Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[goldeneggtees]

Hi all!

Been browsing the past couple of pages.

So far, it's a fun, busy summer. Lots of barbeques and beach visits. Also trying to work, keep the kids occupied and exercise.

Remember I told you all about my obsession with hummingbirds? Well, I'm happy to report we get them all day at our feeders now. I can't believe it really. We live in such a populated, busy area, I didn't think they'd ever want to hang around. Yet, they are here all the time now. Feels like I am in a happy dream state!

One of my australorps was broody for at least 6 weeks, maybe more. She got taken out a few times a day and fed specially so she was ok. But with very little or no dust bathing, she got some sort of mite. I was scared when I first noticed them. You could see she had been bitten around her vent and that's where they were in full force.

I changed out the laying boxes, sprayed them with some flea and tick spray I had laying around and put tons of DE down and took her and dusted her with permethrin. Happy to report, no more bugs! Whew! I am keeping a close eye on everyone else but am glad that the stuff worked so well. I've read so many nightmares.

I met a lady at a party last night who also keeps chickens and she is having problems with pecking. I am going to email her a link to this thread. Maybe Al can help her out with some advice. Apparently, one of her hen's head has been picked so bad, she was a bloody mess.

 

[magsrags]

Hi all!

Been browsing the past couple of pages.

So far, it's a fun, busy summer. Lots of barbeques and beach visits. Also trying to work, keep the kids occupied and exercise.

Remember I told you all about my obsession with hummingbirds? Well, I'm happy to report we get them all day at our feeders now. I can't believe it really. We live in such a populated, busy area, I didn't think they'd ever want to hang around. Yet, they are here all the time now. Feels like I am in a happy dream state!

One of my australorps was broody for at least 6 weeks, maybe more. She got taken out a few times a day and fed specially so she was ok. But with very little or no dust bathing, she got some sort of mite. I was scared when I first noticed them. You could see she had been bitten around her vent and that's where they were in full force.

I changed out the laying boxes, sprayed them with some flea and tick spray I had laying around and put tons of DE down and took her and dusted her with permethrin. Happy to report, no more bugs! Whew! I am keeping a close eye on everyone else but am glad that the stuff worked so well. I've read so many nightmares.

I met a lady at a party last night who also keeps chickens and she is having problems with pecking. I am going to email her a link to this thread. Maybe Al can help her out with some advice. Apparently, one of her hen's head has been picked so bad, she was a bloody mess.

Sound like you have been very busy!
Tell us again your hummingbird secrets so I can try attracting more to my yard please?

 

[magsrags]

Good morning from overcast down under. Looks like a hottie today here...... with thunderstorm for the next couple of days cooling it down to low 80's. I won't complain, we need the rain.

Please srop talking about getting a new dog. I am tormented which in turn makes me torment my dh.As you said suzanne.....it's a family thread so I can't quite put our conversation in print.

Heather, how large will you pooch get? She is beautiful.

Suzanne, your day trip sounds so nice. It was a perfect 10 out there yesterday as well.

OK, its officially raining, I don't need to water!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Well, my first trick of luring the hummingbirds to our house was putting the feeders very close to the ancient, huge trumpet vine we have growing out front. They love trumpet vines. They can be invasive though. If I didn't constantly pull out the suckers that grow up EVERYWHERE, my entire property and house would be covered in it. Seriously.

I also planted loads more flowering plants that were specifically suited to attracting them. Unfortunately, my bee balm is currently covered in powdery mildew.

For the past two years, I hung the feeder under the vine but I think they weren't seeing it. So this year, I moved them, one on each side of the tree and I think they found it easier. I also used new feeders which allow the birds to rest instead of constantly hovering which saves them some much needed energy. The feeder mimics the tubular flower the trumpet vine produces.

The other thing I have done is to make sure the sugar water is changed every few days. The nectar is a mixture of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water with no need for boiling. Just mix well and wala, fresh nectar! It will last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Also, I clean out the feeder with hot water and clean all crevices well. The nectar can get moldy very quickly.

The next step is to actually see them. They are easily missed and you may have them and not even notice. This task was quite easily accomplished by having my morning coffee while sitting under the really cool, bee filled canopy. The flowers are only on top so the bees don't come down to bother me. I do hear a very loud hum though from the many species of bee that visit. I used to be deathly afraid of bees (really yellow jackets and wasps) but am getting more used to them. Of course, if someone in my family was allergic to bee stings, we might have to change the way things are planted around here. Thankfully, we are all good.

Good luck, let me know if you are successful. My persistence and patience has really paid off this time. So happy.

 

[magsrags]

Well, my first trick of luring the hummingbirds to our house was putting the feeders very close to the ancient, huge trumpet vine we have growing out front. They love trumpet vines. They can be invasive though. If I didn't constantly pull out the suckers that grow up EVERYWHERE, my entire property and house would be covered in it. Seriously.

I also planted loads more flowering plants that were specifically suited to attracting them. Unfortunately, my bee balm is currently covered in powdery mildew.

For the past two years, I hung the feeder under the vine but I think they weren't seeing it. So this year, I moved them, one on each side of the tree and I think they found it easier. I also used new feeders which allow the birds to rest instead of constantly hovering which saves them some much needed energy. The feeder mimics the tubular flower the trumpet vine produces.

The other thing I have done is to make sure the sugar water is changed every few days. The nectar is a mixture of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water with no need for boiling. Just mix well and wala, fresh nectar! It will last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Also, I clean out the feeder with hot water and clean all crevices well. The nectar can get moldy very quickly.

The next step is to actually see them. They are easily missed and you may have them and not even notice. This task was quite easily accomplished by having my morning coffee while sitting under the really cool, bee filled canopy. The flowers are only on top so the bees don't come down to bother me. I do hear a very loud hum though from the many species of bee that visit. I used to be deathly afraid of bees (really yellow jackets and wasps) but am getting more used to them. Of course, if someone in my family was allergic to bee stings, we might have to change the way things are planted around here. Thankfully, we are all good.

Good luck, let me know if you are successful. My persistence and patience has really paid off this time. So happy.

I am going to seriously get to work on arranging a friendly environment for them. I love trumpet vines and time I planted some here. My neighbors all have them! Thanks so much for breaking it down for me. Appreciate that.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

I'm in the middle of a panic attack. My truck has been a little twitchy lately, we replaced the battery, thinking it was that-but it's still been idling REALLY low. Well, this morning, I dropped my oldest son at Football practice and came home for the hour he had this morning. Well, my truck is DEAD. Completely dead, no clicks, nothing. I'm losing it, because he is probably sitting there, in the rain, while everyone leaves, and he doesn't have a phone (his drowned last year, and my husband decided nobody really needs a phone) so I can't call him to let him know to walk. He might have gotten a ride, if I had been able to call him.

I'm going to have to have the truck towed now to the shop in Ronkonkoma, we were on the way to drop it the other day, and my husband decided it was definitely the battery, and we didn't need to take it in. I'm freaking out. Now, it just started thundering. Really?

Ugh. Why doesn't he CALL ME?? His coach is there, and could let him use his phone. Yeah, I'm losing it.

 

[highpointfarm]

Cheeky, If he is like any other teen out their, he will adapt, and make the best of it xD dont worry rain never hurt anyone.... that much lol jk

 

[magsrags]

I'm in the middle of a panic attack. My truck has been a little twitchy lately, we replaced the battery, thinking it was that-but it's still been idling REALLY low. Well, this morning, I dropped my oldest son at Football practice and came home for the hour he had this morning. Well, my truck is DEAD. Completely dead, no clicks, nothing. I'm losing it, because he is probably sitting there, in the rain, while everyone leaves, and he doesn't have a phone (his drowned last year, and my husband decided nobody really needs a phone) so I can't call him to let him know to walk. He might have gotten a ride, if I had been able to call him.

I'm going to have to have the truck towed now to the shop in Ronkonkoma, we were on the way to drop it the other day, and my husband decided it was definitely the battery, and we didn't need to take it in. I'm freaking out. Now, it just started thundering. Really?

Ugh. Why doesn't he CALL ME?? His coach is there, and could let him use his phone. Yeah, I'm losing it.

Stay calm....it'll be OK Rosie.
Likely the alternater died soit killed your battery too. Easy fix.Battery will recharge.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Cheeky, If he is like any other teen out their, he will adapt, and make the best of it xD dont worry rain never hurt anyone.... that much lol jk

Rain doesn't worry me, Caleb, it's the fact that he'll stand out there like a puppy, in lightning.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Stay calm....it'll be OK Rosie.
Likely the alternater died soit killed your battery too. Easy fix.Battery will recharge.

That's what I told my husband last week! Now I'm hearing hail is coming too.