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Defining a GMO turns out to be almost impossible. There are many ways the genes in plants have been altered beyond the 'classic' breeding process. For example, there are over 3,400 fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants that have been created in the lab by subjecting seeds to high doses of...

After six years of operation, I couldn't be more satisfied with my 'float door'. It has never failed once. I found I only need to change the valve batteries every six months. The only maintenance is changing the opening and closing times as the seasons progress. I'd be curious to know if...

True! Food produced from GMO's (sugar, corn, and soy beans mainly) are identical to food produced by non-GMO's and have been consumed for decades by millions of people and animals with no ill effects whatsover. All the research backs this up. On the other hand, plenty of people have died from...

I have a golden comet that refuses to use a nest box. My nest boxes are standard size, dark and filled with pine shavings. My other hens use them without fail. The golden comet lays on the suspended chicken wire beneath the roost. My coop has a single roost that is 18 inches above chicken...

Quote: Thanks for the suggestion. That's a breed I haven't tried. How are they different from the English games?

Quote: Predator control is not something I would consider. I depend on them to keep gopher, squirrel, rabbit, mouse, skunk, wild turkey, etc. populations under control. My vineyard is certified organic and many substances used in predator control would void that certification. However...

Quote: We do have light frosts at night and I plan on putting foam insulation around the supply line. The rest I'm not too worried about as the whole system is never under pressure and there is always room for expansion if it does freeze hard. A simple way to guard against frost damage would...

I also have a coop with auto door (the best two hundred bucks I have spent in a long time!) I couldn't keep chickens without one. I would have spend that amount in a hot minute except I didn't have electricity nearby so had to make one using power form a water line. I just started another...

Thanks for the kind words. It' been a fun project. I think I've figured out how to share two videos of it in action using photobucket. Opening in the morning. Closing. Notice how slow it moves so a chicken won't get caught.

Originally I was drawn to the heavier breeds-I had orpingtons, marans, jersey giants, sussex, New Hampshires and easter eggers.They went throught those like a knife goes through butter. My experience exactly. I also noticed that pullets, even though they seemed faster and could fly farther...

Here is a close up shot of the rod going thru its guide, a piece of 1/2 in copper pipe. I used threaded rod to make assembly easier but it tended to bind when moving thru the hole in the wooden disk. I made a sleeve for each one out of 1/4 inch spaghetti hose and coated it with grease so solve...

Last winter after about the third time of waking up in the middle of the night not remembering if I closed the coop door or not I decided I had to have an automated door. The nearest power was 500 feet away beyond 25 rows of grapes and a gravel parking lot. I considered solar but the expense...

You might also want to consider the fact that free range chickens WILL eat all your grapes. Doesn't happen. I've had chickens free ranging in my vineyard for 3 years now and they eat very few grapes, even when they're ripe at 25% sugar. I suffer more damage from pileated woodpeckers. The...

I didn't explain my situation clearly. I don't expect them to be completely feral but as wild and self-sufficient as possible. I keep them for insect control, weed control around my vineyard irrigation emitters, fresh eggs, manure for compost, and just for fun, not necessarily in the order of...

Thanks for the excellent suggestions. Any thoughts on where I might find araucana pullets for sale in Northern California? I did find an araucana forum which I'm going to join. Anyone have experience with penedesenca as a survivor? They seem to have a reputation for being wild. Ian

I'm trying to establish a flock of 12 or so hens that will free range on 6 acres of vineyard from dawn to dusk. Possible predators include foxes, hawks, bobcats, coyotes and weasels. So far Welsummers and Ameracaunas have survived the best. Minorcas, black stars, brahmas, wyandottes and...

I have 4 Black Star hens that started laying last winter. Initially they were regular egg laying machines--4 a day without fail and then one went broody. She never sat on any eggs but ferociously defended the empty nest box. I supplied a second laying box and then kept the broody one in a...