INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[goatluver20]

They are pretty! I like your easter egger

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They are pretty! I like your easter egger
[/quote
Thanks! Carmen is my little sweetheart

 

[goatluver20]

Oops something weird happens with my post lol

 

[minmin1258]

I wanted

So after this last hatch of silkies, I wanted to find a cheap and easy way to identify the chicks. I thought about the spiral leg bands, but putting them on and taking off by myself seemed like a hassle when dealing with the little chicks. Then I reconsidered the zip ties, but I absolutely hated them the last time I used them. Too hard to get on and trying to get off with out cutting those wiggling legs was too stressful lol. I have been using vet wrap strips and using them, but they fall off after a couple days. Colored electrical tape just sounded too painful especially with feathered legs!

So I recalled seeing some rubber band type leg bands someone on BYC was selling. After sending them a message wanting to buy them, I started searching eBay and amazon to see if I could get a better deal. Come to find out, they are the latex bands used for orthodontia! I remembered those pain in the butt bands that I had to use that practically wired my mouth shut! They seem to be available in 3/16., 1/4, and 5/16 inch diameters. I bought 500 bands of the 1/4" in assorted colors for $7 shipped! Putting a rubber (well latex) band over the legs seemed about the easiest way to identify the chicks.

Here is a link of the ones I bought. Is it pathetic I'm excited about buying rubber bands lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221247265522?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

a way to identify my bigger birds and couldn't find anything to use to do it. A friend suggested using the bands that kids are using now to make weaved bracelets. I have some now but I'm a little afraid of using them. Worried they will cut off circulation. Is thee an easy way to "mark" adult birds?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Brad - I was also going to ask if those bands will fit adults. I need to mark a bird or 2 and still haven't gotten around to it.

I was thinking of using the very small colored zip ties applied loosely.

On the tapes, you would use them in such a way that you fold the sticky part so that it applies to itself.... to make a band that neither side is sticky. Does that make sense?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I have not gotten mine to try yet but I did order wing bands. It cost extra to have the numbers but I think they will work well as it is a put on the chick and leave it. No forgetting to change those tiny elastics. The elastics have to be changed frequently or the leg grows around them and makes them nearly impossible to get off. I still have a bunch for chicks if anyone wants to stop by and get the bands.
I ordered the jiffy ones from here:
http://www.nationalband.com/wingbands.htm

 

[Ardizzone7]

If anyone is interested I have 6 hatching eggs from my Blue Self turkeys. I am selling them for $30 plus priority shipping of $10.

 

[bradselig]

So fodder was not a big hit with the chickens, but my dogs and cat like it lol!

 

[Kiniska]

That is enough for 4 batches of the family choc chip cookie recipe.  The recipe makes about 8 dozen cookies so you could have enough eggs for over 30 dozen cookies with 3 eggs to spare for breakfast or 3 loaves of bread.

Now that is a stellar idea!

 

[Kiniska]

So my stupid chickens, no I was not under the impression they were smart, decided to eat foam insulation while I was at work today. They pecked off a good portion from a place they have never looked twice at before. I actually did not realize they could get to it. I am really hoping they don't have issues because of it. They had plenty of food. Big dummies. Any one else ever had this happen?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

So my stupid chickens, no I was not under the impression they were smart, decided to eat foam insulation while I was at work today. They pecked off a good portion from a place they have never looked twice at before. I actually did not realize they could get to it. I am really hoping they don't have issues because of it. They had plenty of food. Big dummies. Any one else ever had this happen?

I have heard of chickens eating styrofoam and being fine while other chickens did not survive the feat.
My guess is it has to do with what ever chemicals are in the insulation or styrofoam. Maybe even the treatment method. And I supose it could have something to do with how much they ate. After all if they ate only styrofoam for days unnoticed then I can see it as deadly.