***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

Does anyone know where I might be able to get some apx 12 week (or so) pullets, in the Lincoln County area? We lost our BSL last week to the neighbors dog. We have four more pullets that are only 3 weeks and weren't outside yet, but I was excited to be expecting eggs in the next couple of months, and would like to maybe get a couple more older ones. Dog is gone, fence is fixed, and other measures have been taken. We really don't want to have to go through that again, I don't think myself or my poor kiddos could take it!

Where are you located in Lincoln County?

How much are laying age hens worth?

Young hatchery bred laying hens can begin at $10 and go up from there.
Heritage breeds from private breeders who select for qualities outlined in the Standard of Perfection can begin at $30.
Unique colors or rare breeds will be higher.

 

[Matt in Okla]

Does diatomaceous earth work?

Make sure it's the"food" version but yes it seems to help

 

[Matt in Okla]

Turns out I got New Hampshire reds

 

[Matt in Okla]

Turns out I got New Hampshire reds

They are gentle and love to talk back to you

 

[mjgigax]

They are gentle and love to talk back to you

Nice eggs!

 

[Matt in Okla]

Nice eggs!

Thx I got 2 day after we got them then 4 and 2 today. Today I moved the coop to fresh grass which made them very happy. I also added oyster shell to the pellet mix and got them some treat meal worm mix for when we call them. Anything else I should do? I feel like compared to what we did back when I was a kid which was nothing that I'm almost overdoing lol.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Thx I got 2 day after we got them then 4 and 2 today. Today I moved the coop to fresh grass which made them very happy. I also added oyster shell to the pellet mix and got them some treat meal worm mix for when we call them. Anything else I should do? I feel like compared to what we did back when I was a kid which was nothing that I'm almost overdoing lol.

You're doing great! Be aware after the stress of a move they may now stop laying for about 2 weeks. But will pick back up after that! Enjoy them! Fresh water, food, shade, and protection from predators is all you need. Is this chicken tractor inside another fenced area like a chainlink fence? Preferably with a dog to patrol. Chicken wire keeps chickens in- not predators out. At the very least might want to layer welded wire over the chicken wire. Hardware cloth is even better but more expensive.

 

[Matt in Okla]

You're doing great!  Be aware after the stress of a move they may now stop laying for about 2 weeks.  But will pick back up after that!  Enjoy them!  Fresh water, food, shade, and protection from predators is all you need.  Is this chicken tractor inside another fenced area like a chainlink fence? Preferably with a dog to patrol.  Chicken wire keeps chickens in- not predators out.  At the very least might want to layer welded wire over the chicken wire.  Hardware cloth is even better but more expensive.

Thx
Keeping the tractor in the shade with the windows and door running to the wind and yep it's inside a chain link fence.

 

[NanaKat]

Quote: Nice eggs from your new flock. New Hampshire Reds are a great breed.
Your tractor turned out great.
I agree with Rinda that adding some hardware wire like a 1x1 mesh would be a good investment.
I make portable cages from either the 1x1 or the 1x .5 that make good broody cages in the barn or garage. I buy the 50 foot roll at Lowes. The cost is worth it when you consider the cost of the bird lost to a predator.
An insistent raccoon can rip thru the chicken wire in a New York minute..

 

[NanaKat]

Today is cage cleaning day in the barn and brooder rooms. And I'm pulling out all the wood shavings on the concrete floor in the brooder and replacing it with a 2 to 3 inch layer of sand.
Then the entire chicken house and brooder room are getting sprayed with pyrethrin barn spray to help deter flies.

I have juveniles that will finally go on the floor and new chicks to move to the wall cages. We had a total of 21 chicks hatch this batch...one late one this morning.
The next hatch isn't due until June 23-24 so I'll use the hatcher to start a batch of eggs.

Im running the water sprinkler in the garden today and moving it at 1.5 hour intervals. We didn't get the rain...yet...and the tomatoes and peppers looked a little thirsty this morning.

I'll have seed for the Carnation poppies dry enough to begin mailing out seed by next week. If you haven't PMed me with an address, you have plenty of time to do so. Also let me know if you want any of the larkspur seed. They are beautiful with the poppies.