Maine

[VardoChicken]

We will be there. Can't wait to see the poultry!

 

[learycow]

Anybody interested in Ancona ducks?
I've got a few young sexed pairs and lots of extra drakes. All colors!
I'd be willing to do a trade. Looking for BLRW, marans, or Silkie hens

 

[Tnic]

Oh that IS good news. The Ellsworth store will work until then, but there's nothing like the original.

So much history at the Machias store. I remember going there as a young pre-teen on a Sunday outing with the family after church. The slices of pie were HUGE. And DEElish! I think they were cutting 6 slices out of a 9 inch pie when most places cut 8.

 

[lazy gardener]

Have you all noticed that Japanese beetles have arrived? Are you finding that the infestation is not as bad as it has been in years past? So far, they haven't even touched my pole beans. Perhaps they're off to a slow start. I've got 2 pheromone traps up, and have made several trips around the yard with my ammonia bottle scoop/baggie contraption, and am hardly catching enough to make it worth while... but will continue to do so b/c they make such a mess of the roses. I leave primrose weeds in place b/c they are a wonderful trap plant for them. Also, I haven't noticed any of the little red oriental lily beetles YET this year! I don't know if the chickens have done such a wonderful job at pest patrol to have such an effect on the insect population, but, I'm pleased! Very few grass hoppers and crickets as well.

 

[lazy gardener]

I came home from church today to find 1/3 of my flock happily grazing around in my yard. I left them shut in their run this morning... Obviously, the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. So, instead of leaving them shut in the run this afternoon while we go out for a family outing, they will all have free run of the yard. Risky, you bet! But given the options at this point, it's the better choice. It will prompt me to get back before dusk.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Have you all noticed that Japanese beetles have arrived? Are you finding that the infestation is not as bad as it has been in years past? So far, they haven't even touched my pole beans. Perhaps they're off to a slow start. I've got 2 pheromone traps up, and have made several trips around the yard with my ammonia bottle scoop/baggie contraption, and am hardly catching enough to make it worth while... but will continue to do so b/c they make such a mess of the roses. I leave primrose weeds in place b/c they are a wonderful trap plant for them. Also, I haven't noticed any of the little red oriental lily beetles YET this year! I don't know if the chickens have done such a wonderful job at pest patrol to have such an effect on the insect population, but, I'm pleased! Very few grass hoppers and crickets as well.

Yes, the japanese beetles aren't so bad this year, I've only squished two. However, the brown nasty potato larvae/beetles and cucumber beetles are out in hordes in my yard. I have 3 cucumber beetle traps and still squish about 50 a day and I don't appear to be making any headway. I made the mistake of putting the potato larvae and beetles in a sandwich bag last weekend instead of drowning them. They chewed through the bag almost immediately.

 

[CoopChick719]

Yes much fewer Japanese beetles this year! The Lily beetles however have multiplied. I went round w/a bucket of water knocking j-beetles off plants into bucket & picking lily beetles off as well. Brought the bucket putti the girls. They wouldn't out of the water but as soon as I scooped the bugs out, they devoured them. It sounded like they were crunching on popcorn! DH helped me set up the new rain barrel. This 1 has a spigot!!
On a different note, found this on the roost this a.m. Should I be worried?

 

[CoopChick719]

GRAPHIC POOP PHOTO BELOW!

Finally the darn picture loads!

 

[hoppy]

hi all, I know it's been a awhile since I posted last. I am needing to sell down my flock as I am moving and starting over. I am staying in the area, but different house, one income make the need for less chickens and ducks. if anyone is interested in black or paint silkies, blue and black bibbed call ducks or a few misc birds, including some parrots, let me know. things are moving fast - pm works best . I still plan to be around, just totally making an unexpected change

 

[anyasmifya]

Ahh, the cucumber beetles are still horrible in my garden! When I look in one of my giant pumpkin flowers I'll see at least ten of them in there! Chickens are not doing a good job with controlling them. I've tried to hand feed them to the chickens and they just don't seem interested in eating them. Also my weeds are getting out of control in the veggie patch!