Texas BYC Cafe

[Baymule]

I have a trio of fawn and white runner ducks for free. Since we're moving to the Tyler area, I have decided to give them away. I am only keeping the chickens. I have 2 ducks and a drake, I got them last spring, so they are not even a year old yet. They lay well but have slowed down in the short days. I am in Livingston if anybody is interested or I will bring them to the Tyler area or at points inbetween.

 

[henless]

Happy New Year everyone!

I will be so glad when all this rain is over with! I've had a few days off over Christmas/New Years and I haven't be able to do a thing outside. I did finish my compost bin. Well, it's not finished, but it is useable.



I still need to put up one more partition and cut some more boards for the front. But at least I can put my compost it in for now.

@Baymule ~ I would love to have some ducks/geese for our pond. But until we get the last pasture fence up, and put up the cross fence, they wouldn't last. Either my dogs or the coyotes would get them.

@hungnguyen ~ What a cute little Santa!! He has gotten so big! How much longer before they can come over?

@TexasLisa ~ Where are you girl? You have just disappeared!!!

@lovingmyhens ~ Same with you. Where are ya????

HI Ms.JB, how have you been doing?

 

[hungnguyen]

Happy New Year everyone!



@hungnguyen ~ What a cute little Santa!! He has gotten so big! How much longer before they can come over?

@TexasLisa ~ Where are you girl? You have just disappeared!!!

@lovingmyhens ~ Same with you. Where are ya????

Morning HL,
Last month I came back to Vietnam to meet my wife and Charlie. Luckily, her visa interview took place at the same time, and I was able to attend the interview, and She passed. Now her visa is just pending her health exam result which we should know by late Feb. So should the health certificate come in and the visa is issued, I plan to book tickets for my next trip in May to bring them in .... so my Happy New Year will be delayed for another 5 months.

What happened to my sisters .. Lisa and LH????

 

[Baymule]

I posted the ducks on the Texas thread as well, and Orumpoultry has spoken up for them. I am glad they are going to a good home! I ordered 20 ducks last spring, 17 pekins and 3 runners. The pekins went to freezer camp and the runners are for laying. With moving and having temporary housing for the chickens, the ducks are just too much, so glad they have a home.

@hungnguyen I pray that your wife and son gets to come home with you soon. In May, we celebrate Mother's Day. What better Mother's Day gift than for your wife, than for you to go bring them home?

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Good morning everyone

It's another cloudy, wet, morning here, but the sun is supposed to come out at some point today. I am ready for some sunshine (and warm weather, but will be happy with the sun)! We received almost 2" of much needed rain and NO ICE!!!

Monday when I was out cycling a guy towing a trailer turned left onto the road I was on (T intersection - I had the right of way and I was riding on the shoulder- he had the stop sign) and caught me with the trailer. I yelled for him to stop before he hit me and then screamed a blood curdling scream when the trailer got me. He stopped and he and the passenger got out. The passenger (big time jerk!) told me it was my fault because there aren’t any signs for cyclists on the road. (He is wrong, I have the same right to the road as a car does.) He gave me $9 for new tape and told me to go to Walmart to get it. Right. Umm...No way! The driver was nicer, he was truly sorry and upset. He offered me a ride. I'd never get in a van with 3 strangers!
I’m very lucky I wasn’t hurt. The part of the road I was on dropped off pretty steep so I didn’t really have anywhere to go. (Bailing out into the ditch could have hurt both me and my bike.) I didn’t go down either. Not sure how I managed that. Angels watching over me!

I learned I should have called the police even though the damage was minimal. I did call later but because it was after the fact they didn't make a report. They told me to always call, even with a car accident. I was taught not to call if the damage is under a certain amount. I guess times have changed.

I got my new tape ($35) put on my bike on Wednesday. I haven't been out riding since Monday, the weather was not cooperating. I will be doing a trainer ride today. JOY! Better than no ride at all though.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I found an idea to try in my garden. It's kind of like the deep liter method for plants. I'm planning on using hay. February is the time to plant the cool season veggies (except onions-they go in this month).

I need to get my seeds started inside so they are ready for next month! Yikes!!!

 

[chick-chica]

It's going down to ~28 degrees tonight in San Antonio. It's my first winter as a chicken keeper. Do I need a heat lamp tonight? Below is a pic of where they sleep. It is enclosed, except for ventilation up top. The top part in the back has also been enclosed now. Their roost is right there behind those double doors.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

It's going down to ~28 degrees tonight in San Antonio. It's my first winter as a chicken keeper. Do I need a heat lamp tonight? Below is a pic of where they sleep. It is enclosed, except for ventilation up top. The top part in the back has also been enclosed now. Their roost is right there behind those double doors.

As long as they can get out of the wind they will be alright. They will fluff up and huddle close together for warmth.
Wild birds can withstand colder temps than that.

Heat lamps can cause fires so be careful if you use one.

 

[henless]

I have an open air coop. It's supposed to get down to 24 tonight.

I put plastic up a few weeks ago. I put it up above the roost along the North wall, up above the nest boxes in the large window, but left the 2' top vent open.

I have a double roost. When it's really cold, they will all huddle up on the left side of the roosts, away from the upper vent.



This pic shows the back North vent covered. I also covered the West side with plastic over the window and shower curtains over the two large wire walls.




I left the end South wall and the East walls open. They really like it. It keeps the cold wind from blowing in and still gives them plenty of ventilation.



As long as you don't have any drafts blowing on them while on the roost, they should be fine. The wind can really be blowing, but when you walk into the coop, you don't feel a thing.

 

[Baymule]

@henless your coop looks good! Some happy chickens ya' got there.