INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Mother2Hens]

No snow here, but it's in the 20s. I faithfully took my little flock on a field trip to another part of the yard with a flowerbed, bushes, and leaves so they could escape the boredom of their fenced-in part of the backyard. I want to keep their brains stimulated by seeing new things.

China Bird ~ Welcome to the Indiana Thread!

KristyAz ~ Glad to hear from you again! I'm guessing that you found out about the chicken ordinance in Mishawaka and that chickens are allowed. As far as predators, I've heard of hawks, owls, foxes, wolves, raccoons, possums, bobcats, and even mountain lions. Not sure about the snake situation in that area. At least we don't have scorpions or tarantulas!
kabhyper posted: 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?

kabhyper ~ I used a heated dog bowl last winter, but recently I remember someone (maybe Leah's Mom) saying that a chicken's comb can dip in a water bowl when it drinks. A couple of days later I noticed that when floppy-combed Nene was drinking, her comb dipped in the water and when she brought her head back up, water flung onto Jersey's face! Of course, that drinking action was repeated at Nene's usual fast pace. So, I need to figure out an alternative. Maybe a winter hat to keep Nene's comb under control.
CRSelvey ~ Congrats on the bantam egg! I'm still waiting on Bonbon's. Maybe she'll lay chocolate ones.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: There were the urban deer hunts, and the state park open hunts too. More needs to be done.
#1 rule is no one should hand feed a wild animal but we have all done it. Bucks can be dangerous.
I see every season more deer stamps are added to the licenses. I can't hunt anymore or I sure would!
Eventually control of the problem will be with disease if we leave it to mother nature, not very humane.
But it is the true circle of life, without our interference.
Coyote have adapted and thrived, became fearless.Not a good situation at all.
The older gentleman was ok, but so heartbroken. Oh my. Its was just so awful for him.
It made me cry and I don't cry ever! He was widowed and the poor lil dog was a companion to him.

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.

to the babies and you too! I get so attached to my lil ones, really hard to see them go.
Usually when one of my flock leaves I use food. I have been thru the benny hill slip and fall way too many times!

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?

Not yet, but will tomorrow, temps are supposed to be in the teens tonight.
Pigs have a stock tank heater, goats have heated water dishes. I do not put water in a coop, only the runs.
Will be carrying water several times a day for the birds, coop fires terrify me.

Quote: Thanks so much! Today she is much more at ease. She paces when she sees me so the social mom time is working!
Youngest DD had her here a few months before she moved out, so am sure it helped.
We had a few spinach leaves morning and nite. My pug is afraid of her lol but Sadie is pretty laid back.
I have romaine for treats tomorrow. Will be going to connersville poultry show so hoping there my be a good buck there.

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

We had a dusting, not much and some drifted. UGH it begins

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I went ahead and bought 2 of those blue heated dog dishes. They were 20 dollars compared to 50 for a chicken fountain. I just filled them with water in the coops. The large fowl have no problem using it since they use the alpaca trough anyway. The silkies Im not sure about yet. They may be too short. Its supposed to be 17 degrees tonight, so it's worth a try. I finally put my rope lighting and timer for the morning up is th LF coop. The little plastic holders that it came with work really well for the cord on the heated bucket too. Threw some straw down for everybody and put some tarps up in drafty places.

I got some updated pics of the three large fowl chicks. They are 5 weeks today. I think I have a roo and two pullets. The EE x SL/Wyandotte I think is a roo. The SL/Wyandotte I think is a pullet, the Minorca x SL/Wyandotte is still iffy. My camera made their combs a bit pinker than they actually are, but the EE mix is bigger than the other two, bigger legs, and pinker comb. Strange comb. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

Middle pic i see pullet nor sure but maybe roo on the other 2.

Skimmed the last 15 pages or so. If I missed something, sorry.

Quote:
will post them, its 6 segments if i can stay awake lol

we got a good four to five inches so far here up north, my girls wouldn't even come out.

YIKES! I sure dont miss driving on that, stay warm!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Bryan if I haven't said it welcome! Very good points on the hawks.

Hi Indianer-ers,

We are moving soon to Mishawaka. Is anyone here in the area and have information about predators in the area? I want to let my flock (soon to be purchased) free range during the day, they will be secured at night. We are moving from Arizona where our predators are coyotes and hawks. When I lived in Nappanee, I did have a raccoon attack one night, but never any incidences during the day, my flock there free-ranged from dawn to dusk.

Thank you!

glad you posted! I grew up in lake county so I can help a lil, I saw fox, coyote, a lot of raccoon, skunk and possum.
There is mink and weasel also but rare. Raccoon Is your biggest threat in spring when they come out of hybernation, and fall when mom kicks the babies.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank you for all the feedback about the garbage cans. I appreciate the info. I'm trying to stay away from plastic, but now I know what to look for with the metal cans. It would be really nice if I could buy one of the Grandpa's feeders that holds a ton of feed, but they are a few hundred dollars. Might have a hard time sneaking that in

.

I am very excited to report that our bantam Ameraucana, Bella, laid her first egg today. There is nothing cuter than a tiny blue/green egg. I'm sure of it, lol.



Mother2Hens- The rainbow chick was a special one of a kind cross breed. She can never be duplicated. I'm not sure that our coop should be in a magazine, but I really like it ;-). There are many on this site that are truly works of art. I like the idea of the memory foam also. We wouldn't want the chickens to get sore feet, lol.

Have a great day.

Ooo congrats, adorable pullet egg!

Man! Got back from a 12 day hunting trip, and was so far behind it took 4 days to get caught up! Now need to get my butt in gear and get the rest of the pens in the barn finished so that I can get everyone out of the weather and in one place!

so good to see you! How was the trip?
Can't wait to hear what the game hunt was, I loved to hunt deer, rabbit and squirrel.
Was it big game?

Hi all,

I'm a new member of the site, but I've been browsing it since at least June. My husband and I live just outside of Muncie and we just started keeping chickens in June. I adore our flock!

We have 4 Brahma hens, 1 Brahma Roo, and 1 Cuckoo Maran hen. We're hoping to add a couple of Cochin hens to the flock.

Does anyone here know anyone in Indiana who is selling Cochins?

Thanks!

and glad you joined our thread

at the bottom of my post theres a member link to see who is close and what birds they raise.
I am in pendleton, not far from you. Hope to have cochin soon also, they are beautiful friendly breed.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Up way too late but

caught up! I am so glad to see so many of us sharing information, just awesome!
Goodnite my fellow crazy chicken lovers, may your nests be full of eggs tomorrow

 

[gunchief25]

Cockadoodledooooooo!!!

 

[gunchief25]

Oh and Morning all

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

There were the urban deer hunts, and the state park open hunts too. More needs to be done.
#1 rule is no one should hand feed a wild animal but we have all done it. Bucks can be dangerous.
I see every season more deer stamps are added to the licenses. I can't hunt anymore or I sure would!
Eventually control of the problem will be with disease if we leave it to mother nature, not very humane.
But it is the true circle of life, without our interference.
Coyote have adapted and thrived, became fearless.Not a good situation at all.
The older gentleman was ok, but so heartbroken. Oh my. Its was just so awful for him.
It made me cry and I don't cry ever! He was widowed and the poor lil dog was a companion to him.

to the babies and you too! I get so attached to my lil ones, really hard to see them go.
Usually when one of my flock leaves I use food. I have been thru the benny hill slip and fall way too many times!
Not yet, but will tomorrow, temps are supposed to be in the teens tonight.
Pigs have a stock tank heater, goats have heated water dishes. I do not put water in a coop, only the runs.
Will be carrying water several times a day for the birds, coop fires terrify me.
Thanks so much! Today she is much more at ease. She paces when she sees me so the social mom time is working!
Youngest DD had her here a few months before she moved out, so am sure it helped.
We had a few spinach leaves morning and nite. My pug is afraid of her lol but Sadie is pretty laid back.
I have romaine for treats tomorrow. Will be going to connersville poultry show so hoping there my be a good buck there.
We had a dusting, not much and some drifted. UGH it begins  

aww that is sad. Almost made me want to cry. took his little compainon

 

[Kiniska]

I'm NOT 100% sure but I would say either frostbite or a small wound.

Considering it had not gotten below 50 here I think it is a wound. Just may have to separate some roosters.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I am more concerned about the WATTLES dragging through the water and freezing (rather than combs). The waterer I used last year was great as the opening for water was very small and pretty much prevented that. Problem was that the necks on them froze even when the water was kept quite warm with a fish tank heater.

This year's waterer has more surface but still very restricted. I guess I'll see how "Mister" does with it as he has some good sized wattles on him.