***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[cathiesue]

I feed twice a day, putting only enough feed in the morning for the chickens to eat then around 4:30 enough for them to eat again before roosting. Hanging CDs to blow in the wind hasn't helped and DGibson said the owl with a moveable head wasn't a deterrent either. I bang on a water can any time I think about it and that scares up the flocks of starlings and sparrows temporarily. The starlings have figured out how to sneak into even the pens covered in 1 inch chicken wire. I'm thinking about getting some rubber snakes and strategically placing them. We are using rat shot in the 22 also.

What's rat shot? Besides fun to say.

 

[cathiesue]

So, birds are weird and BB's won't hurt anymore that any other crazy thing they have already eaten. Good to know. The wind is dreadful right now it was sprinkling on me as I was just coming home.

 

[ftpagain]

Wow, I wish we weren't so far. That's ok though. Looks like most are already going to good homes. Sorry about all your bad luck.

Thank you hopefully soon luck will be on my side.

 

[NanaKat]

It's my uderstaning that anything they can't digest will remain in their gizzards, since their digestive system won't pass such things. I've read where when a chicken is processed and its gizzard is opened, all sorts of things, mostly metal screws and such can be packed in there. Apparently as long as the gizzard doesn't get too full, it doesn't seem to hurt them. Of course, this could be an old wive's tale.

I hd heard that also. I checked their poop loaves for several days and noticed the styrofoam pellets in the poop...so they did pass them. Also noticed partially ground grains.

Quote: for our 22 rifle...rat shot, bird shot, pest control ....other names for 22LR ...22 long rifle #12 shot

 

[cathiesue]

I can get a pellet gun at awl-mart. is that the same thing as a bb gun?

 

[ftpagain]

It's my uderstaning that anything they can't digest will remain in their gizzards, since their digestive system won't pass such things.  I've read where when a chicken is processed and its gizzard is opened, all sorts of things, mostly metal screws and such can be packed in there.  Apparently as long as the gizzard doesn't get too full, it doesn't seem to hurt them.  Of course, this could be an old wive's tale.

All the gizzards I ever dealt with were full of small rocks. As far as I understand they help break up grains. I've also seen small rocks in their poop. I bet BBs wont do damage.
I love gizzards. So yummy (minus the rocks).

 

[NanaKat]

I can get a pellet gun at awl-mart. is that the same thing as a bb gun?

A pellet gun uses a gas cylinder to power the shot. Some are capable of shooting a BB. A pellet gun is twice as powerful as a BB gun.
But a BB gun has a lever to pump up the pressure behind the BB.
Both come in pistol and rifle form. Hubby says a rifle is better for shooting birds.

Also...rat shot should have a range of 18 feet....so position yourself near your targets like from a vehicle window. The shot scatters in a wide pattern.
20 shells in a box was pretty expensive.

20 gauge shotgun can be purchased used at pawn shop and would use less expensive shells and would have a longer range. The rifle whould have some kickback.

Any weapon you get will require practice so you don't shoot your chickens in the process.
.

 

[cathiesue]

A pellet gun uses a gas cylinder to power the shot. Some are capable of shooting a BB. A pellet gun is twice as powerful as a BB gun.
But a BB gun has a lever to pump up the pressure behind the BB.
Both come in pistol and rifle form. Hubby says a rifle is better for shooting birds.

Also...rat shot should have a range of 18 feet....so position yourself near your targets like from a vehicle window. The shot scatters in a wide pattern.
20 shells in a box was pretty expensive.

20 gauge shotgun can be purchased used at pawn shop and would use less expensive shells and would have a longer range. The rifle whould have some kickback.

Any weapon you get will require practice so you don't shoot your chickens in the process.
.

Can i come to gun school at your place? Shoot my chickens? This is complicated!

 

[cathiesue]

All the gizzards I ever dealt with were full of small rocks. As far as I understand they help break up grains. I've also seen small rocks in their poop. I bet BBs wont do damage.
I love gizzards. So yummy (minus the rocks).

Yes, minus the rocks! I was my gran's favorite because I was the only one who loved the gizzard's when she cooked for us!

 

[NanaKat]

Quote:

Yes. You have to aim above the chickens. I like to let the starlings land on the top of the coop or poles then shoot as they lift off. Haven't shot a chicken yet....the little shot in the casing doesn't ricochet with any velocity but the shot pattern can get more than one starling or sparrow at a time..