The New Zealand Thread

[TheFatBlueCat]

Thought I'd let you know about this product, as I have used it and now feel like I can offer a review.

https://www.bioforce.co.nz/products/Poultry-Defender.html

It's a predatory mite that eats red mites. I purchased and released into my coop bedding in spring, and so far it has worked great. I intend to buy and release again next spring. I stopped using any other mite treatments a little while before I released them, except I did paint the edges of the roosting bars with a mixture of neem oil, clove oil, lavender oil and turpentine just in case. I figure these predatory mites live on the ground so painting the roosts won't hurt them.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

Asking here as it's specific to breeds and strains available in NZ.

I'm happy with the mix I have right now but am wondering about getting some more leghorns for the future. Mainly for bug control when I eventually move to a larger property and plant my orchard. Any other suggestions for available breeds that are nimble and good insect (and mice) snatchers? I am very happy with my barred rocks for foraging and have added partridge rocks which so far seem even better, but they are big birds as adults and not nimble or much for flying into trees. My araucanas are also excellent foragers and are more nimble, but their egg laying is mediocre and they go broody A LOT.

I do NOT want bantams, guinea fowls or ducks, but i would consider quail. Prefer to just stick with standard chickens.

 

[Lizzy733]

Asking here as it's specific to breeds and strains available in NZ.

I'm happy with the mix I have right now but am wondering about getting some more leghorns for the future. Mainly for bug control when I eventually move to a larger property and plant my orchard. Any other suggestions for available breeds that are nimble and good insect (and mice) snatchers? I am very happy with my barred rocks for foraging and have added partridge rocks which so far seem even better, but they are big birds as adults and not nimble or much for flying into trees. My araucanas are also excellent foragers and are more nimble, but their egg laying is mediocre and they go broody A LOT.

I do NOT want bantams, guinea fowls or ducks, but i would consider quail. Prefer to just stick with standard chickens.

Quail won't stick around. They have to be caged. My first thought would have been guinea for pest control from what I've heard about them .

My SLW has eaten a mouse right in front of me and eats worms. That latter may be a double-edged sword considering how many parasites those carry, but she likes what she likes. My other girls snub anything with a slime factor. My most voracious foragers were my brown shavers when I had them. They were a veritable raptor pack always on the hunt for food, but came with all the associated problems of being a production breed.

I've not tried my turkey or my golden campine free-range, but the latter are meant to be excellent foragers. Not sure if they'd take a mouse themselves though. My turkey hens absolutely will as I've seen them playing keep away with one they caught trying to sneak spilt pellets. (Actually, everyone joined in for that).

None of mine will take a rat.. even a young one. They completely ignore rats. (Though maybe the turkey would - haven't seen that match up just yet though.)

 

[Marisa14]

Hi, I thought it might be time us kiwis had our own thread to discuss our unique frustrations and joys , everyone welcome even if you're not from here!

I thought it would be handy to share our knowledge on where to get chicken related things like feed, equipment, great breeders we have had good experiences with etc. Or to bemoan how expensive everything is!

I am in Motueka, top of the South Island.

Hi!!! Finally someone who is in the same country as me!! I’m in the Waikato, in the north island

 

[Marisa14]

Im

Asking here as it's specific to breeds and strains available in NZ.

I'm happy with the mix I have right now but am wondering about getting some more leghorns for the future. Mainly for bug control when I eventually move to a larger property and plant my orchard. Any other suggestions for available breeds that are nimble and good insect (and mice) snatchers? I am very happy with my barred rocks for foraging and have added partridge rocks which so far seem even better, but they are big birds as adults and not nimble or much for flying into trees. My araucanas are also excellent foragers and are more nimble, but their egg laying is mediocre and they go broody A LOT.

I do NOT want bantams, guinea fowls or ducks, but i would consider quail. Prefer to just stick with standard chickens.

an Orpington girl!

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

Im

an Orpington girl!

Welcome! Thanks for joining us here. I have a couple of orpingtons. Very fluffy girls.

 

[Lizzy733]

Im

an Orpington girl!

I have one orpington from showlines. She is soooo fluffy and shy! She is always the one to quietly walk up to me and wait to be noticed.

Hoping to get her a roo maybe next year. She came from a very disasterous hatch, but the eggs were posted from south island, so was a bit of a rough ride for them.

 

[Marisa14]

Y

Welcome! Thanks for joining us here. I have a couple of orpingtons. Very fluffy girls.

es! Sooo fluffy!! I have 4 of them.

 

[Marisa14]

I have one orpington from showlines. She is soooo fluffy and shy! She is always the one to quietly walk up to me and wait to be noticed.

Hoping to get her a roo maybe next year. She came from a very disasterous hatch, but the eggs were posted from south island, so was a bit of a rough ride for them.

I have 4 Orpingtons. Daisy, my black one, had a sore leg when we first got her home and spent a bit of time handling her and sitting her on my knee. Very cute. I only have my flock of 4 as we live in town but I just love them! People think I’m nuts for loving them as much as I do!

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

O

I have 4 Orpingtons. Daisy, my black one, had a sore leg when we first got her home and spent a bit of time handling her and sitting her on my knee. Very cute. I only have my flock of 4 as we live in town but I just love them! People think I’m nuts for loving them as much as I do!

I've got 9 hens, 1 rooster and 15 (15!!!!!) chicks. I'll only be keeping a couple of the chicks though. Wasn't quite expecting the hatch rate success I got!