***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

For you whovians...

I think every Whovian knows in thier head it is impossible but hopes in thier heart that one day ..............

 

[miohippus]

Yep, I got a 4th one in August.

I think corgies are soo cute i want one some day

 

[i-love-my-honey]

My two girls and I are all getting a couple (well, I want three - two silkie girls). We are getting a Barred Rock, Austrolourpe, Brahma, Americauna, Rhode Island Red, and I really, really want two Silkies. I attempted to hatch some from eggs, but did not have any success, as I just candled them and I see nothing (it is day 5). :0( I was advised that if I want to have Silkies in the mix I need to raise them with the others because they will be so much smaller and docile.

Do you only raise Silkies?

 

[i-love-my-honey]

Where will the auction in Newcastle be on Saturday?

 

[i-love-my-honey]

OH, so cute!!

 

[Kyzmette]

@I-love-my-honey are you sure your eggs were fertile? Did you get them from somebody with an active rooster, or do you have an active rooster?

 

[katie1500]

No

My two girls and I are all getting a couple (well, I want three - two silkie girls).  We are getting a Barred Rock, Austrolourpe, Brahma, Americauna, Rhode Island Red, and I really, really want two Silkies.  I attempted to hatch some from eggs, but did not have any success, as I just candled them and I see nothing (it is day 5).  :0(  I was advised that if I want to have Silkies in the mix I need to raise them with the others because they will be so much smaller and docile.

Do you only raise Silkies?

I raise silkies and Ameraucanas. I am adding more of both currently. A wheaten color soon from MJ, and I am getting some more lavender hatching eggs. My silkies aren't to point of lay yet and I just got more Silkie chicks today from a breeder up in TN since I'm here for the holidays haha I have a chicken addiction.

 

[muesky]

Okay so several have asked for pictures and instructions on how I make my feeders. I tried to be a through as possible in my instructions and a lot can be made sense of if you refer to the pictures I am including...

Gravity Two Bucket Feeder
Supplies pic 1
Two plastic flat bottom buckets with sealing lids (One needs a handle but not both)
PVC pipe 3”-4” wide
3 – 1 ½ inch “L” brackets with holes on each end
10 – ½ - ¾ inch self- tapping screws
6 inches of thin wire
Tools
Soldering Iron
Screw driver to match the head of screws
Box knife or straight edge cutter
Jig Saw or small Saw-all
Marker
Designate top and bottom bucket. This is important because the first cuts are to make the holes for the feeder pipe. The top bucket is the reservoir for the feed. This is also the bucket want to have a handle attached. Turn the bucket so the bottom is up. Take the pvc pipe and center the pipe, than using a marker trace the outline of the pipe. After marking the outline come back and in the center trace the outline about 1/4 inch smaller.
pic 2

On the bottom bucket do the same as the top but make the circle ½ inch bigger than the circle you just traced on the bottom bucket.. The bottom of the bucket is the feeder section. The bottom bucket does not need a handle.
pic 3

Now you will need to cut your holes out in the top and bottom buckets.. I use the soldering iron for this. You can get a more precise cut in smaller areas. After this it is time to measure and cut the pvc pipe. The pipe will be attached to the top bucket and go through the hole in the bottom bucket but leaving about 2-3 inches from where the lid will be when on the bucket, which is usually about ½ inch. Mark the pvc pipe and use the jig saw or saw-all to cut the pipe. Now I usually notch the end that goes down into the bottom to make sure the feed flows out better. You can see what I mean by the last two pictures and picture 5.
pic 4

Once the holes for the pipe and pvc is cut it is time to attach the pipe to the top bucket. I use three “L” brackets because from personal experience two does not keep it stable enough and for is over kill. Now this is kind of tricky and I have learned that you cannot mark stuff too much (got to love a good Sharpie). Try to situate the brackets fairly evenly around the pipe with the bend flush with the bottom of the pipe and mark your holes. I have found that if you used the soldering iron to start the holes it is easier to get the screws to feed through. Just do not make the holes bigger than you screws.. Mount you brackets where the “L” flat is on the pvc and sticking off from the bottom. Once again reference the picture, this was a bit tricky to try to explain in typing.. Also note that this being my first attempt I only used two brackets, later I went back, patched the holes and added another bracket..
Once you have the brackets mounted to the pvc you have to mount the pipe onto the bucket. This is a lot easier. Just mark your holes and screw the brackets onto the bottom of the “top”
bucket. Once this is done you can set the top bucket to the side.
pic 5

Now the feed bucket. First put the lid on the bucket and turn it so it is sitting on the lid. Measure about 4 inches from the lid up the bucket and mark around the bucket so you know the height to set you feeder holes. Now I said holes but I usually make a “D” on it’s back shape with the back of the “D” being where you have the 4 inch mark.. Refer to the pictures. I have a pattern I made out of heavy card stock a while back that use to trace the shape of the feeder holes but you could fancy with them if you want and make any shape you want as long and the chickens/birds can get their heads in it.. Also you can make the feeder deeper or shallower if you want. It all depends on what you are using it for.. Once you have the feeder holes traced use the soldering iron to cut your holes.. I use the box knife to clean up the edges.
pic 6 pic 7


Once you have the holes cut out put the lid on the bottom. Stick the pipe through the hole you made in the bottom of the bottom bucket and this is where you use your last 4 screws you will on opposite sides of the feeder near the bottom of the top bucket and the top of the bottom bucket nearest to the perspective top and bottom you are going to put screws into top and bottom buckets with two in line with the other on either side of the feeder than you will use the wire to connect the top to the bottom bucket, by either making a hook or just looping the wire around both screws. Whichever way you prefer.. This way the feeder is easy to disassemble and clean. The feeder can sit on the ground but is better when it is hung because it is harder for the birds to sling food out..


Hope this helps I have a feeder that holds 150lbs that is built using similar design… I have also designed and built a 55 gallon watering system but am in the process of modifying my design.

 

[muesky]

Where will the auction in Newcastle be on Saturday?

It is right off the main road in the FAA building. Scoots usually has a "Poultry Auction" sign up.

 

[Kyzmette]

@muesky thank you!!! It must be fated to be, because I stopped at Ron's Hamburgers tonight and they had two buckets for me!