INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Mother2Hens]

It all happened so quickly, I didn't have a chance to react. It was also just getting dark enough that I couldn't get a good look a the hawk. It wasn't huge, so I don't think it was the big red tail that has been hanging around. He's very impressive. This one was small enough that getting ahold of a full size American Bresse Rooster might have been more than he bargained for. But I think they are starting to get more aggressive because prey is less available now.

I took a hint from Too Fast's playbook. Build Fort Knox. The new pens are welded wire fence all the way around and overhead also. Once they are all fenced in (last one will be done tomorrow!) I'll work on covering the bottom sections with hardware cloth to keep out the coons and weasels. I'm also burying some fencing to keep out the diggers also. I'll have 5 separate pens. Turkeys, Bresse, Legbars, Polish/cornish and Laying flock for now. I decided to separate the polish and cornish from the others at the last minute because they are picked on so much. My polish too, Penelope (looong story) will be so happy. He won't have Osiris, my Fayoumi roo, ambushing him every time he turns around. I'll also have Merlin and his girls (the Crested Creme Legbars) all separated in their own breeding group. Can't wait to start collecting eggs from there!

racin ~ Yes, when you have a lot invested in various breeds, building Fort Knox will prevent predator attacks and will be a big relief for you and for your flock.
I'm also glad to hear that you're separating the ones who are picked on. I know that it's normal chicken behavior, but that would be a crummy life to constantly be picked/pecked on! They also might not be getting enough food either if the other breeds are aggressive.
Food Pecking Order ~ Since I just have 7 hens and am at home a lot, I make sure that the ones at the bottom of the pecking order get food. I put three bowls of food and two bowls of water in different locations (approx.8' apart). When I bring out healthful treats, I usually use five plates and put them around in different areas of the yard in front of their coop. Then, they start their rotations-- moving from dish to dish thinking that the next one has something better or that another hen is eating too much. When one gets bumped from a plate, there's always one to go to. I watch to make sure they all get some. I realize that this doesn't work for everyone due to size of flock and daytime availability.

 

[kabhyper1]

I decided to take a few of some chicks still in the house. Both showgirls and the silkie are from my birds, the serama and orloff came in a mix of eggs. Not sure what I'm going to do with those two. If the orloff turns out to be a pullet, I'll add her to my free ranging flock. But the serama cockerel, I'll likely rehome.

Showgirls. I had two others I had hatched out, but sold them. One had incorrect number of toes and the other was sold with it for a buddy. Still regret selling them lol.

This is my favorite silkie. I can't wait to see what color it turns out to be.

Orloff. My little hawk lol

And the little guy, the serama.

While taking pictures, I see the orloff peaking out!

They remind me of rocky road, pecan praline, and moose tracks ice cream.

 

[kabhyper1]

I really like the color of Miss Henley, I like a lot of variety of colors in the flocks. I thought the fuzzy butt shot was too cute to pass up.
Its a very sweet lil one, definitely outgoing and social. Darn! I forgot to count toes LOL

Henley is so pretty when she is running around, when I set her down for a picture she just lays down, so you can't really see her colors. She is lazy.

 

[Mother2Hens]

I decided to take a few of some chicks still in the house. Both showgirls and the silkie are from my birds, the serama and orloff came in a mix of eggs. Not sure what I'm going to do with those two. If the orloff turns out to be a pullet, I'll add her to my free ranging flock. But the serama cockerel, I'll likely rehome.

Showgirls. I had two others I had hatched out, but sold them. One had incorrect number of toes and the other was sold with it for a buddy. Still regret selling them lol.


Orloff. My little hawk lol

While taking pictures, I see the orloff peaking out!

Your Orloff reminds me of my Jubilee when she was a young chick. Did you order hatching eggs-- or where did it come from?


I received this book for Christmas that you would love. It's not a book about breeds, but about interesting looking chickens. I think there have been several versions of this book and also calendars. A lot of the photos can be seen if you Google Image "Extraordinary Chickens."
jchny ~ A great first photo of your adorable chicks!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I feed groups.. and lots of dishes too. My geese eat slower than my ducks. And pekin can really shovel in the food!
My 3 smallest chinese goslings I have to take aside and feed separate or they would be pushed out. they are older than the african and embden, but mature slower. And they know mom looks out for them too!
SO while the pekin are still playing in the kiddie pool, the geese get to eat. if its too cold for water (rarely), i toss the pekin corn then head to the coop with the geese.
Its funny how you work them around to where you know each groups strength and weaknesses.
Same for the chickens, I have less aggressive birds and bantams separate from the egg flock.
Even with the goats, Sophie is a much bolder outgoing doe than her mom, and will push her from the food!
Sugar gets "mom time" every day and a quick walk to the field for some yummy tall grass, and away from Sophie.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Food Pecking Order ~ Since I just have 7 hens and am at home a lot, I make sure that the ones at the bottom of the pecking order get food. I put three bowls of food and two bowls of water in different locations (approx.8' apart). When I bring out healthful treats, I usually use five plates and put them around in different areas of the yard in front of their coop. Then, they start their rotations-- moving from dish to dish thinking that the next one has something better or that another hen is eating too much. When one gets bumped from a plate, there's always one to go to. I watch to make sure they all get some. I realize that this doesn't work for everyone due to size of flock and daytime availability.

I feed groups.. and lots of dishes too.

This is my least aggressive adult girl. Even though I have 2 feed bowls inside she is often standing on the roost watching and just runs away when the others are doing their shenanigans. I always take part of the feed and throw it around outside on the ground so everyone has a chance. But when it's very cold they often won't go outside.

She, and the other "lowers", always get food, but the more aggressive pick out the "good stuff" and leave the legumes (which no self-respecting bird wants to eat if the have any other choice).

So..when it's close quarters and she's on one of the roosts, I'll often put a little on the roost for her so she gets some of everything.

I guess you could call this "breakfast in bed".



(SFH - 1 yr old this week.)

 

[Kiniska]

So far fertility on my LF ORP eggs has appeared to be better than 95%. Every egg we crack open has had a very clear bulls eye. If any Indiana BYC peeps would like hatching eggs please feel free to contact me. These are a mix of 100% and 75% English Orp out of a black and blue pen. So splash, black, and blue might all come out of the eggs. Pick up only. I can meet you in Corydon.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

So far fertility on my ORP eggs has appeared to be better than 95%. Every egg we crack open has had a very clear bulls eye. If any Indiana BYC peeps would like hatching eggs please feel free to contact me. These are a mix of 100% and 75% English Orp out of a black and blue pen. So splash, black, and blue might all come out of the eggs. Pick up only. I can meet you in Corydon.

Are they bantam, or LF? I will be interested in getting up with you this spring, I will need to add black back to my LF lavenders in a year to keep the colors correct, that gives me plenty of time for them to mature.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Lovely girl!

 

[chisNchickens]

So I have 2 broody silkies that won't break. I thought about giving them each 2 eggs to hatch. I am going to be overrun with silkies pretty soon lol. I hope some of my indiana friends on here might help me with that problem .... You all know you want some. hehehe

I wasn't aware that one could have too many silkies...? ;-)