INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

Okay, so as it turns out, the water that soaked the coop addition floor was actually flowing through the vent beneath the other section of the coop. The floor is saturated badly. I added sand on top and it looked dry still by the time I locked them up, so I'm hoping that will at least be a barrier to keep some of the moisture out of there. I'm afraid I'm going to be dealing with respiratory issues, though, and probably frostbite as well when the weather gets colder again.

Stinking rain!

So what I ended up having to do is dig a hole under the old section of the coop, which let what must have been gallons of water flow out in a rush, but now it seems emptied. I'm going to leave that drain hole there and hope that that keeps the addition from flooding again. This is what happens when you don't think hard enough about the location of your coop. We just put the coop together in the most convenient place, but the unfortunate thing is that it's an area that lots of water flows through, especially when it's been raining a lot. I think I might just save up and try to build a new coop on higher grounds. I'd move this one, but it's bolted down to cinder blocks and I don't think it'll move easily without being damaged.

Man, I cannot wait for 2013 to be over.

most of our back yard is floating right now. it makes it really really annoying to go out and water or collect eggs even. We have lots of pine chips that we had planned on spreading out over the areas we wanted to reseed. So I tossed see down in any low spots and DH and I were out making pine chip pathways to the breeding coop and the layer coop. Our yard is going to need so much pine chip raking up come spring. And while we can hop skip and jump on semi dry spots in the breeding area we could not get the wheel barrel in there to add more pine chips to their run. So I have 3 hens that are going to live in their 6*8 shed coop until the water goes down.
I did not even think of flooding when I picked the spot for the first coop. It was more of where would a coop and run fit in our yard spot. Our second coop we gave it some thought and built a raised coop. And you are right it is easier sometimes to build another than to relocate an existing coop. If you decide to move it maybe a few old stumps would help move it like wheels.

I hope your area drys out fast.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I'm looking into the impacts of flax seed and soy in the chicken feed on the number of yolks in an egg. I am wondering if the additional estrogen from having both in a feed could be causing double yolks.
I think some of you have looked into the soy increasing the estrogen levels and possibly the flax seed too. Any great starting points to show that either or both soy / flax increase estrogen by a significant amount?
I have found studies involving humans and using soy to increase estrogen in order to release more eggs. But it would be great to have something about chickens.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:

Quote: Thanks! I wouldn't mind melanistic or another variety either.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Okay, so as it turns out, the water that soaked the coop addition floor was actually flowing through the vent beneath the other section of the coop. The floor is saturated badly. I added sand on top and it looked dry still by the time I locked them up, so I'm hoping that will at least be a barrier to keep some of the moisture out of there. I'm afraid I'm going to be dealing with respiratory issues, though, and probably frostbite as well when the weather gets colder again.

Stinking rain!

So what I ended up having to do is dig a hole under the old section of the coop, which let what must have been gallons of water flow out in a rush, but now it seems emptied. I'm going to leave that drain hole there and hope that that keeps the addition from flooding again. This is what happens when you don't think hard enough about the location of your coop. We just put the coop together in the most convenient place, but the unfortunate thing is that it's an area that lots of water flows through, especially when it's been raining a lot. I think I might just save up and try to build a new coop on higher grounds. I'd move this one, but it's bolted down to cinder blocks and I don't think it'll move easily without being damaged.

Man, I cannot wait for 2013 to be over.

Agreed! so sorry to hear about all the water issues everyone is dealing with.
I am fighting water too. Lost my tarp last night, so had to redo it again.
Got it on this afternoon, good thing with the heavy downpours tonight!
Coop is soaked. Have a long day of shoveling out ahead of me tomorrow.
I just got 2 bales of shavings and know where those are going

I put a heat lamp out there tonight (mine is a ceramic mount & not a clamp) So my poor birds can dry.
What a nightmare! I am worried about respiratory problems with the rain, then going right into the cold below freezing.
Hopefully they will dry out by tomorrow, poor guys.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'm looking into the impacts of flax seed and soy in the chicken feed on the number of yolks in an egg. I am wondering if the additional estrogen from having both in a feed could be causing double yolks.
I think some of you have looked into the soy increasing the estrogen levels and possibly the flax seed too. Any great starting points to show that either or both soy / flax increase estrogen by a significant amount?
I have found studies involving humans and using soy to increase estrogen in order to release more eggs. But it would be great to have something about chickens.

I am not sure if thats what causes it. My CX hen is mostly a double yolk layer, rarely misses. She is about the only one i get a double out of tho.
The egg layer coop just gets the TSC 16% layer crumble. None of them are laying right now tho!
My oldest pekin lays a few doubles off and on too, but they are all on flockraiser, different coop.
Please share what you learn, really interesting topic!
Another thing I heard recently, sorghum is said to boost hatch of females.. maybe a hormone related thing too?

 

[Mother2Hens]

When it rains it pours-- in more ways than one for some of you who’ve had bad luck this year! 2014 sounds like it will be a good year!

Thunder and lightning in December is so strange. I guess we should be happy that all of the rain isn’t snow, but enough already! My hens were so wet today. I turned their ceramic heat emitter bulb/ceramic base with safety cover on for a few hours after they went in for bed to help dry them out. It's not like having a big coop heater or anything; it just takes the chill off, and it today's case it helped dry their feathers. I can't imagine not using some heat if the temps were around 32 or below and they were soaking wet from rain or freezing rain in a freezing coop. Seems like the benefits would outweigh the risks unless the coop design (low ceiling, etc.) or location (in barn with fire hazards, etc.) made the use of heat unfeasible. Disclaimer: I'm not advising anyone to use heat. I'm just wondering how chickens survive when they are extremely wet from heavy rains and the temps drop at night. Just curious, that's all.

Earlier today, I fed my hens some treats by the sliding glass back door and I also put some just inside the garage door. I took an old towel and gently patted some of the water dripping off of them. Then I turned around to shut the first door, and noticed Nene was already in the kitchen! My floor sanitizer has been getting extra use lately because of my sneaky chickens!

Our rain is ending after two days, so I hope dry skies are heading toward your areas, too.

 

[Too Fast]

Our rain gauge showed almost 3 inches from Friday night until this morning. Now I need to get that rain gauge inside so it doesn't break in the winter like I've done to others lol. Glad I knew where the low spots in the yard are so the coop area isn't under water. The girls did get out yesterday and enjoyed seeing grass instead of snow.

 

[bradselig]

Alright, those of you who said wyandottes are easy to sex, I need your help! Lol. I have 4 blrw, 3 of which I'm thinking are roosters. After taking the pictures I realized how horrible they are especially to try and sex from. But any help would be appreciated.

First one. Biggest and most obvious roo (atleast obvious to me)

Second one. Pretty sure I'm seeing very shiny saddle and hackles coming in. Thinking roo?

Third one. Also thinking roo. He wouldn't look at the camera.

And the fourth one. Only one I'm thinking pullet.

 

[kabhyper1]

I think you are right. First three boys last one girl.

 

[bradselig]

So I guess that leads into my next question, anyone want a blrw cockerel or two lol. I'd be looking at getting rid of #2 and #3.