Okies in the BYC The Original

[Sooner]

I can see how that would be a challenge. Jessi is a good sport!!

They are very pretty birds.

 

[Greybear23]

Number one rule here!!! Jessie is the love of my life!!!
2. I love my children!!
3. I love chickens!!!
4. When in doubt refer to rule number 1!!!!

Lynn

Quote:

 

[Greybear23]

I seen this on one of my other forums and thought it was cool!!! Lynn


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ೋ ❤❤❤~~HAPPY NEW YEAR~~❤❤❤ ೋ
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[Greybear23]

Here is something for the adventurous among us!!!!! (Waye, Monty, Marybeth to name a few!!! LOL )


Small-Scale Haymaking:
Our Forefathers’ Way
(With a Few Modern Twists)

If your winter hay needs aren’t great and you have an unused corner of an outbuilding for storage, consider putting up premium hay for rabbits, a goat or a miniature horse the old-fashioned way: by hand.

The trick is to make good hay so every mouthful packs a punch. Touch base with your county extension agent or do your homework to determine which forage works best for your critters, then prepare, fertilize and plant a small hay plot (¼ to one acre) accordingly. Just like the big hay makers, be set to harvest at optimal bloom during a window of warm, sunny days.

For this, you’ll need a mower. You could choose an old-time scythe or sickle if you can find someone to teach you how to use it, but the 21st century counterparts—heavy-duty string trimmers and brush cutters (see “Tools of the Trade,” Summer 2002)—will save your back and do the work in a fraction of the time.

Your hay should be turned at least twice. Our forefathers used wooden peg-toothed haying rakes; if you’re handy with tools you could make one, but a wide-toothed garden rake will do. Check frequently and when mown and turned hay is fully dry, but still green and sweet smelling, hook a cart to your lawn tractor, grab your pitchfork and bring in the harvest.

Store your hay in a well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight. Don’t fork it directly on the floor, place it atop wooden pallets to prevent ground contact spoilage. Pack it down and pile it high. It’s best to leave new hay uncovered for a few weeks until it finishes curing, but then top it with tarps to preserve cleanliness and quality.

 

[poultryand bees]

Quote:
Sounds like an interesting experiment. I will need to do some research to see what plants would make good rabbit hay. I want to plant a plot that will be good for honeybees - canola, yellow clover, hairy vetch - and need to be sure any fence crashing critters wouldn't founder on the result. This year, we were able to get a great buy on wheat straw to use as rabbit bedding and small bales of clean prarie grass to feed the goats and llamas.

 

[al6517]

Marybeth : I have been wanting to ask you what your personal thoughts and research and facts are on the Africanized bee's migrating to Oklahoma. I have read ton's of articles but really wanted your oppinion.

AL

 

[Greybear23]

Something else to think about this year for the adventure minded POOPSTERS among us!!!! Lynn

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/images/pdfs/root-cellar-web.pdf

 

[Greybear23]

Sounds like an interesting experiment. I will need to do some research to see what plants would make good rabbit hay. I want to plant a plot that will be good for honeybees - canola, yellow clover, hairy vetch - and need to be sure any fence crashing critters wouldn't founder on the result. This year, we were able to get a great buy on wheat straw to use as rabbit bedding and small bales of clean prarie grass to feed the goats and llamas.


Sounds like a great project, you could add a few 3 foot wide rows to your garden and work them into a rotation with you other veggies to improve your soil. I think a combination of the clovers and vetch would be great for the Bees, Rabbits and the soil!!!! You could plant it, let it bloom, cut it with your weedeater, store it and also feed some along fresh, you could make a small hand operated bailer (easy plans online) or just store it in a pile in the corner of a barn after it is good and dry!!! And then you could till it in and plant something that draws heavy on nutrients and nitrogen in the soil like Corn to feed after it dries on the stalk, could havest the stalks to feed to your rabbits and goats too!!! Lynn

 

[Poco Pollo]

Lynn - I love the idea of planting hay for a small harvest. I'm wanting to get some sheep, so I think it would be great to have an acre of hay that's grown specifically for them.

Happy New Year, everyone. It was Antarctica cold when I got up, so I let the dog out, then in, and then went back to bed. Chickens didn't see me until 7:00, and they let me know I was late. I had planned to go to Chupps, but I decided that standing in teen degree weather wasn't going to be good for me or for the birds. I sold a few to a new BYC chicken enthusiast yesterday, so I guess it's okay I missed selling my extra roosters in Inola.

Vesta sneaked in behind me when I went into the guinea pen. I thought I was going to witness an avian heart attack. We got to practice a hand signal: down. We practiced a bit more after exiting the guinea pen. She's a fast learner. I need to be more diligent when she's out with me. The birds need to get used to seeing her. She doesn't get that they see a predator and not a fluffy friend. Her parents and siblings have all worked around chickens, so I think she's going to be okay once everyone's acquainted.

 

[Greybear23]

Well I just put on a Crockpot full of Blackeyed Peas and Ham bones, with the help of my Princess Pea picker!!!! May have fried Ham steaks, BE Peas, Corn, Cornbread and some mashed Taters and gravy for supper!!!! What yall thinkin????? Lynn