Maine

[Keric]

I get all my stuff in the mail. BascomMaple.com Usually ships fast but they are busy now.

 

[Keric]

I keep the smaller one in my livingroom and the larger one in the brooder barn. They stay inside till they are 2 weeks then go into the bigger one. the bigger one is heated also

These are nice. Maybe I will make one or two.

I meant to quote this

 

[lazy gardener]

Just saw some great u tube shots of raising the BSF larva. Apparently, they are really high in calcium and protein. They live nearly their whole life as larva, only live a few days as (big) flies, lay their eggs and die. They don't bite (or even eat as adults) but reportedly, something in their pheramones repels other flies from the area. I'm hoping that is true, I could do with fewer deer and black flies, lol. With an efficent set up, they nearly harvest themselves. They eat veggi scraps and fruit trimmings, etc. In the process, they compost the veggi matter to compost super fast (heat it up and tolerate much higher temps than earthworms). I plan to try them this Summer.

From my further readings, they are strictly a southern climate insect and don't do well below 70 degrees. That being said, I know I've seen insects in my yard that at least resemble the adult fly, and I've also seen grubs that resemble the larvae in my compost. Either: #1- I'm greatly mistaken and the insects and larvae are an entirely unrelated species. #2- I'm imagining it. #3- We have a northern species that is more cold tolerant, or the southern species actually tolerates more cold and is able to winter over. Now, as prolific as these insects seem to be, why couldn't they be imported for the summer months? Kind of like beneficials are brought in for garden management. So Longgrove, if you find a source for these insects, please, please share the info with the rest of us. Personally, other than the ugliness of the larvae, I find them less gross than meal worms. And it appears that they are far more productive than meal worms.

 

[hoppy]

I am personally of the thinking, leave it in nature. that's why we have those invasive pest, someone "thought" it would be a good idea to bring xyz in to the state, one 1 won't be an issue, but then when it does become an issue, i can be a disaster. why not just pick those bugs out of your compost pile and leave it at that?
Quote:

From my further readings, they are strictly a southern climate insect and don't do well below 70 degrees. That being said, I know I've seen insects in my yard that at least resemble the adult fly, and I've also seen grubs that resemble the larvae in my compost. Either: #1- I'm greatly mistaken and the insects and larvae are an entirely unrelated species. #2- I'm imagining it. #3- We have a northern species that is more cold tolerant, or the southern species actually tolerates more cold and is able to winter over. Now, as prolific as these insects seem to be, why couldn't they be imported for the summer months? Kind of like beneficials are brought in for garden management. So Longgrove, if you find a source for these insects, please, please share the info with the rest of us. Personally, other than the ugliness of the larvae, I find them less gross than meal worms. And it appears that they are far more productive than meal worms.

 

[lazy gardener]

I want buff Orpington chicks and i think i could swing a brooder but how am I suppose to get a coop put up with all this darn snow?!

I'm building a cattle panel tractor, and in a hurry to get it done so I can move the chickies out of my basement. I'm actually hoping to pick up the lumber and maybe start it this weekend by snowblowing a foot print large enough to set the frame, then setting out some cinder blocks, leveling them up and building on top of the blocks. My plan is to get the panels in place, cover with tarp, then work on finishing the inside, framing the end and center walls with tarp in place for protection... I may even for-go the tarp and use poly for a nice green house effect... work on my tan while building the tractor!! SNOW BE ******!!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

I am personally of the thinking, leave it in nature. that's why we have those invasive pest, someone "thought" it would be a good idea to bring xyz in to the state, one 1 won't be an issue, but then when it does become an issue, i can be a disaster. why not just pick those bugs out of your compost pile and leave it at that?
Quote:

So, perhaps, I'll pick those bugs out of my compost pile, and farm them the way the southerners do with their BSF, then every one will be happy!

 

[CoopChick719]

New chicks--3 RSL's, 3 White Leghorns & 2 Silkies

 

[super coop]

Hioppy!!! We put 24 of the eggs into lockdown this morning!!!

 

[ashandvine]

I found Meal worms in the grain bin and in the coop when I first moved here-- a TON. They occur here. I have a hope to get someone to bring horse or cow manure here and just dump it for me. I know the birds will enjoy being 'dung hill birds' like their ancestors

So... I now have 9 chicks out of 10 eggs set. That's pretty good, right? Crossing my fingers for the turkey poults. I am also coming into possession of a few interesting breeds: Mottled Javas, Hedemora, Euskal Oiloa, Iowa Blue. I will also have a Cuckoo Marans cockerel. I don't need him so if someone else is raising Cuckoo Marans let me know. He's destined for the table otherwise and I really don't mind. I hear they taste great. HUGE influx of birds right now. Oh boy.

 

[Widget]

I found Meal worms in the grain bin and in the coop when I first moved here-- a TON. They occur here. I have a hope to get someone to bring horse or cow manure here and just dump it for me. I know the birds will enjoy being 'dung hill birds' like their ancestors

So... I now have 9 chicks out of 10 eggs set. That's pretty good, right? Crossing my fingers for the turkey poults. I am also coming into possession of a few interesting breeds: Mottled Javas, Hedemora, Euskal Oiloa, Iowa Blue. I will also have a Cuckoo Marans cockerel. I don't need him so if someone else is raising Cuckoo Marans let me know. He's destined for the table otherwise and I really don't mind. I hear they taste great. HUGE influx of birds right now. Oh boy.

I have plenty of horse manure. Or will once the snow melts enough to shovel it out of the paddock.