Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[ChksontheRun]

I use the plastic waterer from tractor supply and haul fresh from the house every day. I tried catching rain water in a bucket to use, but I didn't catch enough to give to the chickens. I have been using a hanging plastic feeder. It hangs under the coop (3 ft off the ground) so it is covered with the coop so it is not exposed to the rain. It is hung about 6-8 inches off of the ground and the chooks do not spill very much at all. They all seem to eat it carefully. Although because it is hanging, they cant scratch in it so I guess that helps. The flies aren't bad here yet. That may be a different story next year as this is the first year I have had chickens.

What is a fly predator?

 

[Cetawin]

If it is what I think they are referring to, it is by Spalding Labs and it is a insect that eats fly larvae.

I use those hanging traps and they fill up fast! But there are not poisons and such that the birds could possibly get to so, I just replace them as needed.

 

[kathyinmo]

Awwww, I see. I googled fly predator, and found out what it is. Hmmmm, something to consider. From what I read it is really needed earlier in the year, and needs to be repeated monthly. It also said, "Don't be discouraged if you don't notice a big difference until year 3." Huh? It takes 3 years, with monthly applications from April through cold weather? Maybe should start a thread and ask for reviews on these products.

For now, the fly strips are replaced DAILY! Yes, I have replaced 10 of them every day this week! I am gonna try the Amish thingy .... a ziplock bag with water and 3 to 5 shiney pennies in it. Hang them around and suppose to deter flies.

Lotsapaint .... Thanks for those pictures! I think I am gonna try that, too!

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Tkae your ziploc baggie and put water and fresh rosemary in it...punch a couple holes in it above the waterline....that will keep flies at bay also

 

[Lotsapaints]

About fly predators they just work and keeping it dry...well you have rain we don't get any again until October. I'm sure you could get them to work how close are your neighbors? The whole neighborhood here did it one year and now they don't but still 3 of us do and they do winter over in my manure/compost pile when you order a years worth they give you one free shipment and you can double it up to get caught up and no they don't pay me to recommend them....

 

[joletabey]

It didn't take three years at my place with the fly predators- yes, from Spalding Labs- I noticed a big difference the first year. By the second year I had hardly any flies- I have been using them faithfully for YEARS!!! Why did I let it go this year?

Kathy- I used them April-September and the cost was only about 110.00. They put you on auto ship, so you get your supply once a month without thinking about it. I have found Spalding to be great to work with, and the product WORKS!!!!

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Got a surprise in my shipment of chicks from Sand Hill Preservation last night - 5 Delawares! I had ordered Buckeyes, Jaerhons and Speckled Sussex, but had provided a list of breeds I would accept as substitutes. I did not expect any Delawares as they are sold out for the entire year.

I will let you know how they progress. So far, they fell on the feed and water like gremlins and seem to have had little stress in their 30 hour trip from Iowa to Wisconsin.

I had somewhat given up on Delaware Roosters as I have a hard time keeping those beautiful big combs and wattles from being frost-bitten in our cold winters. I love that look and it breaks my heart when they lose them. So I may have to re-home any particularly wonderful looking and well-behaved roosters. The hens seem to manage alright.

Or the hubby will have to complete the more insulated rooster winter quarters he has been promising.

 

[joletabey]

JoAnn - long time no hear!!! How are you? I vote for insulation! It's a sign from heaven that they sent you Dellies- mind control at work and all that!

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Yes I know I've been missing a while. I kind of opted out about 300 pages back, figuring Buckeyes and other pea-combed birds might make better sense up here. I see you folks were recently discussing different combs on Delawares, but I have to say, I love the look of the big single combs and artfully curled wattles, especially when proudly carried.

The boys always call human aggressive Delaware cockerels "Deli-Meat". I'm afraid all the boys in the last batch had to go that route, they kept trying to flog even the eldest boy.

If I can prove we can keep those combs protected, I might have to start looking around for an Ike son or grandson. We have hen saddles, hasn't any one developed a rooster stocking cap yet? It would have to cover the comb and the wattles...

Sand Hill sent a total of 29 chicks to cover my 25 bird order, very generous. One got smooshed in transit (these things happen).

I hope we can do a good job with them. I am always shocked at how fragile they are at this itty-bitty stage. So far they are energetic and busy.

It will be interesting to compare the Sand Hill birds to the Whitmore Farms birds we have. One of those year old Whitmore girls will be going to our small county fair, just to get some breed visibility out there and to talk over the improvements we need to make with the judge and poultry leader.

Luck to all!

 

[joletabey]

Good luck at the show, JoAnn- I keep wishing I would make time to work with one or two of my hens so they could be show ready- they like lovin', but I am not too sure how the bath stuff would go over.

Buckeyes should be a perfect breed for those nasty Wisconsin winters, but I can just SEE a Del roo with a little knitted red hat and scarf- I hope the Sandhill ones turn out as nice or nicer than the Whitmore Farms. It is too bad about your roos, but it sounds like they deserved it. I sent four to freezer camp, more because of bad markings and because I could not find them homes.