Texas

[granthamkk]

I know what you mean, I just told my wife, if they run out of water,which they won't, tonight they can drink off each others back.

Mine too didn't have sense to go in the covered area. They are out in it, eating grass and bugs.....

 

[magpiesing]

I use to be a working horticultuist so thought I would share this. Diatomaceous Earth is a form of soft sedimentary rock that crumbles to a fine powder. It is formed from tiny hard shelled algae that died millenia ago and built up on the sea floor. It is a good insecticide as it works two ways. It is abrasive so damages a bugs hide so it dehydrates, basically bleeds to death. It also gets into their respiratory openings and suffocates them (I think it was ken that said that). It works well on most bugs, caterpillars and such. Also kills slugs but must stay dry to work. Is also used for a dewormer in chickens and live stock. And is added to feed to ward off bugs and keep the feed from clumping. Avoid breathing it. I like the idea of putting it in the yard with wood ashes.

 

[magpiesing]

I ran them all in cause two of my girls wanted to stay out. Don't want wet birds. It's gonna get a little cool tonight so wanted them to have plenty of time to dry. So they are in lockdown and none too happy as I can here my roo fussing right now. Sorry gang, maybe tomorrow.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I'm so glad it finally started to rain here. I think it's been raining for about an hour now. I love the sound of it dripping off the roof.


I'm not on Pinterest, for good reason. But my friend sends me pictures from time to time and then I get to looking and .... How did it get so late!!

Look what I stumbled upon today. I love these old house looking coops. They fit so perfect in my neighbourhood too - Historic District. I think the all glass shed would be neat as a coop as long as you could open it all up in the summer.

 

[Cockle-Dood]

You should check out the Deep Litter method.  I know there are some who don't like it, but I do and am glad I switched over!  Check out these forums:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/643302/results-from-first-year-with-deep-litter-method

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70/deep-litter-method


Lisa

I second that one!

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I use to be a working horticultuist so thought I would share this. Diatomaceous Earth is a form of soft sedimentary rock that crumbles to a fine powder. It is formed from tiny hard shelled algae that died millenia ago and built up on the sea floor. It is a good insecticide as it works two ways. It is abrasive so damages a bugs hide so it dehydrates, basically bleeds to death. It also gets into their respiratory openings and suffocates them (I think it was ken that said that). It works well on most bugs, caterpillars and such. Also kills slugs but must stay dry to work. Is also used for a dewormer in chickens and live stock. And is added to feed to ward off bugs and keep the feed from clumping. Avoid breathing it. I like the idea of putting it in the yard with wood ashes.

I've read it is the sharp edges on it that slice into the bodies of the insects.

You can use other stuff too, that is a bit less hard on the lungs.

Beekissed posted this in the Fermented Feed thread.
Quote:

 

[harley1975]

I see y'all all talking about chicken shows is there a website that shows where and when they have these?

 

[kenmlang]

I ran them all in cause two of my girls wanted to stay out. Don't want wet birds. It's gonna get a little cool tonight so wanted them to have plenty of time to dry. So they are in lockdown and none too happy as I can here my roo fussing right now. Sorry gang, maybe tomorrow.

I think my girls were ready to go up tonight, because usually they wait till it's almost pitch dark to go up. Tonight at about 4:00pm the 4 birds that I have the hardest time putting up, were the first in. No prodding. The other 5, which are in a separate coop, gave me a little trouble,but not as much as usual.

 

[SlipsWife]

This is the pitcher I got to ferment my feed in. I think I may pick up a couple more of these (different designs) so I can have multiple batches going. How many batches should I have going of this? I'm clueless at this.

I wasn't going to say anything because I know people FF in plastic buckets made into strainer inside other plastic buckets and seem to do fine but I just wanted to give you a heads up...

I only know from a baking stand point with sourdough starter (which from what little I've read about FF, seems to be about the same concept) that you should never put starter in a plastic container. When doing sourdough starter I always had to use glass or ceramic containers, I used a plastic container once, the starter went bad. I've read about people doing FF and not knowing what they did wrong but it going bad on them and I wonder if it might be the container they use?

Just wanted to give you a heads up, if you notice a funny smell or the FF seems 'off', don't give up on it and maybe try a glass container. I know Hobby Lobby sell oversized Mason Jars (look online for a 40% of coupon), I think I've seen gallon size Mason Jars at Target too. You could poke holes in the top for ventilation...only if the pitchers don't work!

 

[magpiesing]

Whatever you dust with, I'd just limit it to the bird and where they sleep and nest and don't go hog wild on dusting the coop and litter...if you have beneficial bugs there you won't want to kill them and just treating the contact areas seem to do the job.

I agree with this totally. Moderation is the best course of action.