Maine

[yankeehill]

Goats eat Poison Ivy?

Can you burn it?

Would straight vinegar be enough to burn it? How deep do the plants go, and how long do the seeds live? That's where the true battle begins...you can kill a plant...but if it comes up from roots again, it's back....or if seeds have been broadcast...there it is.

I like Goats even more now, especially if they eat Poison Ivy!

 

[Widget]

Widget this is awful. I feel remiss for not even thinking of the bees. We were nearly a cord short and they were probably a quart short. [that was supposed to be a little funny]. So... if you wanted to buy a package and someone was to help... then what? Maybe swap some honey or something?

That might work but I would hate to not be able to fulfill the honey swap if something happened. With packages the first year usually is not a great honey producing year since it takes them a bit to establish the hive especially if the weather does not cooperate. Of course if anyone wants to set up some hives I have plenty of room here.

 

[Widget]

Goats eat Poison Ivy?

Can you burn it?

Would straight vinegar be enough to burn it? How deep do the plants go, and how long do the seeds live? That's where the true battle begins...you can kill a plant...but if it comes up from roots again, it's back....or if seeds have been broadcast...there it is.

I like Goats even more now, especially if they eat Poison Ivy!

I have three that I will rent out. Very friendly and eager to browse.

 

[mlowen]

Goats eat Poison Ivy?

Can you burn it?

Would straight vinegar be enough to burn it? How deep do the plants go, and how long do the seeds live? That's where the true battle begins...you can kill a plant...but if it comes up from roots again, it's back....or if seeds have been broadcast...there it is.

I like Goats even more now, especially if they eat Poison Ivy!

I believe they do. I have heard of people using goats to clear poison ivy. (I don't own any.) Sheep eat kudzu. (My daddy has sheep & kudzu in Mississippi.)
Be VERY careful about burning! The "poison" particles can be airborne and you can breath it in with the smoke.

 

[MEMama3]

Ugh, went to go put the ducks away and feed the horses. It is all slushy outside, so my shoes are soaking and my coat is wet too. Ducks seem to like it though, which is good. Horses are soaking wet though, cant tell which one is Dom and which one is Arizona, they are so dark now! Whenever we try to dry them off with towels, they freak out.

Even after dark arrived the ducks were out playing in the slushy mess. I had a heck of a time getting them in. I too was soaked, but mostly from trudging through deep snow that was strong enough to hold my weight and now no longer is. Let's just say, I hope no one was watching me out there.

 

[striperon]

An article about goats eating poison ivy that was in last July's USA Today.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...of-historic-sites-poison-ivy-problem/2581659/

There you go, Widget, rent out your goats like the goat owner in the story.

One of my brothers is super allergic to poison ivy. When he was young, he decided to put some wood that was on the stone wall into the brush pile that was on fire. It was poison ivy. He was in the smoke off and on for some time. He was in the hospital that night blown up like a balloon from the blisters and having trouble breathing. Ever since he cannot be close to a patch of poison ivy without getting a rash.

 

[chickinpecker]

Hello all, been awhile since I have posted. Anyone have any or know who might have black copper marans? Looking for a few hens to add to my flock. Would love some started pullets but if I have to go the straight run route I will. Would also be interested in some olive eggers?? Looking to add some color to my basket. Thanks everyone..I live just outside of Lewiston and would be willing to travel a little bit. Stay dry, everyone!!

 

[CoopChick719]

My bees were flying today. Cleansing flights, and crowding on the sunny side of the hive outside. They were absorbing the heat. I am so happy that they made it through this cold, cold winter.

Sorry, not chickens.

Very cool! Congrats striperon!

Finally brought the phone down to the barn with me, grabbed a few photos.

Nice pics, Jazor!! Love the black & white filter!

You raise a very good point Striperon, regarding use of insecticides/herbicides. If I use anything in my garden, it is fenced off to keep the girls out of it. So, do any readers have suggestions for safely eradicating poison ivy? That one plant is the most troublesome issue in my yard. I have used a round up type of product in the past, but really don't like the idea of using it, especially after reading the reports of hormone disruption caused by it. So, reader ideas? Bring it on!

Rent a goat?

Darn it, mlowen beat me to the goat thing!!

 

[CoopChick719]

Goats eat Poison Ivy?

Can you burn it?

Would straight vinegar be enough to burn it? How deep do the plants go, and how long do the seeds live? That's where the true battle begins...you can kill a plant...but if it comes up from roots again, it's back....or if seeds have been broadcast...there it is.

I like Goats even more now, especially if they eat Poison Ivy!

Whatever you do, don't burn it!

I believe they do. I have heard of people using goats to clear poison ivy. (I don't own any.) Sheep eat kudzu. (My daddy has sheep & kudzu in Mississippi.)
Be VERY careful about burning! The "poison" particles can be airborne and you can breath it in with the smoke.

Ditto on the burning!

 

[suzMEchicks]

Wow good thing cooler heads prevailed! I would've thought burning was a good idea . I know I have made a commitment not to use pesticides because of my concern for bees. I have a "jar of death" which I pick off all visible bugs like Japanese Beatles . And I'm hoping the chickens will help while they free forage . I'm gonna look up the poison ivy problem.