***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[BetsyOK]

ipeanut, you're doing just about what I do. If they are accustomed to the weather, they'll do well unless it gets too, too cold and/or they get really wet. If they have coops they can get into to break the wind and ice, snow and rain, unless they are of the less hardy varieties, they're better off outside. Some of my old time chicken friends say they don't pamper theirs at all, above necessities, and it makes hardier birds. They may lose a few weaker ones, but believe that is better over all for the flock.

 

[iPeanut1990]

ipeanut, you're doing just about what I do.  If they are accustomed to the weather, they'll do well unless it gets too, too cold and/or they get really wet.  If they have coops they can get into to break the wind and ice, snow and rain, unless they are of the less hardy varieties, they're better off outside.  Some of my old time chicken friends say they don't pamper theirs at all, above necessities, and it makes hardier birds.  They may lose a few weaker ones, but believe that is better over all for the flock.

How cold is too cold? That's what I'm trying to figure out.

 

[our 5acre farm]

I was just kidding when I said "geological, duh" but now im not sure what they were asking........ sooo im from sapulpa. Lol

 

[Kyzmette]

Quote:
My chickens stayed outside all last winter through ice and snow in a semi-open coop and did just fine. My coop is open on one side, and I hang a transparent shower curtain as a windblock, but other than that there's no other heat source. There are some breeds that are less hardy and might not be able to cut Oklahoma winters, but most non-fancy breeds don't have a problem, as long as they have shelter and get plenty of feed and water. I also give my chickens additional fat-builders during the winter, like suet blocks, higher protein feed and extra junkfood, like corn. There are sites that say they're unnecessary, but in my opinion they need that extra energy, because every bit of heat generated is a calorie burned. The less hardy breeds are going to be the ones that began in warmer climes.

 

[NanaKat]

I'm in Tulsa too. [COLOR=333333]This is my first year with chickens. I have 3 RIRs who will be 1 in May. Currently it says it is 19F feels like 3F with the wind chill. Inside the coop the thermometer says 41F with 22% humidity. I haven't added heat or anything. Tonight I think it's supposed to get down to 11 not including the wind chill. They're still out in the run pecking around. They don't seem bothered at all when I check on them. I've been checking on their water every couple hours and giving them warm water when it starts freezing. I guess we'll just leave them be and let them do their thing. They know more about being a chicken than I do I guess [/COLOR] :cd . [COLOR=333333]What is everyone else doing? Nothing? [/COLOR]

ipeanut, you're doing just about what I do.  If they are accustomed to the weather, they'll do well unless it gets too, too cold and/or they get really wet.  If they have coops they can get into to break the wind and ice, snow and rain, unless they are of the less hardy varieties, they're better off outside.  Some of my old time chicken friends say they don't pamper theirs at all, above necessities, and it makes hardier birds.  They may lose a few weaker ones, but believe that is better over all for the flock.

ipeanut, you're doing just about what I do.  If they are accustomed to the weather, they'll do well unless it gets too, too cold and/or they get really wet.  If they have coops they can get into to break the wind and ice, snow and rain, unless they are of the less hardy varieties, they're better off outside.  Some of my old time chicken friends say they don't pamper theirs at all, above necessities, and it makes hardier birds.  They may lose a few weaker ones, but believe that is better over all for the flock.

How cold is too cold? That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Couldn't have said it better than Betsy and Kyzmette did.

Scratch and corn fed at evening gives the birds feed in their crop that help build heat as they digest.
Too cold is Zero to 30 for more than three to five days if birds are outside.
Draft free dry roosts are your best defense for frostbite...key words are dry and draft free.
Dehydration from lack of water is serious.
Diseases brought in by wild birds stealing food from the feeders can be deadly during winter when our birds are weather stressed.

 

[hotcurltr]

The Agriculture Department has a clinic each year for anyone who wants to become a tester. I was a tester for years, partly because you can then test new birds before you integrate them into your flock, and when they test negative, you can put them in with your flock. Of course, you can also test your friend's flocks for a slight fee or none, if you choose.

That's a good idea. I keep mine up, but always quarantine anything new anyway. I did report when I got a new bird, and I think it was Sherri who told me that it is best getting from NPIP but as long as I quarantined, I didn't need to, and even if I get birds from NPIP farms, I still needed to quarantine.

Couldn't have said it better than Betsy did.

Scratch and corn fed at evening gives the birds feed in their craw that help build heat as they digest.
Too cold is Zero to 30 for more than three to five days.
Draft free dry roosts are your best defense for frostbite. Dehydration from lack of water is serious. Diseases brought in by wild birds stealing food from the feeders can be deadly during winter when our birds are weather stressed.

The wild birds are what I always worry about, but imo even if everything was covered it would be impossible to keep wild birds away. And being birds . their droppings can fall anywhere. About a month or so ago on a cold and rainy day, I was at Walmart and noticed wild birds running all around the parking lot looking for food. It's the first time the realization hit me at how beautiful all God's creatures are, and that they all work at self preservation, and I don't know why, but I got emotional and wished we didn't have predators trying to live off of what I love. Not u can certify me!. I guess that's why it's called the circle of life. Human or animal, one is always hurting the other, even in the same species.
@greenacregirl I haven't seen any updates on Goliath. I hope no news, is good news.
@Kyzmette Glad your boy is better. They do poop alot. I'm always complaining, eat and poop, eat and poopLOL I thought you might like to see some pics of Floyd Jr and Floyd's other son. They are now getting too bad w/ their teenage hormones and are now going to have to be locked up until auction. I still can't do freezer camp, but really need to try some day.








I took better pics, but couldn't tell on the thumbprints which were goo and I don't know how to chanfe w/out deleteing everything. Next time I'll do some of my brag book and show pics of my babies and of Leah my CW cross with her brood and 4 newborn ducklings she took in w/ them.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

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Here's my lone SFH pullet (cathiesue), about 25 weeks (old pic but coloring is the same). I think she needs a SFH cockerel. I'm also thinking my Blue Isbar pullet (lonnyandrinda), about 38 weeks, needs an Isbar cockerel. Now, I'm not saying I'm ready to buy...it's a little cold outside to quarantine and finish the breeding pens, but...who has a boy for me?

I've given up on maintaining my NPIP. Too many people that have what I want aren't NPIP.

Gorgeous! I've got some really nice SFH cockerels from Cathie Sue's birds, and some very young Isbar cockerels... just saying... although if you want unrelated stock I'm not helping you any LOL!

The Agriculture Department has a clinic each year for anyone who wants to become a tester. I was a tester for years, partly because you can then test new birds before you integrate them into your flock, and when they test negative, you can put them in with your flock. Of course, you can also test your friend's flocks for a slight fee or none, if you choose.

Yep, I took the class last spring. I can test my own bird- which is due this month yikes! My tester certificate is good for 3 years.

He's doing SO much better, thanks for asking! His whooping is gone, and the crackles in his lungs are almost completely gone. He poops like a HORSE! Could be because he's back to eating like one. I'd love to diaper this boy up and keep him in the house, but I don't think even an extra large Pampers could hold all this boy's poop. I'm not complaining, mind you, because it means he's doing good.

I gave him what I think is going to be his last round of antibiotics last night, so I need to start him on yogurt and probiotics tonight. Everything seems to be good, but I caught a whiff of odor that didn't smell right, so he's probably needing some good intestinal care by now.

Awesome, so glad to hear!!!

 

[greenacregirl]

I was just kidding when I said "geological, duh" but now im not sure what they were asking........ sooo im from sapulpa. Lol

ok

 

[greenacregirl]

Goliath update... Idk y'all. Its all new to me. Today hé cannot hold his head up barely at all. He kerps it down. I included pics.I am tube feeding him. Giving electrolytes, Antibiotics, vitamin B drops. D3 also. Hé will drink of i put his head to the water and I'd I hold the water up he can hold his head up to drink for a few seconds. Poops are still white with green in it.

[/IMG] these pics show how He spend most of today.

Me supporting his head and neck

https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/
type/61/id/6692234/width/200/height/400

This is how his poops have been since i notices He did not seem himself on his roost.

I have had him.with me all day He chilled on the couch Watching Nikita on netfix. In his upside down way .

Still trying to figure this out.

(Oh and I double checked his age with my friend who gave him to me and He is more like 3 or 4 years old.)

 

[greenacregirl]

Goliath update... Idk y'all. Its all new to me. Today hé cannot hold his head up barely at all. He kerps it down. I included pics.I am tube feeding him. Giving electrolytes, Antibiotics, vitamin B drops. D3 also. Hé will drink of i put his head to the water and I'd I hold the water up he can hold his head up to drink for a few seconds. Poops are still white with green in it.

[/IMG] these pics show how He spend most of today.

Me supporting his head and neck

https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/
type/61/id/6692234/width/200/height/400

This is how his poops have been since i notices He did not seem himself on his roost.

I have had him.with me all day He chilled on the couch Watching Nikita on netfix. In his upside down way .

Still trying to figure this out.

(Oh and I double checked his age with my friend who gave him to me and He is more like 3 or 4 years old.)