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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken info I just learned  |
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MiaBella
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Michelle
New Caney
TX
USA
100 Posts |
 Posted - May 03 2012 : 06:38:18 AM
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I don't know if any of you have this problem or have had it in the past but it is really bugging me so I went down to my local feed store and asked the owner.
First, I have a snake eating my eggs so I wanted to purchase some of those "fake eggs". He did not sell them, he said they were expensive and did not work. If the snake is strong enough it can still crush those ceramic eggs then come back for the real ones. He suggested GOLF BALLS instead. He explained that the hens will sit on them and get the egg scent on them and then the snake will go for them. The snakes CANNOT crush a golf ball.
Second, I am swarmed by mosquitoes every day when I open the nesting box lid to collect eggs. I don't want to spray anything in there for fear it will harm the hens and I don't like using harsh chemicals. The feed store owner told me to dust the boxes with DE (Diatomaceous Earth) dust them heavy! In addition, I can add it to their food...which I knew that, but just have not been doing it.
I already had the DE and the golf balls, so he did not sell me a thing but gave plenty of FREE advice 
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 07:03:51 AM
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If you look in farming magazines (I get horse illustrated) there are beneficial larvae that feed on fly larvae. I don't know if they feed on mosquito larvae or not. I've never used it, personally, because I don't have farm critters. It might be worth looking up on line and calling the company for more information.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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MiaBella
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Michelle
New Caney
TX
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 12:00:37 PM
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That is a good idea, of course I'll have to keep this to myself...the last time I told my husband I was buying some beneficial Nematodes he scoffed at me...invisible bugs...right!
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 7:41:36 PM
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Is there stagnant water closeby..or maybe an old tire where water is trapped where the mosquitoes are breeding. I've heard that a cup of cooking oil in a little pond can cut down on them if thats where they are coming from.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2012 : 4:09:56 PM
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Not sure if this would work but dryer sheets (like Bounce) ward of mosquitto's on people. Maybe try rubbing the lid of the nesting box with a couple of dryer sheets? I would suggest you hang them up somewhere but I'm afraid the hens would try to eat them. Just a random thought.
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2012 : 6:08:51 PM
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if the skeeters are hatching buy donuts. they are a parasite that kills the larvae of mosquitoes. they are called mosquito dunks. they work great. D.E. in their food causes the fly larvae to get cut up when layed in the manure the D. E. is like a saw to them. stays in the poop when pooped. just a thought. we use acv in our plastic stock tanks for algae.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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MiaBella
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Michelle
New Caney
TX
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2012 : 6:31:42 PM
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No standing water, have put the dunks in the chicken water (which is an automatic water system), already put DE in their food. Have not tried the dryer sheets, but will hang them in the coop, it is a high ceiling so I can put them where the chickens can't reach. Great suggestions thanks ladies!
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 06:58:31 AM
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There are some herbs that natural repel mosquitos, I can't remember off hand what they are but I wonder if you feed them to your chickens if it will have the same result? I think basil was one of them... Also, the bounce sheet should work if you can hang them in your coop. Best of luck to you!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 1:05:00 PM
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About the snake, if it's not poisonous could you catch it and relocate it somewhere far from your house? Many species can be very beneficial pest control. We like to catch them and put them down a gopher hole.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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MiaBella
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Michelle
New Caney
TX
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 3:27:18 PM
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Snake was re-homed.
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken info I just learned |
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Chicken info I just learned
