Recent content by jrjoplin

  1. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    My neighbor is demolishing his chicken coop today (they haven’t had chickens for years). He has plans for the wood. I’ve already asked to scavenge as I’m rebuilding/expanding the grow out coop. You never know if you don’t ask. I’ve got 25 Australorps arriving the first week of March. I’ve been...
  2. jrjoplin

    Antique Book(s)

    I’ve found quite a few at library sales but usually not that old mostly around the 1920s or newer. Every once and awhile you’ll find something older but it’s rare. I do well at estate sales and auctions. Boxes of books for a couple of bucks, there’s a lot of trash but the odd treasure makes it...
  3. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    There isn’t anything planned. The last one was 5-6 years ago (I think). Unfortunately, when they changed the BYC site many seemed to get frustrated with the learning curve. I know I’m not on as much as I used to be. It would be difficult to arrange a meetup now as many just don’t check in...
  4. jrjoplin

    Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

    That’s the right one but for six chicks you really don’t need the extra large. I use that size for 20.
  5. jrjoplin

    Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

    @bruceha2000 you can pick up a Uninterrupted Power Supply/Battery backup at WM or Amazon for about $45. It will hold the heating pad on for about an hour if the power goes out. As long as it’s not an extended outage you’ll be good and the pad won’t reset.
  6. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    Next Springs chicks are ordered, 25 Australorps will be here the first week of March. This is the first time I’ve ever just ordered a single breed but I’m also not adding as many as I usually do. I’m really just using up a credit with McMurray. I’ve been having some predator issues. This weeks...
  7. jrjoplin

    Caponized roo personality

    None of my capons have ever shown an interest in the hens. Mine usually stay out of everyone’s way as they fall pretty low in the pecking order.
  8. jrjoplin

    How many is TOO many?

    I agree with everyone that your guy will be fine. A good way to look at is that he’s going to mate the same amount of times a day regardless of the number of hens. Let’s say that number is 10 times a day. If you’ve got 30 hens hypothetically each hen only gets his attention once every 3 days. If...
  9. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    @SharkmanDan good to see you back. This is my rebuilding year too after a complete wipeout a year and a half ago (coyotes left 1 capon). I almost threw in the towel this year after a bobcat wiped out half the new flock. But I’ve still got 31 hens and a Lakenvelder rooster. Best of luck with the...
  10. jrjoplin

    First egg!

    It’s not uncommon for egg production to be irregular for the first month or so. I usually get a few of those “rubber” eggs with the new pullets and they just happen sometimes. Just make sure you’ve got a source for calcium such as oyster shell out if you’re getting those shell-less eggs.
  11. jrjoplin

    Help - please fix my plan!

    Egg production will fall in the winter if you don’t provide additional light. Even without light you might get a dozen a week from 4-5 from the breeds you’ve got. You’ll likely have a month or so where your under that production but any more and next spring you’ll be getting that amount every...
  12. jrjoplin

    What is Your Favorite Word to Describe Your Flock?

    When I’m talking to the whole flock it’s “Ladies”, if I’m working with them individually I’ll use whatever nickname suits what I’m saying. If they’re being corrected I may say “look here Missy” or in severe cases “you little S###”. One of my Phoenix hens wants to be broody and I call her “little...
  13. jrjoplin

    How Long Before PulletsLay Full-Size Eggs?

    Mine are at that same age. You never know what size or shape you’re going to find. I don’t expect any kind of consistency for about 2-3 months.
  14. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    Both my Phoenix hens are laying and one of them is my most prolific layers. Granted I only have 4-5 out of 30 laying right now. The only problem is it takes almost a dozen of these to make a decent breakfast. I haven’t tried frying and I don’t want to do the math for recipe conversion. * most...
  15. jrjoplin

    ***OKIES in the BYC III ***

    She hasn’t laid yet and I’m watching her. My reading says it can be caused by inbreeding and she is a hatchery chick so who knows. I’d be interested to find out the size of McMurray’s Buttercup flock. If she can pass an egg then she should be fine to live out her days. She’s a timid but...
See more
Back
Top Bottom