The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[stonykill]

Some people call them No-See-'Ums? (although that sounds even more hick) I am certain you have them in NB.

ok, fine, I'm a hick.

actually we refer to them either way.

 

[salt and pepper]

I am all into natural chicken keeping, unfortunately I just finished going though a mite problem, and had to use insecticides to get rid of them. Now I'm looking into preventatives. I don't want to use DE since it can harm bees. Has anyone ever used lime to keep critters at bay?? I'm getting some for smell reasons anyway. So was wondering if this would work. Thanks!!

 

[Kassaundra]

I think it is regional gnats mostly in the south, fruit flies mostly westerly, and no see ums the north east, my gparents were from Maine and they always called them no see ums.

 

[countrygirl74]

I lost my roo, Gunnar.

Monday he was fine and today he passed away on the ride to the veterinarian.

Yesterday he became a bit lethargic and disoriented. No respiratory symptoms - clear eyes/nose... but last night the top of his comb started turning a purple/black color... and today he died.

I'm pretty torn up over this, not to mention worried about the rest of my flock... and I won't have answers for a couple days. (These will be the longest couple days in history!)

I took this picture of him on Sunday... picture of health.

So sorry! I always enjoyed reading about and viewing photos of Gunnar. He will be missed.

 

[stonykill]

I think it is regional gnats mostly in the south, fruit flies mostly westerly, and no see ums the north east, my gparents were from Maine and they always called them no see ums.

both my wife and I grew up a few miles from each other in upstate Ny. My family called them gnats, hers no see ums.

 

[mlowen]

Flies... Worst are Black Flies. They are horrible, fairly small, persistent biters. They drive moose out of the woods, onto roads to get away from them. I'm very sensitive to their bite and swell up around it, like it's a spider bite. They are worse in May and June. They make me want to stay indoors when it's too beautiful to stay indoors!:/

 

[Kassaundra]

both my wife and I grew up a few miles from each other in upstate Ny. My family called them gnats, hers no see ums.

Well there goes that theory lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

Okay, Stony - on the 10 month olds:

What is your theory? Why does this happen to some and not to others?
Have you noticed the same parentage or just random?
Do you see anything different in their behavior, appearance, eating habits, etc. as they're growing up?
Anything noticeable about them when they are newly hatched?

Anything at all that would make you think that particular bird wasn't going to make it?

 

[aoxa]

I thought those were just in scarey stories you tell children didn't know there was an actual bug. Guess I'll have to google that.

MY OH MY!!!!!!!! How did I miss those all these years???????????? That looks like the result of a mating of a roach and a scorpion, after the Borg got finished w/ it!!!!!!!! The article said they were all over the America's so we must have them, but I've never seen one.

You've never seen an earwig!?! Wow.. There are tons of them here.. and they gross me out as well, but they don't fly, so are lower on the 'ick' factor for me. They do not die easily.

I am so judging you for watching Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (and watching it enough to collect new vocabulary from it).
Some people call them No-See-'Ums? (although that sounds even more hick) I am certain you have them in NB.
That is a majestic bird. I am very sorry for your loss.

Nope I have never heard that term either. I think we call them black flies like mlowen calls them. They look bigger than a fruit fly. Like a baby fly.. and they bite.

Just mowed the lawn for the second time this week. It is officially spring. Our grass grows so fast here. I need to keep it under control so I don't have to use the bagger.

BDM, so sorry for your loss. I hope Stony is right, and that it was a heart attack

 

[stonykill]

Okay, Stony - on the 10 month olds:

What is your theory? Why does this happen to some and not to others?
Have you noticed the same parentage or just random?
Do you see anything different in their behavior, appearance, eating habits, etc. as they're growing up?
Anything noticeable about them when they are newly hatched?

Anything at all that would make you think that particular bird wasn't going to make it?

I answered the 1st already

random
nope
nope
nope

the rooster of mine I mentioned earlier. The day before mounting his 7 hens like always. Strutting, you know being a healthy horny rooster. Next morning he was dead. Looks like he fell of the roost, dead.
I questioned on this thread as to eat or no. I butchered, found what I reported and Delisha agreed with me, it just died. A seemingly healthy bird ....died. It happens.