INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pginsber]

Rookie question: I'm thinking of keeping the pop door closed tonight & tomorrow during the wicked cold temperatures. Would this be a mistake?

Currently, the pop door opens at dawn and closes at dusk. The chickens come and go from the coop all day long. They don't stay out for long, but if it's sunny, they seem to like to be out.

Without heat in the coop (only insulation) it seems I should keep the pop door closed and keep them inside. What's your experience been?

 

[bradselig]

Rookie question: I'm thinking of keeping the pop door closed tonight & tomorrow during the wicked cold temperatures.  Would this be a mistake?

Currently, the pop door opens at dawn and closes at dusk.  The chickens come and go from the coop all day long.  They don't stay out for long, but if it's sunny, they seem to like to be out.

Without heat in the coop (only insulation) it seems I should keep the pop door closed and keep them inside.  What's your experience been?

Mine seem to be fine in the uninsulated up heated coop and I leave the pop door open 24/7 into their fenced in run. I might close it tonight, but overall they seem to be handling the cold ok. About the only time it keep it closed during the day is if it's really windy or snow blows in.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Rookie question: I'm thinking of keeping the pop door closed tonight & tomorrow during the wicked cold temperatures. Would this be a mistake?

Currently, the pop door opens at dawn and closes at dusk. The chickens come and go from the coop all day long. They don't stay out for long, but if it's sunny, they seem to like to be out.

Without heat in the coop (only insulation) it seems I should keep the pop door closed and keep them inside. What's your experience been?

I'm thinking of keeping the door shut too but it does provide extra venting so I don't know. Still I have to think of frozen water and how often do I want to go out there to give them fresh water.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So far I've always let their door come open on schedule unless there was some kind of emergency...like tornado winds. But I do have heated waterer and since I feed wet feed those are on heater bases too. But I don't think it stays much warmer inside whether the door is open or not. I don't allow much cross ventilation so there is not a wind racing through there.

 

[bradselig]

Well just finished setting posts, putting up almost 125 ft of fencing, and hanging gates. Brrr it's cold out there! Thankfully there was little to no wind, so that helped a lot! I did cheat and only attached the fence with zip ties until it warms up and I can put the correct metal ties in place. I wasn't going to try and attempt to put the metal ties on with gloves and my hands would have need frozen trying to put them on with bare hands. Now I just need to do the final touched on the coop (and fix the dog house that blew away and broke from the strong winds several weeks ago) and drag it into place! Silkies and Cochins arrive this Friday! Talk about waiting till last minute!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Well its getting near the end of the year, it's cold and nasty outside and for a lot of us, it is dark when we go to work and dark when we come home. I've decided I need to think brighter thoughts and also do a little planning. I'd also love to hear what everyone else thinks about what went on this year and what they are thinking of doing next year.......

So, what did you learn in 2013????
What are your plans for 2014?????

For me, 2013 was the year of discovery. I got my first chickens, then more chickens, then turkeys, then more chickens. (I now have intimate knowledge of the insidious progression of chicken math disease...)

Lots of learning things too:

• how to raise chickens
• how to care for them
• how to hatch eggs
• how absolutely great it is to have chickens and turkeys and how they brighten my days.
• how not to keep too many roosters
• how to process said roosters
• how not to keep turkeys and chickens together after the turkeys get big.
• how to process Thanksgiving turkeys
• how wonderful turkey and chicken you raised yourself tastes
• how to build a chicken coop, turkey pen, chicken feeders, waterers, etc.......
• how patient my partner can be when I get obsessive about my birds
• how GREAT the people on this thread are when you need advice and friends
• how great BYC in general is as a resource
• and on and on and on.............

So on to plans for 2014:
I've planned since day 1 to be breeding chickens, so I plan to start.

• I have some good stock (I hope) of both Crested Cream Legbars and American Bresse chickens, as well as a trio of Royal Palm turkeys.
  • I plan to breed my CCLs, keep a batch or two to improve my flock and then sell hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I want to breed my ABs. I plan on raising a bunch for processing. Both for myself and to sell. I'll also sell any extra hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I'll also be breeding my RPs if they cooperate. I want to sell any hatching eggs and poults I get from them as well.
  • I have several varieties of turkeys ordered, and plan on raising them over the year to see which I prefer. I'll then concentrate on my favorites for raising after that.
  • I want to find a source for good quality Java chickens to raise. The plan right now is for them to be my third chicken breed to concentrate on and stop there for now.

I'll maintain my laying flock and add culls from my breeding programs to add to that. I also want to completely rebuild their mobile coop for next spring.

I'm thinking about adding rabbits next year, and maybe dipping my toe into the waterfowl arena.... Any other larger livestock would require building lots of fence.

I plan on building lots of fence, because you never know what may come your way, and I want to be prepared.

I plan to keep reading BYC and especially the Indiana thread. I get entertainment, fellowship and knowledge all at the same time!!!!

Let us know how your year went and what your plans are.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Sounds like you have got lots to do in 2014.

My plans for 2014:
-as soon as the ground is thawed I will be building 5 breeding pens ( i had a few built but I drew up some blueprints that I like better)
-Then put in the breeding pens: BBS Ams, mottled cochin bantams, white plymouth rocks, easter eggers LF and who knows what else lol
-state fair show
-thinking about going to bloomingtion show
-Lebanon show
-buy chickens
thats all I know so far!

Happy holidays!

 

[chisNchickens]

Sounds like you have got lots to do in 2014.

My plans for 2014:
-as soon as the ground is thawed I will be building 5 breeding pens ( i had a few built but I drew up some blueprints that I like better)
-Then put in the breeding pens: BBS Ams, mottled cochin bantams, white plymouth rocks, easter eggers LF and who knows what else lol
-state fair show
-thinking about going to bloomingtion show
-Lebanon show
-buy chickens
thats all I know so far!

Happy holidays!

Oooh yes DO GO to the Bloomington show! That is in my backyard! We have one in March and one in September.
Sorry to just jump in here like I belong;-)
Great list racinchickins!! I have only had chickens for three years and still have a lot to learn, but I jumped right in and now have six silkie pens, a d'uccle pen, and a small flock of egglayers consisting of Ameraucanas, FBCM, barred rocks, and a pair of white leghorns. They are all together now and I separate them in the spring for hatching;-)

 

[bradselig]

Well its getting near the end of the year, it's cold and nasty outside and for a lot of us, it is dark when we go to work and dark when we come home.   I've decided I need to think brighter thoughts and also do a little planning.  I'd also love to hear what everyone else thinks about what went on this year and what they are thinking of doing next year.......

So, what did you learn in 2013????
What are your plans for 2014?????

For me, 2013 was the year of discovery.  I got my first chickens, then more chickens, then turkeys, then more chickens.  (I now have intimate knowledge of the insidious progression of chicken math disease...)

Lots of learning things too:

• how to raise chickens 
• how to care for them 
• how to hatch eggs 
• how absolutely great it is to have chickens and turkeys and how they brighten my days.
• how not to keep too many roosters 
• how to process said roosters
• how not to keep turkeys and chickens together after the turkeys get big.  
• how to process Thanksgiving turkeys
• how wonderful turkey and chicken you raised yourself tastes
• how to build a chicken coop, turkey pen, chicken feeders, waterers, etc.......
• how patient my partner can be when I get obsessive about my birds
• how GREAT the people on this thread are when you need advice and friends
• how great BYC in general is as a resource
• and on and on and on.............

So on to plans for 2014:
I've planned since day 1 to be breeding chickens, so I plan to start.

• I have some good stock (I hope) of both Crested Cream Legbars and American Bresse chickens, as well as a trio of Royal Palm turkeys.
  • I plan to breed my CCLs, keep a batch or two to improve my flock and then sell hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I want to breed my ABs.  I plan on raising a bunch for processing.  Both for myself and to sell.  I'll also sell any extra hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I'll also be breeding my RPs if they cooperate.  I want to sell any hatching eggs and poults I get from them as well.
  • I have several varieties of turkeys ordered, and plan on raising them over the year to see which I prefer.  I'll then concentrate on my favorites for raising after that.
  • I want to find a source for good quality Java chickens to raise.  The plan right now is for them to be my third chicken breed to concentrate on and stop there for now.

I'll maintain my laying flock and add culls from my breeding programs to add to that.  I also want to completely rebuild their mobile coop for next spring.

I'm thinking about adding rabbits next year, and maybe dipping my toe into the waterfowl arena.... Any other larger livestock would require building lots of fence.

I plan on building lots of fence, because you never know what may come your way, and I want to be prepared.

I plan to keep reading BYC and especially the Indiana thread.  I get entertainment, fellowship and knowledge all at the same time!!!!

Let us know how your year went and what your plans are.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Congrats on everything you accomplished this past year!

For me, this year was a big year on getting the breed I want to work with. It's definitely had its ups and downs, but overall I've been very happy with everything. My plans for making my large permanent coop/breeding pens didn't happen, but everyone has a place for now.

Next year I plan to add to more breeds, heritage barred rocks and langshans. I also want to give turkeys a try, but don't really plan on breeding them. Increase my flock of BLRW. One of my main projects will be the barred lavender bantam Cochins. I will continue to work with Bichen Marans, Naked necks, tolbunt polish, legbars, and silkies/showgirls. I'd also like to build a nice breeding coop and runs for each breed.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well its getting near the end of the year, it's cold and nasty outside and for a lot of us, it is dark when we go to work and dark when we come home. I've decided I need to think brighter thoughts and also do a little planning. I'd also love to hear what everyone else thinks about what went on this year and what they are thinking of doing next year.......

So, what did you learn in 2013????
What are your plans for 2014?????

For me, 2013 was the year of discovery. I got my first chickens, then more chickens, then turkeys, then more chickens. (I now have intimate knowledge of the insidious progression of chicken math disease...)

Lots of learning things too:

• how to raise chickens
• how to care for them
• how to hatch eggs
• how absolutely great it is to have chickens and turkeys and how they brighten my days.
• how not to keep too many roosters
• how to process said roosters
• how not to keep turkeys and chickens together after the turkeys get big.
• how to process Thanksgiving turkeys
• how wonderful turkey and chicken you raised yourself tastes
• how to build a chicken coop, turkey pen, chicken feeders, waterers, etc.......
• how patient my partner can be when I get obsessive about my birds
• how GREAT the people on this thread are when you need advice and friends
• how great BYC in general is as a resource
• and on and on and on.............

So on to plans for 2014:
I've planned since day 1 to be breeding chickens, so I plan to start.

• I have some good stock (I hope) of both Crested Cream Legbars and American Bresse chickens, as well as a trio of Royal Palm turkeys.
  • I plan to breed my CCLs, keep a batch or two to improve my flock and then sell hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I want to breed my ABs. I plan on raising a bunch for processing. Both for myself and to sell. I'll also sell any extra hatching eggs and chicks.
  • I'll also be breeding my RPs if they cooperate. I want to sell any hatching eggs and poults I get from them as well.
  • I have several varieties of turkeys ordered, and plan on raising them over the year to see which I prefer. I'll then concentrate on my favorites for raising after that.
  • I want to find a source for good quality Java chickens to raise. The plan right now is for them to be my third chicken breed to concentrate on and stop there for now.

I'll maintain my laying flock and add culls from my breeding programs to add to that. I also want to completely rebuild their mobile coop for next spring.

I'm thinking about adding rabbits next year, and maybe dipping my toe into the waterfowl arena.... Any other larger livestock would require building lots of fence.

I plan on building lots of fence, because you never know what may come your way, and I want to be prepared.

I plan to keep reading BYC and especially the Indiana thread. I get entertainment, fellowship and knowledge all at the same time!!!!

Let us know how your year went and what your plans are.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Love it! You are so right, I never leave the forum without a smile and new ideas for tomorrow.
I learn something new every day!
I am rethinking my plans too. New coop layouts, and different direction on breeding plans altogether.
Will share my ideas this weekend after dads tests, giving me lots of time to plan for spring.

Gun chief- cocka- bur- doodle-burrrr- dooooo- burrrr!!

Hope everyone is warm. 9 degrees here and the animals are NOT happy and neither am I!! I don't mind the snow too much but under 25 is too much!!

Jchny and hogster- I'll be thinking of you while you tend your parents. I've been there.

thanks to all of you! Its really helping to talk about it, easier to cope with the progression of things.

Good morning everyone. I'm up in michigan this week taking care of my mom. Dr apts daily for the rest of the week. Going to be a rough week.

Anyway, I took my meaties down Monday to be butchered, dh picked them up yesterday. He said they are 5-6 1/2 lbs cleaned. They were 12 weeks. Can't lie, I'm going to miss them. Friendly friendly birds. After I let them out, they would be all over my yard and into my field and my neighbors yard. Then when you would go to leave, they would come running and flying to see if you had food lol. Which we had to keep a bucket of scratch or boss by the door for just that. Otherwise they would follow you to the car. I will most definitely do meaties again. Such a nice friendly bird.

Yesterday morning it was 0 degrees outside. Turkey tom walked outside, shook and pulled his neck down into his feathers, turned around and went back inside lol. They stayed inside their coop the whole day. 3 chickens braved the cold to come out and eat. The other 17 wouldn't even show a beak out of the door. So they ate inside. I feel lost not taking care of the chickens. Bit it's really good I get this time with my mom.

So Sunday, icy and cold as it was. Was not a good day for me. Tried taking a shortcut over the chicken wire instead of doing around to the gate. Yea I won't be doing that again. My pant leg caught the post and I went down faster then I knew I was falling. Landed on my back and hit my neck on a 2 x4 I forgot to put away. Really a good thing I had taken the nails out. I'm bruised up from butt to bottom of shoulders. Right leg looks like I fought and lost. Ugh, I am not going to ask what next, been there, done that and have the bills to prove it.

Anyway just wanted to stop in and say hey lol. Hope everyone is surviving the cold, snow and ice. I'm sorry to hear of the problems going on.

Be safe,

Deb

sounds like a rough week! Glad you are ok, but bruises really hurt too

I am right there with you, this is a rough week with my Dad.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Rookie question: I'm thinking of keeping the pop door closed tonight & tomorrow during the wicked cold temperatures. Would this be a mistake?

Currently, the pop door opens at dawn and closes at dusk. The chickens come and go from the coop all day long. They don't stay out for long, but if it's sunny, they seem to like to be out.

Without heat in the coop (only insulation) it seems I should keep the pop door closed and keep them inside. What's your experience been?

I never shut the main coop door, but it has a windbreak in front of it. If we get a strong storm, winds from the south I will, but that's been once in 2 years.
We have a covered roof with electric fence so They are safe in the run, day or night.

Quote:

Jump in anytime you like!! Of course you belong, you are a hoosier, and you have chickens!

Well just finished setting posts, putting up almost 125 ft of fencing, and hanging gates. Brrr it's cold out there! Thankfully there was little to no wind, so that helped a lot! I did cheat and only attached the fence with zip ties until it warms up and I can put the correct metal ties in place. I wasn't going to try and attempt to put the metal ties on with gloves and my hands would have need frozen trying to put them on with bare hands. Now I just need to do the final touched on the coop (and fix the dog house that blew away and broke from the strong winds several weeks ago) and drag it into place! Silkies and Cochins arrive this Friday! Talk about waiting till last minute!

Wow, a day to spare almost!!! Hang in there, I bet you are so excited!!