard area (maybe a few hundred yards from the house) a group of coyotes let loose into song the other night, must have been celebrating a kill... So although I have seen single coyotes around the property, it's clear there...