Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[ozexpat]

Lots of folks use rice hulls for horse bedding - it's easier to work with than sand as it's much lighter weight and a bit more absorbent - LOL. It is a wonderful thing to have access to such a good option... for the price of a little manual labor. (Not too much... rice hulls are so fluffy and light weight!) I'm envious. I'd love to have something like that just sitting by the road. My shovel would take up permanent residence in my truck - right next to a large plastic container.

I will just have to hook up my little red trailer and tow it to the site. Its on the way to town so I can drop Bernie and his shovel off, then pick him up a few hours later.

Thanks for validating its use. I was at a bit of a quandary as to whether it would be ok.

 

[Bulldogma]

I will just have to hook up my little red trailer and tow it to the site. Its on the way to town so I can drop Bernie and his shovel off, then pick him up a few hours later.

Thanks for validating its use. I was at a bit of a quandary as to whether it would be ok.

There is a lot of positive info on the use of rice hulls for chooks. Here's one thread (and there seem to be more out there touting rice hulls as a great bedding for the coop): https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/416037/rice-hulls-bedding-is-magic

I thought of it when you brought (or Sally brought up) the subject - my sister lives in Louisiana and they get them cheap - but they still have to pay for them - LOL! I was rather guessing there might be rice farms near your tropical retreat.

Sadly, rice hulls are not available here in southern VA. Not a lot of rice farms around here (or any...).

 

[ozexpat]

I have been watching the news

two feet of snow in many areas - I love that pic.

We had a great day in SoCal - only in the 60s but thats better than all that white stuff.

The SanDiego BYC meet up was on today. I saw my first silkie. I can understand why they are popular. They sell for USD50 each in the Philippines. I guess I will be taking Silkies.

 

[hillfloweranch]

I can get barred rocks from my local feed store. they sell chicks in march, so let me know if I need to haul some babies! LOL

 

[ozexpat]

I can get barred rocks from my local feed store. they sell chicks in march, so let me know if I need to haul some babies! L

babies are a whole different story.

I think I am going to get some shipped eggs from Frank Reece in the mid west. I have been in contact with him and he has some available, ill he has enough so that he can ship the morning they are collected. It will be a rough ride but if I play the numbers, hopefully I can get a few breeding quads out of the,. The Rocks are heritage class and essentially show quality - perfect barring. I will have to make sure I hatch and brood them separately to the cuckoo marans.

He is also is supplying me with white giant jerseys. The big blacks are not available,

 

[3Dchicken]

Hi 3D - I have been trying to find you eggs in eastern Canada to hatch but I am hitting a wall - I wont give up though - somebody has to have chickens in Canada that can help. - You do eat eggs up there don't you?

lol yes. I eat 'em every three days or so. XD All the chicken farms are prolly in Ontario. There are very few farms that have different breeds of chickens, and those have just one coop of 'em. The only real outlet for getting different chicken breeds is the feed store every few months. I really am lucky to have Hope. I'll get eggs eventually.

 

[3Dchicken]

Stew-ie the baby billy goat. He will make a nice letchong kanding for my 51st birthday in November



Tom the terrorizer. I cant wait to get some replacement turkeys - this guy hates me - he sees me come out of the house from 100 yards away and he will make a special trip to see if he han punch a hole in my leg.



Our lone hen turkey. She is not the world's best mom. I will try and get her eggs in the incubator next breeding session.



My ducks. I had no clue what I was getting - They sure look like Muscovy to me. I love the meat from Muscovy but am looking forward to some Pekin and Rouens to add to the foray. Maybe On the May trip I will take a good clutch of Muscovies from here. These are on the smaller end of the spectrum.



The now one month old chicks looking over the edge of their new coop.



Night time sleeping arrangements.

lol love the angry turkey.

 

[ozexpat]

lol love the angry turkey.

the only thing good about that turkey is his meat lol

 

[ozexpat]

Photo copied and pasted without permission from San Diego meet up thread:

 

[NovaAman]

Great pic!