Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[Germaine_11.20]

Hi everyone, I just got back and still need to catch up. Wanted to show Kathy some worm pics. I'm keeping my fingers crossed Cynthia that Isaac's comb stays on tomorrow!

Worms, glorious worms!

Worms turn into Pupae (for some reason I can't spell this tonight!)

Pupae turn into Beetles:

Beetles lay eggs that turn into worms!

Here is a pic of all the worm skins that they have outgrown

So now there you have it!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Oh, cool! You think I could do that? Like I said, I kill every plant that isn't plastic!

I think I would like to give it a try!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Easy peasy. Just set a spot aside that is warm and you don't mind some dust from the worms. Very little to maintain. Potatoes, carrots or any other moist veggie.

Just make sure you either cook the wheat bran at a low temp 120-140 (don't burn it) or freeze it for about 4 days to kill any weevil eggs or larvae that are already in it and you just don't know it!

They do need some ventilation holes. I bought a small hole saw for about ten dollars and it attaches to my electric drill. Bought some rubbermaid totes and Wha-la. Homes for the worms.

They can't crawl up the sides for some reason so you really don't even need the lids, but I am not taking chances that I will have THE WORM that figures out how!

If you need any more info just ask. Sillybirds has a great setup and great prices but you can buy some from Petsmart or any place like that. You need to start with worms. Feed them and keep them warm.

Sillybirds sends worms, beetles and starter homes.

 

[speckledhen]

I know what I'll do with Isaac and his girls! He's in the Firetower alone tonight, but dang it, that's just not right. So, we will put the six Delaware ladies, including Gracie, in the Firetower (which will hold just that many), Ike with the main laying flock, and every few days, we'll put him in with them so we can keep the eggs fertile! That way, Isaac is not alone, the eggs are fertile and he can heal up. When he's completely healed up, maybe they can go back in with him. Why didn't I think of this before? I really don't want the Firetower occupied on a permanent basis, but maybe it won't be permanent.


Gee, it's after midnight. Why am I still up???

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, yea .... that's a great idea! Isaac shouldn't have to be alone! Problem solved!

Yea, why were you up so late? .... worrying?

 

[joletabey]

I have one little one in particular that grabs on to my sleeve and pulls hard and shakes - so far I have given her a little tap and moved her away, but I think I will get a little tougher with her, just in case - nip it in the bud- maybe I will poke her a little more and go after her when she does it-
I would guess that it's an individual dominance thing- horses and dogs both can be nippy when little and you have to get after it right away-
Except Cyn said this is new behavior for hers. . . . . ok, I'm baffled.

Thanks for the worm pics, Rwoman- yum yum.. . . GAG!
Just kidding, that was informative - I had no idea that was the cycle. How warm do they have to be?

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Joletabey they need to be around 70-80 for optimal production

 

[speckledhen]

The Delawares do explore alot when they are babies with their beaks. And usually, you can break them of that when the little beak is large enough to grab and hold for a sec. That usually stops the behavior then they mature. This "hunting down" of their rooster to eat him a bite at a time is what is new. I hope once the wattles are completely healed, no light or dark spots to focus on, maybe they can go back with him. If they won't quit, I'll rehome them.

 

[joletabey]

Black Widow Delawares

 

[speckledhen]

The Del ladies, including Gracie without her best friend, Riley, are in the Firetower pen. Bet they are just going nuts, needing to lay, but not wanting to lay in the nests that are new to them. There are two nests in there and six girls, but the Dels are often occupying nests all at one time. Hope this is enough for them.