Texas

[Quackers Mama]

I mad my new chicken coop off the ground so the boogers don't have anywhere to really bunker down. There is hay in the bottom of my coop, but the girls dig through it during the day occasionally so i don't think many bugs will stick around. I also use DE in the run, I never had the roaches crawling around in the run, I might try and sprinkle some in the house next time I get a bottle as well!

I've heard good things & "bad" things about DE. Right now I'm on the fence about whether I should get some or not. There's a thread I came across today talking about the roaches. People were saying that cucumber peelings inside the bedding & cucumber water sprayed throughout the housing keeps the roaches away. I think they said that roaches are allergic to cucumbers or something along those lines.

 

[Bazy]

Someone here had a whole bunch up for free on Craigslist. His reasons was "wife hates them and need them gone ASAP". He has around 50. Insane.

His wife is jealous of the chickens. The chickens get more attention, I'm sure. she should be glad it's chickens getting he attention and not chicks!

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

I've heard good things & "bad" things about DE. Right now I'm on the fence about whether I should get some or not. There's a thread I came across today talking about the roaches. People were saying that cucumber peelings inside the bedding & cucumber water sprayed throughout the housing keeps the roaches away. I think they said that roaches are allergic to cucumbers or something along those lines.

I have yet to have a problem with the DE. As soon as my hens see my pour it in their dusting area they run for it and all start dust bathing. They love the stuff. I don't know what people think is bad about it. Can't be worse than using wood ash or seven dust. Seven dust is toxic even.

As far as the cucumber goes, that doesn't seem right to me... I have seen roaches nibbling all over a cucumber before. Though maybe that is just the Dallas super roaches.

His wife is jealous of the chickens. The chickens get more attention, I'm sure. she should be glad it's chickens getting he attention and not chicks!

Hahaha!~ Ain't that the truth!

 

[Quackers Mama]

His wife is jealous of the chickens.  The chickens get more attention, I'm sure.  she should be glad it's chickens getting he attention and not chicks!

Wonder if she ever threatened him with saying she'll put him in the chicken house lol.

I have yet to have a problem with the DE. As soon as my hens see my pour it in their dusting area they run for it and all start dust bathing. They love the stuff. I don't know what people think is bad about it. Can't be worse than using wood ash or seven dust. Seven dust is toxic even. As far as the cucumber goes, that doesn't seem right to me... I have seen roaches nibbling all over a cucumber before. Though maybe that is just the Dallas super roaches.
Hahaha!~ Ain't that the truth!

Lol I'll stick with the DE. I'm confused about it though because people have said when it gets wet it doesn't work. Yet I've heard you can put it in a spray bottle with water. That made no sense to me lol.

 

[tiedyemommy]

From y'all's experience...how long should it take for new birds to be accepted? We've had four in the grow out pen for a couple of months now so they've been seen by the whole flock. We tried to let them come out into the chicken house but they got jumped right away. We tried twice now to put them in the yard, which is 20 x 30, with the gang and they have gotten chased and feather pulled mercilessly both times. After a few minutes all they want to do is run back to the safety of their pen. They are really out numbered 39 to 4! They are 4 months old so a little bigger than bantams. We tried putting out trays of treats and then let them out...that seemed to make it worse. We've introduced others without this much trouble. It seems to be the older pullets causeing more trouble than the mature hens.

We jumped right in with our new additions. First, the three Blue Splash Marans/Amauracana pullets (approx 10wks old, when we got 'em)...and our original 5 hens had no problem with them being there. Next, the two French Black Marans pullets (approx 16wks old, when we got 'em)...and again, our original 5 hens had little-to-no problem with them being there. Between the 5 new birds they have their own pecking order...the two older pullets keep the younger pullets in line. Red (our departed Red Sex-Link) was head honcho of the original 5 hens, and she would boss the new birds a little bit, but now that she's gone, no one really interferes with the younger pullets at all. I think pullets have a harder time adjusting to new birds than hens too. Too high strung. Plus, 39 to 4 seems quite intimidating.

 

[tiedyemommy]

So is anyone else as excited as I am about this "cold front"? I am sooooo looking forward to fall and being able to finally spend time outside. The last few days have been wonderful in the mornings and my kids are actually playing outside now!

I am beyond prepared for cooler/cold weather. I am originally from Michigan, and I miss actual winters...not necessarily months' worth of snow, but at least jacket weather.

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

Wonder if she ever threatened him with saying she'll put him in the chicken house lol.
Lol I'll stick with the DE. I'm confused about it though because people have said when it gets wet it doesn't work. Yet I've heard you can put it in a spray bottle with water. That made no sense to me lol.

That makes no sense at all haha! Oh well. I am just gonna stick to sprinkling it dry everywhere. I wonder why they say it doesn't work when wet... because I heard of making a white wash with it.


Gah! My ladies dumped almost their entire feeder of food. They are going to have to eat off the ground for a few days. I am not going to feel sorry for them when that feeder is empty.

 

[Starfire669]

I see you on the duck board nice to see someone else in TX. I'm in the Austin area though.

I'm also on the duck and Chinese goose threads. Lol.

 

[David1998]

Is there anyone in Lubbock or the surrounding areas who is in need or would like a handsome cockeral or that have any older (3+months old) pullets that they are trying to find a new home for? I have 3 brahma/cochin/mutt cockerals that I need to find homes ...

I have some 3 week old pullets (easter eggers, barred rocks, buff orpingtons) I'm trying to find new homes for. Sorry, I'm not in Lubbock, but they will be 3 months old before too long.

 

[micheleag2010]

I have some 3 week old pullets (easter eggers, barred rocks, buff orpingtons) I'm trying to find new homes for. Sorry, I'm not in Lubbock, but they will be 3 months old before too long.

Man if only we lived closer. I've been trying to get females but no one here in Lubbock has pullets they want to give away. I always end up having to start from scratch with chicks and then my luck has been horrible. I mean the roos are pretty but I can't bring myself to kill them so I have to spend all this time finding new homes for them. I placed 3 not too long ago and they were all doing well. Now I have these 3 boys to place.