Maine

[hoppy]

thanks, couldn't figure that one out.

Back of a Barred Owl. The field next to us had been cut the day before so I assume it had found some rodent running around.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

thanks, couldn't figure that one out.

Me neither. I would have guessed wild boar. Do we even have those?

 

[buckabucka]

Ha! I thought the back of the barred owl was a bull dog! The tips of his wings I read as ears, the top bar in his tail is his nose, the next bar a wrinkle, and the bottom bar his mouth. You cannot see his eyes because he had them closed, plus, he was moving.

 

[MEMama3]

We are heading up to camp this weekend. It's our family reunion as well as my birthday. I'm excited, but super nervous about leaving the chickens for the first time. Do you think I should ask my neighbor to let them in and out of the coop or just leave them in? She knows very little about chickens and my run is chicken proof, but not predator proof (wooden lattice hoop). Also, how much do you want to bet that my silkie lays her first egg while I'm gone. She's over 6 months and no egg yet.

 

[buckabucka]

Are you just headed out for a few days? If you can make sure they will have plenty of food and spill-proof water, I would leave them locked up, as long as the coop isn't super hot. If the forecast is correct, it is going to be rather cool anyway.

That way, you can avoid having your neighbor feel horrible about something that wasn't really her fault, and you will be more relaxed knowing they are safe. I left mine for 2 nights once with giant bowls of water and food. Chickens packed in tiny cages manage to survive, so try not to worry.

Happy Birthday! My sister's is today.

 

[MEMama3]

Are you just headed out for a few days? If you can make sure they will have plenty of food and spill-proof water, I would leave them locked up, as long as the coop isn't super hot. If the forecast is correct, it is going to be rather cool anyway.

That way, you can avoid having your neighbor feel horrible about something that wasn't really her fault, and you will be more relaxed knowing they are safe. I left mine for 2 nights once with giant bowls of water and food. Chickens packed in tiny cages manage to survive, so try not to worry.

Happy Birthday! My sister's is today.

Thanks! It's just Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. If I coop them I don't dare let them out Friday morning as I'll never get them back in. Sunday they'd get to escape for a bit before nightfall.

 

[lazy gardener]

Enjoy your trip Bucka. I understand your anxiety re: leaving the feathered kids on their own.

I've found the almost perfect method to catch those pesky Japanese beetles. I cut an ammonia bottle into a scoop form, leaving it as tall as possible. Then I used a rubber band to attach a plastic bag to the "screw top" end. I use my trowel to "tap" the beetles into the funnel, they slide down into the bag before they even know what hit them. This works much better than my previous method of tapping them into a 1 qt. yogurt carton with a couple of inches of water in the bottom.

 

[buckabucka]

Enjoy your trip Bucka.  I understand your anxiety re: leaving the feathered kids on their own. 

I've found the almost perfect method to catch those pesky Japanese beetles.  I cut an ammonia bottle into a scoop form, leaving it as tall as possible.  Then I used a rubber band to attach a plastic bag to the "screw top" end.  I use my trowel to "tap" the beetles into the funnel, they slide down into the bag before they even know what hit them.  This works much better than my previous method of tapping them into a 1 qt. yogurt carton with a couple of inches of water in the bottom.

No, MEMama is taking the trip. I'll be here, enjoying myself nonetheless.

I''ve always used the yogurt container with water method for the beetles, but they are not that bad here this year. They are around, but not doing major damage like in the past. In fact, we had lower numbers of cucumber beetles, potato bugs, snails and slugs than in the past, which has been quite shocking. I do have European corn borers for the first time, and hordes of skunks that are plotting to pull down the corn plants as well.

 

[anyasmifya]

That's a good idea lazygardener. I have been catching them with a mason jar with a bit of water on the bottom. I just tap them into it. Then I feed them to the pullets/cockerels. They love them! This is the first year I've ever had this many japanese beetles. Last year I only saw one or two. I also have a grasshopper infestation. I am becoming more and more tempted to let the birds out! But I am sure if I do the fox will be back in no time

.

 

[lazy gardener]

No, MEMama is taking the trip. I'll be here, enjoying myself nonetheless.

I''ve always used the yogurt container with water method for the beetles, but they are not that bad here this year. They are around, but not doing major damage like in the past. In fact, we had lower numbers of cucumber beetles, potato bugs, snails and slugs than in the past, which has been quite shocking. I do have European corn borers for the first time, and hordes of skunks that are plotting to pull down the corn plants as well.

I'm not noticing as many bugs this year either, though the Japs are still decimating my bean leaves, and boring holes into my rose blossoms. I've let the girls out for the occasional hour here and there to work over my lawn. They did a wonderful job on some huge ant hills and are also cleaning up my snails. I wish I could convince them that slugs are just as tasty. Even the deer flies and black flies have not been as bad. Perhaps your skunks are helping with the insect population. I know they turn my lawn over pretty good, cleaning up the grubs. For this small detail, I'm glad I don't have a dog!

MeMama, enjoy your trip!!!!!