The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

Make sure the nectar is close to the feed you're having a problem with and also pebbles and things in the syrup so they have something to land on without drowning.

I've put things close to the hive and even planted beds of flowering plants next to the hives for them and they get ignored. When the foragers come out of the hive, they make a 'bee line' for distant lands.

On the topic of bees feeding on trees. The famous and very tasty Tupelo honey comes from very large trees.

I'm very happy to hear they like trees

When I fed the birds this morning the bees were not out, maybe to cold and windy? I am going to try to plant some flowering shrubs soon. I hope...
Thank you for all your help Hagar3

 

[insanity]

This afternoon I installed my auto chicken door. Worked perfect.

 

[Arielle]

Great job!! What time does it open??

 

[ronott1]

This afternoon I installed my auto chicken door. Worked perfect.

What brand did you buy?

 

[insanity]

It was from chickendoors.com. Solar powered with battery backup ,timer or daylight triggered. I was surprised how easy it was to install. I did it myself. I still need to figure out how to power it with the coops electricity but I know it can be hooked up.

 

[ronott1]

It was from chickendoors.com. Solar powered with battery backup ,timer or daylight triggered. I was surprised how easy it was to install. I did it myself. I still need to figure out how to power it with the coops electricity but I know it can be hooked up.

That sounds like a good one!

 

[ozexpat]

My chicken door opener is a Bernie

 

[Cynthia12]

I had to change it to RIR as they only had Buckeyes on Mondays and I needed a Fri. deliver date. But I also went ahead and ordered my turkey and got the Standard Bronze and the Bourbon Reds half and half because I cannot get them till April 30th and I wanted the Bronze also. I am so excited I can hardly wait.... Busy busy, now we start building new pens!

Nice list, I think you are going to really like the RIR's.

 

[gryeyes]

I have to share this story; I think it's interesting on different levels.

I am a "regular" at The Pub at Fairplay. I socialize, to some degree, with a couple of the servers and am "hug" friendly with all of the employees and one of the owners. Other regulars know me by my first name or as "the chicken lady" or as the gal who makes rubber band bracelets right there at the bar. There is a specific seat at the bar which is known to be my favorite. The chef, a server, and a regular customer conspired and worked together to install a personalized, cast iron, purse hanger/holder on the wall next to "my" seat. (It was a Christmas gift from the server, has an ivy leaf pattern scrolled around the letter L.).

Several Pub regulars buy eggs from me and a few wait a while to get their cartons because of the Winter SlowDown. One day a week or so ago, one fellow asked me "Hey, when am *I* gonna get some of your eggs?" I promised him the next one "after Mitch." That was fine with him.

Yesterday, I had his carton AND he was at the Pub when I got there after taking care of Ranch chicken chores. (The Pub is about halfway between the Ranch and my Homestead.). I told him I had a carton of eggs for him out in the car; he got an odd expression, then said, "Umm, I'll pass this time."

No problem. He continued to fidget and then explained," I'm sorry, but I won't be buying any. I really wanted to support your business but .... I like my eggs all pasteurized and sterilized... I worry about getting sick from germs... "

So I told him I totally understood - although he was wrong and more likely to get salmonella from factory farmed eggs than backyard flocks. At this point, another regular at the bar NEXT to him interjected, "I TOLD him that!" "well, he can be wrong but it's his loss," I said nicely, smiling at the poor, uncomfortable coulda-been customer. Really, no biggie - I do have other customers.

Mister Uncomfortable continued, trying to justify his squeamishness, "And your eggs aren't all the same size... Or colors. I'm sorry."

A woman between us asked, "Did you have the eggs with you? 'cause if you do, I'll buy 'em!" She did.

Mister Uncomfortable came over to speak to me without encouraging people between us to participate in the conversation. He was genuinely concerned I would be angry or not like him any more. I reassured him "we" were fine, no need to worry.

I thought it was an interesting experience, as an egg-related event. Local folks, regular Pub customers, egg customers or not, pleasantly interacting and caring about others' impressions of them. Now, he may be a little odd, but aren't we all, in different ways?

 

[chickadoodles]

Nice list, I think you are going to really like the RIR's.

Thanks Cynthia I hope so.