INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Kiniska]

Not a trace, there was no snow so tracks would not be present.  But feathers should have been somewhere in the yard.  And given that the roo was at least 8 pounds if not almost 9 pounds, I just don't see the hawk flying away with him. 

I typically sell to people who are not the least bit interested in visiting my chicken yard.  I don't ask why they want chickens but are not prepared to step in a bit of chicken poo.  I just take it that they are getting started and will gradually adjust to the larger blobs of a laying hen or worse a broody. 

Many times I do get asked if I think they need heat in the coop and the coop is one of the made for 3 from RK or amazon.  I tell them no heat once the chicks are outside but not to put them outside until they are fully feathered even on their bellies.  There just is no room for a heat lamp and a cooler area in those coops.


I may need to start meeting with people away from my property, but they can still find my house pretty easily our coops are visible from the road.   I have thought of giant locks but those are easily broken.  For the most part the loss of a hen is only valued at $25 or less but with a breeder roo or hen it is so much more as I'm trying to expand my flock and sell the mixed chicks for feed money.  Without that roo in the layer pen, the mixed flock fertility will go down for another 2-3 months.  So while I have backup breeders for the HRIR, my layer flock roosters are still quite young and I was using the spare RIR roos to get fertile eggs from the layer flock.


Some one else on the heritage large fowl thread said they would not sell their best breeder for $200 but they also said they would not pay $200 for a breeder as well.  It kind of puts things in perspective, sure I would not pay a fortune for a rooster but I do highly value my breeder chickens.

The father of one of my roosters just sold for 600.00 I just about fell over when I found that out. He is staying in the breeder pen for sure!

If your roo was very nice there is always the possibility some one took him. Seems like they would have taken more than just one bird though.

 

[kabhyper1]

Thanks kabhyper! She hasn't pooed on the eggs and I kick her off 2x a day and make sure she eats, drinks and poos. I take my nice warm toboggan off and cover the eggs while she does her thing. I candled the eggs today and it looks like all ten might hatch!

Wonderful! It is really easy to keep a broody inside if you really worry about it. Just make sure you have a strong tolerance to bad smells. Seriously though, my two don't move except for the 3 o'clock laundry room trip to poo and eat. I take a walmart bag and paper towels and as soom as they drop those bombs, I tie them up in the bag. I am enjoying having them in here to watch the process anytime.

 

[kabhyper1]

Everybody remember to keep your furry and feathered friends safe during this horrible weather we are going to get.
A public service message from the Harmony Lane Farm spokespaca

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I have friends who are very paranoid. They have had birds stolen. One lady even has cameras set up around the house and barn because of it.

I know someone whos whole flock of paint leghorns was stolen. A whole years of work and 2 generations of birds down the drain. The now have cameras and padlocks on the coops/barn.

 

[kabhyper1]

I know someone whos whole flock of paint leghorns was stolen. A whole years of work and 2 generations of birds down the drain. The now have cameras and padlocks on the coops/barn.

We put security cameras out this summer. We got this at best buy, and was one of the best things we have gotten for the farm. It won't go through metal barn siding though.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

We put security cameras out this summer. We got this at best buy, and was one of the best things we have gotten for the farm. It won't go through metal barn siding though.

It is a wise thing to invest in, especially when you start getting high quality animals and equipment, that tempt people.

 

[Kiniska]

I just try to not let anyone know where exactly I live. Also I have old man security system Mark 1 installed. AKA nosy ex Vietnam vet who is retired and gets regular payments of free eggs cookies. There is also the 80 lb German Shepherd. Hopefully we will get cameras this summer.

 

[Kiniska]

Wonderful! It is really easy to keep a broody inside if you really worry about it. Just make sure you have a strong tolerance to bad smells. Seriously though, my two don't move except for the 3 o'clock laundry room trip to poo and eat. I take a walmart bag and paper towels and as soom as they drop those bombs, I tie them up in the bag. I am enjoying having them in here to watch the process anytime.

Oh gods the smell. The first time she pooed after being booted off the nest. Man, I thought I was going to be sick. I tried to accurately describe the putrid odor to my husband and he begged me to just stop.

 

[kabhyper1]

Oh gods the smell. The first time she pooed after being booted off the nest. Man, I thought I was going to be sick. I tried to accurately describe the putrid odor to my husband and he begged me to just stop.

Ha! That about sums it up. In our laundry room it's not so bad. I just hurry and paper towel it up. My husband has horrible timing. He always walks in there right when they drop them. Then he asks what is that awful smell. His fault lol!

 

[bradselig]

Speaking if cameras and security systems, might want to check with Lowes, my store is switching brands and clearancing out the old ones!