***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[CLSranch]

Remodel of coop is still coming along, and we just started phase 3 of integration on Saturday. Divided the coop with hardware cloth so the new pullets now have half of the coop space and one of the runs. They are also divided under the coop. Plan to leave it like this for 7 weeks until the pullets are 5 months old and then take off all dividing screen. They are watching each other and so far haven't seen anyone try to peck each other. On Sunday, when a couple of the hens were laying eggs and the egg song started all the pullets ran into the coop to witness what was going on. I'm not sure if they were singing along too but it was the loudest chorus to date.

The little leghorn made herself right at home choosing to sleep on a roost in the center right beside the screen, and the others decided they would sleep in the doorway, so we had to give them a little push inside. They all slept on the roost (guess they learned that from the older ones) and keep running up and down their ramp to explore their new home. Reggie (our rooster) really had a fit when we caught them to put them in with the others, so guess he has now claimed them as his. So glad to get them out of that little coop they were in, they are really way too big for it even though they didn't seem to know it.

We removed the 10x10 front run and now have a little time to get the front of the coop done. The coop is now twice the size and has a lot more ventilation at the top where we made it taller. We made the 4' run into a 6' tall run and like that much better. The top picture is the back of the coop because I wanted to show how we divided it. It is now harder to clean but can still do it. The screen is in 2 sections and each side can be folded up like an accordion and bungie corded to the sides if I need more space. The pieces are held together with zip ties.

So glad we are finally getting a break from the heat.



Front view, which still needs altering (and a 2nd coat of paint). Painted it white this time so we can see everyone better. We do plan to put the 10x10 run back on once we get the alterations done.

Not sure what to expect when we actually integrate ... have 5 new pullets and 3 hens ... should we add a couple more nesting boxes on the newbies side? There are 3 nesting boxes on the left side right now. Will they continue to think they each have their own side, or will the new ones go to the old nesting boxes?

Also not giving the pullets a nesting box until after integration may help keep them from using it as a roost and making you clean so much more often.

 

[Elbert Garrett]

Stampede

 

[Kassaundra]

Thank you. We have no idea who this could be.

Some strange things have happened this past month that were explained away....
Three weeks ago the incubator in the hot tub room was turned up to 110 degrees ruining all the eggs...it was not just a temperature spike...could have been turned by accident.
Two weeks ago the Moonglow pear was picked clean, including all pears on the ground while the apple tree next to it was full of fruit. We thought it might be raccoons.

Now this week, the cat.

Sounds like it is time for some cameras

 

[dunnmom]

I second that suggestion.

 

[limited25]

X3

 

[jrjoplin]

My security cameras never catch anything. Not that I have anything half a serious as what's going on with NanaKat. My neighbors put out their trail cams after something got all their chickens and their little dog. They got a few pictures of the largest coyote they've ever seen pacing the fence outside my chicken yard. This coyote is bigger and fatter than my labs so hopefully he sees getting through the fence and run then getting into the coop as too much work. I walk the fence daily and don't see any attempts. Hopefully my luck holds.

 

[limited25]

My security cameras never catch anything. Not that I have anything half a serious as what's going on with NanaKat. My neighbors put out their trail cams after something got all their chickens and their little dog. They got a few pictures of the largest coyote they've ever seen pacing the fence outside my chicken yard. This coyote is bigger and fatter than my labs so hopefully he sees getting through the fence and run then getting into the coop as too much work. I walk the fence daily and don't see any attempts. Hopefully my luck holds.

Your security cameras never catch anything, because there is nothing to "catch", or because you are not impressed with how they work? Do you and your neighbor both have wireless cameras? How hard are they to install?

 

[jrjoplin]

Your security cameras never catch anything, because there is nothing to "catch", or because you are not impressed with how they work?  Do you and your neighbor both have wireless cameras?  How hard are they to install?

Mine are hard wired to the house and don't have the range to pick up motion on the far side of the yard. My neighbor is using trail cams that he has mounted to trees along the fence line. Mine weren't designed for capturing animals so I can't really complain that they don't.

 

[NanaKat]

We do have game cameras set up now and have motion activated lights as well as three pole lights that come on at dusk.
We appreciate your concern for our situation.
Thankfully Roger is a retired police officer and several of our friends in the area are also. We have a good network of investigative support too.

 

[NanaKat]

Yesterday we moved and sorted cows and calves to wean calves. We treated for flies and wormed all the cows and calves.
Today we moved the fall calving cows home from our land near Prague and treated them too.
Now the entire herd has been treated...and are all back on the home place except the steers in Choctaw that will soon go to market.
Our fall calving season starts in September so we like having those mothers here where we can keep a close eye on them.

Moved three mother bantam hens to the floor with their chicks this morning. It is so fun to watch those little tiny fuzzy bums running around with their moms dust bathing and finding scrumptious treats. The large birds ignore the little families.

The duck eggs are developing in the incubator along with 20 chicken eggs. Four lf hens are sitting on eggs and two Serama are too.