Cheap Chicken Feed

Sanza · #21 05/01/11, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

If you leave a light on they'll stay awake longer. It's 1130 pm right now here, I was in my coup 10 minutes ago and turned on the light to see how they are set for hay. Every one of them except the youngest rooster jumped down off the perch and went to the feeder when the light popped on.
My only concern with leaving the light on is would it make them mean? I've heard they start pecking tail feathers if you leave the light on all the time. Anyone had that happen?
Mine might be ok though, I free range during the day and they nap whenever they've gotten full.

They are used to sleeping with the light on all winter because we go down to about 8 hours of daylight, and we get close to 20 hours of daylight from now till August up here. They go to roost about 2 hours before dark and I guess it's natural instinct to be safe from predators. Young chickens between 2 to 6 months are like teenagers here and they stay out as long as they can and finally when it's dark they will go into the coop where the light is....lol
I've only had a problem with pecking with leghorns only and since I've changed breeds there's no pecking even though I keep more chickens over winter. Maybe some breeds are more inclined to peck then others?

Tabitha · #22 05/01/11, 07:42 PM

I am wondering if those solar yard lights are bright enough to attract bugs. I understand this works also if you install a light over a pond, to feed the fish.

mullberry · #23 05/01/11, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhead

A massive cicada emergence is scheduled this summer. They are talking billions. It might be worthwhile to be ready to freeze some feed bags full for later.

straying a little , I shot a tom turkey years ago that its crop was so full of cicatas that it actully squirmed!. Great idea's for bugs here. But getting my girls off the perch, after a hard day of yard work ... good luck

Ohiogal · #24 05/02/11, 11:54 AM

I just discovered that by leaving a bucket with 1" rain water in it below my backdoor light, that the june bugs fall into it making an easy meal for the wandering hens. I'll do that Japanese beetle trap thing, what a wonderful way to debug and yet recycle!

MOgal · #25 05/03/11, 10:29 AM

WARNING: RATHER UNAPPETIZING SUGGESTION!!!!
I've never tried this BUT I have heard about people who hang a mostly bare fresh (as in uncooked) bone or a dead fish in the chicken coop or tractor to attract flies. Chickens eat the flies then take care of the maggots that might hatch in the meat plus the meat. Supposedly the meat is gone before it begins to smell to the human nose.

I know chickens willingly eat worms, maggots, etc., but as I said, this is one I haven't tried and I don't think I will.

If you read this despite my warning, I don't take responsibility.

Tabitha · #26 05/03/11, 03:05 PM

I tried the japanese beetle trap last year, we have so many on the roses and grapes. Waste of time, it is so windy here, I could not keep the trap open and in place and finally gave up. It was a waste of money for me, the thing is way too flimsy.

taylorlambert · #27 05/03/11, 05:35 PM

I have a friend that has a few florescent lights in his chiken house that are low to the ground. He also has a bug zapper up in one conter that drops a few goodies down to their level. He also does the meat and fish baiting systems with them. He has an uncle in South Africa and on his visits there he says the locals use the scraps from fish cleanings in pans in the chicken area.