Arizona Chickens

[LadyKotaDoria]

Is it normal and ok for ants to forage through my compost pile? I don't put a lot of food scraps in it, mostly yard trimmings and the used pine shavings.

Yes, they are part of the composting proses s, if you are not working the compost.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Happy Farhers day to the dads out there!

 

[MaddBaggins]

Yesterday evening, we went inside to get the girls a cool treat. When we came back out, there was a soft egg busted right by the door to the run. Two of the girls were trying to eat it. I ha to shoo them off and grabbed the hose and washed the egg into oblivion.
I hope they don't get a taste for raw egg. I'm glad I caught them right when it happened.

 

[flower]

In my experience means it is too dry and there is not enough nitrogen to get it heated up and breaking down. give it some water and manure and that should get rid of the ants.

Sounds as if you know your stuff Maryhysong

 

[desertmarcy]

Well I finally solved my mister system problem. I had put a filter on the line, and the filter was really clogged, so the system wasn't getting enough water pressure. How stupid can you get

that was a really easy fix, that and changing out all the heads. Lesson learned, I think I will just have to remember to change the filter and heads at the beginning of every hot season, they are all working great now. Now if I could just get a system up and running for my turkeys, they would be happier.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Now I get what country girl meant by my girls singing. I was out front changing the battery on my car an I could her some of the girls making a lot of noise. I went to check and a couple of them were in the nesting boxes. I came back when I was done with the car and found a couple eggs.

 

[flower]

Now I get what country girl meant by my girls singing. I was out front changing the battery on my car an I could her some of the girls making a lot of noise. I went to check and a couple of them were in the nesting boxes. I came back when I was done with the car and found a couple eggs.

My flock has many different breeds and I found that only certain hens in a particular breed make a lot of noise. They are the full Ameraucanas, a Marans/Ameraucana, Welsummer and a White Crested Polish. I like my Hamburg best because she is so quiet and dependable.

 

[kacklinkelly]

The ants have been a big problem in our backyard this summer.

I have used DE and noticed some reduction. However, as soon as it gets wet, it's useless.
Just standing in front of the nesting box collecting eggs, those buggers start crawling on my toes and stinging.

I moved the tractor, emptied it out, sprayed it out with the hose. Am waiting for it to dry and will sprinkle inside
with DE and new bedding. I moved the feed up off the ground. Some of the
reading I have been doing mentions that corn meal or corn starch helps get rid of ants. They eat it and can't
digest it. Also, orange oil diluted in water sprayed in and around the coop will kill them also.

I get ants every summer and they are a major problem. We have an exterminator but I am concerned
about anything going in the back yard with the chickens. This is our first summer with chickens.

I thought I lost one of the girls yesterday. We were bbq ing when my RIR just fell to the ground on her
side with her leg up in the air. It was so shocking to see. When we ran to check on her, she just jumped up
and ran away. I have no idea what that was about. My DH said he thinks she was probably drunk off the
frozen watermelon he was feeding them yesterday. She seems fine today.

 

[AZKat]

I've had some success with using DE to kill off an ant colony, the trick is to cover the entrance(s), and the surrounding area with a goodly layer of DE. The DE will kill the ants who come out to forage and/or keep them from laying down scent trails, and pretty quickly the colony will starve.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Thanks, will give it a try. Found one of the ant holes. That will be target #1.