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

[PrimroseMom1]

I have always heard just to tie some old CDs around like Christmas ornaments and they will flash in the sun and deter hawks. Good luck.

 

[aart]

Kinda kicking around an idea here, and I thought that I would bounce it off of you guys.

Recently had a couple of hawk attacks on my flock, and I'm looking at getting this string of little disco ball lights to be something shiny to help keep those buggers away. Mostly would just be getting them for the disco ball aspects of them being shiny, and might not even bother with turning them on. It says that they're indoor/outdoor use, but I'm not sure that their outdoor use includes Michigan Winter. I'm just wondering if that there's something else that I could coat them with or dip them in that would give them a little more protection and keep the little mirrors from falling off, but would still be pretty see through and allow them to reflect light very well.

Here's a direct link:
Probably be OK for weather if not lighted ... not sure shiny things really deter hawks...but I want a couple of those balls for driveway markers .

 

[bruceha2000]

They sure would make the driveway easy to see!

I'm not sure about the balls. First, how are you going to hang them? They will trap snow and get REAL heavy. I alsos SUSPECT that they won't be a big deterrent because the hawks will get used to them sitting there, maybe swaying in the breeze.

 

[aart]

They sure would make the driveway easy to see!

The flat ones never stay in the right position to reflect my headlights.

Ha, found a cheaper set, gonna order them!

 

[maizy'smom]

Kinda kicking around an idea here, and I thought that I would bounce it off of you guys.

Recently had a couple of hawk attacks on my flock, and I'm looking at getting this string of little disco ball lights to be something shiny to help keep those buggers away. Mostly would just be getting them for the disco ball aspects of them being shiny, and might not even bother with turning them on. It says that they're indoor/outdoor use, but I'm not sure that their outdoor use includes Michigan Winter. I'm just wondering if that there's something else that I could coat them with or dip them in that would give them a little more protection and keep the little mirrors from falling off, but would still be pretty see through and allow them to reflect light very well.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.amazon.com/Surething-Halloween-Christmas-Thanksgiving-Decoration-Multicolor/dp/B07GN3KBZS/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?adgrpid=58761038351&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu7Xf447D5QIV8pFbCh1uyAY8EAAYASAAEgIh6vD_BwE&hvadid=274874095343&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9017374&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7859536252849852766&hvtargid=kwd-303206112476&hydadcr=12825_9456376&keywords=outdoor%2Bdisco%2Bball&qid=1572408791&sr=8-17&th=1&psc=1&fbclid=IwAR3WrNSOmovPSf8VdMc6dYU2y_kfTFjuXyDgk4SfrY8YuFDsMF1dH0b2eSQ&h=AT2mVUuOvkQhRE9rp0r4rgGS7jK6Mw7f0Gt4DI1GK2Elh5j-GgDnBr8gpB8Mb5LA3TUDcHu8z3gh5gS2bnXlyifMWmTqOCYm05bIvY59inFSW8abXjkV7IMX7KNSYj0

Just wrap them in a mesh onion bag, maybe?

 

[bigmrg74]

They sure would make the driveway easy to see!

I'm not sure about the balls. First, how are you going to hang them? They will trap snow and get REAL heavy. I alsos SUSPECT that they won't be a big deterrent because the hawks will get used to them sitting there, maybe swaying in the breeze.

Normally my set-up here is a hoop chicken tractor that I move around the yard with mobile fencing around it to keep them in. Works out pretty well. Get the occasional one that feels like flying over the fence every so often, but a little wing clipping cures that. And I just parked it today to start setting it up for winter. Park it next to the garage to block the west wind, and then I'll stack up some straw bales around it to block the wind around it. Kinda thinking that I might just clip the wires and just tie the balls up along the fencing to allow them to move around a bit to disturb hawks.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Great idea for thread. I would like input on how meal worm farm works

When I started my mealworm farm I used the thread by Gallo del Cielo on "How To Raise Mealworms". Also Exotic Nutrition Pet Supply Company has the instructions on how to raise mealworms.

I bought a ten gallon aquarium, some wheat bran, and 1,000 mealworms.

I have had my mealworm farm for over a year.

Use exotic Nutrition for ordering your mealworms (good price).

 

[Ladies-Eight]

There is a thread for that with lots of info... they are slow going, for me anyways..... months of growing them and I still don't have enough to start feeding the 200+ chicks and chickens I have.

Maybe a couple of more years...

or I should have bought a couple of million worms to start with.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/492636/mealworm-farming#post_6256559

The more you feed them the faster they develop. I can tell when the worms need more food. I usually feed them cut up carrots.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Good luck to your chickadee...

I tried splinting my chicken's leg last year, but couldn't find the right support structure. She healed enough, however, to hop around quite effectively. She's even managed to roost with the other girls a few times (but with only one leg I dont' think she got a lot of rest, and she sleeps in the nest box 99% of the time). Chickens are amazingly resilient!

Factoid: a Chinese version of hopscotch is called "Lame Hen." : )

Get some popsicle sticks from a craft section at Walmart, Joann's, or Michael's to use as a splint. You can always split them to make them smaller.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I am doing this too, but still want to find a metal dish so I can heat if from underneith...

Tracker Supply Company has some flat galvanized containers.