***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[TRUE5]

I want to open art commissions, but I have to get my parents' permission, first. Do you guys think this is a level that is good enough someone would take a commission? I am not sure of myself, so I wouldn't be a good judge. Criticism?

From an artist to another. I'm not a critic. However. Cartoons shouldn't have wingdingers.

Thank you all for the advice on my pullet. She just acts like she feels lousy. I started treatment for Cocci and I will see how she does. Her crop was still empty tonight so I don't think she has eaten all day. Poor thing.

We have started on the new coop! This thing is 10x6. I wanted to make sure it was big enough for those rainy days that they decide they don't want to come out to just scratch around in. I will have to post a pic when its finished. I'm pretty excited!

Just wondering. Tonight we got to our local Atwoods 5 min before 8 (which they close at 8). I had a plan to run in and run out, no looking around. Do you think they should still let people in at five till? I'm a bit flustered with them because when I worked anywhere we were open until that time and people could come in because we were technically open until that certain time. Works out better for me anyways because I would rather get feed from the local feed store anyway. Atwoods has ruined our opinion of doing any business with them one too many times. I guess I just don't like franchise chain farm/ranch supply places and would rather give my business to the Mom and Pop feed stores. Just my opinion.

 

[Chickenfan4life]

Quote: Aha, I know but every time I leave that out people are convinced it's a "she". >.< I don't make it a point to, well, put it there, and certainly not in a sick manner, I just... add it. xD

 

[bardies]

Robin, I'm sorry about Dragon :-( I know how special she was to you. That girl had a nice long run with you.

True5, 5 months is also the age that roundworms hit them hard. They've usually contacted them a month or 2 earlier but it takes awhile for their bodies to run down to the point we notice they're sick. I'd definitely deworm with something like Safeguard then repeat 10 days later.

Still a little concerned about my crop surgery girl. She pooped a pile 1/2 the size of a golfball this morning so I know food is going all the way. But her crop area still looks a little swollen although there's nothing in there. Might be from being cut into. She acts good so far though.

Grannychick55, a lot of people swear by plain Ivomec but I don't like it for mites or lice. It does work on mange mites on dogs though. "Ivomec Eprinex" *does work on mites and lice. I use the Frontline spray for dogs and cats and that stuff works better than anything I've ever used. You can buy it labeled specifically for poultry but it costs 3 times more than labeled for dogs and cats. You can also buy generic Frontline at Walmart-works just great.

I lost an Araucana hen last night. Something took her and dragged her right out of the building they were sleeping in. I still don't see how it got in unless it squeezed through a 2" crack at the bottom of the door. Probably a possum, we have a lot of them. (Betsy, possums will tear their heads off and leave the rest also). I'd lost another Araucana hen a few months back. I immediately moved the Ara rooster and the remaining hen to a 4x8 wooden roofed coop/run. They won't have much room for a few wks but I'll build them their own covered yard when we get back from NC. I am NOT going to lose my beautiful sweet Ara boy. I got chills when I realized I could've lost him instead of the hen, the hen was a sweetheart but he's one of my favorite roosters of all of them.

Kim, Spook is way cool looking! Thank Heavens I have no desire to get baby cows :-/ Because I'd end up with 10 of them.

Probably you would... and they'd all be boys too, ... but at least it is easy and common to steer them! At least they are harder for predators to drag off!

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: Aha, I know but every time I leave that out people are convinced it's a "she". >.< I don't make it a point to, well, put it there, and certainly not in a sick manner, I just... add it. xD
well, the way to work with that is try to emphasis male traits, say heavier boned, fuller body mass etc. And yes, when you do commissions if it is say pet portraits, you really have to tailor it to what the client is looking for, like with mine, i try to get alot of background on the animal, so i can get a feel for what the client wants. Now, with the style of art you do, you could focus more on caricature work, alot of people like that, say they give you a photo of their animal, and you emphasis special characteristics, there is always a market for that- is a very special talent to be able to do the work you are doing...

 

[CindyMichelle3]

Hello again!

Sorry I only post when I have a question but how many standard eggs can I give a broody silkie? If I let her raise them, will I need to eventually move them over into my standard flock? I think we're really wanting some EE's so I feel like I should take advantage of my broody while I have her.

 

[Kassaundra]

It took me a minute and reading another post to figure out "wingdanger" lol lol lol

@Chickenfan4life was this " I cant do backgrounds, and expressions, and poses/character features, to answer your question." a typo? Seems that would be ness. if doing commissioned art.

Let me say I am not an artist. My observation as a potential "client" they are all the same charactor, even the dragon looks like a slightly modified wolf dog. All the dogs are are same wolf dog. If I were buying art I can't imagine any reason I would buy cartoon art, but that is probably me. I agree w/ Robin, if your doing cartoon work you should lean more towards caricature.

You may see ribbon b/c you knew what you were drawing, however, everything about that including the color states rope. If you asked 100 strangers what that was I bet they would all say rope.

 

[shelbydog]

LOL the wingdinger comment had me laughing after I figured it out too..... but hey its a sheath so it's not an actual wingdinger.

I thought this was digital art. Is it hand drawn then scanned in and edited on a computer or created solely on a computer?

 

[BetsyOK]

From attacks we've had in the past, I still opt for opossum. In past attacks through the past 17 or 18 years or so raccoons have always killed numerous birds, and often stay in the pen to eat them there awhile (we've actually caught them in the act) before dragging them off. Possums drag them off, and if they were scared off before they took them, ate the crop out of the bird first. Of course, individual animals could well have different patterns. The info I read indicated that most of the predators other than owls will eat the crop and/or the entrails, generally going through the vent area, as well as some removing the head. NONE of the other 9 birds in that pen was hurt in any way, and the only feathers I found from her were on the edge of the opening she was dragged through.

Early last spring, I caught one very frightened quite young possum IN that pen, and I took it to a rehabber. It had done no damage at all, and we didn't have another incident until this one. The rehabber was somewhat reluctant to work with it because she knows how mean and destructive they can be, but it was so small and cute, neither she nor I could bear the thought of killing it. I feel sure it wasn't there alone and I should have paid more attention then and sealed that entry off but didn't look closely enough to determine where it had gotten in--my bad. In this recent attack, nothing else was eaten or damaged except the head and neck and the rest of the body looked undisturbed. We frequently hear owls in the area and have found owl feathers in our yard several times. We've trapped raccoons, possums, and neighbor's feral cats in the past. There was a small cat close by the next morning, so that could also be a possibility.

I appreciate everyone's input, and in any case, believe that by the end of today we'll have it fortified against any and all of those predators. Everyone's experience and input is helpful to others!

 

[bardies]

Hello again!

Sorry I only post when I have a question but how many standard eggs can I give a broody silkie? If I let her raise them, will I need to eventually move them over into my standard flock? I think we're really wanting some EE's so I feel like I should take advantage of my broody while I have her.

I have a smaller broody silkie, and tried shoving 10 silkie eggs under her to hatch. She seemed though to be able to only cover 8 of them. I took the extras and have them in the incubator as I know that not all will be fertile. The plan is is to candle about mid to 3/4 way through and then change out for only the growing eggs. Since then, she has had another silkie hen join her and now they 'share' the nest and the eggs. If I had to guess how many my small bird could cover, I'd guess 4 standard sized eggs. But you can always try more and see how she does. Not sure about what advise as far as what to do with the babies later. Good luck!

 

[Sagetown]

I have a question and it is probably a silly one but I don't know being new to chickens. Can chickens get fleas and ticks like dogs and cats can from being out side. Just curious if they can. I would think they could pick and eat them off themselves but don't know. Like I said sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

Thanks

It's possible for a tick to be found on chickens. They are very sensitive, and if something is bugging them, they'll get it. One of their ways to cleanse themselves is to take a dust or dirt bath. It is natural for them to dig in loose fresh dirt and roll in it. The dirt acts as a cleaning agent, and lice especially won't live in that kind of environment. I use fresh dirt from compost, poured in the corner of their pen.
Unless the chicken yard is heavily infested with fleas, they shouldn't be a problem.