***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[twindaddy43]

Attention fellow Okies, I am in dire need of some layers. I am down to one hen, ONE hen!!!!! Anyone downsizing or have any pullets about to lay let me know. I am to the point now where (gulp) I may have to buy eggs. So if you are near Pryor, Oklahoma (An hours drive) pm me with what you have. PS took care of the coon problem and coop security issue so it won't be a waste.

Thanks,

Bryce

 

[johnorem]

twindaddy: I sent you a pm re hens.

 

[Ksane]

All of my pens are set up so that I don't often have to enter them to take care of the birds. There is one rule however that I will not break and that is to care for the incubators first, chicks second and adults last. When we were going places to NPIP test we carried a sprayer of bleach water with us for the muck boots and truck and on the way home the truck got a very good wash at the car wash no matter what the weather.
Good biosecurity is a good practice to get into doing.

Got ya - they are going to have 8 foot fence on the grounds, then the coop yard fences, lastly they will have covered yards on both sides just going to cover them too - cause you never know what your going to need that run to be used for later!

Can you clip their wings like chickens?

I'm so frustrated and scared of getting males from hatching eggs (anyone want some male Bantam Ameraucana when they hatch??? or a real nice 4 wk old Cuckoo Marans cockerel?) and I got to looking at Ideal hatchery and it occurred to me (duh!) that i can get pullets only. For under $3 each. There may be a stray male in there by mistake but for the most part they're all girls. Beings I keep all the girls and they're my pets anyway I went ahead and ordered 4 Black Cochin pullets and 6 Orloff pullets (cuz I love the 6 Orloffs I have and they were hatchery girls anyway). It was only $40.00 total, can that be right?? Only $40 for all girls?? I thought shipping was another $45 on top of it or something?
It'll be nice to actually be able to fall in love with baby chicks and know there's a 95% chance I won't have to give any of them up for being males.

 

[Kimbroe1981]

sounds like the humidaty was a littel to high during incubation and they asorbed to much musture this is why they are "sticky" and also more then likly why you had to help one out

Ahhh, I didn't know it could be too high!

I read all sorts of stuff about it being too low! The one we helped out is great, strong, good chirps, moving lots. the one that hatched on it's own is iffy. Bulge in the back end, and one of it's feet won't turn over! But it's EXTREMELY noisy! Very strong voice! Still 3 eggs in. Will take them out tomorrow or thursday if nothing. This hatching thing is kinda addicting. I want to get it completely right!

 

[mjgigax]

Depends, how high can the Coyotes in your area jump?

The ducks are not very likely to fly over but things are more apt to come over the top for a snack.

What colors are NN's skin? Black, or is that Showgirls?

 

[cathiesue]

CAUTION! DUMB QUESTION TO FOLLOW!

I've got 6 chicks coming and they have to be outside not inside. I have a shady area under the back deck and it's protected and safe from the big chickens etc. So If it's 90 to 100 degrees during the day that's fine but do I really need a HEAT LAMP? for nigh-time temps that are in the high 70's? Aarrgghhh!!!!

 

[prettychicks]

Quote: I would think they are pullets also. I have orps and some of the hens even have combs and wattles. Not as large as the roosters but it can sometimes be difficult to tell a roo from a hen if she has a comb and wattles. I also have a couple with barely no comb or wattles at all.

 

[prettychicks]

ok, thanks! they were on the regular feed for all the chickens- stupid me.... so now they are on starter and savachick and polyvisol....

If you let your chicks free range, they will get the higher protein and nutrients they need for lack of it in regular feed. Otherwise, it is a good idea to give them the starter/grower feed until they are several months old. The chick starter feed has lower calcium and much higher protein in it than regular feed or laying pellets. Laying pellets has alot higher calcium and a bit lower protein. The scratch has only half the protein in it than the chick starter and could very well cause problems if the chicks are not able to supplement with bugs. If it is the food, they will start bouncing back by the end of the week or so. Good luck with them.

 

[nnbreeder]

What colors are NN's skin? Black, or is that Showgirls?

NNs are supposed to have white skin but I do have some that have black skin on the heads and down their necks a little ways and they are not mixed with anything else. Silkies have black skin or really more of a gun-metal gray

 

[nnbreeder]

CAUTION! DUMB QUESTION TO FOLLOW!

I've got 6 chicks coming and they have to be outside not inside. I have a shady area under the back deck and it's protected and safe from the big chickens etc. So If it's 90 to 100 degrees during the day that's fine but do I really need a HEAT LAMP? for nigh-time temps that are in the high 70's? Aarrgghhh!!!!

Yes, or a mom to crawl under. You might see if one of your hens will accept them. What breeds do you have? My NN hens will flog me if I go outside with a chick in my hands and try to take it away from me.