Sure Signs of Spring: Chicken Wrangling and PeeMan in the Garden

Greetings!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. We owe a deepest debt of gratitude to those men and women who have fought and died in the fight to keep our great country free. Thank you.

Well, it is 58 degrees out. No worries about getting the air conditioners in any time soon. I haven’t even thought about getting the pool ready(and I am usually ready for it in April!). Spring is definitely taking her sweet time this year. We have had plenty of moisture but sunshine has been a rare commodity. However, certain events of this past weekend are undeniable indicators of Spring’s return(however reluctant) – the 8 chicks were moved out of their “chickubator” and into the hen house.

First day in hen house

That was the easy part.

New Chicken Run

Getting Brown Betty and The Amish Hen into their new spacious digs was a bit more challenging.

It involved some tricky manuevering, some edible motivation, and a little coaxing with a badminton racket, but I am pleased to announce that the girls are now enjoying a much bigger run and spacious hen condominium.

Secondly, last year’s pig sty(R.I.P Stanley)was disassembled and a new, much more luxurious and commodious pen was built in a new location in anticipation of the arrival of 2 piglets.

New pig digs

The environmentally conscious man that I am, I simply couldn’t let all that rich, nutrient filled earth left behind by pig pen #1 go to waste. So, that is now officially the PeeMan’s garden patch. Since it is mine, and it is hidden so as not to offend my wife’s aesthetic sensibilities, I get to grow what I want in it, so the corn has been planted and squash and pumpkins will soon follow.

PeeMan’s garden

My daughter has also laid claim to some of the land for her own garden this year and the peas and lettuce have already been planted. As soon as the seeds sprout, the WolfPee will be put around the garden plot to protect the tender shoots from any hungry animals.

Pea trellis

Well, that just about brings things up to date here at the PeeMan’s farm. I hope it is warm and sunny where you are, and don’t forget to protect your gardens this summer with 100% PredatorPee – Accept no substitutes!

Until I find more words . . .The PeeMan

Which Came First – The Chicks or The Eggs?

Greetings from the North Woods where we seem to be stuck in Sprinter – no snow but not quite warm enough yet. This post, however, is about all things Spring.

Easter time at Winterberry Farm featured the annual egg hunt in the woods. As you can see from the photos, there was still some snow on the ground at the edge of the field. Every year, I have the job of hiding the plastic, treat-filled eggs, and every year I seem to forget exactly how many my wife gave me to hide. Oh well, the forest creatures find them eventually and enjoy a little sugar fix. This year, my 2nd oldest granddaughter was the champion egg hunter. Moving forward a bit, 8 chicks arrived last week. Hopefully, in about a months time, they will be ready to join Brown Betty and the Amish Hen in the chicken coop. With 10 layers, I think the egg production should be enough to feed us and the growing grandkids.

I just recently moved the chicken coop closer to my wife’s garden beds, and within a week I saw a fox checking out my hens. Well, that is just not acceptable for the PeeMan! If you have chickens, you know how valuable they are. One of the uses of our 100% Pre chicksday1 datorpee is to keep predators away from your precious hens. 100% WolfPee will keep the foxes away from Brown Betty, the new chicks, and your hens as well. Don’t just take my word for it – backyard chicken officianado The Chicken-Chick also recommends our product for hen protection.

I hope your hens are safe and Spring is in full bloom wherever you are.

Until I find more words. . .The PeeMan

How to Protect Chickens in Vermont? PeeMan Q&A

Hello Again! Here are some the questions I have been getting in email lately.

Q. I live in a rural area in Vermont and I have a few chickens. I have seen coyotes, bears, raccoons, skunks, weasels, neighborhood dogs and a fisher. What would you recommend to protect the chickens from all of these? (I dohave electric poultry netting, but coyotes could jump over and weasels can go through). I’m concerned about attracting one predator while trying to deter another. For instance, if I use coyote urine to keep away the weasels, will it attract coyotes?

A. WolfPee would be my choice for this wide variety of predators.

Q. I just ordered some fox pee to inhibit squirrels from chewing wires and trying to nest in my car engine compartment. How do I store the pee and for how long can I store it to use? Thank you.

A. Room temp is fine, should be good for at least 2 years.

Q. Is there anything I can use to deter a mountain lion? There was one in the woods out back of my house and today we discovered some scat right outside our dog pen which is attached to the house. We have 3 small pomeranians that go out a few times a day. We just moved here in the catskills, ny.

Thank you for any info you can give me

A. WolfPee should be the best option for you.

As you can see, my inbox is always full of interesting questions. As you can also see, I don’t tend to send flowery responses. KISS – keep it simple stupid – is a motto I like to follow. Plus, I’d rather be outside than in front of the computer. But, as long as duty calls, the PeeMan will continue to provide answers for all those urgent PeeMails. Have a good one!

Coyotes Creeping near the Coop? 100% Wolf Urine is the Solution!

Hello! Can you believe that it SNOWED here yesterday. Ridiculous even for Maine! Anyway, while trying to conserve warmth, I stumbled across an informative article about the coyote as a threat to chickens. The below text is from http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coyote-chicken-predators-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-coyotes. (For full disclosure – this is information obtained from Backyardchickens.com. They have not in any way endorsed PredatorPee.)

COYOTE (Canis latrans)

General Information

Coyotes are most active at night and during the early morning and late evening hours. In areas where they are not disturbed by human activities, and during the cooler times of the year, they may be active throughout the day. Urban coyotes are becoming very tolerant of human activities. Young coyotes tend to be more active during daylight hours than adults.

Description

Coyotes are medium sized animals belonging to the dog family. Most adults weigh between 22 to 25 pounds on the average, with males being the larger sex. With large erect ears, slender muzzle, and bushy tail they resemble a small collie dog. In the hotter drier regions , coyotes are tan-brown in color with streaks of gray. In the more mountainous or humid areas, the color is darker with less brown. In the winter the coats become quite dense, especially in the colder areas. The voice of the coyote is quite distinctive, consisting of various howls, high-pitched yaps, and occasional dog like barks.

Range
The coyote is found throughout North America from eastern Alaska to New England and south through Mexico to Panama. It originally ranged primarily in the northwest corner of the US, but it has adapted readily to the changes caused by human occupation and, in the past 200 years, has been steadily extending its range. Sightings now commonly occur in Florida, New England and eastern Canada.

Methods of Kill

Poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, are easy prey, and any passing coyote bold enough to approach an area where they are ranging will help itself. Removing problem coyotes will only make space for other coyotes to move into the area. . . Coyotes are tenacious and opportunistic predators that can easily wreak havoc on your poultry farm. These nocturnal hunters will hunt for food whenever they are hungry or if the opportunity presents itself. A chicken buffet that is laid out for their easy access and convenience will attract not just a lone killer, but a pack of merciless coyotes.

Well, just reading about this gives me the chills. I knew coyotes were a threat to dogs and other small animals, but I just hadn’t considered the threat to chickens. That only make me want to let more people know about our 100% WolfPee as a deterrent to coyotes. http://www.predatorpee4chickencoops.com/ Check it out.

Thanks,

The PeeMan