Maine

[IZZYBELLA]

I have a lot fewer Japanese beetles this year, too. (Knock on wood!) I wonder what caused the change. The ones I find I knock into a bowl and the chickens have a feeding frenzy!

 

[lazy gardener]

Overall, my insect population is way down, escept for the nasty mosquitoes and deer flies. I have to wonder if it's not all the free ranging from last year. If so, I'm beyond delighted in the change the chooks have made in my yard in just one year! Can't wait to see what next year brings!

 

[Brahmalover4eva]

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

awesome!
we stopped to see the poultry show demo.

 

[Brahmalover4eva]

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

did you see the muscovy ducks?

 

[mlowen]

Overall, my insect population is way down, escept for the nasty mosquitoes and deer flies.  I have to wonder if it's not all the free ranging from last year.  If so, I'm beyond delighted in the change the chooks have made in my yard in just one year!  Can't wait to see what next year brings!

I let my hens go to town in my front yard...digging up the sod and eating grubs. I think that has played into the drop in Japanese beetles I've noticed, too. Last year they, and the grasshoppers, were scary numerous!

 

[mckenney]

Ordered BCM hatching eggs, tracking confirmed they should have gotten here Friday, but they didn't get here until this afternoon on Monday! It was two day shipping through USPS... Does anyone have experience with this or know if I can make an insurance claim?

 

[lazy gardener]

No experience, but please keep us posted re: your results.

 

[Jazor]

For the automatic pop doors I've read that they go off light and not at specific times... and some people have complained that they lock their chickens out. I have quite a few "night owls" that I have to give a personal invitation to bed most nights... I'd be worried that an auto pop door would lock them out.

That being said, things may have changed in the last few years since I've looked. I certainly think they're in theory a great idea, and I would love to sleep in some mornings or go to bed early... or even not have to pay someone to come out if I won't be home.

Post what ya find out!

You could use a mechanical outlet timer like you would for Christmas lights, if you think a photocell (light activated) system would cause you trouble. Mechanical timers are in the $15 ballpark (or cheaper) and you can set them exactly when to do their job...just an idea.

 

[lazy gardener]

That's what i was planning to do.

Who in Maine has Leghorns? If you have some, how old are they and are they in a mixed flock? If so, what other breeds do you have? I've talked with a person on an other thread who tells me that my leghorns will turn into the devil's spawn after they reach full maturity, and they'll make the rest of my flock rue the day they were hatched. Experience, anyone?? Right now, they're afraid of their own shadow, and I couldn't imagine them ever getting to a point of flock dominance.

Yesterday, I was out with the flock. They were ranging at the edge of the lawn and into the woods. Then, the ones who were on the lawn started growling, and moving slowly into the woods. I scanned the area, both ground and sky. Saw nothing, not even a cat. My alpha hen (RIR) did not move into the woods, but came and stood near me, continuing to growl and keeping one eye turned up to the sky. Then, I saw a hawk circling, so high that i could barely see it. I spoke to her, let her know that i saw the hawk. Obviously, she didn't know what i was saying, but she then moved into the woods with the rest of the flock. Interesting.

 

[buckabucka]

I have 5 leghorns, LG. One of the two white ones has always been a feather picker and must wear pinless peepers. They just fell off a few days ago after 4 years of use. I'll be watching her to see if she resumes her bad habit (she did, in past trials).

I have 3 brown ones also. The leghorns are in a mixed flock of 32, and I've never had issue with them picking on others. They are skittish and love to go off digging in the woods. They appear to be in the middle of the pack, pecking order wise.

I remember you were recently integrating your chicks in with the older flock. How old were your chicks when you integrated? Mine are 10 weeks, and I am wondering if I should start the process. I can't remember at what age I need to pull the young pullets out of the bachelor pen. So far, there hasn't been much harassment, but I'm thinking I should set up a separate area for the girls soon. The only reason to delay, is convenience.