fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Sweetgum "balls"

They're sharp, best to wear gloves when picking them up.

 

[Molpet]

Sweetgum "balls"
View attachment 4283408

They're sharp, best to wear gloves when picking them up.

I assume those don't go to the chickens

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Sweetgum "balls"
View attachment 4283408

They're sharp, best to wear gloves when picking them up.

I LOVE sweet gums, so beautiful in fall, but dang, as a confirmed barefoot-goer, their gumballs are vicious.

(Liquidambar spp.; per Wiki called “star gum” in the UK. Incredible fall colors.)

 

[fuzzi]

I assume those don't go to the chickens

They're mixed in with the leaves, but as they're heavier they settle to the bottom of the litter in the run. Eventually they soften and deteriorate in the dirt. The chickens don't eat them.

Lawnmowers don't pick them up, and hand removal is beyond backbreaking, as well as tedious. So I rake.

 

[fuzzi]

I have clay pots and assorted buckets around the yard for collecting the
gumballs, to toss in the burn pile, but they often cover the ground like a carpet. Raking is best.

 

[Molpet]

They're mixed in with the leaves, but as they're heavier they settle to the bottom of the litter in the run. Eventually they soften and deteriorate in the dirt. The chickens don't eat them.

Lawnmowers don't pick them up, and hand removal is beyond backbreaking, as well as tedious. So I rake.

I was worried about bumblefoot coming down from a roost.
I use a nut wizard for black walnuts, a life saver. 4 wheelbarrow daily, every day.
Supposed to work on gumballs Large Nut Wizard https://share.google/XcdPRszbkNYS0FdGr

 

[fuzzi]

I was worried about bumblefoot coming down from a roost.
I use a nut wizard for black walnuts, a life saver. 4 wheelbarrow daily, every day.
Supposed to work on gumballs Large Nut Wizard https://share.google/XcdPRszbkNYS0FdGr

Thank you.

They've had leaves and gumball pods in their run for almost three years, no foot issues yet.