***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[SharkmanDan]

Narragansetts. Last year, I believe they started in February. But, it too, was right after I had turned the lights on. At that time, I was just learning the tricks to getting the chickens to lay, when they'd slowed down for the winter.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

Wow that's a beautiful breed! I have my heart set on getting some sawgrass ones someday. Turkeys are the one fowl I have never tried . not for sure why I am Leary of them, but just have it in my head they are difficult to raise. I, ve been told just the opposite tho.

 

[BetsyOK]

Beautiful turkeys.

Hate to hear of everyone's tree losses from the ice storm. Know how you feel because we were there about 7-8 years ago. Had huge ice storm here. I drove home from the Shawnee show during that storm. Last 30 miles or more was on hilly, two lane highway with what sounded like shooting going on all the way from falling trees and branches. Very scary drive by myself, but was lucky to make it home. Touch and go for awhile. Lost 9 large trees and still have damage occurring from weakened trees.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Thanks Okla-Doodle-Doo & Betsy. They are impressive. I just wish that they'd done better breeding, this past season. Of all the eggs collected and incubated, we got one hatched, and it died in the first 24 hours.
The avian vet, told us 2 things. They had a mineral deficiency, and that breed, typically doesn't breed well, until after they are fully a year old. When they turned one, was right about the time, that they stopped laying. So, I'm going to try to incubate as many this year, as I can, to hopefully get some poults, that can be harvested for next Thanksgiving and Christmas. We were forced to eat a commercial bird, this year. I don't want to do so again, I'm not fond of how commercial birds are treated.

 

[NanaKat]

Dan, Lovely toms!

Wayne, I hatched and raised wild turkey eggs rescued from the bull dozer. Had six hatch. Released all but one that was blind in one eye. When Tom started booming at our toddler nephew, Tom went to freezer camp...made a great Christmas dinner.

Betsy, I remember that year too. We aren't on city water so had the foresight to draw up water before the power went off. Several days without power...used the wood stove to cook and boil water for bathing.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Thanks Nana. I couldn't find any photos of the hens.

I'm still amazed, that here it is, December 3, and I already have 7 turkey eggs. Typically, mid February, as I understand it, is normal for them to start laying.
Could be, if they're fertile, that I'll be hatching out next Thanksgiving dinner, around New Year's Day.

 

[NanaKat]

I've been hatching Ringneck pheasant eggs for two months. They started laying and are supposed to lay Late March thru May. I have 15 little pheasants to brood thru the winter.

 

[SharkmanDan]

I've been hatching Ringneck pheasant eggs for two months. They started laying and are supposed to lay Late March thru May. I have 15 little pheasants to brood thru the winter.

Are you going to sell any? I want to build a large pheasant pen, and raise ring necks and red goldens.

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

I wouldn t try and raise them together. Split the pen. They have way different personalitys. both are fun to raise tho. I prefer the goldens,but I like pretty over eating on some birds!lol Nan do you eat your pheasants?
Looks like its going to be a pretty day here. in the 20s last nite. luckly I have only had one baby pigeon at the wrong feather stage this cold spell. ten other babys have survived. did have to move the guniea piggys into the house. wife was a little understanding! lol of course there are twenty of them!

 

[Jeansrie]

I'll be bringing quite a few silkies and showgirls to sell at the Shawnee show next Saturday. I have a few older birds (one a pair - a black-split-to-paint cockerel and a paint pullet that is either laying or very close to) and some chicks around the 6-8week old range. I also have chicks around 4 weeks old, and many that are younger - all are blue or splash. If you're looking for anything please let me know - I need to cut back due to we'll be traveling quite a bit the next several months, but I seem to have an issue with not being able to turn off the incubator!