Subject: Re: hen houses
From: hillersb@aol.com (Hiller SB)
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 16:11:09 -0400
Message-ID: <MOD$970825.3277@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970825.24741@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Back when I was a kid, we raised everything we could on our little
1.5-acre parcel. Two horses, four pigs, lots and lots of goats (all we have
now), turkeys, ducks, geese, chickens, guinea hens, all that stuff people
fresh from the city would raise.
Hand in hand was the resulting manure and compost and thus began my
gardening life.
Now we're down to no animals except a few pet dogs and cats and 400 dairy
goats. One reason I've hesitated to raise chickens since we've moved to
this 75-acre ranch is the problem with flies. Not that I won't do it
eventually, because there is nothing like a deep-orange egg yolk and AAA
eggs raised from bugs-eating chickens. No comparison to pale yellow eggs
you buy at Ralphs.
The fly issue is a big issue for us since we sell a raw goat milk product.
We haven't had any problems with our compost piles, but usually in the
spring and about every three weeks we do notice maggots in slightly damp
areas where water might not drain as well as we would like. We usually turn
over those areas into the sunshine and the problem is eliminated or
severely limited.
However, remembering the problems with our chickens years ago, I think the
fly problem is much more difficult to control with chicken droppings. I
would appreciate anyone's help on that, if not for me, for all. I don't
believe anyone wants to spend more than an hour or two a day trying to
avoid the problem, but that seems to be what it takes.
Vince
http://members.aol.com/thekidshr/virtual (dairy)
http://members.aol.com/hillersb (general rabble rousing)