***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Ironsights]

I think without a culture (acv or yoghurt or whatever) you won't get alcohol. But I've only been fermenting feed for a few months. I just buy organic feed from the store, soak it in water and use it as I need it. Once every two weeks or so (depending on smell mostly) I'll use the entire batch, clean the bowl, and start over. It has saved me sooo much money because there is no waste! And stinky chicken poops are a thing of the past. That smell I always associated with chickens is no more. At this point I'm hooked.

I think it's way simpler than it sounds. I know I was intimidated by the thought of trying but it's been a breeze.

No waste, no smell? I'm starting a batch tomorrow. Do you keep it in a refrigerator?

 

[Kassaundra]

No waste, no smell? I'm starting a batch tomorrow. Do you keep it in a refrigerator?

No, it won't ferment as well in the cold.

 

[Kassaundra]

NanaK, hope you got the preditor that was getting your chickens.

 

[mjgigax]

NanaKat, there's never a dull moment at your house, and nothing slows you down! What excitement with a full-grown, predatory owl!!

I've been working 3-3 1/2 hours each day with very heavy cleaning out of flower-beds-to-be. The saplings, poke, poison ivy, etc. was much higher than my head and required a LOT of work. Finally got it all done, except for adding composted chicken poop to the newest part, and am working on cleaning out chicken pens. I use the "deep litter method" and had gotten very behind. I'm digging out 6 - 8" of partially composted chicken litter, then putting down a layer of Diatomaceous Earth and then pine chips. Am also reconstructing the dividers between four of my pens in the larger compound. I can't work longer than that--and that's splitting the time up with a rest and cool-of period, because I just get too hot. But, I'm making progress and losing some weight.

I've cleaned out part of the bottom part of an extensive rock garden, so that's my next project. 7 - 8 years makes for a LOT of catch-up work.

Doctor visit and blood work yesterday showed improvement in all areas, so I think this hard work is paying off in many ways.

My silkies are finally hatching chicks, fortunately only a few at a time. They are so steadfast! Am planning to be at the Norman show in early October, and should have a nice selection of half-grown silkies, including several paints and paint showgirls. Hope to see some of you there!

I so love my Showgirls and now I have a couple of Silkies from Jeansrie. The are so friendly. The babies' crests are growing out and they look so cute.

 

[BetsyOK]

Her silkies and showgirls are of very good quality, and they're from different gene pools than those you've gotten from me. The four I bought from her several months ago are looking really good! I needed that addition to the gene pool!

 

[Jeansrie]

@mjgigax @BetsyOKSo glad you are happy with them!! The showgirls sure go through an awkward teenage stage. Betsy I think I am going to try to go to the Norman show also, hope to see you there!

 

[Jeansrie]

I have my first "illness" related question. My rooster appears to be "sneezing" but I see no discharge around his nose or eyes. A few days ago his crow started sounding noticeably different. He is a naked-neck, and when I picked him up this morning to give him a once-over his skin felt hot. He is otherwise acting normal - eating, drinking, breeding. He is with 4 hens and they all seem fine. Any ideas? Is there something I should do for him?

 

[Ironsights]

NanaKat I don't know if you have solved my mystery or deepened it. Over the past couple years I've lost a bunch of full grown turkeys in broad daylight. They were in an uncovered pen, but were too big to have been carried out by a hawk, and there was no obvious 4 legged evidence, i.e. tracks, or feather trails, or digging under fences. I know 4 legged ones can climb but there is usually a feather trail where they kill. I could sometimes find would find feather piles (with some bones) fifty yards or so out in pasture grass An owl that size could have easily been the culprit, but I've never observed owls hunting in the day time here. I know we have them, you can hear them at night.

 

[jrjoplin]

I've seen an owl take a large rooster. I've never seen them in the middle of the day but I've seen them active in the early evening.

I've just moved back to Oklahoma this year after an almost 20 year absence. I'm currently in coop/run planning stages and as I can hear them at night owl protection is being taken into consideration. Chicken arrival is next spring but there are bets being placed as to if I'll last that long. It's taking every ounce of self control I can muster.

As a side note, my father always told us if we had to "take care" of an owl or hawk to destroy them before we destroyed the evidence as the killed chicken is what creates the loophole in the raptor protection laws. Many of our neighbors who didn't keep chickens and didn't care for chickens (or maybe it was us) must have had the authorities on speed dial.

 

[ChickenChump]

Hello