***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[erinszoo]

 
try getting some gamebird feed in a bucket just for them, that may help this time of year lots of the protein they get is gone

ok so this is where i am confused. i am trying to wrap my head around this feeding deal. i thought that ducks shouldn't have much protein and that they focus more on grass. i have a duck with an angel wing that i was told was caused by too much protein. or are there different proteins? or am i not understanding the whole thing? 

Angel wing is a genetic problem, not a feed issue. We had turkeys with it and they produced offspring with crossed beaks and deformed skeletal structures.

Too much protein can cause leg issues in ducks and geese because they can't process it as effeciently as other poultry.

Our ducks love fodder and chopped up cabbage and other greens, but will literally leave sprouted peas in their feeder. I have no idea how they pick out the sprouted wheat and oats but leave the peas behind. Lol.

 

[erinszoo]

They eat together every day

Love it! Ours do this too.

 

[NanaKat]

Hubby is really sick with congestion and chest cold. Using my arsenal of oils....Respiratory care, Raven and Thieves....hoping to help kick this quickly.

A few pictures...
The newest two hatches...note the teeny tiny quail at the feeder...smaller than the Delaware Bantam in front of the water bowl born the same day. Quail are so tiny, they can drown in the water cup so that is the reason for the rock. There are Bantams and Columbian Wyandotte chicks.




Anybody need a rooster? I haven't had the strength in my shoulder to send them to freezer camp...
These guys are 11 month old Cochin/Wyandotte roosters. Big difference in the ones that look more Cochin and those that look Wyandotte. Both are huge and have feathers on their legs....gentle giants that know their place with humans. And they can fly....the fence is 3.5 feet high. I'd let them go for $5 each to help cover their feed bill....

Two views of the first one that has the Cochin comb and feathering.


This boy has the Wyandotte comb, stature and is Birchen. Next photo compares him with a 9 month old Columbian Wyandotte with a tail with the wrong angle.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

Good things come to those who wait...patiently or impatiently, as the case is with me! My Jubilees are laying like crazy, better than the girls in the main coop! I'm set 10 eggs tonight to check for fertility. I'm not expecting much. I did trim their bums last week though, so we will see.

Thoughts for the day:
The Olive Eggers are doing great. I kept one black, one blue, and one splash. The silkies I have left (red and splash) are very sweet.
My SFH cockerel disappeared last week. I haven't let the rest free-range much since then. The predators are out full-force.
This is my third winter with chickens. Every spring I forget how much I dislike freezing temps and frozen waterers. I now remember.
My knee is doing much better. I have one more week in the brace, and then it will be time to work out again! Woot!

 

[Ksane]

Hubby is really sick with congestion and chest cold. Using my arsenal of oils....Respiratory care, Raven and Thieves....hoping to help kick this quickly.

A few pictures...
The newest two hatches...note the teeny tiny quail at the feeder...smaller than the Delaware Bantam in front of the water bowl born the same day. Quail are so tiny, they can drown in the water cup so that is the reason for the rock. There are Bantams and Columbian Wyandotte chicks.
Anybody need a rooster? I haven't had the strength in my shoulder to send them to freezer camp...
These guys are 11 month old Cochin/Wyandotte roosters. Big difference in the ones that look more Cochin and those that look Wyandotte. Both are huge and have feathers on their legs....gentle giants that know their place with humans. And they can fly....the fence is 3.5 feet high. I'd let them go for $5 each to help cover their feed bill....
Two views of the first one that has the Cochin comb and feathering.


This boy has the Wyandotte comb, stature and is Birchen. Next photo compares him with a 9 month old Columbian Wyandotte with a tail with the wrong angle.

I think there's some sort of law about eating roosters that are that gorgeous. It'd be such a shame for you to end up in The Big House when Roger needs your nursing so bad right now. Tell ya what.....to keep you out of trouble I'll take those boys off your hands. I happen to have $10 burning a hole in my pocket if you might possibly be able to meet me in Wellston again this weekend at the same place as last time.
Can't be letting myself running out of roosters, they'll go nicely in the back yard with some of my other boys They're both beautiful.

 

[Ksane]

Good things come to those who wait...patiently or impatiently, as the case is with me! My Jubilees are laying like crazy, better than the girls in the main coop! I'm set 10 eggs tonight to check for fertility. I'm not expecting much. I did trim their bums last week though, so we will see.

Thoughts for the day:
The Olive Eggers are doing great. I kept one black, one blue, and one splash. The silkies I have left (red and splash) are very sweet.
My SFH cockerel disappeared last week. I haven't let the rest free-range much since then. The predators are out full-force.
This is my third winter with chickens. Every spring I forget how much I dislike freezing temps and frozen waterers. I now remember.
My knee is doing much better. I have one more week in the brace, and then it will be time to work out again! Woot!

Hooray for you, Rhonda! This is my 4th year with chickens in the winter. The majority of the pens and coops now have heated water bases but there's still....7 yards/pen I have to carry water out to. I've got those kiddie pools for water and oddly enough that's helped a lot. It doesn't freeze near as hard or fast and it's easier to take the whole top ice layer off.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Good things come to those who wait...patiently or impatiently, as the case is with me! My Jubilees are laying like crazy, better than the girls in the main coop! I'm set 10 eggs tonight to check for fertility. I'm not expecting much. I did trim their bums last week though, so we will see.

Thoughts for the day:
The Olive Eggers are doing great. I kept one black, one blue, and one splash. The silkies I have left (red and splash) are very sweet.
My SFH cockerel disappeared last week. I haven't let the rest free-range much since then. The predators are out full-force.
This is my third winter with chickens. Every spring I forget how much I dislike freezing temps and frozen waterers. I now remember.
My knee is doing much better. I have one more week in the brace, and then it will be time to work out again! Woot!

Awe! Do you have a backup SFH boy? I just got some from CathieSue and have some extra roos and cockerels, some are very nice.

I think there's some sort of law about eating roosters that are that gorgeous. It'd be such a shame for you to end up in The Big House when Roger needs your nursing so bad right now. Tell ya what.....to keep you out of trouble I'll take those boys off your hands. I happen to have $10 burning a hole in my pocket if you might possibly be able to meet me in Wellston again this weekend at the same place as last time.
Can't be letting myself running out of roosters, they'll go nicely in the back yard with some of my other boys They're both beautiful.

I was just waiting for you to pop in and see them... you and your rooster-loving heart!

 

[DBerryhill]

Chicken math is hitting early this year for me...I lost 5 chickens to a dog. Then promptly talked hubby into increasing our flock by 50 this spring. Now I just need to find where I can get them!
I'm looking for ameraucauna (Wheaton types, silver, or white would be top choice colors)and dorkings. I am avoiding hatcheries, and will drive to pick up birds or eggs. If anyone has, or knows where to find them, please let me know! Thanks!

 

[H21Dan]

Hey Everybody, new to this chicken thing and won't even have my chicks until spring but I love to soak up info ahaed of time. I have read a lot of stuff about chicken's in general, but are there any particular considerations for Oklahoma folks, especially central Oaklahoma, that you might not find in the books. We will be raising egg layers, haven't decided on breed yet, and eventually rais enough chickens to supply our family with meat throughout the year. Our weather is so wonky here that I don't even know where to build the coop. I have options for shade near the woods or out in the open or maybe a combo. I'll take any info I can get. Thanks everyone for being the awesome chicken people that you are. My family is excited to jump into our chicken adventure. (BTW we are on 5 acres in the far eastern part of OKC around Stanley Drapper).

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Chicken math is hitting early this year for me...I lost 5 chickens to a dog. Then promptly talked hubby into increasing our flock by 50 this spring. Now I just need to find where I can get them!
I'm looking for ameraucauna (Wheaton types, silver, or white would be top choice colors)and dorkings. I am avoiding hatcheries, and will drive to pick up birds or eggs. If anyone has, or knows where to find them, please let me know! Thanks!

I have blue/black/splash Ameraucanas. They are taking a HUGE break this year though, I think I haven't seen an egg since September. But I'll be back online in the spring. www.chickenfanatics.com is my website. Ameraucana chicks are $7 straight run.

Hey Everybody, new to this chicken thing and won't even have my chicks until spring but I love to soak up info ahaed of time. I have read a lot of stuff about chicken's in general, but are there any particular considerations for Oklahoma folks, especially central Oaklahoma, that you might not find in the books. We will be raising egg layers, haven't decided on breed yet, and eventually rais enough chickens to supply our family with meat throughout the year. Our weather is so wonky here that I don't even know where to build the coop. I have options for shade near the woods or out in the open or maybe a combo. I'll take any info I can get. Thanks everyone for being the awesome chicken people that you are. My family is excited to jump into our chicken adventure. (BTW we are on 5 acres in the far eastern part of OKC around Stanley Drapper).

In Oklahoma, a sturdy draft-free coop for winter (with top ventilation), and plenty of shade/water options in the summer. IMO one of the best options is a coop in the sun but raised off the ground so they can go under it to dig in the cool dirt underneath. Also helps with rodents and snakes in the coop if it is elevated. But when you design it keep in mind they will probably at some point lay an egg under there so make it high enough you can reach under if needed to get an egg or catch a bird.

If you want meat AND eggs go for a dual purpose, like a marans or cochin or orpington. You will need more hens to get the same number of eggs as an egg laying breed though. You certainly CAN eat egg layer breeds like Leghorns but not much of a meal there.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you choose, and post pics of your setup and birds when you get them!