***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[lonnyandrinda]

It has taken me all day and many trial fittings and alterations and he doesn't like it, but maybe it will keep him warm

Haha wow. He will appreciate it tomorrow I think! And I don't think it looks like it's rubbing, I think it just feels weird to him to have something on his skin. He'll get used to it. Kind of like when we go from summer tops and shorts to winter shirts and pants- at least to me it feels funny at first.

Will you have baby Isbars, Croads or Jubilees any time soon?

Isbars are still being problematic for me. I'm selling a few but usually wait until they are older and sexable because I still seem to be losing about 15-20% between 2 and 5 weeks old. I'm not really sure what to conclude from that. This has held true for two different roosters from completely different breeders than my hens, opposite ends of the country. So they are unrelated as they can get in the US without biting the bullet for GFF new line. They just seem to be more fragile and more sensitive to brooder fluctuations I guess? Lost two more overnight, a brooder light bulb went out. Every other breed was fine in the same brooder level but lost two Isbars.

Croad langshans I've got a few, the ones I took to Lees Feed sold like hotcakes. I'm hatching about a half dozen a week but my egg count is dropping so I may be just about done. If you want a few I've got them. I've got some older ones I can tentatively sex, too.

Jubilees- I've only got one hen laying for the last few weeks. I haven't really had enough chicks to be worth advertising and the fertility rate has been hit and miss with the eggs I've had. So I've just been keeping them all. I probably have some if you wanted a few, either the younger ones or I probably have some in my 6-8 week old grow pen that I could sex.

 

[Kassaundra]

This was shared on my FB thought everyone here could identify

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

Well, I hope everyone is ready for the weather the next few days. I think the birds are. However, I am not looking forward to chores in the cold. Brrrr.

We've had our silo coop (avatar) for almost a year now. Many people (including myself) doubted its usefulness in the summer heat. I can safely say it worked just fine. (I lost ONE broody hen to heat on the very hottest day of the summer and I wasn't here to try and prompt her to move.) The heat rose out the top hatch, which was always open and screened. The walls were hot to the touch, but the inside itself was actually pretty comfortable. There's 3 windows, a chicken door, a regular door, and two hatch doors (on top). I point all that out to say to those with silos sitting on their property...it's possible. And it worked excellent last winter too.

@ashtree I hope the broody takes the chicks! I miss them already! I expect to hear about how they feather out. I am hoping for some very splashy splashes.

Stay warm, all!

 

[ashtree]

Well, I hope everyone is ready for the weather the next few days. I think the birds are. However, I am not looking forward to chores in the cold. Brrrr.

We've had our silo coop (avatar) for almost a year now. Many people (including myself) doubted its usefulness in the summer heat. I can safely say it worked just fine. (I lost ONE broody hen to heat on the very hottest day of the summer and I wasn't here to try and prompt her to move.) The heat rose out the top hatch, which was always open and screened. The walls were hot to the touch, but the inside itself was actually pretty comfortable. There's 3 windows, a chicken door, a regular door, and two hatch doors (on top). I point all that out to say to those with silos sitting on their property...it's possible. And it worked excellent last winter too.

@ashtree I hope the broody takes the chicks! I miss them already! I expect to hear about how they feather out. I am hoping for some very splashy splashes.

Stay warm, all!

So far everything seems great. 1 of the broodies really took over and every time I check (which has been ALOT) all the babies are nestled under her. It's so sweet. I can't wait to see them with her tomorrow. I plan on waking up before the chickens to make sure it goes well and to move them to the broody coop. Thank you so much for letting me buy these sweeties. They are soooo beautiful! And I love silo coop. It's huge too!

Wow it's windy out there. Just finished bringing all the plants in and putting finishing touches on the broody coop. Maybe I'm crazy, but cold wind feels so good!

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: i'd forgotten about that- i have 2 silkie crossbeaks an my Ginger, EE, so will keep a real close eye on them, Ginger seems to do better than the silkies do- spent the day weather proofing the coop, so hopefully the ones i moved in there will help keep everyone cozy-

 

[BetsyOK]

Kass, Rudy's new walk is hilarious, and it looks like he consulted with one of the rabbits about his "condition".

 

[Kyzmette]

Quote:
I'm not surprised about the Isbars. I'd kind of given up on the idea of raising them after reading up on them, but I still want the egg color added to my flock. Apparently the current theory is there was something wrong with the original imports, and since the bulk of the breed currently in the US stem from those birds, the genetic flaws that cause egg-quitters and early deaths were passed along. You'd almost have to go through GFF for new imports to get stronger genes; knowing GFF, they did fairly thorough research on whichever lines they imported after that first batch. This is off the GFF website: Greenfire Farms first imported this breed from Sweden in 2011. Our isbars were fertile and produced many chicks, but we believe the birds were closely related and showed some signs of a suppressed immune system that could be linked to inbreeding depression. In 2013, we imported isbars from the separate flocks. These birds should allow breeders to mitigate the effects of inbreeding in their flocks If you decide you want to take on some new birds, let me know. In the spring, I might be willing to buy a couple of chicks from them and let you keep them, if I can get the occasional chick or egg from them in return. I figured out what I'm doing... after losing Junebug, I'm looking for a baby to cuddle through the winter so I can have another puppychicken like her. Flighty Isbars aren't exactly the best choice for that, I guess, but I didn't realize I was in the middle of chicken-rebound when I asked. PM me your info on the youngest Croads and Jubilees and I'll weigh my heartbreak against the annoyance of a long winter with a chicken inside. I'm pretty sure the heartbreak will probably win, because puppychickens cure what ails you.

 

[Kassaundra]

Watched the video 4 times then deboned my first rabbit. It took much longer for me then him, and mine wasn't as pretty. I left a little more meat on the bones (but that just means better soup right!). I need much more room than he used, and I think it is near super human how he holds on the slippery meat and bones while holding a sharp knife.

 

[NanaKat]

Watched the video 4 times then deboned my first rabbit. It took much longer for me then him, and mine wasn't as pretty. I left a little more meat on the bones (but that just means better soup right!). I need much more room than he used, and I think it is near super human how he holds on the slippery meat and bones while holding a sharp knife.

About as easy as cleaning quail gizzards.

Quote: Goodness....that is true addiction! Can you find the same breed as Junebug since she cuddled so well?

 

[NanaKat]

Quote: i'd forgotten about that- i have 2 silkie crossbeaks an my Ginger, EE, so will keep a real close eye on them, Ginger seems to do better than the silkies do- spent the day weather proofing the coop, so hopefully the ones i moved in there will help keep everyone cozy-
I would mix crumble feed with warm water and add a little yogurt and boiled egg to the feed about 3 x a week for the two crossbeak pullets. That seemed to insure they were getting better nutrition. I also set the layer pellet feeder on the ground and both pullets would eat from the top of the full container easier than the divided tray at the bottom. Ended up hanging a wall feeder with a bowl end. They could easily scoop up their pellets.