***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[SharkmanDan]

NanaKat,
Thank you. I never thought about that. We're a pretty rural county here, so, it might make sense that they may have someone like that. But, we're also a POOR county, and there might not be money in the budget.
I think I'll call the fellow from OK Ag, and see what he suggests.
Thanks again.

Now, another question, on "other fowl".
I have several Narragansett Turkeys, a White French Midget turkey, and 8 Pearl Guineas. The breeders told me to feed them 28% protein game bird food! up to 3 months, then switch to 20%, up to 1 year, and 16% after that. I let them out, in the mornings, and coop them at night. When they are out, they seem to want to just hang out, in the chickens' coop, eating their food, rather than foraging for bugs, and other critters. My chickens seem to do better at eating bugs, that the guineas and turkeys. Heck, the chickens are the only ones I've seen, chase down, and capture, then eat, a tree frog. I was told guineas are "tick eating maniacs" and turkeys will eat just about ANYTHING they can catch. Yet, crickets, bumble bees, beetles, and plenty of other critters go by them, unnoticed. But, the chickens, happily chase down, and consume those larger, easier to see, and easier to catch, bugs.
The turkeys and guineas, are all at that 3 month stage, where they should be switched from the game bird feed, to regular 20%.
What is the problem, with them being lazy, about eating? There are infinite bugs, here on the property, to eat, yet they want to eat chicken or chick, feed rather than bugs. Are they still too immature? They are good sized, been fully feathered for a while now. Fly very well. But, they just seem to refuse to forage. Are they developmentally disabled, or what?

 

[MrsDickey]

Bought 3 blue laced red wyandottes at an auction last month. 2 are starting to get combs and wattles. But one still looks like a pullet- hoping & fingers crossed because its the prettiest and the reason I bought them! Took pictures of 2 for comparison. Any input?

 

[Sagetown]

NanaKat,
Thank you. I never thought about that. We're a pretty rural county here, so, it might make sense that they may have someone like that. But, we're also a POOR county, and there might not be money in the budget.
I think I'll call the fellow from OK Ag, and see what he suggests.
Thanks again.

Now, another question, on "other fowl".
I have several Narragansett Turkeys, a White French Midget turkey, and 8 Pearl Guineas. The breeders told me to feed them 28% protein game bird food! up to 3 months, then switch to 20%, up to 1 year, and 16% after that. I let them out, in the mornings, and coop them at night. When they are out, they seem to want to just hang out, in the chickens' coop, eating their food, rather than foraging for bugs, and other critters. My chickens seem to do better at eating bugs, that the guineas and turkeys. Heck, the chickens are the only ones I've seen, chase down, and capture, then eat, a tree frog. I was told guineas are "tick eating maniacs" and turkeys will eat just about ANYTHING they can catch. Yet, crickets, bumble bees, beetles, and plenty of other critters go by them, unnoticed. But, the chickens, happily chase down, and consume those larger, easier to see, and easier to catch, bugs.
The turkeys and guineas, are all at that 3 month stage, where they should be switched from the game bird feed, to regular 20%.
What is the problem, with them being lazy, about eating? There are infinite bugs, here on the property, to eat, yet they want to eat chicken or chick, feed rather than bugs. Are they still too immature? They are good sized, been fully feathered for a while now. Fly very well. But, they just seem to refuse to forage. Are they developmentally disabled, or what?

I've seen guineas covered with ticks. I also saw a turkey swallow a large piece of broken pop bottle, but young chickens love bugs, and where bantams run, the ticks disappear.

 

[SharkmanDan]

That's not good news for the guineas. A friend keeps asking when we can butcher one, as we've heard that they taste like pheasant. He really wants to try it. Our only reason, for getting them, was because of an abundance of ticks, here. If they don't start ridding the area of ticks, soon, it's off to freezer camp, for these guineas. If I wanted birds to be just a noisy watchdog, I would have gotten geese. All these guineas seem to accomplish, is irritating the heck,out of me.

 

[subhanalah]

That's not good news for the guineas. A friend keeps asking when we can butcher one, as we've heard that they taste like pheasant. He really wants to try it. Our only reason, for getting them, was because of an abundance of ticks, here. If they don't start ridding the area of ticks, soon, it's off to freezer camp, for these guineas. If I wanted birds to be just a noisy watchdog, I would have gotten geese. All these guineas seem to accomplish, is irritating the heck,out of me.

they need time to spread out, consider yourself fortunate that they haven't all disappeared by now!

 

[Kassaundra]

Shakespear is doing much better.


The guineas are still here just the 2 though, there were 3 the first day, before they went in the chicken yard, but only 2 made it to the yard. They aren't people friendly at all, so we haven't seen them much, but we can hear them "purring????" not sure what to call it, but it reminds me of a cat purr. They are more then welcome to stay, they were intermingling w/ the chickens yesterday and nobody got mean. Now you guys know what I'm thinking I'm sure ........................................................... wonder what a NN X guinea would look like????? lol lol lol

 

[hotcurltr]

The quail scheduled for hatch on the 28th are hatching today! Heard one in the incubator and checked...there were two already popped out. Moved the eggs to the hatcher and now there are 4. these eggs were set Aug 10 and are hatching 13 days instead of 17!

I recently switched from flat thermometers to digital therm/humidity meters. Hatches have been much better and no malformations.

Chicks are hatching under some Bantam hens.....so cute.

Left the sprinkler on last night in the garden...by accident...actually I forgot about it.....anyway, that section of the garden is really soaked. The water trickled down to the young fruit trees...so not a complete disaster.

Going out to take pictures of some of the chickens to post.

Mitzi...I have a gorgeous dark Blue Cochin/Wyandotte cockerel....about 8 months of age...looks more Cochin with a Wyandotte comb....just saying.....

Now you leave Mitzi alone. She's taking mine. LOL. Actually at that age she'd probably love it to practice caponizing on.

 

[hotcurltr]

Was ordering cattle supplies from ValleyVet.com this morning. They have Tylan200 on sale for $29.95 for a 250 ml bottle. That is a great savings since they had a 100ml bottle of Tylan50 for $12.75.
I also ordered pet syringes with a 25 gauge needle in 100ct for $20.95... That is #12961 in the pet catalog. These work great for chickens.
We use ValleyVet.com for almost all our animal supplies.

I'll have to look them up. I've been using Jeffers, I guess because I used to have the horses and they have LOTS of horse stuff. I just bouth a box of 100 needled and syringes. That would of been a savings. Do they ship orders over $50.00 for free?

Bought 3 blue laced red wyandottes at an auction last month. 2 are starting to get combs and wattles. But one still looks like a pullet- hoping & fingers crossed because its the prettiest and the reason I bought them! Took pictures of 2 for comparison. Any input?

1st one is definately a pullet. Not sure on the 2nd w/o front view, but by the color, I would say boy

That's not good news for the guineas. A friend keeps asking when we can butcher one, as we've heard that they taste like pheasant. He really wants to try it. Our only reason, for getting them, was because of an abundance of ticks, here. If they don't start ridding the area of ticks, soon, it's off to freezer camp, for these guineas. If I wanted birds to be just a noisy watchdog, I would have gotten geese. All these guineas seem to accomplish, is irritating the heck,out of me.

I understand where u are coming from though. A little humor never hurts.

they need time to spread out, consider yourself fortunate that they haven't all disappeared by now!

Very true.

Shakespear is doing much better.


The guineas are still here just the 2 though, there were 3 the first day, before they went in the chicken yard, but only 2 made it to the yard. They aren't people friendly at all, so we haven't seen them much, but we can hear them "purring????" not sure what to call it, but it reminds me of a cat purr. They are more then welcome to stay, they were intermingling w/ the chickens yesterday and nobody got mean. Now you guys know what I'm thinking I'm sure ........................................................... wonder what a NN X guinea would look like????? lol lol lol

Happy to hear Shakespear is doing better. Good thing chickens don't cross w/ guineas or I'd have to try it.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Heck, we've been free-ranging them, for more than a month. I have another ten, that are close to the age that these were, when they began being let out, by day. I just don't get it, with these guineas. Ticks are supposed to be their epicurean delight, yet all they want to do, is eat the food put out for the chicks and chickens, then roost in the chicken coop.
They all get along, for the most part. Occasionally, there's a tussle, between one turkey, and any nearby guineas. But, for the most part, everyone gets along. You'd just think, that if there's a buffet, of all your favorite foods, you'd want to eat there, rather than eating off someone else's plate.

 

[Kassaundra]

I'll have to look them up. I've been using Jeffers, I guess because I used to have the horses and they have LOTS of horse stuff. I just bouth a box of 100 needled and syringes. That would of been a savings. Do they ship orders over $50.00 for free?

1st one is definately a pullet. Not sure on the 2nd w/o front view, but by the color, I would say boy

I understand where u are coming from though. A little humor never hurts.

Very true.

Happy to hear Shakespear is doing better. Good thing chickens don't cross w/ guineas or I'd have to try it.

Guineas can cross w/ chickens and produce viable offspring. It is not overly common and is mostly w/ guinea hens raised in the flock of chickens and w/o a male guinea.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guineas/BRKGuinHybrid.html