***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[old*cowboy]

Evening all!
Wow! 400 layers is a bunch buster! Hope you can find a good cheap feed source. We have a lot of those wagons in this area and I was wondering how they could be utilized,can't wait to see more pics.

Spent the day at a new(to us) auction in Ky. today. I really liked it. They sold everything "you pick your choice,take 1 or all". I love being able to do that instead of haveing to buy a whole box of something when theres only one or two that catch you eye. I sold three rabbits and bought three but made money on the ones I sold and bought the others cheaper! Also sold a few bantams and bought three pigeons. Or should say rescued three pigeons. Some heartless dumb--s put four pigeons,three turkeys and four pekin ducks in a rabbit cage! And yes the pigeons eneded up on bottom. One died. Apparently the owner has been neglect for a long time,one pigeon had a string wrapped around its foot,so deeply embedded it had cut one toe off and another was just hanging on by a sliver. They were all healed and calused over so had been there a long time. The string was still there! I finally got it cut and pulled ou,the bird will limp but live.
This was a good sale,looks like a good one to buy at. So thats always good. It was jsut a bit discomforting as it was kinda back in the hills and had a "Deliverance" feel to it!lol

Hate to hear folks having animals and not taking care of them. What kind of pigeons were they? I traded for some real nice rec. red, rec. yellow and brown racing homers today. Going to take some to flea market tomorrow. If they sale, good. If not that is good too. I like colored racing homers. Just have to do a little switching around in pens for them. But I did buy a 8x4x4 pen today with legs. Will work good for homers. Banjos and the squeeling of pigs will make a man nervous for sure.

 

[Buster52]

Hey, Doodle. Yes, 400 is a lot. I'm not as ambitious as my friend Grady. I'll start slow and let it grow as demand grows. It's just nice having something to grow into. In the meantime my 80 or so hens are going to be very cozy in their big new home. I'll be sure to post plenty of pics when we get it home.

But I do have a good source for cheap feed, thanks to Michael D, jcatblum, and Grady. Mike found a cheap source (Carnegie co-op), Grady came up with a great recipe, and Catherine passed it on to me.

P&B, I should also mention that Grady is going to be Salatin's official tour guide for private tours of Polyface at $1,000 for a full day behind-the-scenes tour. He invited Erlene and I out for a free tour when he gets settled! How cool is that???

 

[bfrancis]

Quote:
I've got two little giants (foam jobs) that I'm pitching in the trash as soon as possible. IMO, Save a little bit more and invest in a Brinsea octagon 20 eco. Not as big as all the foam jobs, but for a small incubator you won't find better in my opinion.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

Yeah cowboy I feel the same way,I mean how hard is it to watch your birds for a few minutes everyday and just make sure all is ok with them. These are modenas,they are older birds and the most wildy crossed colors I have ever seen in modenas. I'll try and get some pics. tomorrow. Did you read Slobberknockers article last month about his returning to "plain old barn pigeons"? I think I will use these to get me a project like that started. Kind of like comming full circle,started out as a kid with wild"nothing" birds and after 40 years thinking about returning to it. After all its the love of the species that has always interested me,don't have to have no expensive ones to enjoy them. Anyway ,we will see!lol

Buster will you have to wrap the top of that with plastic or something for the winter? I would still be impressed with 80 big hens in one spot!lol I've only got six and a roo and they keep me busy.I have finally found a good source of cheap feed here. Its made by the Amish,14% protien which isn't much but boy the birds sure are blooming good on it. Its only $9.75 a hundred pound . Has oyster shell already added.Beats that $14-16 for 50 pounds elsewhere!

 

[artsyrobin]

thanks- from what i have read the foam once are hard to regulate?

Quote:

I've got two little giants (foam jobs) that I'm pitching in the trash as soon as possible. IMO, Save a little bit more and invest in a Brinsea octagon 20 eco. Not as big as all the foam jobs, but for a small incubator you won't find better in my opinion.

 

[bfrancis]

I have one that does...ok...but does have swings, the other fluctuates real bad, both have digital thermostats and forced air. Humidity levels are hard to maintain too.

Our Brinsea is just awesome. It works great with chicken eggs, LF and bantams, and on our quail eggs that are a pain in the rear it is very reliable. I won't even put quail eggs in the LG, and only chicken eggs that I have an abundance of in the LG. My d'Anvers, OEGB, and Buckeyes I never would trust in the LG's.

Edited to add, just asked DW, she said 24 LF eggs will fit in brinsea, 75 quail eggs to give you an idea of the size. Not as many eggs, but well worth the investment.

 

[Ksane]

thanks- from what i have read the foam once are hard to regulate?

Quote:

I've got two little giants (foam jobs) that I'm pitching in the trash as soon as possible. IMO, Save a little bit more and invest in a Brinsea octagon 20 eco. Not as big as all the foam jobs, but for a small incubator you won't find better in my opinion.

I've heard a lot of people complain about the Little Giants but then they turn around and talk about how they're changing the temp dial every 30 seconds and lifting the lid. I didn't have a single problem with mine but I only used it with 1 hatch. The eggs were shipped from 2 different states and the total hatch rate was like 40% I got my Cochin babies out of the deal so it was worth it to me!

 

[NanaKat]

P&B, I should also mention that Grady is going to be Salatin's official tour guide for private tours of Polyface at $1,000 for a full day behind-the-scenes tour. He invited Erlene and I out for a free tour when he gets settled! How cool is that???

What is Salatin?

I've got two little giants (foam jobs) that I'm pitching in the trash as soon as possible. IMO, Save a little bit more and invest in a Brinsea octagon 20 eco. Not as big as all the foam jobs, but for a small incubator you won't find better in my opinion.

What about taking the insides and making an incubator in an ice chest?

 

[muesky]

I've heard a lot of people complain about the Little Giants but then they turn around and talk about how they're changing the temp dial every 30 seconds and lifting the lid. I didn't have a single problem with mine but I only used it with 1 hatch. The eggs were shipped from 2 different states and the total hatch rate was like 40% I got my Cochin babies out of the deal so it was worth it to me!

I have foam incubators, one is for incubating and the other I use as a hatcher. I painted the inside and outside of my incubators to make sanitizing easier and they are kind of psychedelic cool looking. After changing out the wafers I have not had any trouble keeping the temperature regulated. I do keep my incubators covered with a blanket but most of the time I just use broody hens. I have a silkie and some cochins who are brooding machines.

Well I got the battery changed out. Went through my full litany of cuss words but it is done. Still think whomever the person/s at Chrysler who designed a car to have the battery in the wheel well should personally be responsible for changing every one of the stupid batteries out for the rest of their lives.

Carl you were right. If the day starts bad it usually gets better. After and awesome visit with Maryjo, Joe and Jack (thanks for the rooster Jack, he is wonderful) this afternoon, I had a wonderful evening hanging with a good friend. It was a nice time. Wish our schedules were more in sync but life seems so hectic. I just have to remember to make time for friends.

Think I hear my pillows calling me so I am heading to bed.

Sleep tight everyone!

 

[Buster52]

What is Salatin? 

http://www.polyfacefarms.com/speaking-protocol/joels-bio/