Washingtonians

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Yes, but this is the heavier stuff, I believe. Need to get an outdoor cat or two to control rodents, but not my chickens.
And thanks once more of the reminder. I owe money for that. Sorry I am so forgetful.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
I have (had?) the same problem with raccoons using my cedars as a communal latrine. Gross!! Found it after I got chickens and was worried about their safety. King County has a webpage about getting rid of these raccoon latrines. I tried to follow their steps, and all, and removed some soil and replaced it with new soil. However, I think those coons have a smell they look for - and it probably lingers long after you remove the soil.

Anyway, I think I've finally conquered their latrine for GOOD by putting a deep bed of coffee chaff under the trees. I got the chaff free from a guy who collects from all the area coffee roasters. It really smells like coffee now, in my yard. But that's not a bad thing! And the fluffy chaff looks nice, it doesn't hurt the chickens, and most of all I hope the smell and texture completely deters those raccoons from using my yard as a highway and pit stop. If you're interested in the coffee chaff, PM me and I'll give you more details.

ETA: I think the last raccoon turd I saw was in mid-December. (knock on cedar)

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Wow I think weave should consider hiring me to bring my enclosed trailer for all the stuff she is getting at the party. Then on the way home I could make a little stop and skim a few things here and there she would never know.

She is awake now you know. I have a lot of stuff you could carry back with you. Happy to have you haul it away. I will be happy to have it all waiting by the curb for you. Just don't touch any of my good new treasures.
At least I am not planning to carry home any poultry. And that is an order. Don't let me!!!!

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I have (had?) the same problem with raccoons using my cedars as a communal latrine. Gross!! Found it after I got chickens and was worried about their safety. King County has a webpage about getting rid of these raccoon latrines. I tried to follow their steps, and all, and removed some soil and replaced it with new soil. However, I think those coons have a smell they look for - and it probably lingers long after you remove the soil.

Anyway, I think I've finally conquered their latrine for GOOD by putting a deep bed of coffee chaff under the trees. I got the chaff free from a guy who collects from all the area coffee roasters. It really smells like coffee now, in my yard. But that's not a bad thing! And the fluffy chaff looks nice, it doesn't hurt the chickens, and most of all I hope the smell and texture completely deters those raccoons from using my yard as a highway and pit stop. If you're interested in the coffee chaff, PM me and I'll give you more details.

ETA: I think the last raccoon turd I saw was in mid-December. (knock on cedar)

Oh, I had never thought of that. Do you have link for that page?

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
I have (had?) the same problem with raccoons using my cedars as a communal latrine. Gross!! Found it after I got chickens and was worried about their safety. King County has a webpage about getting rid of these raccoon latrines. I tried to follow their steps, and all, and removed some soil and replaced it with new soil. However, I think those coons have a smell they look for - and it probably lingers long after you remove the soil.

Anyway, I think I've finally conquered their latrine for GOOD by putting a deep bed of coffee chaff under the trees. I got the chaff free from a guy who collects from all the area coffee roasters. It really smells like coffee now, in my yard. But that's not a bad thing! And the fluffy chaff looks nice, it doesn't hurt the chickens, and most of all I hope the smell and texture completely deters those raccoons from using my yard as a highway and pit stop. If you're interested in the coffee chaff, PM me and I'll give you more details.

ETA: I think the last raccoon turd I saw was in mid-December. (knock on cedar)

Wow, I am glad to hear that about the coffee chaff. I have been composting mine. I may start putting it around the edges of my yard. Perhaps the coffee smell will deter them from even coming near my chickens, if they don't like it. Or I wonder if it just covers the urine smell. Either way. If it doesn't stop the raccons, maybe it will keep the neighbor dogs from peeing through the fence onto my vegetables.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
Yeah, I definitely did the King County recommendations: got rid of the raccoon droppings and a layer of the soil. But, I found that those recommendations didn't do the trick, long term, they would come back and start using the same places as their toilet again.

So, I found this guy, through my urban farm co-op, who collects the chaff from roasters. He's part of the upcycling movement and gives it away free, you just have to know when he's gonna be at his warehouse so you can pick it up. Elsewise, like you said...if you roast your beans and have chaff, or if you know roasters they usually throw the stuff away, so you can probably just talk to them and they'd be happy to give you bags of chaff. Good idea about detering the dog!

Some people also use coffee chaff as bedding in their chicken coops and runs. One drawback, when it gets wet, it gets slick, so I haven't tried that.

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Yeah, I definitely did the King County recommendations: got rid of the raccoon droppings and a layer of the soil. But, I found that those recommendations didn't do the trick, long term, they would come back and start using the same places as their toilet again.

So, I found this guy, through my urban farm co-op, who collects the chaff from roasters. He's part of the upcycling movement and gives it away free, you just have to know when he's gonna be at his warehouse so you can pick it up. Elsewise, like you said...if you roast your beans and have chaff, or if you know roasters they usually throw the stuff away, so you can probably just talk to them and they'd be happy to give you bags of chaff. Good idea about detering the dog!

Some people also use coffee chaff as bedding in their chicken coops and runs. One drawback, when it gets wet, it gets slick, so I haven't tried that.

Yes, that one doesn't sound like a good one to me. But around the outside would be good. And I am already using coffee in my compost... So I will just make sure to add some of that too with the chaff at the edges. Can't hurt anything.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
The King County one.

Here ya go:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/RaccoonLatrine.aspx

 

[RonB]

Kim
Key ??

what key

. Oh you mean the key to your house and garage with all those NEAT TOYS

. I'll give it back to you if you have DH give me a ride in that nice boat

.
Hey, Thur or Fri. will work for me. I'm usually out in the barn and coop after 2:30 or 3:00pm

Monday I was bragging that my new girls BOTH gave me an Egg,Well yesterday I got a BIG FAT ZERO from them

well off to clean the coop and count eggs

Beautiful Day out today

 

[brennant]

Poultry Fencing!

Hi all. I have 4x25 ft of poultry fencing - unused. (I did open the package up, but it is uncut) Anyone need fencing? Anyone interested in a trade? I am still on the "fence" about getting another laying hen... but maybe someone out there in the internets would like to trade?

Let me know!