***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[ceocka]

Oh! A kiddie pool is a good idea. We'll be moving them through the pastures behind the cows so a moveable water source is priority. We're looking at float systems to keep the water level up.

I need to do a float system too. Great idea too

 

[miohippus]

I got a little bit of everything, there's so many cool ones you just pick one, lol. I got spangled russian orloffs, white frizzles, milli fleur d uccles, white silkies, naked necks, white cochins, black jersey giants, buff laced polish, mottled polish, white crested black polish, gold laced polish, and silver laced polish

i have never heard of mottled polish where did you find them? I have only herd of mottled houdans that look a lot like poish but aren't and they have 5 toes like a silkie.

hope this dosen't sound rude i don't mean it to be

 

[ceocka]

It helps when all the pens are full.... all the brooders are full.... and there are still eggs in the incubator- I have started spacing my sets further apart and being more selective with what I set. I have a feeling we will have a BIG batch of birds to take to auction next month..... but at our house HUBBY is my enabler! Yikes we are in trouble! Fun picture from last week- one of our hives swarmed into our fig plants, yes his friends call him the Bee Whisperer. Except if you know anything about bees you know he was in very little danger of being stung because they are in "swarm" mode! Easiest swarm we ever caught, the branch was so heavy with bees it drooped to the ground, so we placed the nuc box next to it with some built comb and they marched right in and made themselves at home!

I have a question or maybe a few. I know a local bee farm is for sale and now we have a ton of bees. So I thought why not. Hubby is on board. So what all do I need? Can I make to bee box?

 

[our 5acre farm]

Im sorry. I ment houdans, lol didn't mean to get your hopes up, lol

 

[our 5acre farm]

I would like to have some tolbunt polish or even try to make some

 

[ceocka]

I would like to have some tolbunt polish or even try to make some

I am wanting some too

 

[Oakieridge]

Some chicky prayers are needed. Nathanael's mr Red isn't well. He had mites two days ago and we gave him a bath in Adams flea and tick soap. Sprayed the coop and his girls. But he is going down hill still. His poor comb is blue on the edges. We don't know how old he is but he is Nathanael's best buddy so we are praying he pulls through. Reds little hen is sitting next to him and won't eat without him so I worry we will loose her too. I was really hoping we would hatch one of reds eggs before something like this happened but we didn't set any this year. Please pray Red pulls through. Thanks.

 

[Ginger Assassin]

Our kefir came in the mail today can't wait to eat some kefir tomorrow.

 

[jcatblum]

Nana congrats on the newly acquired guineas. They knew your place was too quiet since you were missing a goose.

Cathie hope Mr Red has a quick recovery. Fat Louie has been acting depressed, think it is just the heat though.

I tried to go to the Cement auction this Saturday, but there wasn't a sale this week. The building was booked for a family reunion.

Been busy busy busy here! Tomatoes are starting to turn, and the chickens are already stealing them!!! All our sheetrock is up & our geothermal unit is in. Fingers crossed we finish painting & get a septic system next wk. I am already dreading moving & it is only about 200 ft away!

 

[lonnyandrinda]

I have a question or maybe a few. I know a local bee farm is for sale and now we have a ton of bees. So I thought why not. Hubby is on board. So what all do I need? Can I make to bee box?

How many hives do you have? What shape is the current equipment in? Honestly once you have good equipment in use and keep it maintained bees are only a lot of work during honey harvest, which is about 3 weeks in the spring and maybe one in the fall if we are lucky.

You can make the equipment yourself, there are plans for cheap or free online, but only if you have the equipment and the know-how. We can't make most of the equipment anywhere near the quality of what we can buy, so we buy most of ours. Dadant is located in Paris, TX, so if you need a lot of equipment it might be worth the drive- shipping costs are about 30%! Or Mann Lake offers free shipping on most of their items but they don't have the same range of products and are a little higher priced.

If you have more than about 3 hives I highly recommend buying a large centrifigal extractor. We have a 9/18, which can do 9 deep frames or 18 medium or shallow frames, meaning I can spin two boxes of honey at once. It is a huge lifesaver. Or you can get in contact with your local beekeepers association and see if anyone has an extractor available for rent, most people charge about $30 for you to rent one for 1 to 2 days. If you time it right and have everything set up and a little help you can complete the whole harvest from most any apiary in a day. We did our Catoosa Apiary Friday (13 hives) and our Broken Arrow Apiary on Saturday (7 hives). Ran out of steam for the 4 or 5 in our backyard but my 5 year old has strep so I've been playing double duty LOL.

PM me if you want any more information, we love doing the beekeeping and being able to sell and share honey with our friends and neighbors. We got about 60 gallons last year and should get a bit more than that this year. It took us 4 years to turn a profit though, between equipment costs and drought, so don't be in it for $$$, be in it for an awesome hobby that's good for the earth and for people!