alyssa Hatfield

polyparadigm wrote:
Listerine probably poisons the mites with natural essential oils, same as it does vs. bacteria.

Did you know it was invented to sterilize surgical instruments, and was only marketed as mouthwash later on?

I think it might be the alcohol content that has the sterilizing action?  Apparently rubbing alcohol immersion kills leg mites too

Don't fleas normally lay their eggs on the skin of their host?

Vaseline (or similar, thick creamy waterproof mix, like beeswax & oil cream) is supposed to suffocate leg mites.  Apparently red mites live in the housing, especially theroof & so you need to blast this at the same time as treating.  Diatomaceous earth powder is a natural way to treat for mites.  Several brands available, try ebay!  You know if they have mights because they peck/scratch each other orgo broody, then give up after a few days.

randomplanter wrote:
I have just built a simple living plant feeder for my 5 chooks - posted at my blog http://www.randomplantings.com/?p=751
Has anyone else tried this type of system before and if so, was it successful? Even though the chickens can't scratch at the plant roots, I still suspect they will peck the plants (mainly comfrey) to within an inch of their lives.

James

What plants would be most suitable?  I've heard siberian pea tree is good, and that they like chickweed & other random weeds, but if you are planting just for chickens what is a good mix?

Hi,
Sorry if I'm repeating anything covered before- there is so much stuff on here!  I want to get a few chickens and ducks (ideally buff orpingtons, indian runners, silver appleyard or khaki campbell, with buff orpington [chicken], sussex, plymouth rock or salmon faverolles), have done a bit of research and have a few questions:

1)  Is it better to have a duck or chicken house with a weldmesh floor or solid floor (I live in the UK so we get cold spells sometimes)- I've heard they can catch their feet on chickenwire but would weldmesh be okay?

2) Can ducks & chickens peacefully coexist in the same run, or even the same house at night?  Can they be fed the same feed or do they steal each others?

3) How often should their run be moved around to prevent parasite build up?

4) How much water would 2 ducks need (depth & width) for it not to go murky, and how often should I take them off & give them a paddling pool to prevent parasite build up?

5) What annual and perennial crops (I am East Coast UK) can I plant in their run for them to forage naturally, without them being totally decimated?

Any other tips?

Thanks.

You might want to consider a goat care course where they can show you milking technique & how to pare their hooves before you get them.  I went on a one day course which wasn't expensive.

Another question for seasoned goat keepers- I'd like to get a pair of low mainteneance goats for milk, but I can't decide between the toggenburg and the old english.  Does anyone have ecperience of either or both?  I live in the UK.

Brenda Groth wrote:
wasps eat flying insects not caterpillars....bald face hornets like i have are great predators..ive seen them snatch a bug off of a dog

Many species of wasps actually do eat caterpillars- they store them in cells for their larvae to eat.  The adults like sweet foods to top up their carbohydrate intake and use this as their primary energy source once their larvae for the year are all provided for.

Leah Sattler wrote:
what kind of wasps are they? the reason I ask is that there are some wasps I have found that, although scary looking, don't seem to bother anything or be territiorial. the red wasps are the ones I worry about as they seem pretty agressive.

I'm pretty sure they are paper wasps, though I haven't caught one and identified it with a key!  One already stung my husband on the head as he was walking past!  AS for being great predators, I have my doubts.  My brocolli plants (mere feet away) have just been devoured by caterpillars!

Does anyone know how to get a wasps nest out of a compost bin?

I only set it up last week and they've moved in!  I can't see the nest and I don't want to pollute the soil with insecticide.  Any clever ideas to clear them out?