***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[artsyrobin]

@artsyrobin

I fed the flock while it was still dark. Three armadillos were grub mining in the yard, and they didn't even look up as I spotlighted each one with my flashlight.

John wanted to say "Hi" at mass this morning, but he said he didn't have the opportunity. When he deacons the mass, he gets pulled in all directions. I'm home with kids and animals. It's been a tough morning because the youngest wants to climb on everything. I've got a saddle set up in the living room for him to climb into and sit on, but he wants to go over the top of the couch, climb the bookcases, and test the limits of the rocking chair.

Agatha and Therese allow the youngest to pet them. If he pulls a tail or pokes an ear, they remove themselves from the room. Every time Agatha climbs into my lap, I think of you and David. I'm grateful to have been in a position to adopt them.

He did look busy! I thought you must have been busy with the kids

Quote: Good to see you online!!


Anyone ever had a roo take on a skunk? My red cochin boy did that just now, a few scrapes on his comb, otherwise fine, skunk must have pushed through into his pen- he will be getting a bath tomorow ewww

 

[dunnmom]

I have a feather picker. 2 of my 3 Wyandottes have damaged and missing feathers right above their tails. None of my BOs have been touched. I'm almost certain it is the 3rd Wyandotte doing the picking. It almost looks like roo damage I've seen in pictures, only I would think by 30 weeks I'd be able to tell if I had one. Should I separate the perpetrator, or put saddles on the other 2?

 

[NanaKat]

I have a feather picker. 2 of my 3 Wyandottes have damaged and missing feathers right above their tails. None of my BOs have been touched. I'm almost certain it is the 3rd Wyandotte doing the picking. It almost looks like roo damage I've seen in pictures, only I would think by 30 weeks I'd be able to tell if I had one. Should I separate the perpetrator, or put saddles on the other 2?

At 6.5 to 7 months you should see the pointed feathers for a male on the neck and tail. The pullets will have rounded feathers. The comb on a Wyandotte cockerel can be slow to fill out but you should see upturned feathers along the sides of the comb...like bushy eyebrows.
A cockerel that age would be aggressively trying to breed and you will see him chasing the pullets and hens. Saddles would protect the pullets' back feathers if you have no place to separate the culprit. He will go back to doing what he is supposed to do when you return him to the flock.
If an older rooster is in the pen with them, he should deter the amorous youngster.

Older hens will pick feathers on those younger birds in establishing the pecking order.

Mice and rats have a tendency to nibble feathers while a bird sleeps...check around their roosting area for poop pills.

 

[NanaKat]

Anyone ever had a roo take on a skunk? My red cochin boy did that just now, a few scrapes on his comb, otherwise fine, skunk must have pushed through into his pen- he will be getting a bath tomorow ewww

My go - to recipe for skunk is 1 qt of Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with 1 tsp original blue Dawn dish soap.
Lather up and let sit for 5 minutes then rinse in warm water.

 

[dunnmom]

No male feathering on any of my flock. Pretty sure it's just an aggressive female trying to dominate the other 2 of her same breed. I've seen her pecking them where their feathers are missing. My Orps are top of the pecking order. When I separate her, should I crate her inside the run so I won't have to reintegrate her? How long do you think I would have to leave her locked up? I think it's funny that the 2 picked pullets still roost right next to her as if there's no problem.

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:

My go - to recipe for skunk is 1 qt of Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with 1 tsp original blue Dawn dish soap.
Lather up and let sit for 5 minutes then rinse in warm water.

thanks! i don't think he got a direct hit, but the pen got doused - working on integrating him with a few girls - he has a sweet temperment- after some aggression early on, he has settled down-

 

[dunnmom]

Well, my meanie-butt pullet spent the night in a pet-porter. I let her out this morning because there was an inch of water in the bottom of it. I did get 2 rough chicken saddles made out of the legs of a pair of jeans I blew a knee out of, so they get to style some jean jackets until their feathers grow back. I figured the denim would withstand some pecking without injury to the chicken.

 

[jrjoplin]

Some of my younger pullets must be laying as I got two of the tiniest eggs in the nesting boxes today. They're about the size of robin's egg, maybe a tad bigger. I suppose the girls are hens now but I'd guess they are around 3-4 weeks younger than the others were when they started laying. Perhaps I'll make a tiny breakfast with them tomorrow.

 

[NanaKat]

Thursday morning was headed out to a dental appointment and decided to go ahead and open the chicken pens so they could free range.
Discovered a massacre in the Cochin pen....the three cockerels had been killed and carried off along with the old White hen Anna Belle, two Black hens and a Blue hen. Two young Black pullets were dead, one with a broken neck and one half eaten pulled thru the 2x4 wire fencing.
I was just sick! had to leave the pen the way it was until I got back home.
Not sure how the coyote got in and out of the pen, but there was more than one marauder. We found feathers in three different pastures.
I worked over the gate for that pen and think the coyote must have lifted the gate and clamps with the whole pipe...it was set over a t post and wired to the next pen. That has been fixed more securely.

Moved the remaining Cochin hens and one rooster to other pens for several nights now, setting out big snap traps around a carcass in hopes of nabbing at least one of the critters.

Our friendly BYC Okie coyote hunter was here early this morning. Don't know if he got one, but sure appreciate him coming.

Last month was war on the rats and mice using rat shot and TomCat poison in bird proof containers.
Now it is the coyotes.

 

[NanaKat]

On a happier note, 29 years ago Roger and I were married in Norman. With our three daughters as witnesses, we united our blended family and now have 8 grandchildren. We have been so blessed thru all the challenges life has thrown us. Our faith in God and love for each other has carried us. We look forward to many more years together.


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