extra food for birds
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14 years ago
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Breeding Rabbits for Food and Extra Income
Comments (25)This topic fades away and is brought back time and again. I will add my thoughts here for anybody who happens by this thread in the future. The MOST important thing when getting into rabbits is to get the right type of cage, IMO. In the past, people used to recommend stacking cages with droppings pans underneath to catch the droppings. Let me tell you, this type of arrangement is a nightmare to deal with, especially once you get a doe with a litter that is hopping around with her. If you don't empty it daily, it will quickly start to overflow onto the rabbits beneath it. It is MUCH easier to just get a long row of cages with wire bottoms and let the droppings fall directly on the ground. You can corral it with cinder blocks or something and add some worms, and they'll turn it into worm castings for you, or you can shovel it once every month or two into a compost pile. The urine will soak into the ground and this method is about 10 times less smelly than the droppings pan method! I wish somebody had told me this back when I was beginning! For breeds, just research. I liked the rare breeds such as American Blues and Silver Foxes, but New Zealand Whites are fine, too. Just make sure you get your initial stock from somebody who is raising the rabbits with production goals in mind rather than "show" quality. There's nothing wrong with showing, but a show rabbit may average 4 or 5 kits per litter, while a rabbit that is raised from a mother who regularly throws 10 or 12 kits is more likely to be a good investment. Rabbits cannot take the heat. If you live in a place like Texas or Louisiana, you will probably lose rabbits during the summer unless you install a swamp cooler or misting system to keep them cool. Pigeons do much better in the heat--it doesn't seem to bother them at all. I would seriously consider the cost of a cooling system and the electricity to run it before I invested heavily in rabbits if I lived in a very hot location (I do--I live in Austin, TX, and my rabbits had a $500 swamp cooler blowing on them all summer long)....See Morefirst post - bird food that sparrows dont eat?
Comments (51)I know nothing about birds i have had a small wooden bird house on my porch for 20 years i have had small sparrows or wrens living there and mating there for years This year i bought a hanging house like feeder which is hung about 4 feet away i never knew that people hate house sparrows i enjoy watching thrm sitting on top of the bird house once or twice i saw them at the feeder not much action I filled the feeder with classic wild bird food i hope i see more birds in the Spring any advice for me about seeds or sparrows i have never had a problem i just wanted to feed thrm thanks for your advice...See MoreBird Food waste
Comments (12)in bad weather i do get a lot of ground feeders such as the doves and juncos and towhees and some others and i purposely go to the farm supply or ranch and feed store and get a 50lb bag of chicken feed for around 8.50 a bag. It is a mix of grains most often milo and cracked corn and wheat. i put out a cup or two on the sheet or on the ground for the hungry birds. some people call them trash birds but i enjoy any one that wants to come and eat....See MoreHow much food to leave for the birds?
Comments (2)First and foremost, birds will keep coming, especially if you have a daily routine of feeding them, but they will not become dependent. Get that thought out of your head. Birds aren't like a lonely ex bf or gf waiting around ... If the food disappears, they will too, and they will move on and find food elsewhere. So don't let yourself feel guilty. If your daily feeding is disappearing within minutes then it's safe to say you can feed more if you're comfortable and your budget allows it. But don't feel obligated. As much as I believe birds will be just fine with or without your help, I do want to urge that during winter months, especially after a cold snap, winter storm or snow hitting the ground, then what you feed can actually be the difference between life and death for birds. This is when they need you most. So if you are going to feed them, please don't stop in the winter. It could literally save some lives when food is scarce and harsh weather hits. If you really enjoy feeding them then invest in one or two feeders. I like hopper styles and tube feeders. I love feeding them in the morning when I know they are all waiting for me :)...See Morenigelsgarden
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohelenh
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohelenh
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agochickadeemelrose
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agopaulsiu
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agochickadeemelrose
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoclaireplymouth z6b coastal MA
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agopaulsiu
14 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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