Maine

[lazy gardener]

My hubby once used a can of black spray paint on a wasp nest at work b/c that's all he had on hand at the moment. It worked. If it's a small nest, I use a wide putty blade and a jar of ammonia... or kerosene... or hot soapy water. It gives me quite a sense of accomplishment to wipe them out without the RAID!!! If they're in my hay bales, I carefully take the bale apart one flake at a time until the nest is exposed, then... if it's a small one, I just stomp it.

I'm going to take a trip to the habitat store to see if they have any patio doors. That would be perfect for a permanent cover for a hay bale cold frame. Heavy enough so the wind won't take it, and will transfer the light better than poly. I went to Blue Seal with a $10 coupon today. Had to spend $50 in order to use the coupon. So, I thought that an other cattle panel would fit nicely into the scheme of things. The gals at the register had to discuss what a cattle panel might be and did they have any. They determined that they did not, so I bought an other bag of chicken feed, which I don't need yet... then I drove out back to see what they did have... they had a whole stack of panels leaning up against their shed.

Incompetent employees are one thing, but when there is a gaggle of them, I just have to shake my head and walk away!!!

 

[anyasmifya]

OK! BigBird's new house is complete.


Yes, that is a giant barrel. There is a door made of fencing on it as well. Thanks for all the advice. I would show more pics, but my upload speed is seriously slow right now. I used a sawzall today and a drill!

 

[buckabucka]

OK! BigBird's new house is complete. Yes, that is a giant barrel. There is a door made of fencing on it as well. Thanks for all the advice. I would show more pics, but my upload speed is seriously slow right now. I used a sawzall today and a drill!

Cute house!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

OK! BigBird's new house is complete.


Yes, that is a giant barrel. There is a door made of fencing on it as well. Thanks for all the advice. I would show more pics, but my upload speed is seriously slow right now. I used a sawzall today and a drill!

SAWZALL!!! One of my favorite tools.

Nice work. Hope BigBird appreciates the effort.

 

[Mainechick168]

I grew up out in the country, so expected to hear it, once in a while, but now I live in the city! Not supposed to hear it in the city!

We live in Maine There is an interesting book out- Coyote at the Kitchen Door, I have yet to read it, but it sounds really interesting- information regarding humans moving into animal territory, also the other way-

 

[Mainechick168]

Oh 2 things!

Last night, I went out to shut in the chickens, and found the babies attempting to roost with the big birds! They are only about 4 weeks old, I don't know how they got up there! Every day that goes by though, I am more and more sure that the black one is a boy.....


Second thing- if anyone likes to run ( or walk) there is a 5k on sunday put on by the natural resource council of Maine- Rachel's Run ( named after Rachel Carson) I'll be running....anyone want to join???

 

[CoopChick719]

Need your advice! I have 2 girls in sick bay in the garage--1 Red Star (7 months) & 1 Faverolle (18 weeks). I ferment my feed with UN/ACV, water, garlic, oregano and alfalfa nuggets. Once a week they get leftover veggies from our local health food store as well as any leftovers from our kitchen.

Sunday night, the Fav was acting droopy, puffed up, sleeping while standing. Her eyes are dull and she had green poop not diarrhea--well formed. She was not eating or drinking much. I'm thinking it's cocci. We've had a lot of wet then hot weather lately which has made the run rather muddy. Unfortunately due to a predator threat, the flock has had to spend a lot more time in the pen. I started her on Corid Sunday night. I've been giving her scrambled egg w/garlic & oregano and a little plain yogurt plus dry feed. Last night she ate like a pig. We let her outside for some fresh air & sunshine! She ran around, ate some grass, squawked a little, still sleeping standing up but acted much perkier than the last 2 days. Any thoughts or advice?

The Red Star was acting lethargic Monday a.m. She stayed on the roost when I opened the coop. When she did go into the pen to eat, she was getting picked on by 1 hen then 2 others joined in the fun. I broke it up and brought her into the garage as well. She is keeping 1 of her eyes closed--the lid looks white.She does open it occaisionally. I can't see anything in it. She does not like me touching it so I'm not sure if it's sore or she just doesn't like me poking at her. The other eye looks good. She also is not standing straight up to walk more like a duck waddle then sits. She has no discharge from eyes or nares, breathing is normal. After doing some research, I'm thinking it could be sinus? I have given her 2 Oxine vaporizer treatments in an enclosed dog crate--last night & tonight about an hour each. Last night she laid an egg during her vaporizer treatment first 1 since Monday. She is also getting scrambled egg w/garlic & oregano and a little plain yogurt plus dry feed. ACV & Garlic in her water. She pooped while she was outside not much but she hasn't eaten much so...have a **GRAPHIC POOP** picture---does this look like a worm? It was not moving. I know it's kinda hard to tell. Again any thoughts/advice are welcome! Thank you!!

 

[Widget]

On the homesteading topic has anyone tried making their own vanilla extract? I found a recipe for it and it looks really easy to make. I hate the artificial stuff and real extract is so expensive I thought I would try making my own.

 

[Mainechick168]

Need your advice! I have 2 girls in sick bay in the garage--1 Red Star (7 months) & 1 Faverolle (18 weeks). I ferment my feed with UN/ACV, water, garlic, oregano and alfalfa nuggets. Once a week they get leftover veggies from our local health food store as well as any leftovers from our kitchen.

Sunday night, the Fav was acting droopy, puffed up, sleeping while standing. Her eyes are dull and she had green poop not diarrhea--well formed. She was not eating or drinking much. I'm thinking it's cocci. We've had a lot of wet then hot weather lately which has made the run rather muddy. Unfortunately due to a predator threat, the flock has had to spend a lot more time in the pen. I started her on Corid Sunday night. I've been giving her scrambled egg w/garlic & oregano and a little plain yogurt plus dry feed. Last night she ate like a pig. We let her outside for some fresh air & sunshine! She ran around, ate some grass, squawked a little, still sleeping standing up but acted much perkier than the last 2 days. Any thoughts or advice?

The Red Star was acting lethargic Monday a.m. She stayed on the roost when I opened the coop. When she did go into the pen to eat, she was getting picked on by 1 hen then 2 others joined in the fun. I broke it up and brought her into the garage as well. She is keeping 1 of her eyes closed--the lid looks white.She does open it occaisionally. I can't see anything in it. She does not like me touching it so I'm not sure if it's sore or she just doesn't like me poking at her. The other eye looks good. She also is not standing straight up to walk more like a duck waddle then sits. She has no discharge from eyes or nares, breathing is normal. After doing some research, I'm thinking it could be sinus? I have given her 2 Oxine vaporizer treatments in an enclosed dog crate--last night & tonight about an hour each. Last night she laid an egg during her vaporizer treatment first 1 since Monday. She is also getting scrambled egg w/garlic & oregano and a little plain yogurt plus dry feed. ACV & Garlic in her water. She pooped while she was outside not much but she hasn't eaten much so...have a **GRAPHIC POOP** picture---does this look like a worm? It was not moving. I know it's kinda hard to tell. Again any thoughts/advice are welcome! Thank you!!

Coopchick, that does look like a worm to me- round worm I think? Our first rooster had a serious case of them.

On the homesteading topic has anyone tried making their own vanilla extract? I found a recipe for it and it looks really easy to make. I hate the artificial stuff and real extract is so expensive I thought I would try making my own.

Widget- I sometimes find a good size bottle of pure vanilla extract at renys for about $3.99. My mom used to have "Tahitian" vanilla- vanilla beans in a bottle with clear rum. I think you can also do this with plain vodka- all you need is an appropriate sized bottle, a vanilla bean or two split down the middle, and the clear alcohol of choice- let it set for awhile ( maybe a few weeks?) and whenever it starts to be less than half full, refill with alcohol.

 

[Widget]

Coopchick, that does look like a worm to me- round worm I think? Our first rooster had a serious case of them.






Widget- I sometimes find a good size bottle of pure vanilla extract at renys for about $3.99. My mom used to have "Tahitian" vanilla- vanilla beans in a bottle with clear rum. I think you can also do this with plain vodka- all you need is an appropriate sized bottle, a vanilla bean or two split down the middle, and the clear alcohol of choice- let it set for awhile ( maybe a few weeks?) and whenever it starts to be less than half full, refill with alcohol.

That is the recipe I found. Two cups rum or vodka to 3-4 whole vanilla beans. Combine and let sit in a dark place for 6 weeks or more depending on what strength one prefers. Looks simple. Just wondering how it actually comes out.