INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pginsber]

Okay.  I have one more question.  Are they required to like and/or wear patchouli?

Sallyinindiana and Leahsmom--you are both too funny! I didn't know anyone used cloth diapers anymore (haven't had babies around the house for decades)--and I had to look up Ina May. If you had said "must have knowledge of dr Spock", not meaning a Vulcan, that would've been more my baby-raisin' times.
Didn't find patchouli did much for the kids, but if you slipped a little whiskey in the bottles...a totally different story. LOL

 

[Kiniska]

My broody hatched on New Year's eve weekend last year.  In the unheated coop.  Raised the kiddos in the unheated coop.  They all did well.

Mamma just would let them get under her more often as needed and they let her know.  Even if they were out for some food, they'd start to let her know and she'd just drop where they were and let them warm up.

The wknd they hatched it was in the teens. 

Now if mamma abandons them and doesn't take care of them that's another issue.  You'll want to watch them the first few days to be sure she's taking care of them.  But if she's doing her job, they'll be fine.

Thanks! I am still worried about the 2° weather that might hit on Tuesday. I will keep an eye on it.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

We have mostly metal dividers though, so I think it would be cold lol. Are you going to use supplemental heat for them in there next week? Or do you think they will be warm enough in the negative temps in there?

We have no supplemental heat in the barn. I'm not too worried about the alpacas and ducks with their fiber and down. Even the rabbits can take the cold pretty well. The dogs got layers of cardboard and thick straw in their kennel last night, although I like to keep them with the alpacas during the day to share body heat. The cat likes to curl up with the alpacas, too. Last night my daughter & I got 7 aprons made for the girls missing some feathers on their backs. Tonight we're going to work on some more -- figured it wouldn't hurt to make them for all the girls -- hopefully keep them a bit extra warm. So 27 more to go -- 30 if we make dresses for the roos, too! Chloe thinks we should make fancy ones & dress up the boys! The pattern I found is really easy & they go together quickly. The seamstress in me cringes at my decision to take a shortcut and leave exposed seams, but the chickens really don't care what it looks like and we have a lot to make!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Okay, I am now both frozen and dripping with sweat. My fingers have swollen from getting too cold, and my face can't decide if it's frozen stiff or overheating. Here's a little story from this evening.

I did my usual head count this evening and came up 36. Well, that would be normal, except Mr. Po is bunking with the hens, so my head count should be 37. Instant panic mode.

So after counting and counting again, I determined that my little Sebright Rosie was missing. I looked between all the big fluff butts, in the nests, behind the nests, in all the corners. No little Rosie. At last, I went outside and looked up and there she was, easily 20 feet up in the big walnut tree that grows next to the coop.



I ran inside for help, but my sister was the only one around. She suggested that I use the duster. See, we have an extendable duster because the ceiling in our living room is the height of the first and second floor. I didn't consider that even so, the duster is not quite long enough to reach the ceiling and we have to use a step stool to reach the ceiling. Out I run, duster in tow, to knock little Rosie out of the tree.

The duster was probably 3 feet too short.



So outside, in the dark, I'm climbing up on things and swinging with little success. She was just out of reach. I don't like to say this, but I'm just a little OCD, and since I could see her, I had to get her down.

Back to the house I went, but on the way, I spotted the step ladder and it was absolutely perfect. With it, I climbed up onto the roof of the coop addition, covering myself in snow and filling my sleeves as well. Oh, and on the way up, my flashlight, which hangs on a lanyard, hooked on one of the rungs of the step ladder and broke off, disappearing into the snow.

From atop the addition, the duster reached little Rosie. Man, can that bird fly! She flew all the way up to the house, and I had to quickly climb down and get her before she hid again. With Rosie under one arm, I dug through the snow--bare handed, I might add, because I didn't think to grab my gloves--but the flashlight is gone. So I had to run to the house AGAIN and get another.

I put Rosie on the perch and counted again, just to be safe. 36 again. I am literally on the verge of tears at this. Count again. Who is missing? And then I remembered Marge in the nests because she's broody. UGH! So I dragged her out and perched her as well, got everyone situated, just about to leave, and then I hear poor Frou-Frou fall off the perches. She is constantly trying to force her way under the other hens and ends up falling off because of it. Had to help her back up onto the roosts. Count again. 37. I can sleep now.



So here I am now, exhausted like I haven't been in a while, legs heavy, arms aching, hands frozen, ready to collapse. Anyone else ready for spring yet?

 

[kabhyper1]

Okay, I am now both frozen and dripping with sweat. My fingers have swollen from getting too cold, and my face can't decide if it's frozen stiff or overheating. Here's a little story from this evening.

I did my usual head count this evening and came up 36. Well, that would be normal, except Mr. Po is bunking with the hens, so my head count should be 37. Instant panic mode.

So after counting and counting again, I determined that my little Sebright Rosie was missing. I looked between all the big fluff butts, in the nests, behind the nests, in all the corners. No little Rosie. At last, I went outside and looked up and there she was, easily 20 feet up in the big walnut tree that grows next to the coop.

I ran inside for help, but my sister was the only one around. She suggested that I use the duster. See, we have an extendable duster because the ceiling in our living room is the height of the first and second floor. I didn't consider that even so, the duster is not quite long enough to reach the ceiling and we have to use a step stool to reach the ceiling. Out I run, duster in tow, to knock little Rosie out of the tree.

The duster was probably 3 feet too short.

So outside, in the dark, I'm climbing up on things and swinging with little success. She was just out of reach. I don't like to say this, but I'm just a little OCD, and since I could see her, I had to get her down.

Back to the house I went, but on the way, I spotted the step ladder and it was absolutely perfect. With it, I climbed up onto the roof of the coop addition, covering myself in snow and filling my sleeves as well. Oh, and on the way up, my flashlight, which hangs on a lanyard, hooked on one of the rungs of the step ladder and broke off, disappearing into the snow.

From atop the addition, the duster reached little Rosie. Man, can that bird fly! She flew all the way up to the house, and I had to quickly climb down and get her before she hid again. With Rosie under one arm, I dug through the snow--bare handed, I might add, because I didn't think to grab my gloves--but the flashlight is gone. So I had to run to the house AGAIN and get another.

I put Rosie on the perch and counted again, just to be safe. 36 again. I am literally on the verge of tears at this. Count again. Who is missing? And then I remembered Marge in the nests because she's broody. UGH! So I dragged her out and perched her as well, got everyone situated, just about to leave, and then I hear poor Frou-Frou fall off the perches. She is constantly trying to force her way under the other hens and ends up falling off because of it. Had to help her back up onto the roosts. Count again. 37. I can sleep now.

So here I am now, exhausted like I haven't been in a while, legs heavy, arms aching, hands frozen, ready to collapse. Anyone else ready for spring yet?

I'm glad you found everyone okay!

 

[kabhyper1]

Did someone mention a blizzard coming sunday???

 

[Leahs Mom]

Okay, I am now both frozen and dripping with sweat. My fingers have swollen from getting too cold, and my face can't decide if it's frozen stiff or overheating. Here's a little story from this evening.

 

[kabhyper1]

To the queston about bringing broodies inside, I only did it to keep an I eye on them, and to encourage them to eat and drink. It they are super cold they won't get off the nest to eat and drink, and might poop on their eggs. I just felt less worried having them inside. I candles tonight and out of 9 eggs I think all are developing but 3 so far. So hopefully the girls will have two chicks each at least.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Okay. I have one more question. Are they required to like and/or wear patchouli?

I had to look that one up. I would not have a problem with them liking or wearing it but I would not require it. Braids / beaded headband and a rainbow outfit are also optional.

Quote:
I have to admit that the life changes I have made over the past 10 yrs or less are more on the dramatic back to earth side of things. Kind of interesting since most of my family is the exact opposite. 10 yrs back, I would have laughed if someone told me I would have chickens in my house or be able to clean my own dinner. And the choice words I had for cloth diapers only changed when my child was highly allergic to "paper" diapers. Turns out one disgusting diaper is no worse than another so we use what works best on our child.
One of the few constants though is the cooking / baking using flour and other scratch ingredients. I have done that since before high school and continue too.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Anyone else's hens lay from the roost when they get upset or too cold? I have two hens that are missing their 3rd. Then it was cold last night. This morning I found both eggs under the roost. I have moved the hens in preparation for the cold so I'm not even sure when they will start laying again as these hens have been picky for the past 2 months. I checked my records and it looks like they lay from the roost when I upset them by adding a roo to the breeding pen or taking their beloved roo away a couple of days later.