Managing Foraging and Cover Patches with Fire

[centrarchid]

We were just out doing some prescribed burning. Stopped after doing about 1/10 acre owing to wind changes. Cool season grasses will be selected again in part of area where birds have only periodic access to. A tremendous amount of insect forage is being exposed. I am having to protect brambles for fire as they take a good 2 years to come back. It also helps kill some Bradford Pears.

 

[aart]

A tremendous amount of insect forage is being exposed.

Meaning the insects, in all forms of development, that weren't killed in by fire?
Doesn't burning also reduce insect habitat?
6 of 1, half dozen of the other....I guess it all balances out in the long run.

 

[centrarchid]

Meaning the insects, in all forms of development, that weren't killed in by fire?
Doesn't burning also reduce insect habitat?
6 of 1, half dozen of the other....I guess it all balances out in the long run.

Many insects exposed, with some killed. Birds having much easier time finding them. Plants coming up shortly will not be exposed to chicken foraging pressure until later in season. By then insect numbers will be back up. I have enough acreage and influence over areas chickens forage to protect these burned areas. Areas to be burned coming days will have a different management regimen.