NY chicken lover!!!!

[Beer can]

TSC has a bator with fan and turner on sale this week for $119. The hovabator is between $140-$160 depending on where you get it plus shipping I imagine. I'm going with the hova, if Santa doesn't bring it i'll have to wait till spring. Giants probably won't be laying until then anyway.

 

[rancher hicks]

I did some research on this a while back. The reason they banned mealworms is that most mealworms you buy (including the US) are raised in China. The concern was over the fact that the Chinese will not state exactly what they feed the worms on......although I do buy some mealworms, I now raise my own.

I got my info from the Practical Poultry mag. I'm having problems with this computer to type a lot. I don't think out mealworms we raise here are any danger.

The UK imports a lot. There was a n article about them being upset that while the UK poutlry industyr hat to conver to cage free, many countries were slow to comply with the law. selling imprted eggs or less than the UK farmers could.

 

[boskelli1571]

I got my info from the Practical Poultry mag. I'm having problems with this computer to type a lot. I don't think out mealworms we raise here are any danger.

The UK imports a lot. There was a n article about them being upset that while the UK poutlry industyr hat to conver to cage free, many countries were slow to comply with the law. selling imprted eggs or less than the UK farmers could.

You are right in that mealworms raised here in the US are no problem. However, in researching for an article, I was surprised to learn that many suppliers of mealworms in the US actually import from China inc. Chubby mealworms. The 'blanket statement' being that we don't have enough mealworm farms here in the US.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

You are right in that mealworms raised here in the US are no problem. However, in researching for an article, I was surprised to learn that many suppliers of mealworms in the US actually import from China inc. Chubby mealworms. The 'blanket statement' being that we don't have enough mealworm farms here in the US.

Where did u get ur starters? Are they easy to raise? Are they smelly? Can they stay outside?

 

[boskelli1571]

Where did u get ur starters? Are they easy to raise? Are they smelly? Can they stay outside?

Will pm u

 

[rancher hicks]

Where did u get ur starters? Are they easy to raise? Are they smelly? Can they stay outside?

How smelly is smelly. I mean my son in laws feet stink can peel paint.

Seriously!

Will pm u

Aaww come on. I want to know too. I'm sure there are others who want to know. Is there another use other than chickens treats? You know, other critters that eat them?

 

[boskelli1571]

How smelly is smelly. I mean my son in laws feet stink can peel paint.

Seriously!

Aaww come on. I want to know too. I'm sure there are others who want to know. Is there another use other than chickens treats? You know, other critters that eat them?

Ok - for those curious. Mealworms need constant temp of 80-85F. Mine are being moved into the house over winter (no they don't escape). They don't smell, all they do is breed & eat! I feed them wheat bran and the occasional piece of vegetable. They live in an old aquarium - bought the starter worms from: www.mealwormsbythepound.com.
If you want to read the article I wrote on mealworms go to: www.thehappychickencoop.com. They didn't include the research, but if anyone is curious, I can give you the info.
If you are a fisherman/woman, mealworms will be of use to you also.

 

[Glasshen]

Thank you for the info on mealworms! Always nice to learn about another facet to complement the chickens.

The chickens are in a sorry state. There is molting going on, and the meanness that accompanies that discomfort. Al's have moved everyone into the main coop, and not everyone is happy. The older ones were content without the youngsters, and the young almost adults are wanti g to avoid their elders. The littles who are the size of bantams are delightful, and their mom is the best, she is still with them! But some of the lower pecking order adults and the middles have decided to get away from the bossy ones and stay in their own cozy nest box. Last night I went out and removed them from their single rooms and put milk jugs in them...no one liked that. The final straw was when one pecked me on the head while I was crouched down dealing with the nest boxes. No respect. All exaggeration aside, they will get used to the roosts, and in time all will settle in, but they are amusing.

I will go out and check on them now and see how they are dealing with the more basic accommodations tonight.

 

[boskelli1571]

Thank you for the info on mealworms! Always nice to learn about another facet to complement the chickens.

The chickens are in a sorry state. There is molting going on, and the meanness that accompanies that discomfort. Al's have moved everyone into the main coop, and not everyone is happy. The older ones were content without the youngsters, and the young almost adults are wanti g to avoid their elders. The littles who are the size of bantams are delightful, and their mom is the best, she is still with them! But some of the lower pecking order adults and the middles have decided to get away from the bossy ones and stay in their own cozy nest box. Last night I went out and removed them from their single rooms and put milk jugs in them...no one liked that. The final straw was when one pecked me on the head while I was crouched down dealing with the nest boxes. No respect. All exaggeration aside, they will get used to the roosts, and in time all will settle in, but they are amusing.

I will go out and check on them now and see how they are dealing with the more basic accommodations tonight.

You're welcome! I hear you with the 'girls' being mean. They all look very unhappy except for the new girls... The Bantams seemed to have settled down today. The mean rooster picked his last fight yesterday, off with his head!

Hated to do it, but everyone seems so much happier now....

 

[Glasshen]

Yes, one bad guy can make everyone miserable.