***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[BetsyOK]

I think my new computer has taken care of the posting problems. Didn't seem to be completely OK at first, but is working now!

Yes, I dislike the waste of the large branches also, and even sugested to them that they can make very nice rustic garden arches and other things quite easily, but their interest is in making finished indoor furniture and milling the trees for boards and mantels. Father and sons all have full-time jobs, but really enjoy working hard and cutting trees (so happy someone loves it), and the younger son is working on developing a business mostly making cedar indoor furniture. He does cut some of it into other things (has even made a lot of coasters), but says his storage would be too full if they tried to save everything usable. They have orders for lumber that they need the wood for, but most of their orders require cutting very large trees (that have a LOT of branches). They are being exceptionally nice to us by cutting and stacking the limbs (and some of the actual trunks that have flaws too serious for them to use) into pieces that we can handle. They are also limbing up or cutting some of the cedars too small for their use as well as limbing up other trees they have no use for. They are taking out and rolling into manageable pieces a lot of briar and other vines. They're really helping us out!

The remaining hardwood trees, some of which are quite large, will benefit from not having to compete with the cedars for water. Cedars take up a huge amount of water!

 

[SharkmanDan]

Armadillos? Are they a predator?
I know that they'll wreak havoc, on a garden. I know that they can tear up the undercarriage of your vehicle. But, do they pose a threat to the chickens and turkeys?

Today, while my birds were out, foraging, I was just walking around, looking over the area they tend to forage in. I found a dead 'dillo, that my dogs obviously killed last night. I know they are great at tunneling, but it have a pretty so.id floor, in my coops. Not perfect, but certainly enough to stop most critters, who might want to burrow their way in. Since the birds get well locked in,at night, I never really thought of it, before. But, finding this one dead, made me think.

So, I thought I'd ask the experts. What's your experience, with these armored devils?

 

[subhanalah]

Armadillos? Are they a predator?
I know that they'll wreak havoc, on a garden. I know that they can tear up the undercarriage of your vehicle. But, do they pose a threat to the chickens and turkeys?

Today, while my birds were out, foraging, I was just walking around, looking over the area they tend to forage in. I found a dead 'dillo, that my dogs obviously killed last night. I know they are great at tunneling, but it have a pretty so.id floor, in my coops. Not perfect, but certainly enough to stop most critters, who might want to burrow their way in. Since the birds get well locked in,at night, I never really thought of it, before. But, finding this one dead, made me think.

So, I thought I'd ask the experts. What's your experience, with these armored devils?

I believe they are insectivores? And I know their African cousins are in danger of extinction due to Bush meat and high Asian demand.

 

[artsyrobin]

i never have consider dillos to be a danger- hmmm... i may have to google that

its been a mild summer till now, faverolle is recovering from heat stroke i think, she is able to walk today, she was staggering yesterday- working at combining most the birds into one big flock easier in the winter, except the silkies and the seramas of course


edited to add: dillos will eat eggs i they are on the ground- but chickens aren't on their meal plan

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/569465/armadillo

 

[Kassaundra]

The only dangers an armadillo pose are to humans, from twisting an ankle on one of their digs, or over correcting the car and wrecking. They also can carry Hensen's virus (leprosy) but I do not know the route of transmission, but suspect it is very hard to transmit since they are all over the area and we don't have a lot of leprosy.

 

[Sagetown]

They are not predators, but they are nasty.
Armadillo are natural carriers of Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) that is contagious to humans. It is found in humans in Louisiana that usually hunt, skin, and eat Armadillo. I saw first hand the results of Leprosy when I was in Vietnam. It is bad stuff. The disease eats away your fingers, nose, ears, and toes.
It wouldn't hurt to give your dogs a good bath, and use gloves as a precautionary.

 

[erinszoo]

The only dangers an armadillo pose are to humans, from twisting an ankle on one of their digs, or over correcting the car and wrecking.  They also can carry Hensen's virus (leprosy) but I do not know the route of transmission, but suspect it is very hard to transmit since they are all over the area and we don't have a lot of leprosy.

They are not predators, but they are nasty. 
Armadillo are natural carriers of Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) that is contagious to humans.   It is found in humans in Louisiana that usually hunt, skin, and eat Armadillo.  I saw first hand the results of Leprosy when I was in Vietnam.  It is bad stuff.   The disease eats away your fingers, nose, ears, and toes. 
It wouldn't hurt to give your dogs a good bath, and use gloves as a precautionary.

Leprosy has to be transmitted by blood getting into an open wound, I believe. But transmission to humans is not common. You're more likely to be stampeeded by a herd of cows or bitten by a shark in Kansas. Dogs, on the other hand, are different creatures. Not sure what they can pick up from them. Shouldn't bother your birds though other than freaking them out a little.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Thanks for the answers. This isn't the first Armadillo, that my dogs have gotten, but the first, since we have had fowl. I simply never considered it before.
Other than my Catahoula, being unable to be allowed around the birds when they're loose, (he's a real bird killer), my dogs are good for the birds. They're not so good on our budget, though. They do a great job of warding off predators. They've killed a few raccoons, opossums and skunks, but, in the process, have been bitten twice by snakes and sprayed a few times by the skunks. And, the coyotes stay outside my dogs' perimeter. We also have wildcats in the area (mostly bobcat) but, have seen no evidence of them.
But, when I found the freshly dead armadillo, it got me to wondering.
Now, if I could just trap those beaver, who keep cutting down trees by my creek!

 

[NanaKat]

Sounds as though everyone is quite busy even though it so dang hot out there.

Nanakat you and Roger be careful in this heat, it can really sneak up on you.
How is Roger liking the quail? I have some just started laying out of the same hatch as the young ones I sent with you. Those little guys sure can multiply quickly. Getting ready to put a few more in the freezer soon. I am also considering a few pheasant they sound quite nice for holiday dinners and other occasions.

In the event anyone would be interested I have quite a few bantams, a combination of previous years breeders and young birds that would have been some nice show prospects but have minor imperfections. I plan to let several go as yard art or what ever your desires.

Roger is really enjoying them....our young are beginning to lay also...got 3 extra eggs yesterday. So far have hatched out 25.

Those Bantams Carl has are lovely birds! We have several and really enjoy them. They love grasshoppers and will even take on the huge ones!

Thanks for the answers. This isn't the first Armadillo, that my dogs have gotten, but the first, since we have had fowl. I simply never considered it before.
Other than my Catahoula, being unable to be allowed around the birds when they're loose, (he's a real bird killer), my dogs are good for the birds. They're not so good on our budget, though. They do a great job of warding off predators. They've killed a few raccoons, opossums and skunks, but, in the process, have been bitten twice by snakes and sprayed a few times by the skunks. And, the coyotes stay outside my dogs' perimeter. We also have wildcats in the area (mostly bobcat) but, have seen no evidence of them.
But, when I found the freshly dead armadillo, it got me to wondering.
Now, if I could just trap those beaver, who keep cutting down trees by my creek!

We have a Catahoula/lab mix who thinks all the chickens are his!
We purchased snares off Amazon.com that work in the creeks for beaver. Also check with your County FSA about a State Ag person in your area who will trap them. Lincoln County has a State Ag person who will come out and set traps and snares to help clear the creeks.

 

[NanaKat]

Was ordering cattle supplies from ValleyVet.com this morning. They have Tylan200 on sale for $29.95 for a 250 ml bottle. That is a great savings since they had a 100ml bottle of Tylan50 for $12.75.
I also ordered pet syringes with a 25 gauge needle in 100ct for $20.95... That is #12961 in the pet catalog. These work great for chickens.
We use ValleyVet.com for almost all our animal supplies.