permaculture

[Scott & Arina Pittman <pci@permaculture-inst.org>]

At 06:36 PM 11/7/98 -0600, Bobbi Chukran wrote:
>Keith wrote:
>>Keep in mind that all that hopping nutrient can be converted to all kinds of
>>meat, eggs, and...well, just let your imagination loose and see what 
>>happens.
>>After all, many cultures consider grasshoppers a delicacy. I understand they
>>taste like shrimp.
>>
>
>
>Shrimp?  Eeewwww.  I think I'll let the chickens have them.  Actually, I'm
>planning to introduce 2 or 3 chickens to my garden this next spring just
>for grasshopper control.  If they give me eggs in return, that's great.  If
>not, no big deal, as long as they are eating grasshoppers.  Just have to
>work out a few details, like how to protect them from neighbor's dogs and
>other natural-occurring critters like coons, hawks and coyotes.
>
>Bobbi C.
>chukran@io.com
>Leander, TX



Our experience is that chickens are not the best predators of grasshoppers,
as they are too slow and also they can devastate a garden in a thrice.  My
choice is Guinea fowl or turkeys which are much faster and more oriented
toward bugs.

Be sure the turkeys aren't those overbred things that are bought for xmas
and thanksgiving - get something with a little wild left in it.  It would be
wonderful if quail or pheasant could be used but they are to hard to contain
in a domestic situation.

We have had very good luck with nolo bait but I'm not sure how I feel about
bacterial warfare on bugs in spite of all of the positive press and it being
allowed in organic circles.  
Scott Pittman

Permaculture Institute
PO Box 3702, Pojoaque, NM 87501  US
*********
Ingenio Patet Campus