Maine

[anyasmifya]

super cute bunnies!!

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Oh where to begin on my least favorite weed?! Last year it was bittersweet. I managed to get somewhat of a handle on that in our yard, but this year it is Japanese barberry. I have a feeling a previous owner planted it in the yard years ago and it "jumped the fence." Unfortunately, it has taken over the entire forest floor of our back acres. Trying to handle the stuff is just awful... even with gloves I get prickers that I then can't find and they hurt for days. Sumac, knotweed and himalyean blackberries are right up there on my list, too. At least the blackberries give some yummy fruit. If only they could do it without attempting to choke out every other plant...

Cute bunnies!

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

T

super cute bunnies!!

Thanks! They just love cuddling.

 

[Branch Chickens]

Oh where to begin on my least favorite weed?! Last year it was bittersweet. I managed to get somewhat of a handle on that in our yard, but this year it is Japanese barberry. I have a feeling a previous owner planted it in the yard years ago and it "jumped the fence." Unfortunately, it has taken over the entire forest floor of our back acres. Trying to handle the stuff is just awful... even with gloves I get prickers that I then can't find and they hurt for days. Sumac, knotweed and himalyean blackberries are right up there on my list, too. At least the blackberries give some yummy fruit. If only they could do it without attempting to choke out every other plant...

Cute bunnies!

Izzy, we have the barberry throughout our acreage as well. Our forester told us that deer spread it through the woods, and it's a bugger to get a handle on. Right now it isn't a huge problem, but I fear it will choke out all the new tree growth in the future. Hate that stuff.

 

[lazy gardener]

Tamma, I'm surprised that they're snuggly since they are feral. I had a feral bunny once. Had to treat him for mites and lice.

Re: wattle fencing: I bet it wouldn't be too hard to make, after doing a google search on the technique. My advice: be sure your saplings are really, and truly dead, (but still springy) or you're going to have a sapling invasion. It will be time consuming, and use far more material than you ever envisioned. And, no, I've never made one!

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Izzy, we have the barberry throughout our acreage as well. Our forester told us that deer spread it through the woods, and it's a bugger to get a handle on. Right now it isn't a huge problem, but I fear it will choke out all the new tree growth in the future. Hate that stuff.

That's exactly my fear! It apparently changes the soil chemistry so that native tree growth doesn't occur. It also promotes the growth of earthworms, which in some numbers is good, but too many cause erosion. Then, they have also come out with studies recently showing that it creates the perfect environment for ticks carrying Lyme. In an acre of land infested with barberry, there is an average of 126 ticks carrying lyme, compared with only 10 ticks carrying lyme in an acre that is barberry-free. As you can see, I've become a bit obsessed... They say that fire will kill it, but there is so much now that I don't know how I wouldn't create a massive forest fire! My other thought is goats. Do you think they could eat it, though? The stuff is so darn prickly.

 

[Branch Chickens]

I'm not sure. They might eat it. I would assume that's how the deer are spreading it?
My forester is a little spray-happy, and he said he would go out and spray it all, but I really think there is too much at this point. It's changed a lot in the 6 years that we've been here.
That tick info is scary. I keep finding them here. Mostly dog ticks, but not all. Ick. I just finished checking my kids all over again...
Reeeallllly wish this past winter would have made a difference in their numbers, but I hear that was all just wishful thinking on my part.

 

[CoopChick719]

Cute bunnies!!

I'll have to look up barberry. I've never heard of it. Yuck on the ticks!! I had one on me this morning when I came out of the run after feeding the girls.

Japanese knotweed what I've always called bamboo is another PITA. We had a good 15 ft patch that came from the back property line almost to the house when we moved in 26 years ago. DH & I spent hours pulling & digging it out by hand. As long as we keep the area mowed, it stays small. I've read that it can be eaten when the stalk is young & tender.

Good description on the deer netting!! DH & I draped it over the girls' playyard to keep them in & give them more room. Caught Every branch, twig & bush. Also got my fingers caught in.

 

[ashandvine]

Its a little late for Easter but EEOCuddling no matter what holiday right?

Now as far as weeds I say bittersweet as well. I find it impossible without chemicals which I have not resolved to using... I have thought of this instead and will try it this year: corn. The carbs/sugars are supposed to kill things off like grass and what not if you spill or, in my case, pour it on the ground. I wonder if instead of bleach or some awful other thing I might use that. It is nearly strangling a bush that I adore [a Viburnum].

Come to my farm and take home some chickens instead of bunnies, come on, you want to... or will when you see them.

I just had a very poor hatch of only three so they are going to a woman who wanted to start her own meat project. I have one Chantecler here with the Marans and that is the cross she is getting. I had thought it would be a really great idea... until I got only three. Her gain.

What I find more irritating than Bittersweet? My neighbor's rooster. I know. I gave it to him. I know. And he's really a fantastic rooster all considered... until you are me, considering how the condition and genetic situation is for my Orloffs who range out front. That rooster will come sneaking like a stealth bomber across the road hoping to drop his bombs on my hens. I will admit I am a very bad person who wishes that sometimes the truck would meet him on the road before he gets to my house.

 

[buckabucka]

Very cute bunnies!

Oh bummer, ash! Too bad you gave your neighbor that nuisance rooster. I'll be rooting for the truck.

My older flock finally got to go outside today. They have already filled the first pod with giant craters.