***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

Can I just tell you all how much I love this sassy sweet ol gal? When I got her and her sister they were very beat up and both had open, infected wounds on their backs and sides and very few feathers. I was pretty sure the sister wasn't going to make it and she never came around to be as sweet as Ms Shirley here. They don't lay much but go broody if eggs are left for a couple days. Anyway, their toenails are ridiculously long, does anyone have any tips for trimming them in the least traumatic way possible.

I use dog toenail clippers. I hold the bird under my left arm facing it forward. I hold the foot I'm trimming in my left hand and clip each nail with the clippers in my right hand. I've found that if I worm the bird at the same time, I can tell which bird has been wormed by the clipped toenails. I have over 100 adult birds.

 

[gigiok]

Oh Ashtree! Can't believe I missed the Guineas AGAIN! In the hospital with a bad asthma attack - oh the joys of spring...

 

[ashtree]

Oh Ashtree!  Can't believe I missed the Guineas AGAIN!  In the hospital with a bad asthma attack - oh the joys of spring...

I'm so so sorry. I'll post next time I see them there. I know they were sold out by the weekend.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a lonely male guinea if anyone has females and needs a male. He wandered up this winter and lives w/ the chickens, but I think he would be happier w/ some ladies of his own. I would give him to anyone. He has purple feathers in his neck area.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Just let me know when you've got your incubator situation settled.  I have several Styrofoam coolers you could make into incubators and hatchers if you are willing to try really low-tech.  My sister made her incubator and hatcher using Styrofoam coolers, and she hatched so many eggs that her husband told her to quit.  They were only allowed to have six hens, and she was giving cockerels away and keeping pullets.  Google DIY Styrofoam Incubator.  You'll find some plans are better than others.  Use an old computer fan to circulate the air.  My sister put in a wire floor and used pie tins underneath the wire for water trays to increase humidity.  She's artsy like me, not technical, and she built some working incubators for next to nothing.

That was the original idea. Fans are easy for me. I have several computer/radio type fans. I have a nice digital thermometer/hygrometer in my safe, and I don't check it very frequently. As long as those things that can rust are kept well oiled, I'm good. I have lots of electrical stuff. I would like to get a piece of plexiglass or two, and cut a window in the top of the cooler I want to use. It's not styrofoam, but it is a good Igloo, that has broken hinges, and we just don't use it, anymore. It is only 13" wide at the bottom, though, so, those 15" automatic turners will never fit into it. Oh well. I'll have to do it the old fashioned way, and turn them all by hand. If I forego the window, on top, I think I have all of the parts I need, so I might get on it tomorrow.
I'll keep y'all updated.

 

[mjgigax]

Just let me know when you've got your incubator situation settled. I have several Styrofoam coolers you could make into incubators and hatchers if you are willing to try really low-tech. My sister made her incubator and hatcher using Styrofoam coolers, and she hatched so many eggs that her husband told her to quit. They were only allowed to have six hens, and she was giving cockerels away and keeping pullets. Google DIY Styrofoam Incubator. You'll find some plans are better than others. Use an old computer fan to circulate the air. My sister put in a wire floor and used pie tins underneath the wire for water trays to increase humidity. She's artsy like me, not technical, and she built some working incubators for next to nothing.

Love the black skin. Adorable, huggable, must resist temptation . . . Keep posting pictures, though. I can be satisfied just looking at them : )

All these pics of chicks is making me impatient. My Showgirl did leave the nest after 2 weeks

but this was her first attempt. I told her to just keep laying eggs and I will take care of the rest. I have 2 dozen more eggs to put in tomorrow and the 4 dozen I put in last week to wait on.

- the box that the smiley is watching needs to be an incubator.

My new Chocolate Orpingtons are laying! I need some Chocolate names - I have Truffle, Coco and maybe Hershey for the young roo, (or maybe Fudge). I need 2 more names for hens.

Good news in our neighborhood - Jack has cleaned one of his incubators and will put 4 + dozen eggs in tomorrow. It is good to have him back in the chick business. He will have Delaware, Gold Salmon Marans and Welsummer chicks available soon.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Holy cow!!!! I don't know what to say. I just got a message from my buddy Travis, who has been working for a guy, that's having trouble paying. The guy has an older GQF cabinet incubator, says it's still working, offered it to Travis, for being kind enough to wait on pay, if I'd be willing to give him some chicks now and then. Well, DUH!!! Of course I would. I'm trying to sell some, to put a little money in the feed kitty, but I would happily give a chick to anyone who needs one. I'm not stingy or selfish. So many of y'all here, have been so kind to me, the least I can do, is to be kind to others. Call it Karma. Call it The Golden Rule. Call it Paying it Forward. Call it what you will. I just call it being a good person. Folks help me, so I help when and where I can.
This was the best news I've had in a very long time.

 

[mjgigax]

One of Jack's hair sheep delivered a surprise this year - a spotted ewe. I convinced him to keep her. Her name is Moo.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Holy cow!!!! I don't know what to say. I just got a message from my buddy Travis, who has been working for a guy, that's having trouble paying. The guy has an older GQF cabinet incubator, says it's still working, offered it to Travis, for being kind enough to wait on pay, if I'd be willing to give him some chicks now and then. Well, DUH!!! Of course I would. I'm trying to sell some, to put a little money in the feed kitty, but I would happily give a chick to anyone who needs one. I'm not stingy or selfish. So many of y'all here, have been so kind to me, the least I can do, is to be kind to others. Call it Karma. Call it The Golden Rule. Call it Paying it Forward. Call it what you will. I just call it being a good person. Folks help me, so I help when and where I can.
This was the best news I've had in a very long time.

Wow congrats! You deserve a break!

 

[sdlittleton]

I have two 6 week old RIR/probably Production Red Roos that I need to rehome. I live near Edmond $5.00 each.

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