***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Tika75]

My babies arrived on Friday the 13th. LOL Sunday I took them outside for
a little bit in our "chick playpen." They weren't too sure about that weird green
stuff on the ground at first. I had one that kept running into the wire at the
ends of the baby bed. You would think after the first time or two she would
learn not to do it.





The dogs were curious about the little fluffs making all of the racket. Koda
was more curious than Bunny though. She kept walking around or laying
down by the playpen.







I didn't have a water bottle like inside so I used a small dish. They were funny
to watch. They would end up walking into the water and freeze because they
didn't know what to do and then take off running out of it. My husband asked
me if I was trying to season them early. I didn't know what in the world he was
talking about then he pointed out that I was using a Penzeys Spices box to
carry them out in and for them to hid in if needed. LOL



I'm going to take them outside for a little bit tonight after I get home from work.
It will give me a chance to clean out their little inside area.

 

[Kassaundra]

Very cute!!!! I'd watch the dogs like hawks if they aren't used to chickens. My dogs and chickens can NEVER mix, but many are successful in keeping their dogs from hurting the chickens.

 

[Tika75]

Very cute!!!! I'd watch the dogs like hawks if they aren't used to chickens. My dogs and chickens can NEVER mix, but many are successful in keeping their dogs from hurting the chickens.

We don't trust them without us out there. Here is Koda with my hens. Bunny is kind of scared of them since they will chase and peck at her. LOL

 

[Kassaundra]

We don't trust them without us out there. Here is Koda with my hens. Bunny is kind of scared of them since they will chase and peck at her. LOL

You should never let your sonic screwdriver break, you never know when the British are going to get their act together and make more episodes! lol lol lol

 

[Tika75]

You should never let your sonic screwdriver break, you never know when the British are going to get their act together and make more episodes! lol lol lol

Yeah just the Christmas special this year and then more next spring.

 

[TipihlowLadies]

Mea

I have a question for my fellow Okies. I've mentioned that I received 8 meat birds with my order from Murray McMurray. I've noticed about a week ago that they were acting like they were too heavy for their frames. They lay on their sides take a few steps and lay right down again while the other forage normally. At first I thought they were just sunning themselves but if you watch them it looks like they would just rather lay down than stand. I don't have a problem with meat birds and had already decided to process them once the get to the right size. My issue is that I've lost one yesterday and one today. I don't see any signs of trauma and it looks like they died in their sleep, one even appears to have fallen off the roost. None of the other chicks show any sign of illness, I checked everyone out after I found the first one yesterday. The only theories I can come up with is that they had something congenital or it is weight related. From the hatchery site they should take 12 weeks to reach processing age and mine are 6 weeks. I'll admit I've never raised a batch of meat birds just to process but I can't imagine that there is anything different from the standard chicks. I'm debating just culling the remaining 6 as for all intents and purposes they act just like the two that died. If they aren't going to live to processing age they are just taking up space and eating feed. Is it unusuall to lose meat birds like this or am I missing something that I should be doing?

meat birds are prone to strock out after about 10weeks they will literally eat them selves to death

 

[TipihlowLadies]

I got some chicks at tractor supply they were supposed to be buckeyes but they are not black and white they are mostly solid black with a little gold lace around the neck any ideas

 

[jrjoplin]

Mea
meat birds are prone to strock out after about 10weeks they will literally eat them selves to death

I only had 4 left when they got processed at 7 weeks. i have a lot to learn if I ever plan to raise a batch of meat birds.

 

[TipihlowLadies]

What fer

I only had 4 left when they got processed at 7 weeks. i have a lot to learn if I ever plan to raise a batch of meat birds.

what breed of meat bird's I have better luck with red rangers and I try to get them the end of July so it's warm when they are babies and it's cool when they are ready to butcher

 

[jrjoplin]

What fer
what breed of meat bird's I have better luck with red rangers and I try to get them the end of July so it's warm when they are babies and it's cool when they are ready to butcher

They were Pioneers from Murray McMurray. They list them as a dual purpose but you'd definitely have to ration the feed to keep them as laying hens.