DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[Leahs Mom]

I don't do gmo either. But there IS a difference between breeding grains toward different production rates and genetically modifying which introduces genetics from totally different species into the genes.

That being said... come on over to the Natural Chicken Keeping thread where we discuss these kinds of things on a regular basis so this thread on INVENTIONS doesn't get off-track! (Although I guess you could called a GMO an invention

)



Edited to correct spell error

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I don't do gmo either.  But there IS a difference between breeding grains toward different production rates and genetically modifying which introduces genetics from totally different species into the genes.

That being said... come on over to the Natural Chicken Keeping thread where we discuss these kinds of things on a regular basis so this thread on INVENTIONS doesn't get off-track!  (Although I guess you could called a GMO an invention )



Edited to correct spell error

Appreciate the info and loved the discussion. I'll check out the other thread, too.

 

[CourtsCacklers]

I don't do gmo either. But there IS a difference between breeding grains toward different production rates and genetically modifying which introduces genetics from totally different species into the genes.

That being said... come on over to the Natural Chicken Keeping thread where we discuss these kinds of things on a regular basis so this thread on INVENTIONS doesn't get off-track! (Although I guess you could called a GMO an invention

)



Edited to correct spell error

Thanks for the info on the other thread! Would love to check it out! There is a difference between breeding grains and genetically modifying them-- i stand corrected in a sense....it is not gentically modified-- it may be worse. You are right though-- let's get back to inventions--and not the GMO type!!!! Though I only discussed this because I was asked-- however for the clarification I looked to Dr. William Davis because I am by far not the expert in describing why my body is sensitive to wheat and why I choose to limit it-- For those interested below is a excerpt from him... I am not introducing this in a new thread!!!! It is way to controversial and we all have to do what we each feel is right for ourselves and our families (even if that does include our chickens!

)


"Modern wheat has been hybridized (crossing different strains to generate new characteristics; 5% of proteins generated in the offspring, for instance, are not present in either parent), backcrossed (repeated crossing to winnow out a specific trait, e.g., short stature), and hybridized with non-wheat plants (to introduce entirely unique genes). There are also chemical-, gamma-, and x-ray mutagenesis, i.e., the use of obnoxious stimuli to induce mutations that can then be propagated in offpspring. This is how BASF’s Clearfield wheat was created, for example, by exposing the seeds and embryos to the industrial chemical, sodium azide, that is highly toxic to humans.

By definition, hybridization, backcrossing, and mutation-inducing techniques are difficult to control, unpredictable, and generate plenty of unexpected results. In short, they are worse than genetic-modification. Imagine we were to apply similar techniques of hybridization and mutagenesis to mammals–we’d have all manner of bizarre creatures and genetic freaks on our hands. I am no defender of genetic-modification, but it is pure craziness that Agribusiness apologists defend modern wheat because it is not yet the recipient of “genetic modification.”

Just as Agribusiness is lobbying to prevent truth in labeling that proposes to require food manufacturers to include a “genetically-modified” declaration on foods since they feel it is none of your business, they are likewise muddying the water by defending modern high-yield, semi-dwarf strains of wheat, created through extensive genetics manipulations, as not the product of “genetic modification.”

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/02/wheat-is-not-genetically-modified/

 

[ozexpat]

Thanks for the info on the other thread! Would love to check it out! There is a difference between breeding grains and genetically modifying them-- i stand corrected in a sense....it is not gentically modified-- it may be worse. You are right though-- let's get back to inventions--and not the GMO type!!!! Though I only discussed this because I was asked-- however for the clarification I looked to Dr. William Davis because I am by far not the expert in describing why my body is sensitive to wheat and why I choose to limit it-- For those interested below is a excerpt from him... I am not introducing this in a new thread!!!! It is way to controversial and we all have to do what we each feel is right for ourselves and our families (even if that does include our chickens!

)


"Modern wheat has been hybridized (crossing different strains to generate new characteristics; 5% of proteins generated in the offspring, for instance, are not present in either parent), backcrossed (repeated crossing to winnow out a specific trait, e.g., short stature), and hybridized with non-wheat plants (to introduce entirely unique genes). There are also chemical-, gamma-, and x-ray mutagenesis, i.e., the use of obnoxious stimuli to induce mutations that can then be propagated in offpspring. This is how BASF’s Clearfield wheat was created, for example, by exposing the seeds and embryos to the industrial chemical, sodium azide, that is highly toxic to humans.

By definition, hybridization, backcrossing, and mutation-inducing techniques are difficult to control, unpredictable, and generate plenty of unexpected results. In short, they are worse than genetic-modification. Imagine we were to apply similar techniques of hybridization and mutagenesis to mammals–we’d have all manner of bizarre creatures and genetic freaks on our hands. I am no defender of genetic-modification, but it is pure craziness that Agribusiness apologists defend modern wheat because it is not yet the recipient of “genetic modification.”

Just as Agribusiness is lobbying to prevent truth in labeling that proposes to require food manufacturers to include a “genetically-modified” declaration on foods since they feel it is none of your business, they are likewise muddying the water by defending modern high-yield, semi-dwarf strains of wheat, created through extensive genetics manipulations, as not the product of “genetic modification.”

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/02/wheat-is-not-genetically-modified/

please desist this line of discussion here

its a great thread. lets not lose it

 

[perchie.girl]

Definitely not a new invention or thought but I have been sprouting Organic Alfalfa seeds in a large jar and growing Omega 3 Forage mix from groworganic.com for my 6 chickies over the winter. I had my husband build these boxes out of reclaimed lumber from an old barn and wire from the corn-crib so that my chickies could not destroy the root system of the plants. They devour one of these boxes in minutes!

EGGcellent.... best ones i have seen yet.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

I have seen these large ones at the grocery store going into the cooling area. Can I make them myself? How thick is that plastic do you think? Great idea over the nesting boxes in winter.

Do fabric strips over the nest boxes..... They do not sleep in the box they sleep on their roosts which should be placed higher than the nest boxes. But by putting fabric strips over the entrances to the nest box it makes it more enticing for the chickens to go in there and lay eggs in privacy.... Plus it cuts down on the possiblity of egg eating.

deb

 

[rojororeo]

Check this out:


My biggest issue with using heated bowls as-is is that I want to create something that keeps them from stepping in the water and possible frostbite. I'll bet we could make something similar with smaller openings that prevent them stepping in it. Perhaps a piece of hardware cloth molded over the top of something like this leaving just enough open at the bottom for them to get a head in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/L-HEATED-WA...=100010&prg=1076&rk=3&rkt=15&sd=221342559463&

That is cool, and 99% likely to prevent the accidental fly over/in too! Great idea!

 

[rojororeo]

Also-- not really an invention but just a little something we did for the girls to eliminate some of the drafts from coming in when the "pop" door is open in the cool whether. It is just thick vinyl from the craft store cut into strips-- the chickies do not hesitate to go through it!

Looks cool! I did this with a feed bag cut into strips (2 of them actually, offset, so they overlapped at the flaps) to hopefully prevent flies from coming in the coop as much. That, coupled with metal window mesh over the inside of their windows (which is over heavy duty animal wire to prevent any one from getting in) seemed to do a great job in preventing as many flies from getting in. And a well placed fly tape to get those that did...

 

[CourtsCacklers]

Looks cool! I did this with a feed bag cut into strips (2 of them actually, offset, so they overlapped at the flaps) to hopefully prevent flies from coming in the coop as much. That, coupled with metal window mesh over the inside of their windows (which is over heavy duty animal wire to prevent any one from getting in) seemed to do a great job in preventing as many flies from getting in. And a well placed fly tape to get those that did...

My husband originally did two layers (offset) of black rubber-- they would NOT go through it! So decided we better go clear-- he wanted to do 2 layers but we decided to wait until they were fluent with one-- I will have to remind him to do it soon! I never thought about it helping with flies--and I have wondered about taking it off in summer-- but now that you mention that perk-- I think we will leave it on!!!! THANKS!!!!

 

[rojororeo]

My husband originally did two layers (offset) of black rubber-- they would NOT go through it! So decided we better go clear-- he wanted to do 2 layers but we decided to wait until they were fluent with one-- I will have to remind him to do it soon! I never thought about it helping with flies--and I have wondered about taking it off in summer-- but now that you mention that perk-- I think we will leave it on!!!! THANKS!!!!

Yeah, the solid look of ours caused issues at first... I just tied the strip back like curtains and then after a few days released a few strips every few days, they could care less now. I would rather the clear plastic strips like you have, but the feed bags are cheap (sorta free, lol) and plenty!
Depending on where you live, also good to help keep some of the heat out!
You are very welcome... oh, for flies as well- supposedly the vanilla car trees... they did seem to work, but I hate chemical stuff like that, so only use it at the height of fly season....