***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[RetiredArmyWife]

I don't think the red lights would work or we would all have them. Any lights at all would deter them, but only a secure coop or a good dog will keep them out. I'm pretty convinced the only reason I haven't had to deal with them yet is because I have big dogs that have free run of the property and have taken down raccoons and opossums regularly.

I'm sorry about your chookie. If it was grabbed through the gate, it was most likely a raccoon.

yeah I figured raccoon. I don't know if my dogs would take down a raccoon. I think they would, but they are in the house at night. I haven't had anything mess with the big chickens but I just put the babies outside. I kept them in the run attached to the coop. I just wasn't careful last night. I want to try the lights, but I don't like throwing my money away. LOL

 

[NanaKat]

I'm hearing you on the raccoon!
I moved juveniles outside earlier in the week and immediately lost one to a hawk.
Then yesterday morning found a 6 week old with its head ripped off, the body still inside the screen covering the front of the coop.
Later in the morning, I found a year old cock bird on the ground obviously struck in the back of his head. He was still alive, but I put him down. The wound was clear to the spine and while he could move his head, the legs and wings were immobile. Roger thought he saw the hawk flying out of that pen when he came out of the barn. The nine pound cock went to freezer camp.

So I spent most of the day working on pens...dividing the cockerel pen into two sections where I can easily cover 1 section for the juveniles and be able to walk around in there to tend them. Making plans for covering sections of the existing pens as aerial barriers.

 

[Kassaundra]

I processed to adult roos today. My fil wanted one of my NN roos, but had to get rid of his 2 first, but was too soft hearted to do it himself, so I took them and did it today, boy was that work, adult full testosterone roos. Don't want to do that again, I'll stick w/ my castrated NN's, much easier meat.

 

[RetiredArmyWife]

I'm hearing you on the raccoon!
I moved juveniles outside earlier in the week and immediately lost one to a hawk.
Then yesterday morning found a 6 week old with its head ripped off, the body still inside the screen covering the front of the coop.
Later in the morning, I found a year old cock bird on the ground obviously struck in the back of his head. He was still alive, but I put him down. The wound was clear to the spine and while he could move his head, the legs and wings were immobile. Roger thought he saw the hawk flying out of that pen when he came out of the barn. The nine pound cock went to freezer camp.

. Stupid raccoons! So far we haven't had any problems with hawks. Knock on wood. We see them flying around here. Our chicken yard is covered with chicken wire. I know nothing keeps out a determined predator, but we try.

 

[NanaKat]

Yes, we free range the adults and layer flock most of the year. All but one of the breed pens are covered with shade cloth since we have no trees around the barn area. We have had a few losses to owls, coyotes, hawks, skunks and or raccoons.....most at night. This is a persistent hawk so measures are being taken.

Kass... on the full grown cocks, brine overnight with onion and garlic cloves ...I use a 1:9 ratio of salt to water making enough to fully cover the bird. Rinse well both inside and out to remove excess salt and then season (no more salt) and roast. I like to rub butter in under the skin and on the outside. Roast in a slow oven until tender....the slower the better. You can also use a slow cooker.....making myself hungry!

Sure have enjoyed all the pictures...ya'll have some cute/pretty new babies and birds...love the new broody hen.

 

[spacielang]

Newbie here! I live in Midwest City and if all goes according to plan (and code) I'll be getting my first chickens soon!!! We are in it for the eggs. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good breed for the central Oklahoma climate?

Thanks!

 

[hotcurltr]

I think the blue is a hen. The body shape is football-ish and there is no huge size difference between them. I would think at a year old the crest would be obvious. I'm not seeing the greaser crest. And the legs don't look like tree trunks from what I can see. Looks like the feet can touch each other. And if they are a year old there should be way more caruncling if it's a drake. I'll have to go look at my hens to see if they have any lumpy caruncling but I know my drakes at less than a year old look like they have a tumor outbreak on their face.

Robin, are the feet close together or wide apart? Are their legs the same size? Does it make dog panting noises only or does it twill. Is one way bigger than the other?

They have unique body language and are entertaining to watch. They will roost when possible and are poop factories. Flying goats is what they are.

I think the biggest concern with drakes is the risk of them trying to mate with chickens. As you know they have a penis. But I've never seen mine try anything with the chickens.

Mine must not have a taste for rodents as they were not interested in a mice one of my kittens caught.

You are probably right. When I saw the front picture, i tdidn't help any, but I'm blind. And not only blind, I guess I didn't pay attention that these were year old ducks, so u are right. Stupid me. Oh well, Robin, u got a little excitement. Ha ha about the penis. I haven't had any of the drakes try to breed a chicken. At least I haven't seen them try. Just the ganders breeding the duck hens. Humphrey does act protective and if he's by them will take them on, all but the lead gander. He did get into it with my RIR rooster and Glenn broke it up, He probably would of killed him. I didn't see what started it, but he is usually a perfect gentleman. I really, really like him. Thank you for picking him for me. His two hens are very patient w/ him as he is a slow breeder. but it sure is beter than all the other drakes were. How's yours doing?

One of my EE hens flew into the dog yard yesterday and they plucked her back and took skin off of a spot on her wings. I found her in the dog house. I'm surprised they didn't kill her since they did that to her.

And I couldn't find my olive eager pullet Olive last night. She sleeps in the house at night and she didn't come running like she always did when I call her name. Of all the chickens that have died I will be upset if I can't find this one alive. I hope she is hunkered down somewhere.

Oh, Dusti, I'm so sorry.

Maybe she will shpw up. I thought the dog had gotten Buffy and was really upset, but she must of hid out, because she was home in a couple of days.

I don't think the red lights would work or we would all have them. Any lights at all would deter them, but only a secure coop or a good dog will keep them out. I'm pretty convinced the only reason I haven't had to deal with them yet is because I have big dogs that have free run of the property and have taken down raccoons and opossums regularly.

I'm sorry about your chookie. If it was grabbed through the gate, it was most likely a raccoon.

....same here. We have outdoor lights all around, but I think ultimately, the dogs and a secure coop. Wish I could have the dogs during the day to go free range with them, but they won't stay in. I take turns and lock the chicken yard w/ a different dog, usless it's too cold.) Well, my pyrenees won't. I think the donkey might try to kill them. I know Brody, my Bull Mastiff(who Loves the chickens, not the geese) would stay in, but he's getting old and when he walked around w/me the other day he got short on breath and then Elvis(donkey) decided to take after heim. He was lucky I was there. He's too overweight and old. Poor guy.

I'm hearing you on the raccoon!
I moved juveniles outside earlier in the week and immediately lost one to a hawk.
Then yesterday morning found a 6 week old with its head ripped off, the body still inside the screen covering the front of the coop.
Later in the morning, I found a year old cock bird on the ground obviously struck in the back of his head. He was still alive, but I put him down. The wound was clear to the spine and while he could move his head, the legs and wings were immobile. Roger thought he saw the hawk flying out of that pen when he came out of the barn. The nine pound cock went to freezer camp.

So I spent most of the day working on pens...dividing the cockerel pen into two sections where I can easily cover 1 section for the juveniles and be able to walk around in there to tend them. Making plans for covering sections of the existing pens as aerial barriers.

Besides the dog(whom they won't keep in)the hawks are my big problem. I lost a RIR last week and no signs the dog got her as he is little and leaves feathers everywhere. I'm putting a top on the new breeding pen we are making. and the bood pens already have tops on them. The kids are doing great. They are still in the house at night. This week for sure I will leave them out. They have been in the run w/the other kids during the day and can go in the coop if they want, but they mostly huddle although they are bigger, the others pick on them. One of the roos, I named Micah started fighting with the Astralorpe hen, and she backed down. He actually drew blood! I don't think they were ever sick, but I did do the corid for 4 days. I'm thinkings maybe a pecan shell since they were all over me as I was cracking them. Or something in that food Glenn put in there. They sure don't eat much for their size. It never seems like they have a full crop like my piggy hens who look like they have a swollen breast. But they are growing. And getting pretty obnoxious. Maybe I spoiled them too much

Speaking of spoiled here's a picture of Brody. This is how the grandkids have to spend the night unless they sleep w/grandma

 

[Kassaundra]

Newbie here! I live in Midwest City and if all goes according to plan (and code) I'll be getting my first chickens soon!!! We are in it for the eggs. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good breed for the central Oklahoma climate?

Thanks!

from Henryetta and

and the Okie thread.


Our summers here are brutal, much more dangerous to the chickens then our winters. I think naked necks are awesome for our weather. Hearty and good egg layers

 

[mjgigax]

I have 2 dead Bosch dishwashers I am thinking about taking one turning it on it's back (door up) building a case w/ wheels around it and turning it into a hatcher. It is stainless inside. I would need to figure out a way to put a window in it somewhere, what good is a hatcher w/o a window???? lol lol lol

I know! My Sportsman hatcher does not have a window. I will put my first eggs in it on 4/3. I told Dh I need some help this weekend putting a window in. Once it gets eggs in it it will be busy nonstop for a good while.
I can't imagine not being able to check ever hour - like a watched pot never boiling!

 

[mjgigax]

Newbie here! I live in Midwest City and if all goes according to plan (and code) I'll be getting my first chickens soon!!! We are in it for the eggs. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good breed for the central Oklahoma climate?

Thanks!

Welcome!
You don't what you have done asking that question! We know lots of breeders and all love to encourage/enable you in any birds you want.

What kind of birds do you want and what will you be keeping they for? eggs, meat, pets? There are so many options.