***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[gritsar]

Ksane, it's funny because when I have Harley and Dragon (the crossbeak) out for some supervised freeranging time, it's Harley that gets picked on; Dragon they don't bother. Harley gets picked on because he starts the fights. Funny to see a little cochin cockerel flaring his hackle feathers and challenging my big, BIG, brahma girls. He's going to move in with those brahma girls and he best learn some manners or he's going to be in big trouble.

I'm told that Dragon's mama is an extremely broody silkie, so I'm hoping that will work in my favor when adding a roommate.

 

[Cjarvis]

Molasses but feel free to tell me about the others too!

never tried making Molasses, but the sorgum will grow well in this area..

 

[Cjarvis]

Gritstar,
I see you are looking for a young Bantam? Do you have a perference on age? I can check my brooders to see if there is something I can let go..
I have several (about 150-200) right now i'm there is something I will not miss too much.

Also male or female preference? some are olde enough to sex by comb size.

 

[gritsar]

Gritstar,
I see you are looking for a young Bantam? Do you have a perference on age? I can check my brooders to see if there is something I can let go..
I have several (about 150-200) right now i'm there is something I will not miss too much.

Also male or female preference? some are olde enough to sex by comb size.

No preference on age, breed (so long as it is small), I would prefer a female so that I don't end up with another cockerel that wants to mate poor Dragon all the time.
Older hens and handicapped would be welcome. It would help tremendously if the hen in question was very laid back, but I know that's hard to judge.
I would prefer one that's already been weaned off their heat lamp, but I can brood inside for a couple of weeks if necessary.

 

[gritsar]

A pic of Dragon next to a 3 qt. feed scoop, to judge her size.

 

[Cjarvis]

gritstar,
Unfortunately I will not have a female near that size or age that can let go of, I thought maybe you were looking for a very young "brooder" mate. I have some up to 14-16 weeks of age but I need those birds. and once they start getting to at least 6 weeks of age I start picking what I'm keeping too. I figured I could spare a young bird that I knew little about yet and would not miss it terribly but anything that age and size here would already have purpose.
sorry i could not help.

 

[gritsar]

gritstar,
Unfortunately I will not have a female near that size or age that can let go of, I thought maybe you were looking for a very young "brooder" mate. I have some up to 14-16 weeks of age but I need those birds. and once they start getting to at least 6 weeks of age I start picking what I'm keeping too. I figured I could spare a young bird that I knew little about yet and would not miss it terribly but anything that age and size here would already have purpose.
sorry i could not help.

I appreciate your help anyhow.

 

[Ksane]

Ksane, it's funny because when I have Harley and Dragon (the crossbeak) out for some supervised freeranging time, it's Harley that gets picked on; Dragon they don't bother. Harley gets picked on because he starts the fights. Funny to see a little cochin cockerel flaring his hackle feathers and challenging my big, BIG, brahma girls. He's going to move in with those brahma girls and he best learn some manners or he's going to be in big trouble.
I'm told that Dragon's mama is an extremely broody silkie, so I'm hoping that will work in my favor when adding a roommate.

Haha! You and Robin here on this born must be long-lost sisters She's got handicapped birds also and loves them. I'd chip in for shipping if we could find you a bird!
Ok, you guys. Forget for just a minute that this is a bug. Isn't it cool looking???? It's a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, they get the size of a small mouse. This picture happens to be a model of one,not a real one. They're climbers but I've got lids. I really want this kind also so I think I'll get this plus the Dubia like Kass has.
I'm going to name every flippin' bug "Darryl" so I won't get attached to them and not be able to feed them to my chickens and fish!!

 

[BetsyOK]

Ksane, here's my experience with silkies raising their own chicks. I like to raise them in family groups when I can, but now the quality (and cost to me) of my birds is such that I find I need to use brooders and raise them separately for their safety. Some of the dads are great with babes, as are some of the moms. However, they'd probably be much safer if only one hen were involved with the chicks and the chicks all hatch in one or two days. My silkies are so INTENT on hatching eggs, they often ignore the chicks as they hatch, or throw them out of the nest. Some, especially first time moms, will actually kill the chicks or will remove the "noisy" chicks or eggs from the nest, which causes the pipped chick to chill and die. I'm pretty sure they don't at first understand that these noisy beings are what they've been working on for so long.Two moms will sometimes work out well, but partly because their eggs hatch on staggered days, they can't always decide whether to raise the chicks or continue to brood the eggs. Two will often fight over the eggs, rolling them under themselves when one gets up to eat or drink. They'll do the same when the chicks hatch, which often ends up in smashed or ignored chicks. I also cannot keep my pens clean enough to feel secure about letting these fragile babes stay with the parents. I haven't yet worked out feed and water dishes that don't get almost immediately filled with detritus as the moms scratch around to show the babes how to find food.

Gritsar, I also wish I could help out with a companion for dragon, but since I've had the knee replacement surgery, I've not hatched the number of chicks I usually do, and am now pretty well down to the very best of my birds. I do have a few youngsters, but they're not yet at the stage I can decide which ones I'll use in my own breeding program and which ones are extras. I will probably have some to sell at the show and sale at Pryor in early March, and may even have a few pet quality, but I guess that's not soon enough to be of help.

 

[Poco Pollo]

He's beautiful! I don't know what their different sounds mean but I do love listening to them.
WHAT kind of bird is that gold laced one?????

The dark hen with lacing is a Double Laced Barnevelder. She lays dark brown eggs.