INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Old Salt 1945]

They will be bold with people if they are hungry and even attack. I had a call where they attacked an elderly man with a lil dachsund and took his dog.
Leash and all. they reach the size of a female german sheperd. 75 pounds +. Coys are very overpopulated and running out of food.
Your safety is #1 priority, I would be calling DNR and a lot more govm't offices demanding they help you handle it.
Bare handed I would be very fearful too

Look up cold hardy breeds on their site and call them. Can't hurt to ask purdue either what is a good choice, And post so others can join in on your order

.
Ventilation is important for any breed in your coop.

Oh my, John.. I am just sick over what has been offered to our veterans that protect our country and give their lives for us.
I did all the stuff I am required to do on the health ins webpage.. Clicked submit. MY PC CRASHED, SHUT DOWN!
So i tried again, used a different browser, PC crashed again! I was so worried My laptop fried and now what?
So I went to the live chat.. 40 minutes later i get "I am sorry, we are working 24/7 to fix it."
It has me worried sick. Saying it will cost $247 a month just for me,
HOW is that even possible to work into my hopelessly strained budget?
If we don't eat and don't drive our car with the gas prices we may be able to fit it in.
Or I guess I give up my livestock and just eat the food the grocery tells us to.
Am just horrified what this will become as it develops and pray its corrected soon.

Utopian, socialist schemes always sound good, but never work out well in practice. They often make matters worse.

I'm afraid this attempt to fix the "broken" health insurance system is going to bring it down completely.

"Affordable Care Act" policy that pays 60% with a $3000 deductible and costs $606.92/mo, rrrrriiiiiight. What a bargain.

Destroy the health insurance market so it can be replaced by the ever-efficient folks from the Fed Govmint.

Ugh.

John

 

[gunchief25]

Morning all Cockadoodledoo!

 

[hogster160]

Quote:
Yep. That's pretty much me. Want healthy food.

Do you have a cow? For milk? I don't have one but always contemplate. I am able to get raw milk from some friends and also beef like your neighbors are raising and first started making raw milk cheese somewhere around 2008 or 2009. Have taught a class here and there and would do more if I weren't working full time and taking care of elderly parent.

On the coyotes, I haven't seen any last year here, but the neighbors tell me that they saw more of them in prior years and fox also. If I think they are around I may contact you in the future. Wonder how in the world he charges for such a thing?

No I don't have a dairy cow, or any cow. My neighbors do only steer. Had a friend do the dairy cow, but he got out of it, finally decided it wasn't worth the money. Now he uses his land as just land, and it sits there. Sad actually. I would love to be able to get raw milk though. We do have a co op of sorts. Actually I believe its more of a co ownership. Very costly each year. I would need several head in order to get a gallon of milk a day, and just not worth the cost for us atm.

I believe my neighbor chargers per kill on the coyotes. I was just glad to hear that they have this under control lol. On the south side of the highway there are more forested areas, on the north side, my side of the highway, its more field area. I hear them all the time, just don't see them. So I'm thinking they prefer the forested areas? Not sure. I do know I was surprised by the numbers.

I’ve been away from the thread for 24 hours, and there are seven long pages of posts!

As I’ve said before, I respect and am awe of people who raise animals to ensure healthful food. It’s much better for people and for the animals that enjoy a much better life. As a pet owner, I care for my chickens/cats and take them to the vet when needed.

I also think that it’s a testament to our Indiana thread that food raisers and pet raisers can co-exist and respect each other. There have been times this past year when I’ve wondered if I should find a Chickens as Pets group, but besides the fact that I’d miss everyone, I have expanded my mind both in thinking "outside my comfort zone" and by increasing my knowledge and understanding. Gosh, it’s hard to believe I’ve had these revelations from a Chicken group!

And hogster, don’t beat yourself up about the hawk attack! You, your DH, and your dogs made a great team!

Yikes I had like 63 pages when I signed on the other day. I still haven't read through them all.

I honestly wish I could take mine to a vet. I did find out that most of the farm vet in my area won't see chickens. So it is kind of up to me. This is the part of chicken I wish I had thought more of. I really didn't think it would be so difficult to find care for them. Living in a farming community, I got some funny looks from some of my questions lol!

This is a very good group of people and I do see where we are co-existing and the respect is above and beyond what I have seen from some of my locals. It is so much appreciated.

I am proud of you, to be able grow as a person through your experience with chickens. Its amazing the things they can teach us. Those animals, either pets or farm animals, they push us right on through our comfort zone. Doesn't matter if we are ready or not, and then they are there to help us through it and again after. Its a tough road to be on. I know I have chosen this life, with the farm animals, knowing I would one day be out of my comfort zone. And I really was hoping I wouldn't be push out of it lol. But we did, and we made it. Not so bad anymore. They are teaching us all.

Didnt' get much snow, was more west of us, just enough to make the roads icky. Hopefully it will stay west lol

 

[DarthLayer]

Nothing to much yet, but the snow is still falling good

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Best wishes to you guys up there, I don't miss the lake effect snows one bit.
I do miss the sledding after those big snows and no school

UGH more roos

good thing is both will produce offspring that will throw some very pretty eggs!

Thank you! I do remember "doe to bucks cage". Really wanted to hear it to be sure, lol. My last rabbits were in the early 1990s.
I found a lot of good info on mother earth news and a few other links. Now to find a buck, UGH!
My oldest DD has a black and white (broken (?) I think is the color) NZ we thought was male, I looked last night, NOPE.
I should have checked for her a long time ago, but since theirs is a true pet it didn't really matter.
I will NOT keep any aggressive animals here either, so that was my main worry.
I had Bunbun aka Hitler out about 20 minutes last night. Waited for the house to be quiet, she is very frightened.
I was able to pick her up, put her down. She does "cringe" a little but is already relaxing & no biting or kicking.
Had her in my lap on the floor, allowed her to "explore" on the indoor outdoor carpet in the porch.
She has a friendly disposition, I am really pleased. She returned to my lap on her own. Likes her ears rubbed

My DD was so upset over her lil bunny she just gave it up altogether.
I don't think she realized/researched what may have happened.
This morning we had 20 minutes again. gave her a small slice of an apple each visit.
Repeating tonight, I have baby spinach, just a few leaves as a treat. Encouraging mom time to be a good thing.
She got to meet Crook the french fry stealer! (he has wry neck, so he is a pet, not part of my flock.)
They seemed ok with each other, and crook made an alert call but seemed to not care once they got close.
He was not happy sharing mom time tho! I have a section of hardware cloth to make a circle I start chicks out free ranging in.
Next week will let her be out on grass weather permitting, but the rabbits won't be "free range" like the chickens are.
I am treating her as a "pet" so she will be easier to work with later. (and she is so adorable!)

It's good to hear she's friendly when she's with you. It always takes a few days for new rabbits coming in to our barn to settle in, but there usually isn't a problem once they get used to their new surroundings. If you go to the ISRBA yahoo group (Indiana State Rabbit Breeders Assoc.) you can post what kind of buck you're looking for. There is a rabbit show in Rochester this Sunday and a couple of others yet this year. People always have rabbits for sale at shows. Then I think the first Indiana show next year is in February. You can go to www.ARBA.net (Amer. Rabbit Breeders Assoc.) to search for rabbit shows by state. Go to the member resources drop down menu and the second item is "shows". Our Silver Fox are also very good meat rabbits. If you're open to other breeds besides New Zealand, there would be a number of good breeds of meat rabbits you could cross your Cali with and get the hybrid vigor you're looking for -- might make it easier to find what you're looking for.

 

[kabhyper1]

So I had to go out and add boiling water to the chickens water this morning. Stupid cold snap. It's supposed to be in the 50's next week, so I was holding off on getting heated waterers, but if it really gets down to 17 tonight, I may have to do something. I'm afraid of fire, so I really don't like the idea of any kind of heating element in the coops. I may have to suck it up and figure something out. Did any of you have frozen water issues this morning?

 

[pginsber]

Two of three 5-wk old RIR chicks went to live with their biological mother this weekend. Our broody still has one, and seems to be fine with it. She doesn't seem to be looking for the other 2.

The catching of the 2 chicks was less graceful than I had planned. All the chickens (and chicks) were out in the run. This area is about 400sq feet, 4 feet high, chicken-wire on all sides and top. The first chick was easy to catch. Ms Gray, as we called her, was the best chick of all three, and we would've like to keep her. She was independent, handsome, not fearful of humans. It seemed prudent to keep the 'runt' with mom, and send the most capable chicks out into the world.

The second was another story. In pajamas with knee high rubber boots, I'm bent over at the waist, following this chick in a zig-zag pattern with my arms extended. I'm sure the neighbors were playing the Benny Hill theme as they watched me! This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. I wanted to avoid upsetting mom and chicks. I never occurred to me that I'd end up sweaty and covered in leaves, dirt, and chicken poop! Anyway, I caught him, and he was screaming bloody murder. This handsome lad has strong legs, big body, long neck, and was starting to get pink on his chin and forehead--he will be a goregeous rooster.

The two captives were wisked off in a box, and spent some 'time out' in the bathroom while we got ready to leave. An hour later, they were headed off into the world.
I'm anxious to hear how the other 2 did their first night away from their mom.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

They will be bold with people if they are hungry and even attack. I had a call where they attacked an elderly man with a lil dachsund and took his dog.
Leash and all. they reach the size of a female german sheperd. 75 pounds +. Coys are very overpopulated and running out of food.
Your safety is #1 priority, I would be calling DNR and a lot more govm't offices demanding they help you handle it.
Bare handed I would be very fearful too

Look up cold hardy breeds on their site and call them. Can't hurt to ask purdue either what is a good choice, And post so others can join in on your order

.
Ventilation is important for any breed in your coop.

Oh my, John.. I am just sick over what has been offered to our veterans that protect our country and give their lives for us.
I did all the stuff I am required to do on the health ins webpage.. Clicked submit. MY PC CRASHED, SHUT DOWN!
So i tried again, used a different browser, PC crashed again! I was so worried My laptop fried and now what?
So I went to the live chat.. 40 minutes later i get "I am sorry, we are working 24/7 to fix it."
It has me worried sick. Saying it will cost $247 a month just for me,
HOW is that even possible to work into my hopelessly strained budget?
If we don't eat and don't drive our car with the gas prices we may be able to fit it in.
Or I guess I give up my livestock and just eat the food the grocery tells us to.
Am just horrified what this will become as it develops and pray its corrected soon.

I have sent DNR emails and called them. They dont and won't do anything ( I dont have a very good opinion of the DNR). They NEVER return any emails and every time I call to ask if they have read it, they say o yes we have, we will get you a response right away. This was several months ago and I am sure they got them. I sent emails about Hawks and coyotes. The whole idea with coyotes was that they would cut down on deer population. A deer can out run them and they (unless happen to be smart enough to join a little gang) get ones off gaurd or sick, or the babies. They don't like to work hard for their food. They go for easier game before they will go after deer. EX chickens, cats, peoples small pet dogs and so on. If they wanted to cut down on deer population (which I personally dont think is that bad) they should of extended hunting season. Now wehave way too many coyotes and pretty much the same amouunt of deer. That is sadabout the older guy and his dog, I hope he was okay

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Nothing to much yet, but the snow is still falling good

thats about what it looks like her but the sun is out

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Interesting. Since I free range on 2 acres, I don't think this would be feasible, but would love to hear updates on how it works out for you.
I honestly don't know how many hatches I've had this year. I do know my incubator hasn't shut off since middle of February though. I have 3 more hatches left, heritage barred rock and showgirls going into lockdown tomorrow, and then 1 hatch a week for the next 2 weeks. I'm trying to hold off from getting anymore eggs so I can shut off the incubator during winter. It seems like my power goes off the most during winter and don't want to risk losing any eggs. I could use a break as well!

I am behind this year. I normally would hatch a lot around fall. A lot in spring and then some inbetween. Hopegully my AM pullets strt lating in spring so i can hatch some purebreds from my own flock, it would also be nice if the mottled cochin bantam would atart laying, si that i can save up a few eggs from her hatch and the three best daughters to breed back to the father. I also am going to put in an order with oaul smith fir chicks and am ordering some white rock eggs from a guy on here in spring. Good luck with all your hathes, it can be addicting. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of them