Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Wow 150 people

Yup will stay away from them!

I don't recall the exact time period over which those attacks occurred but it was decades. I think most people would be sensible enough to respect them and keep their distance.

 

[Ponypoor]

Does anyone have any experience with these little fu**ers?
According to the insect identification app they are the larval form of the Asian multicolored lady beetle. Which looks like a ladybug/ladybird but is bigger.
They are apparently everywhere around the world now, and the chickens will not eat them!
What is that all about? These things are making my life in the chicken garden a bit miserable. They bite and make me itch and there are a lot of them!
Chickens just not interested!

View attachment 3169644View attachment 3169645

What the H E double L is that?!

It looks like something from Alien

We do NOT have those here (that I have seen), please - you keep them

 

[rural mouse]

Goodness. I thought they only thrived in zone 8 and up. You have real winters. Do they over winter OK?

They grow wild all over Montana, pockets of zone 3

Note: 2 different patches, down the mini-cliff from the coop. Lots more around. Tread carefully.

 

[Ponypoor]

They grow wild all over Montana, pockets of zone 3View attachment 3169761View attachment 3169760Note: 2 different patches, down the mini-cliff from the coop. Lots more around. Tread carefully.

I find cactus to be amazing, it is so hardy in so many climates.

 

[rural mouse]

Thirst Thursday brought to you by one of the hooligans. My entire flock are ignoring the multiple freshly filled water stations in favor of wild water.
View attachment 3169392

Mine too....especially when I move the hose...

 

[featherhead007]

Yep the cassowary but I think they are also herbivores.... @LozzyR is that correct?

Cassowaries eat meat too!

 

[featherhead007]

I had to look it up but they are classed as frugivores; their preference is fallen fruit. They will, however, eat small vertebrates, invertebrates and carrion.

Frugivore tax
View attachment 3169688

They eat carrion? I will be sure to keep my luggage away from them!

 

[rural mouse]

Yep the cassowary but I think they are also herbivores.... @LozzyR is that correct?

Herbivorous doesn't mean NOT dangerous. Cow Moose, cape Buffalo, rhinoceros....

 

[featherhead007]

Xzit update: ………… she returned to her nesting box, and I brought her back inside the house. Expectant mothers should be as comfortable as possible!

 

[rural mouse]

I don't recall the exact time period over which those attacks occurred but it was decades. I think most people would be sensible enough to respect them and keep their distance.

Or the birds are sensible enough to hear the clumsy humans coming and avoid, evade and hide....