***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Ksane]

@Kyzmette I do need to get pictures of the Blue Ameraucanas! I'm a little bummed though-I sorted and counted the LF and Bantam Ameraucanas both today. 4 girls and 9 boys of the LF's and 5 girls and 8 boys of the Bantams
If anyone wants any MALE Blue Ameraucanas (not EE's), either LF or Bantam size let me know before mid-July please. (I know no one ever wants boys but it's worth a shot lol). I'll caponize them but after my bad luck caponizing y-day I'm a little frustrated and scared of killing them.
Edit: They're all 5-6 wks old.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

Greenfire lines! Wowza! You went all out

Not directly from them, but their lines... I'm addicted, but not rich. Lol. BJ's Poultry (GF) in Michigan and Old Path Farms (GF and two import lines from Fancy Chicks) in North Carolina. Both have BEAUTIFUL birds that I hope combine for an even lovelier mix!

 

[Loriemarler]

Ok here is the close up of the saddle feathers @Poco Pollo.

 

[Kassaundra]

Ok here is the close up of the saddle feathers @Poco Pollo .

Good news is no boy feathers yet, bad news is s(he) may be to young to see them yet.

 

[NanaKat]

to the new folks! It is nice to see that many have recently joined our ranks.

We worked calves this morning...shots, bands, ear tags and ivomec. Pulled grass in the sweet potato bed and tucked cucumber and cantaloupe vines back in their beds and into the panels.
All chickens are doing great and eggs in the hatcher are beginning to pip....12 are due tomorrow.

Going out to mow the garden ... Running the sprinkler makes the grass grow as well as the veggies.
Be back in a bit.

 

[mjgigax]

I keep my young ones in a section of the coop that's been sectioned off. From about 3 weeks they go out and stay in the coop that way for about two weeks then I open the coop door in the morning first, all the big guys go out in the yard and the little guys are let out after. It may be different for you depending on space accommodations

Me too, after about a week of keepng young ones in a smaller pen inside the big one, I open the smaller pen just enough that the little ones can get back in if the big ones get bossy. I usually open the separation when th big ones are out free ranging. After anouther week they pretty much mingle while still haveing their sub groups for sleeping and ranging.

 

[subhanalah]

Me too, after about a week of keepng young ones in a smaller pen inside the big one, I open the smaller pen just enough that the little ones can get back in if the big ones get bossy. I usually open the separation when th big ones are out free ranging. After anouther week they pretty much mingle while still haveing their sub groups for sleeping and ranging.

yeah, I forgot to mention that after I open the door, I don't have to close the inner pen, they pretty much stay in their respective places until the little ones start roosting.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

Okay, my avatar pic is of my coop for my "general population." My original intent was to let them free-range. However, I've lost quite a few to predators. My dogs are to blame for some, but the unexplainable disappearances, I believe, are due to either hawks or owls. They just disappear...no feathers, NOTHING.
Anyway, the coop itself is pretty darn predator proof. The windows are covered in 1/2" wire mesh. It has an automatic door opener/closer. Etc. Now, for the big question...if I make a run for times when we are out of town to make it simpler for those taking care of them, does it need to be entirely predator proof or would containment/deterrence be enough? It's a round coop, hard to predator proof a roof. My idea is to use hog panels (We have plenty.) with chicken wire and then simply net the top. What do you think? I know it won't stop a dog, fox, raccoon, snake, etc. during the day, but it will keep them contained, with plenty of room, and safe from hawks. And, they'll be totally safe at night. They'll have access to the bigger field anytime I choose.

 

[subhanalah]

Okay, my avatar pic is of my coop for my "general population." My original intent was to let them free-range. However, I've lost quite a few to predators. My dogs are to blame for some, but the unexplainable disappearances, I believe, are due to either hawks or owls. They just disappear...no feathers, NOTHING.
Anyway, the coop itself is pretty darn predator proof. The windows are covered in 1/2" wire mesh. It has an automatic door opener/closer. Etc. Now, for the big question...if I make a run for times when we are out of town to make it simpler for those taking care of them, does it need to be entirely predator proof or would containment/deterrence be enough? It's a round coop, hard to predator proof a roof. My idea is to use hog panels (We have plenty.) with chicken wire and then simply net the top. What do you think? I know it won't stop a dog, fox, raccoon, snake, etc. during the day, but it will keep them contained, with plenty of room, and safe from hawks. And, they'll be totally safe at night. They'll have access to the bigger field anytime I choose.

sounds like a can I'd perhaps fox? Do they have foxes here? Coyote?
Can you get a game ccam to see what you're dealing with?

 

[NanaKat]

I keep my young ones in a section of the coop that's been sectioned off. From about 3 weeks they go out and stay in the coop that way for about two weeks then I open the coop door in the morning first, all the big guys go out in the yard and the little guys are let out after. It may be different for you depending on space accommodations

Me too, after about a week of keepng young ones in a smaller pen inside the big one, I open the smaller pen just enough that the little ones can get back in if the big ones get bossy. I usually open the separation when th big ones are out free ranging. After anouther week they pretty much mingle while still haveing their sub groups for sleeping and ranging.

I do mine similarly. My young birds and small bantams are the last to go to roost after I shut the runs. They are still small enough to wiggle thru the space between the gate and pole or thru the chain link....at least for a few more weeks.
Mother hens call them in to roost.

Okay, my avatar pic is of my coop for my "general population." My original intent was to let them free-range. However, I've lost quite a few to predators. My dogs are to blame for some, but the unexplainable disappearances, I believe, are due to either hawks or owls. They just disappear...no feathers, NOTHING.
Anyway, the coop itself is pretty darn predator proof. The windows are covered in 1/2" wire mesh. It has an automatic door opener/closer. Etc. Now, for the big question...if I make a run for times when we are out of town to make it simpler for those taking care of them, does it need to be entirely predator proof or would containment/deterrence be enough? It's a round coop, hard to predator proof a roof. My idea is to use hog panels (We have plenty.) with chicken wire and then simply net the top. What do you think? I know it won't stop a dog, fox, raccoon, snake, etc. during the day, but it will keep them contained, with plenty of room, and safe from hawks. And, they'll be totally safe at night. They'll have access to the bigger field anytime I choose.

You are definitely on the right track. To have a secure coop for night time protection is necessary. Day time is more for deterring predictable predators like hawks and dogs. Coyotes, raccoons, possum and skunk will hunt in the evenings or early mornings.
Pens for my large birds and older juveniles are chain link with either partial or full wire covering or tarps to deter hawks.
The young chicks with their biddies are in a fully enclosed pen with 1/2 x 1 inch wire.and a full roof.