***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

@Kassaundra @Poco Pollo @Kyzmette

Here I go...my first attempt at fermenting feed. Whole oats, whole wheat, and chopped corn. The feedstore was out of barley on the day I picked these grains. Using ACV with the mother as the starter. I put too much in as I'm getting water overflow from the bottom bucket but luckily I have a nifty tub to put the buckets in. I don't have a lid so I'm going to use a super thin kitchen towel. That should be okay, right?


I found this strainer in my cabinet that I never use so I thought it would make the perfect strainer/scoop.

Looks good, should start bubbling in a day or maybe two since it is cooler now. You can put a regular lid on if you like, just don't snap it down tight.

 

[shelbydog]

Wanted to show some 'dottes I got from Nanakat.....
I got a 'Dottie'!! The columbian with the dots is the friendliest. The gorgeous blue likes to chase the kittens. The blue columbian with the lacing is just beautiful. I had a BEAUTIFUL splash but I've lost her and fingers crossed I can get more next year.

Sunbathing:

Here are the pullets I got from Poco Pollo at the last swap.
2 black marans mixes....strangely one has black eyes and the other brown eyes. They are coming around on not being afraid of me.

Here is the Catalina mix I got from her too. Pretty color but as you can see she's not a fan of me.

 

[Kyzmette]

Took the chicks, Checkers and Brave, outside for the first time today. Brave picked up on grazing right away, but Checkers wasn't getting it. It occurred to me that Puff had been recouping next to the chicks, so might not feel murderous toward them. Surely enough, she took right to them and had Checkers straightened out in no time.

A pic of Puff and the kids, and a pic of Checkers because it was too cute not to post.

 

[Ksane]

Kyz, that's so adorable So Puff is getting better? She's going to make it? That's wonderful. You're such a good owner doing so much to save her.
Puff taking over the little ones is the best thing that could've happened to them.

 

[Kyzmette]

Puff is doing surprisingly well. I guess I should learn to not count a chicken out until it's over. I think she realized she needs a new flock until the old one accepts her back. Whatever her reasoning was, I'm sure the companionship was as good for her as it was the chicks. I'm just worried about what I'm going to do with her this winter. I think I may actually have to make her a chicken sweater, because she can't have all that recovering skin exposed and I can't keep her inside all winter.

Kass, maybe I should make her a chicken version of a Tom Baker Who-scarf.

Hey, Kass, are you going to take any steps for your dog to break her of chicken chasing? There's an old farmer trick that's supposed to work, but the neighbors never would let me tie a chicken to their dog's neck. Maybe they realized I might have knotted it a little too tight. It's actually kind of horrible, but if it would prevent this from happening again, it might be worth considering.

 

[shelbydog]

@Kyzmette
Use a sock to cover her neck.

 

[Kyzmette]

Well that's kind of a brilliant idea @Shelbydog ! I have some 100% cotton knee length socks I never wear. They may be Puff's new winter duds.

 

[TRUE5]

So my daughter wanted a lavender orpington so bad that I couldn't say no to adding one of these beautiful breeds to my little flock. Instead of one I am adding five. My compulsiveness bought five 2 week old chicks. They are so adorable but I will only keep one pullet and MAYBE just maybe one cockerel. Depends on when I decide on what breed I want a roo out of. So before leaving we talk to the sweet lady about what other breeds she breeds and she mentioned silkies. I have been REALLY been good at not seeking any silkies out online and so I wasn't going to buy any! I promise! So she asks my fave colors. She asked my two kids that had came with me what their fave color of silkies were. My son said black, my daughter white and I said I liked them all. BLESS HER HEART!!! She gave each a 6 week old Silkie chick! My kids got their fave colors and I got a blue! I really don't know what to say except bless that woman's heart! She made my children SO happy! I ended up giving mine to my youngest (but really I know it is mine

). I am just hoping that I can keep these babies happy and healthy!!

I have to say that chicken owners are some of the nicest people I have ever met!
Now for the question... I have read that I need to decrease the temp by 5 degrees every week... So if these chicks are 2 weeks then I figure about 90? Is that correct? I asked the lady if it was ok if I put all the chicks together and she said it should be just fine. Is that too hot for the silkies? Right now I checked and it was around 83. They wernt piled on each other but they were all together and seemed fine. I just really want to get this right so I don't lose any! Also I got the non medicated feed... should I have gotten the medicated? If I should get the medicated then could I just feed my chickens the rest of the non medicated? Its just crumble.

 

[mjgigax]

Just got home about an hour ago and my chickens have been decimated!!

It was my dog Sasha. We left them at the house for 24 hours Gary was camping and I was working. She breeched the fence somehow, I walked the whole thing and can't see where or how she did it. She had never shown any interest at all in either the chickens or breeching the fence before now. I took Tucker to my FIL so I know he had nothing to do w/ it. She even brought the dead ones in the house, (we have a dog door) walked in the house to dead chickens everywhere! The only survivors were Jackie O, and the 3 broody moms w/ their 8 chicks. (mostly boys) and to make it worse, Gary took all the eggs to the camping trip!!!!!! I have a handful mostly of pullet eggs I am going to put in the bator today to see if I can salvage some of the genetics I was working towards. Just very sad.

So Sorry!!!!!!!!!!! That is terrible.

 

[mjgigax]

Wanted to show some 'dottes I got from Nanakat.....
I got a 'Dottie'!! The columbian with the dots is the friendliest. The gorgeous blue likes to chase the kittens. The blue columbian with the lacing is just beautiful. I had a BEAUTIFUL splash but I've lost her and fingers crossed I can get more next year.






Sunbathing:


Here are the pullets I got from Poco Pollo at the last swap.
2 black marans mixes....strangely one has black eyes and the other brown eyes. They are coming around on not being afraid of me.




Here is the Catalina mix I got from her too. Pretty color but as you can see she's not a fan of me.

Aren't they so much fun? I could watch "chicken TV" all day.