Oregon Fall Poultry Swap - October 22 - Corvallis @ the Fairgrounds!!!

[RustyHen]

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Sounds like moles to me - I have many, and the tunnel/mounds have undermined the posts supporting the fence, but otherwise, they just provide lots of soft dirt for the chickens to dustbath in (and they do!). I tried all sorts of smelly stuff (including pee) but did not stop them... I finally bought some traps online (because the kind in the stores extended above ground and I didn't want to hurt chickens)... I've caught 3 so far (HATE to do it; they actually look cute and I hate killing things) and I stuff the dead bodies down other holes to give them a hint. It does seem to have reduced the population some, and I'm gonna just keep doing it... because they are also ruining my veggie garden and new berry shrubs!
Good luck with them.

Thanks, (and everyone else that gave advice)
I talked to my mom also. She also said that moles where very had to get rid of. You almost have to get rid of all the food supply. Which I quess the big one is grub worms and some other common 'bug' (can't remember what she said now) But get rid of those and the moles will move on. I don't have a clue in hell how you would do that. I guess I might just have to sacrifice a little bit of chicken feed and keep filling up the holes.

I don't like killing anything either. I do have dogs (my yorkie and a beagle) that will dig one up once in awhile. I'll see a dead one in the yard next to a big hole. They can have the job of getting rid of them, if they would just fill up the dang holes when they are done. (If I had a nickel for everytime I fell or tripped on those stupid holes!! (Now that I think about it, I would have some really nice coops and a whole lot of chickens!!

) LOL

We have a 90+ farmer around here who tells us to put a stick of jucyfruit gum minus the wrapper down the mole holes. They don't like the sent and move on can't hurt anything that gets a hold of it so I feel pretty safe giving it a try.

 

[tallyho]

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What's the sheep project?

Our sheep project is hair sheep that shed so no wool. We chose the Katahdin breed. As the featured breed at our local fair a few weeks ago there were almost 70 animals on display from local & regional breeders brought very nice Katahdins. Many classes were large, as green handlers to sheep showing we were very happy to bring home 5th place yearling ewe and yearling ram in classes each of 15 animals. Now I am offering the young lambs that have been weaned and getting ready to make more

We are looking at babydoll southdowns. They are a heritage breed, multi-purpose, docile and no taller than 24". They are perfect for the city-farm situation we have at Alpenrose Dairy. We'll learn to handle and manage them and maybe a little about grass pastture management. My only problem is predator control. They coyotes woke up the whole 'hood last night with their howling and yipping.

 

[auntpa-k]

Quote:
What's the sheep project?

Our sheep project is hair sheep that shed so no wool. We chose the Katahdin breed. As the featured breed at our local fair a few weeks ago there were almost 70 animals on display from local & regional breeders brought very nice Katahdins. Many classes were large, as green handlers to sheep showing we were very happy to bring home 5th place yearling ewe and yearling ram in classes each of 15 animals. Now I am offering the young lambs that have been weaned and getting ready to make more

We are looking at babydoll southdowns. They are a heritage breed, multi-purpose, docile and no taller than 24". They are perfect for the city-farm situation we have at Alpenrose Dairy. We'll learn to handle and manage them and maybe a little about grass pastture management. My only problem is predator control. They coyotes woke up the whole 'hood last night with their howling and yipping.

Oh!! I would love to have a sheep (or even a goat). How big a place (talking about city-backyard-ish) do one need, to have sheep (or goat)? Would a sheep be as good as a goat in keeping weeds(backyard in general lawns), down? And now with this getting closer to 'farm' like stock, who or how does one contact to find out 'laws'? Same as with the chickens? I live in Washington. Outside of the city limits in Vancouver. (found out there is big difference with the inside and outside city limits when it comes to 'animal' laws)

Thanks,

 

[CathyM]

Quote:
Alright!!

That's plent of incentive to make another large batch while the peaches are around!! It was a pie filling recipe, but I couldn't see why it wouldn't work for jam... I guess it worked!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
We are looking at babydoll southdowns. They are a heritage breed, multi-purpose, docile and no taller than 24". They are perfect for the city-farm situation we have at Alpenrose Dairy. We'll learn to handle and manage them and maybe a little about grass pastture management. My only problem is predator control. They coyotes woke up the whole 'hood last night with their howling and yipping.

Oh!! I would love to have a sheep (or even a goat). How big a place (talking about city-backyard-ish) do one need, to have sheep (or goat)? Would a sheep be as good as a goat in keeping weeds(backyard in general lawns), down? And now with this getting closer to 'farm' like stock, who or how does one contact to find out 'laws'? Same as with the chickens? I live in Washington. Outside of the city limits in Vancouver. (found out there is big difference with the inside and outside city limits when it comes to 'animal' laws)

Thanks,

Let me give a little advice DO NOT get just one goat or sheep. You really need 2 otherwise they will be lonely and you will not enjoy having them.

 

[andalusn]

Quote:
We are looking at babydoll southdowns. They are a heritage breed, multi-purpose, docile and no taller than 24". They are perfect for the city-farm situation we have at Alpenrose Dairy. We'll learn to handle and manage them and maybe a little about grass pastture management. My only problem is predator control. They coyotes woke up the whole 'hood last night with their howling and yipping.

Oh!! I would love to have a sheep (or even a goat). How big a place (talking about city-backyard-ish) do one need, to have sheep (or goat)? Would a sheep be as good as a goat in keeping weeds(backyard in general lawns), down? And now with this getting closer to 'farm' like stock, who or how does one contact to find out 'laws'? Same as with the chickens? I live in Washington. Outside of the city limits in Vancouver. (found out there is big difference with the inside and outside city limits when it comes to 'animal' laws)

Thanks,

Here in Clark County if your outside the City limits, outside the urban growth boundary you should be able to have whatever you want in regards to livestock and the number of animals. the maps are searchable and posted online. If space is an issue you should consider possibly bottle fed pygmy goats. As mentioned before flock animals need to have company so you should always have at min two so they have a buddy. I don't think fainting goats are very large. As with any wool breed of sheep you will need to look into if they need yearly shearing. It's getting harder to find anyone that will do that service. Goats are more of a minimal care animal but not as good a brush eater as some sheep. I grew up with a milking herd of Nubian goats and find that the Katahdin Sheep are a better brush eater than any goat.

 

[CathyM]

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And I guess I know why! Having just helped my friend shear two of her mohair goats, I can see that it's quite a physical job - especially if they're not in the mood!

I'm now properly in awe of goat and sheep shearers...

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
And I guess I know why! Having just helped my friend shear two of her mohair goats, I can see that it's quite a physical job - especially if they're not in the mood!

I'm now properly in awe of goat and sheep shearers...

YEs and then there is hoof trimming which while not as bad as shearing it is still a hassle. And as far as brush removal the best critter for that job is hogs. See they will eat the brush and the roots ansd when done you will have a nice tilled spot for a garden plus you send puiggy to freezre cmap and eat weel all wintre .

 

[auntpa-k]

Every night after the chickens have gone into their coop, I make a last check-in, just to make sure everyone is ok.

the ducks were still up and I started playing with them. (there is this silly game I started with them when they were real little and still living in the bathtub) It was just soooo cute, that I picked up one

(thinking I would give it a quick hug), but he didn't like being picked up and started getting loud! They will play, they just don't like being held. (I guess we were too loud)

About that time, Hef stuck his head out the door of the coop and hollered at me!

Then just stood there in that little 'doorway' giving me the

stink-eye! I wish I could have gotten a picture of it. The look on that rooster's face!!

It was the funniest I had ever seen! He is for sure the boss! (or thinks he is!) He isn't 'mean' but if he has something to say, even to me, he will get on top of the coop and tells me exactly

what or how he thinks! Good thing he is a little guy. (d'uccle) I could be a tiny bit intimidated with a 'big' rooster if it had Hef's attitude!

 

[tallyho]

Quote:
And I guess I know why! Having just helped my friend shear two of her mohair goats, I can see that it's quite a physical job - especially if they're not in the mood!

I'm now properly in awe of goat and sheep shearers...

YEs and then there is hoof trimming which while not as bad as shearing it is still a hassle. And as far as brush removal the best critter for that job is hogs. See they will eat the brush and the roots ansd when done you will have a nice tilled spot for a garden plus you send puiggy to freezre cmap and eat weel all wintre .

We know a shearer so that part is taken care of. Plus these are very handle-able sheep since thay are so small and docile. We can wrangle these things. And as far as pigs...OMG! We met the cutest guy. He was a mini but not the vietnamese style. He looked just like a large pig but was little. His job was the official farm greeter and belly-rub getter. And he did tricks. I would take him home in a second! I don't think he's edible! LOL!