Timothy Norton wrote:... I have to say, I'm fortunate that I only am dealing with two to three deer at most. If there was a higher population, I don't know if I would be able to strike the balance that I have now.
In my area, that balance also changes depending on the season. In winter when things are more scarce they are much more bold than in the fall when things are plentiful.
While I think this is overkill and has its own set of problems... if I had to choose between a laser shooting robot and an herbicide spraying tractor attachment... I think I would choose the laser.
This feels like a step forward, maybe? What do you think?
The project is still in the starting stages so it is subject to change, but the plan currently is to put this floor on top of a small walkout basement. Insulated slab with cinderblock wall. Probably use wood above ground to finish off on the low side.
I like soil blocks for seed starts as well. I am a second vote for bottom watering. In the past I had simply put water in the bottom of the tray and let it soak up. One of these years I would like to try a wicking mat. I found a source (can't find it now) for a pure organic cotton roll of batting. The reviews said it would wick well. I was thinking of having it on a table where it falls over the edge into a container of water that I keep topped off. Then I set the soil blocks on the wicking mat and let it do its thing. I have seen other people do similar things, but I have not had a chance to actually try this method yet.
I just wanted to thank you all for your ideas and encouragements. I closed on this property about a week and a half ago. Thanks to all these good suggestions and a little time, I am excited about the property and the opportunities (though different than originally dreamed).
That is a nice looking nesting box. I suspect you are right that they do not care for the mesh bottom. I have heard of some people using that fake grass for the bottom because it is easy to clean. Some people say it works well... but the chickens I have seen did not like it. Most commercial roll away nesting boxes that I have seen use something similar for a pad.
I had never thought of using moles before. I have covered an area with leaves and given it time... but it took the little guys (worms, bugs, microbes, etc) a whole fall, winter, and spring to get it soft and "tilled". Adding moles might speed things up.
I suppose if I have to have something, I'd rather it be a copper based option than something from Monsanto/Beyer. I've looking up pictures and some of them seem to have similar coloring.
