permaculture

[Dennis Argall <dennisargall@bigpond.com>]

On 03/03/2005, at 12:45 PM, Paul Wheaton wrote:

> Is there a tree I could plant that would be particularly good at 
> attracting insects that
> would provide insects for my chickens?

Hi Paul,

I don't know what space you have, or what existing trees, but we have 
had great success in recent times NOT with bringing the trees to the 
chooks [pardon my Australian vernacular] but with taking the chooks to 
the trees. We have an ElectraNets (available variously) a 50 metre mesh 
electric fence, with tread-in posts, which makes the job easy.
We have just had them spend several months totally clearing a great 
variety weeds from forest understorey - along with an hefty insect 
population. With added grain 'scratch mix' tossed into the most 
difficult and discouraging bits of undergrowth - providing courage an 
enthusiams  to the birds. They have returned to chook house fit and 
with a healthy outdoorsy outlook!

cheers

Dennis