Critical timeframe begins about now…

All of South Dakota from the interstate south to the Nebraska border is very dry with almost no subsoil moisture, Many of the cattail sloughs are bone dry, Lakes and streams are very low. There are pockets that received heavy rains, even flooding but those are small pockets. The dry spring saw planting completed early and a few small timely rains and warm temperatures have emergence ahead of schedule, Rain is forecast and if they get enough moisture to make a crop harvest should be done early in the season. If they don't get precip they will release the CRP and cut everything for hay. Either way birds will be concentrated .
And there should be birds. We have seen more this spring then we have for years, Everyone I talk to makes similar observations. If they pull off any kind of hatch at all this year could be exceptional.
 
benelli-banger said:
Hope there’s insects for the chicks…weren’t many last time I was out there, about a month ago…I’ll find out next week…
Click to expand...
Just moved from the SE part of the state, to the central part. A week ago I wasn't seeing much in the way of insects. Earlier today though I saw tons of tiny grasshoppers in the grassy/weedy area next to my garage. Definitely a good sign! I've done quite a bit of driving that past couple of days and judging by how my windshield looks, the insect production is really kicking into gear. Got about 1.5" of rain last night, and a pretty decent shower came through this evening too. No shortage of adult birds around, I'm seeing and hearing them constantly.
 
It rains every day now in NE SD. Protein will not be a limiting factor. I think hail might be the next hurdle to miss.
 
Thankfully it's warm here in Iowa, we've had heavy dew and thunderstorms more days than not the last couple weeks. Lot's of bugs and good cover I just hope the mommas can keep the chicks dry and warm enough.
 
Last edited:
I came in to SD via different route vs my normal…started seeing birds around Brookings…got closer to my area and birds were criss crossing the highway 1/2 mile outside of a small town near me…hens and roosters…5 pm…weird…all over the place…10, 12, or more…not even great cover on either side of the highway…this is my 4th trip here since March 15th…normal deal, see lots of hens and roosters in March and April, fewer hens in May, and even fewer now, but still saw lots of hens…just saw many more roosters…
 
Last edited:
See any broods yet. I went out a few years ago and built a windbreak shed at this time. Maybe a week or so later. I remember the little chicks running around and trying to fly. They could go a short ways. Was pretty interesting to see how fast they could run and jump. They were smaller than a baseball as I recall. Kind of like the chicks you see at tractor supply.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top