Chickens, marijuana and spider mites

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
Just a couple observations for those of us who own chickens:

I had a few cloned plants languishing in the garage over winter that I’d basically forgotten. Totally covered in spider mites. So I put the containers out in my chicken yard and figured the chickens would just eat the whole plants, like they do with anything growing out there.
Accidental science happened!
Not only did the chickens eat all the spider mites but they spared the weed plants themselves. I guess chickens like spider mites but not marijuana!
The three plants look pretty decent now after I pruned them up a bit and made them look pretty. In any case, this seems like a cheap and easy method of integrated pest management for those of us with chickens.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Just a couple observations for those of us who own chickens:

I had a few cloned plants languishing in the garage over winter that I’d basically forgotten. Totally covered in spider mites. So I put the containers out in my chicken yard and figured the chickens would just eat the whole plants, like they do with anything growing out there.
Accidental science happened!
Not only did the chickens eat all the spider mites but they spared the weed plants themselves. I guess chickens like spider mites but not marijuana!
The three plants look pretty decent now after I pruned them up a bit and made them look pretty. In any case, this seems like a cheap and easy method of integrated pest management for those of us with chickens.
Really interesting man. They could turn those mites into free chicken shit to feed the plants too. I think it's crazy they got rid of them without damaging the plants. That's awesome man.
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
Really interesting man. They could turn those mites into free chicken shit to feed the plants too. I think it's crazy they got rid of them without damaging the plants. That's awesome man.
Yeah it really surprised me — everything that sprouts in there, the chickens eat. Not even a blade of grass can survive. And yet they don’t eat the cannabis! I’d be interested in finding out whether other chicken owners have this same experience?
 

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
Just a couple observations for those of us who own chickens:

I had a few cloned plants languishing in the garage over winter that I’d basically forgotten. Totally covered in spider mites. So I put the containers out in my chicken yard and figured the chickens would just eat the whole plants, like they do with anything growing out there.
Accidental science happened!
Not only did the chickens eat all the spider mites but they spared the weed plants themselves. I guess chickens like spider mites but not marijuana!
The three plants look pretty decent now after I pruned them up a bit and made them look pretty. In any case, this seems like a cheap and easy method of integrated pest management for those of us with chickens.
My chickens ate the shit out of all my weed plants I always gave them the stems and fan leaves. Goats ate what they didn't
 
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Hotshotmaple

Well-Known Member
I have heard of feeding trim and fan leaves to them, maybe being hand and seeing it as food vs a random plant which they choose not to eat? Chickens love bugs and if I could get them to do some of my matinance I would be happy. If they picked the plant clean I wouldn't be happy. 4 hens 1 roster and 6 sexed chicks about ready to join the flock
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
Just a couple observations for those of us who own chickens:

I had a few cloned plants languishing in the garage over winter that I’d basically forgotten. Totally covered in spider mites. So I put the containers out in my chicken yard and figured the chickens would just eat the whole plants, like they do with anything growing out there.
Accidental science happened!
Not only did the chickens eat all the spider mites but they spared the weed plants themselves. I guess chickens like spider mites but not marijuana!
The three plants look pretty decent now after I pruned them up a bit and made them look pretty. In any case, this seems like a cheap and easy method of integrated pest management for those of us with chickens.
This is great to know! Why the hell do my decimate my veggie garden any time they get in it though!?
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
Males going to the rabbits!
If you’re thinking about breeding at all, males will flower super fast compared to females. I usually get pollen within 3 weeks. All I do is place a box over the male every 12 hours then remove it. Better to err on the side of leaving the box on too long than not enough.
Once it produces pollen, just cut it down and lay on some surface that will be easy to collect the pollen from. I use a credit card and scoop it up like big lines of cocaine.
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
If you’re thinking about breeding at all, males will flower super fast compared to females. I usually get pollen within 3 weeks. All I do is place a box over the male every 12 hours then remove it. Better to err on the side of leaving the box on too long than not enough.
Once it produces pollen, just cut it down and lay on some surface that will be easy to collect the pollen from. I use a credit card and scoop it up like big lines of cocaine.
Yeah i have not gotten into chucking pollen as of yet. Tons of great breeders out there that get rid of their gear at great prices. But thanks for the heads up man!
 
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