***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Elwood Lightfoot]

Took a trip over to Crossroads farm and garden on Hi-way 74 south of Blanchard it's a few extra miles to drive but is going to save me quite a bit over what I have been paying for feed in this area, I like the way it's set up reminded me of the old feed stores I went to when I was a teenager, I used to dig may apple root and sell it to the feed place and used that money to buy traps, And yes the cruel steel ones you just couldn't load up 20 live traps in your dads old army duffel bag and haul them all the way down the creek setting them all along the way to Boggy creek, Crossroads is the only place I've found that carries steel traps they had some nice live traps also some big enough to catch coyotes were more pricey than what TSC has but looked better made, I'm going to build several oversized traps well made and stout enough to hang on to whatever gets inside it then undersell TSC for the BYC'ers that might need one, I'm searching for some 1inch angle iron about an eighth inch thick so I can weld it to make it strong enough, I need to get to Mikes for the rest of the fence I want from him but, I'm still counting my nickels after getting a ticket in Anadarko $89.00 and then having to pay for a new well pump to be put in $520.00 that's really cut in to my spending on chickens and chicken related items and really hinders the spending on things that I can the potential to be an interesting piece of chicken paraphernalia you know what I mean one of those things where you see that if you can just get it flipped inside out one end and twisted on the other I might be able to poor pellets in there and trickle out down there Hmmmm, Now, If I can just win the bidding (cheap) and have time in between projects and don't need any new tools or parts I don't already have as long as I can find them that is I could have this working buy late next winter...(maybe)) Well, it's past my bedtime I don't think I should play hooky tomorrow so I'm out.. Oh yeah, I will try to be in Shawnee early I haven't been to a show in a long time and looking forward to it...

 

[upcdayz]

Good morning all.

I have to say that I'm worried about my chickens in their coops. It's so cold out, but the wind chill is worse. Before when it's gotten this cold I put them in the garage, but can't do that this time. The Seramas are out there now, with their heater and a pregnant cat that some neighbors who moved away left behind.

Bill - sorry about those unexpected expenses. They seem to crop up at the same time, and at the wrong time, don't they? Back in the summer I got a ticket in Anadarko too, but mine wasn't as expensive as yours. I have to say, though, that the officer who pulled me over was nice about it and only gave me one ticket. He could have given me three.

Michael - Your daughter is beautiful, and is a lucky girl to have family to take her hunting. I would advise you to hang on to those school newspaper articles she's in. They will bring back fond memories for her later on.

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
Michael,
I have got to say you have done a magnificent job raising Macy, she is one of a kind. Good looking young woman and deer. I only hope you have a big stick to beat the boy's back with she will be quite the catch.

 

[Poco Pollo]

Anyone else have snow last night? We had a light dusting, so the chickens are walking around the small piles as if the snow might bite them.

Michael - Tell Macy she's the female version of Daniel Boon. She ought to have her own outdoorswoman show on cable. Nice job!

 

[Ok_Junebug]

Quote:
Yes, I smelled the blood in the water immediately.

I will have some 'gift' birds with me at Shawnee. Just ask me about them. No-snooze, annimated alarm clocks...perfect for the person with everything. I'm easy to find....I'm usually around my show birds or my sale birds...my cell phone number is posted on my sale birds.

 

[Poco Pollo]

Junebug - Maybe by next year I will have my husband sold on the idea of a no-snooze living alarm clock. He really does have a hard time waking up. I'm up hours before he squints and growls, so I could carry a small cage in and hang it in the window each morning. He thinks he's allergic to chickens, though, so I need to find information about chicken dander to prove or disprove his theory. Seeing Robin's photos makes me want a house bird. I would love the company indoors when I'm sewing or drawing. I'll find you at Shawnee and pine over your birds.

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:
yep, and boy were the guineas surprised - heard them land on the roof, and slide, and snow preceded them!LOL!

June, you are a prime enabler, an example to us all!!!

i'd love to get a little pullet for this guy-

off to find the coffeepot

 

[Ok_Junebug]

Quote:

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:
hey june, do you ever sell hatching eggs?

poco- you could always sneak me a pullet from june on your way back from shawnee!

 

[BetsyOK]

Please give the I-Hop location again so we'll be sure to go to the right place.

Insofar as Visqueen or other extra efforts to keep your chickens warm in the winter, I received sage advice from a "chicken friend" several years ago that has normally been good for me. If you baby your chickens too much, you'll make them less hardy and subject to a lot more problems. One year, I wrapped my entire poultry complex--quite large--in visqueen. Was quite a chore, but everyone did just fine. Since then, I've only put up a little, if any, and that to block the strongest cold wind and rain from going right into the pens. Last year during that bitter, bitter, record-breaking cold was the only time I had a loss of more than one bird that might be because of cold weather. As long as your birds are dry and protected from the fiercest wind, they'll be fine; in fact stronger for having to face it. One year many of my silkies were actually partially covered with snow a time or two, but I didn't lose one bird or any toes, or anything. I do understand some breeds, such as seramas and sebrights need more protection. I do also coat the combs of my undubbed OEGBs, which protects them from frostbite. Didn't do it last year, and two out of the three roos lost tips of their combs.