***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[okracefan]

It feels like so long since I've been here. I lost a ton of favorite birds, I'm not going to do the hatching thing again. I seriously can't take losing them. I bought 9 Orpington pullets from Bill last fall and 2 of them magically turned into roosters. But they're so so sweet and I lost so many birds that I don't have the heart to place them (unless someone here wants one for breeding and not eating). Otherwise they'll go into go a yard with the 7 Orp girls. And I'll get some adult hens for the 2 boys I'd gotten the Orps for.
The majority of what I lost were boys, how strange is that? But I've still got way too many boys. Got a Brabanter trio from Poco and I love those birds! Didn't lose any of my 5 Araucana girls (thankfully), but did lose my Araucana boys. I'm just going to concentrate this year on roofing all the pens completely, and hoping for the best. No more babies, no more eggs and no more hatching.
I got a wayward unwanted female Cockatiel recently. Then I got a pair of ringneck Doves. My little Serama, Channing, is doing really good thank God. I'm going to stick with inside birds or chickens in fully covered pens. I did end up with the most gorgeous Brown Red Cochin cockerel though. The one I named "Lillith". I saw Lillith crow the other day so the last of my hopes of her being a girl were dashed lol Man, he's so awesome and huge. The Brown Red Cochin rooster OkRaceFan and I traded back and forth is gone also-Lillith's dad.
Robin, my Bantam Favs are still laying. They're one of the few groups that have stayed healthy, they're pretty isolated in a back pen, that's probably why. So let me know when you want eggs if you do.
Poco, the Brabanter girls started laying also-when it was 15 degrees out-yikes. This weekend I'm consolidating birds into less groups and getting caught up cleaning pens.

Ksane, what happen to Uncle Red?

 

[jcatblum]

Mitzi so glad to see you post!

MJ I have 4 ameracauna Roos with 2 BCM hens so if you can't find an olive egger we can hatch some.
My silver appleyards have laid eggs all wk. think we are past the pullet egg stage, thankfully they actually lay their eggs in a nest.
This weekend I hope to get pics of the new chicks. Today I let them focus their energy on being warm & filling their tummies. I didn't want to stress them with a photo shoot.

 

[Poco Pollo]

Late Morning, Okies : )

The flock is enjoying sunshine today. I hope everyone has a chance to go outside and enjoy the warmth.

 

[NanaKat]

For those who have lost birds this year...it has been a hard year. Sometimes it's not what you did or didn't do...it just happens. I lost almost 30 birds to a respiratory thing that ran thru the flock. It was heart breaking. Those that are here are much more hardy and thriving.

Two more hens went broody this morning....in breeding pens! Having to break them since I want the purebred eggs from them. But should have 45 or so chicks to pick up Sunday, 20 eggs under broodies to move to an incubator so the broodies take over the chicks, and an incubator holding 30 eggs to hatch in two weeks.

Going to McLoud in a bit this morning to pick up a nice brooder on legs that will hold about 100 chicks for two weeks. Hatching season is in full swing and I will need more brooder space if all goes as planned for the breeding pens. Best to be prepared.

Hi Don, I see you are on line. Are you keeping your Buckeyes and Bantams? Roger said you were going to do some reducing.....the cost of feed is an enormous hit to the pocketbook!

Everyone, should be a beautiful day.

 

[Oakieridge]

It is a great day out. Spent the morning cleaning pens and getting everyone fed and watered. Now going to basketball games in Shawnee.


I had planned to drive down to the auction after the game but I have two at home sick so we are only doing what we have to so we don't expose anyone else.

 

[dgibson]

Hi Nana Kat. I emeptied six pens this morn, been cleaning pens ,still havent got my breeder pens mated up yet,running about thirty days late.Im keeping my Buckeyes,Buff Brahma ,Delaware,Rhode Island bantams. I have some nice buckeye cockrels for free if you know any body needing any . I hope you and Roger are enjoying this beautiful day.

 

[TheBarnSwallow]

So, it's been a... umm... while since I last saw this site and I do hope I am forgiven for that...

Any ways... How's everyone doing lately?

Hey Stray,

More than forgiven, totally know what you mean being it awhile since you last visited the site.. I feel like a newbie since I been popping on more frequently.. since there is but a few of the old folks popping on since we moved a year ago.. How you been Girl.

 

[NanaKat]

Wow. Don, you have been busy. Those buckeye cockerels are nice freezer birds...but I hope someone takes them as breeders. Your birds are beautiful!

I just got back from McLoud where I met Donnia and Charley West. Lovely couple! They have a lovely place and make some of the neatest coop structures! And at reasonable pricing too! I picked up a brooder on legs big enough to hold 100 chicks. It is now situated in the room with the hottub and I have a light and thermometer set to check temperatures before I put chicks in it tomorrow.
She is looking for a few Orpingtons to add to her layer flock. If anyone knows of some, send me a PM and I'll get her the information. She is a member and visits the site some.

 

[TheBarnSwallow]

NICE LOOKING PENS YA GOT THERE!, will not covet , will not covet.. lol.. although the hubster just cleaned out the lil barn last weekend.. I have room now.. HA HA HA HA

hi okie friends man it has been a busy busy day i have been working on turning an old trailer into my hatchery / brooder house the one im using now has srunk for some reson and is to small to work in now lol any way here are som pic of my progress
day 1 i hooked up the eletric and ran all my wirering

day 2 i framed the first set of pen (6 pens to a set)

day 3 is in the pic below


day 4 i finished the top 3 pens on the first set


i hope to have the house ready to move all the box brooders and incubators into by this weekend

 

[Poco Pollo]

Oops. Double post. I was trying to fix a typo.