What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

Checked my found mealies for pupas again, refreshed their food and potatoes. Still no pupas and they're huge. Don't think this is the same variety as the store bought kind, though definitely in the same bug family. Curious to see what the beetles look like when I finally get some, and curious if they'll be a good variety to raise.

I found this fun article on different types of mealworm (darkling) beetles found in AZ. I've seen a few different types of these around our house, but mostly a big black type that does head stands when scared. Would be really cool if it's the one of the colorful beetles though . I especially like the blue one! My chickens would probably prefer the head stand guys just because they're big beetles that they love to eat.

http://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmo...kling-beetles-tenebrionidae-in-dunes.html?m=1

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Hey quick question yall...I'm behind on here!
Can Christmas trees be good inside the chicken run? Or not good idea?

 

[ChicksnMore]

More beetle fun! Guess some people keep the desert darkling beetles as pets. And apparently they're hard to breed ☹

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Hey quick question yall...I'm behind on here!
Can Christmas trees be good inside the chicken run? Or not good idea?

So you can put it in the run and apparently there is a lot of vitamin c in the tree. But then there is the factor of sap… but no other harm

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

So you can put it in the run and apparently there is a lot of vitamin c in the tree. But then there is the factor of sap… but no other harm

Sap meaning stickiness?
Maybe I better not then with feathered feet

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Sap meaning stickiness?
Maybe I better not then with feathered feet

Yeah the sticky stuff. Yeah…I probably wouldn’t with feathers on the feet either. Would be a great wind blocker otherwise though.

 

[Mr Spot]

I really dislike plastic but all my waterer are plastic too. They are much easier to defrost, clean and sterilize. Only thing is, i use a product called Lifeguard 2-3 times a week and the turmeric in it stains the plastic an unsightly diarrhoea/mustard colour. Ugh!

I just used water and nothing else, I only got the plastic ones to use while it is freezing. easier to bring in and defrost, fill up, and take back outside than the 3 and 5 gallon metal ones.

 

[Shetland lover]

Checked my found mealies for pupas again, refreshed their food and potatoes. Still no pupas and they're huge. Don't think this is the same variety as the store bought kind, though definitely in the same bug family. Curious to see what the beetles look like when I finally get some, and curious if they'll be a good variety to raise.View attachment 3360674
I found this fun article on different types of mealworm (darkling) beetles found in AZ. I've seen a few different types of these around our house, but mostly a big black type that does head stands when scared. Would be really cool if it's the one of the colorful beetles though . I especially like the blue one! My chickens would probably prefer the head stand guys just because they're big beetles that they love to eat.

http://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmo...kling-beetles-tenebrionidae-in-dunes.html?m=1

Wow! That's a fascinating article. I love the bluish white waxy coated one. We only have a couple of native ones locally and they're basically black or brown. I do see a lot of interesting beetles on our allotment though, including the very pretty but damaging rosemary beetles. Fortunately, they're a big favourite of the chickens

 

[Shetland lover]

Hey quick question yall...I'm behind on here!
Can Christmas trees be good inside the chicken run? Or not good idea?

I cut the branches off mine as close as possible to the trunks, give them a week or two to dry off and then use them as perches in the run.

 

[Shetland lover]

I just used water and nothing else, I only got the plastic ones to use while it is freezing. easier to bring in and defrost, fill up, and take back outside than the 3 and 5 gallon metal ones.

Fortunately with only 6 chickens I don't need 3 or 5 gallon waterers. Wish I did as I'd love more chickens!