Agree. And then I just rake it up and throw it away. They seem to love the leaves the best so far on the floor of the hoop. They kick them around and then nestle into them. It's pretty funny how much time I wasted trying to figure out what they liked best. Turns out nature knows best.
Well this fall I will have to save my leaves! I have oak trees everywhere.
This might be helpful? If you live nearby where folks rake and bag their leaves for pick up (or family). . .make friends with them. heehee
Oh my goodness. I understand your horror. I found pieces of my white crested black Polish in the yard one day and the culprit was my husbands Jack Russell. I SOooooo wanted to get rid of him for it. Even though it's in his nature to do it. I kept him in his cage for a week and just let him out to potty because I couldn't even look at him. Finding your babies dead and their heads in the yard or the couch for that matter will ruin your affection for other animals pretty quick. My 5 year old found his poor head under the trampoline. That was a horrifying moment.I wish I could save leaves for the coops. Problem is during a bad year (bad drought that is) every bag of leaves is guaranteed to have at least 30 lbs of pecans in them. I guess you could say we farm them since dad bags them up and sells them.
On another note. I'm going to toss one my cats out if I find out it killed one of my quail. Dad found one of my babies on the couch, ripped apartand our toy poodle/dachshund guarding it. Not eating it or even making a move to eat it, just guarding it. He doesn't like for anyone to get near his food and growls at anyone that gets too close, even if he knows he isn't supposed to have it. He didn't do that with the quail. He acted like he was trying to keep everyone else away from it, but let dad pick it up. Luka (GSD/pitt) was near by as well, but she stays away from anything she even thinks will get her in trouble and my SIL's little dog Rusty has absolutely no interest in any of them. That leaves 2 cats and a chihuahua. I don't doubt that Yo-Yo would eat one of them if she was given the chance, but she's been hiding in the girls' room all day like she always does.
As for the cats, Sadie stays away from all birds. She's gotten in trouble in the past for hovering over the brooders and she learned pretty fast that she can't get away with anything. Saber has never been in trouble with us over birds, but dad has seen him hovering over the quail a few times since they were moved to the big brooder. He's the one that I might end up kicking out.
I appreciate your help chirpingcricket! I don't have any neighbors. We are so far out that we only have cows and catfish ponds around us. But that is good no one to complain about our chickens! lolThis might be helpful? If you live nearby where folks rake and bag their leaves for pick up (or family). . .make friends with them. heehee
Just want to make sure your flock is up on worming protocol and determine if the leaves/pinestraw have been sprayed with chemicals first.
Hey, I will be glad too. I have made lots of notes, but will try to get them pulled together for you asap. I think that we need to wait until they are about 4 to 5 months old before starting protocol unless you see worms before that time. I will double check all my notes with Dawg53 and try to put it all together in a concise order. Just had to write him a note about a couple of things to confirm. I am nooo expert, but sure don't want to lead someone into error.
I wish I could save leaves for the coops. Problem is during a bad year (bad drought that is) every bag of leaves is guaranteed to have at least 30 lbs of pecans in them. I guess you could say we farm them since dad bags them up and sells them.
On another note. I'm going to toss one my cats out if I find out it killed one of my quail. Dad found one of my babies on the couch, ripped apartand our toy poodle/dachshund guarding it. Not eating it or even making a move to eat it, just guarding it. He doesn't like for anyone to get near his food and growls at anyone that gets too close, even if he knows he isn't supposed to have it. He didn't do that with the quail. He acted like he was trying to keep everyone else away from it, but let dad pick it up. Luka (GSD/pitt) was near by as well, but she stays away from anything she even thinks will get her in trouble and my SIL's little dog Rusty has absolutely no interest in any of them. That leaves 2 cats and a chihuahua. I don't doubt that Yo-Yo would eat one of them if she was given the chance, but she's been hiding in the girls' room all day like she always does.
As for the cats, Sadie stays away from all birds. She's gotten in trouble in the past for hovering over the brooders and she learned pretty fast that she can't get away with anything. Saber has never been in trouble with us over birds, but dad has seen him hovering over the quail a few times since they were moved to the big brooder. He's the one that I might end up kicking out.
Thank you chirpingcricket! I do appreciate your helping me so much! My oldest babies are 3 months and on down to one month. I am hoping that I can worm the turkey's the same as the chickens so I can do it all at the same time! Also I am trying to figure out if I should wait till all my babies are 4 months old to get them npip tested. Would you?
I understand about the pecans... We have mostly oaks everywhere but we also have some hickory and pecan trees! I am going to be making syrup and selling my nuts this fall. I am sure it is going to be a chore getting the nuts out of the leaves! lolI wish I could save leaves for the coops. Problem is during a bad year (bad drought that is) every bag of leaves is guaranteed to have at least 30 lbs of pecans in them. I guess you could say we farm them since dad bags them up and sells them.
On another note. I'm going to toss one my cats out if I find out it killed one of my quail. Dad found one of my babies on the couch, ripped apartand our toy poodle/dachshund guarding it. Not eating it or even making a move to eat it, just guarding it. He doesn't like for anyone to get near his food and growls at anyone that gets too close, even if he knows he isn't supposed to have it. He didn't do that with the quail. He acted like he was trying to keep everyone else away from it, but let dad pick it up. Luka (GSD/pitt) was near by as well, but she stays away from anything she even thinks will get her in trouble and my SIL's little dog Rusty has absolutely no interest in any of them. That leaves 2 cats and a chihuahua. I don't doubt that Yo-Yo would eat one of them if she was given the chance, but she's been hiding in the girls' room all day like she always does.
As for the cats, Sadie stays away from all birds. She's gotten in trouble in the past for hovering over the brooders and she learned pretty fast that she can't get away with anything. Saber has never been in trouble with us over birds, but dad has seen him hovering over the quail a few times since they were moved to the big brooder. He's the one that I might end up kicking out.
