***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

DHubby is in from his sleep study and has had a nap...never can sleep with 30 wires glued to your head and body.
While he slept:
Watered and fed chickens this morning and sat out with Angel on my lap while the other hens did some free ranging. Set her in a big patch of bermuda and she went to town on it.
Started the four soaker hoses in the garden. Dug one potatoe bed...1/2 wheel barrow of potatoes.
Picked squash and cut back the brocolli, then started weeding the small asparagus bed and a small flowere bed that was delayed by pen construction.
Pulled and cleaned beets.
DH is up now so we are enjoying the early afternoon inside. The girls are meeting us for a celebration dinner for Father's Day this evening.

Hope every guy has a great Father's Day! Gotta love our Dads!!

 

[NanaKat]

Quote:
Now I gotta go google about purple martins!

Traci

Martins don't like hawks because they are known for killing young Martins. We haven't had any problems with owls stealing young from the nests at night because we have no owls frequenting our few trees. Our neighbor was always loosing small critters to the owls because they have their home set in a wooded area. Martins like a water source, a no trees around their poles. We use the birdhouse gourds and we soak them in stump killer before we prepare them for nest houses. That sets the gourd for weather resistance....go figure.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Now I gotta go google about purple martins!

Traci

Martins don't like hawks because they are known for killing young Martins. We haven't had any problems with owls stealing young from the nests at night because we have no owls frequenting our few trees. Our neighbor was always loosing small critters to the owls because they have their home set in a wooded area. Martins like a water source, a no trees around their poles. We use the birdhouse gourds and we soak them in stump killer before we prepare them for nest houses. That sets the gourd for weather resistance....go figure.

Well that explains a lot, my gma and I set her up a gourd apts for the martins, but never got one, but she lived in an extremely wooded area.

And I never knew about the stump killer.

 

[jcatblum]

Was getting ready for church. Kids ran in saying there was a snake in the guineas nest. We had just put bird netting around the nest last night, but it appears there was one spot that wasn't secure. We have lost over a dozen guinea eggs to snakes this week & already killed one in the nest Thursday. I go out to try & kill the snake & he was a big mad snake appears be couldn't find his way back out. Just kept striking at me & the dog! Finally wore the snake down & killed him.

Had set my phone down on a rock while dealing with the snake. Picked up my phone & it said temperature! Your device must cool down before using it!!! Took the case off & about 5 minutes latter it started working. DH had been calling & it was going to my voicemail. Never imagined it would be too hot to use my phone!!

Told the kids yesterday they were not allowed to go outside without their having water bottles filled up & in their insulated slings holders. I am ready for next week. Suppose to be a little cooler at least!!!!

 

[poultryand bees]

Quote:

Sorry - when I am just glancing at avatars, your avatar and that of BigOkie run together in my mind.

 

[sixshooter60]

Well it was a little cooler most of the day here.. Wind seemed to help keep it cooler. got out early and and built some frames for shade cloth..got it all up and man it was sure cooler under the shade but wouldnt you figure the dumb chickens thought it was cooler in the coop which i guess it was as it totally open on the south side and with the wind and two big ag fans blowing in there . but at least there is shade if they want to go outside.. i built a dust box like one i saw in a chicken book . i dug out a 3x3 spot in the coop and put a 2x6 frame in the hole and filled it with sand and DE. it was funny watching nearly 50 chickens trying to get in a 3 by 3 spot all at once to dust... well thats about all i have got done today..

 

[upcdayz]

Quote:
What ratio - sand to DE do you use? I was thinking of doing something similar. Right now all my girls dig holes in the loose dirt under trees, but thought adding DE might help with the pests.

 

[sixshooter60]

Quote:
What ratio - sand to DE do you use? I was thinking of doing something similar. Right now all my girls dig holes in the loose dirt under trees, but thought adding DE might help with the pests.

I dont really know if there is a correct amount or not i just put the sand in and then poured a small coffed can of DE and about the same amount of 7 dust in on top of the sand and kinda mixed it with a hoe ..i dont think you can overdo the DE but then im not for sure .. i mixed the 7 dust with it to kill any mites or critters faster then hope the DE starts doing its thing

 

[sixshooter60]

Quote:
What ratio - sand to DE do you use? I was thinking of doing something similar. Right now all my girls dig holes in the loose dirt under trees, but thought adding DE might help with the pests.

I dont really know if there is a correct amount or not i just put the sand in and then poured a small coffed can of DE and about the same amount of 7 dust in on top of the sand and kinda mixed it with a hoe ..i dont think you can overdo the DE but then im not for sure .. i mixed the 7 dust with it to kill any mites or critters faster then hope the DE starts doing its thing

Oh and as for the amount of sand it was a wheel barrow full..lol.. it was about 4 inches deep in a 3x3 frame ..

 

[CayuseRanch]

MJ your mailbox is full.

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads