INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

It seems like spring with all the hatching chicks

and baby bunnies!

Congrats to minmin, racin, and peaceful walls! ~ and others I might have missed.
NIce suggestions and offers about Chickenfest 2014!

It would be nice for those who live in the top half of the state if we could come up with a location in their area even though I'd have to drive the farthest. lol Do any of you northerners know of possibilities?
Originally Posted by chick rookie
I wish you did too DH really loved Big Man, although he wont say so I seen how upset he was when Big Man drove away. and he is already wanting me to find another that would be able to go out in may, or maybe a grown one latter in the year. Told him I wanted a coop for cochin's first as he is too big for the hens I want so he will have to have his own Cochin hens... He sat at the table and started drawing...

chick rookie ~ That brought tears to my eyes-- really sweet. It's interesting when men try to act tough, but are big softies.

LOL M2H

But I have to kill or we will all starve....

Quote:

It usually is when DH can cut the field.. can get up to 2 feet or more. The cow and goats don't access it yet because of fencing. That will change this summer.
I never have enough to last the winter, so I buy.. And i finally have a good source that delivers $40 for a 5x6 round! Looks really good too.$35 if we pick up.
I never mow it anymore, it does supply our needs for the summer. I think you can do a lot for yourself with your plan! The more I look at reseeding, I plan to add sorghum. I think it will really add to flavor of the milk, and very good for the goats/cow/pig etc.We do have a lot of clover now... but I read a lot on mother earth news etc.and am always looking to improve the "hay" they consume.

The questions of the inexperienced...

I was hoping to get some seed to just "over seed" toward the end of March or maybe mid-April. I mean to just scatter it on the snow over the field. I have know some folks that have had good luck with that so I'm hoping it could work since I don't plan on plowing. Have you ove rseeded like that before?

Where do you get your seed? (Of course I'm looking for a non-gmo source...I imagine I could order from Honeyville Feed.)

There is a part in the back that has always been pretty pitiful and needs "improvement". I'd love to get some manure to put on it but since so many who have horses or cattle use wormers and other drugs in their husbandry I really don't want to put any on unless I can find a good source that's "clean".

I do know some folks with an organic dairy farm that pasture in the spring/summer/fall. I've thought about trying to get a load from them but they have a lot of acreage and I think they use all of theirs. Maybe I should ask.

I haven't tried that seeding method yet, I am thinking I will have to wait til the thaw, or the wild birds will eat the seed. This will be our first reseeding also!
I really think it will grow fine that way. Many of the grains fall off or out, so that's how they would naturally have grown.
I will probably go to greenfields or knightstown co-op, don't know if it will be non GMO tho. I would love to be able to keep everything here non GMO but the cost would be insane.
The clover is heavy and has always been here. I know I won't use any chemicals, we still see honeybees, want to keep them around. Our neighbor is very excited that we are expanding the pasture, they foster children. It will help her give the kids some fantastic experiences being able to pet and meet the cow and goats. They invited us to actually tie into their fence on the north side! We have known each other since my parents moved here in 2001, and have a good relationship with them

Dairy farmers is an excellent source to be sure the manure would have much less chemical in it, IMO. Most of the Amish families seem to keep the natural ways as much as possible, I would think an established family farm would offer safer manure to help your soil.

so dad told me last time he went to RK they had chickens he fighting the urge to get any lol

REALLY..... WOW

Quote:

Quote:

I go running every time I hear it, My BR Mabel and my OEGB Diana are the only 2 laying, both never let me down.. UGH. Please let it be spring soon!

Hatching update.....9 hatched, one zipping, one pipped, one ? Pretty happy with the hatch rate on this batch. Oh...32 more eggs went into lockdown today.

Were they 100% incubated in the sportsman? I am seeing MUCH better development with mine already, No more worrying and messing with temps and humidity.

Quote: I was getting a few dozen a day up til late fall/ early winter. I think when temps get to normal (we are running 20-30 below normal temps here!) they will pick back up.

 

[minmin1258]

[/IMG]

Two ??partridge?? And a gray/blue. Lol I thought the partridge (as you called them) were splash. Lol goes t show I've got a lot t learn! You should have seen the white Silkie hen (from Brad) trying to get all these bitties under her! I put them in the same crate the last half hr of the trip, those chick boxes were getting too ripe!! I heard a ruckus and stopped because I thought the big ones were hurting the babies...was too funny!!! Diamond was trying to pull all the babies under her, including the ducklings!!! They kept scampering out from under but she kept pulling em back and pecking at the roo as if to say "don't just sit there help me"! She's gonna be a great broody!!! A real Diamond! Then a few minutes from the house I got the crap scared outta me! Earl crowed!!! I so was NOT expecting that! Lilmizcareall told me he crowed this morning but wasn't expecting it then!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Okay, so why is it when I google khaki campbell ducks, the legs are all yellow? My ducklings have black legs. Could they be black swedish? Those are the only 2 breeds tsc carries that would look like them. They also carry pekin, rouen, and mallard. I know they aren't any of those.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/BirdInfo...i Campbell&BirdType=Duck&ID=KC&CustID=2294269

Black legs and feet in this photo. Mine do not have yellow legs either.

 

[kabhyper1]

@kabhyper1 and @minmin1258 ,
@Miss Lydia and @Amiga have been extremely helpful with info on ducks, for me. They know exactly where to send you, on the forum, to find any info to questions you might have. Good luck!!!

Okay, I'll ask them. Thanks for the help!

 

[kabhyper1]

Two ??partridge?? And a gray/blue. Lol I thought the partridge (as you called them) were splash. Lol goes t show I've got a lot t learn! You should have seen the white Silkie hen (from Brad) trying to get all these bitties under her! I put them in the same crate the last half hr of the trip, those chick boxes were getting too ripe!! I heard a ruckus and stopped because I thought the big ones were hurting the babies...was too funny!!! Diamond was trying to pull all the babies under her, including the ducklings!!! They kept scampering out from under but she kept pulling em back and pecking at the roo as if to say "don't just sit there help me"! She's gonna be a great broody!!! A real Diamond! Then a few minutes from the house I got the crap scared outta me! Earl crowed!!! I so was NOT expecting that! Lilmizcareall told me he crowed this morning but wasn't expecting it then!

If she wants to brood them, let her try. It will save you on the power bill. Lucky you have a mothering unbroody silkie. Mine couldn't care less about chicks until they are broody, then they just want eggs until they hatch, then they want chicks. It's very on their schedule you know. LOL. Yes partridge is like my Henley, and black is like chance and Belle, or blue like sheldon. I thought belle was blue when she hatched so I named her blue belle. She is black as night now.

Here are the colors you have... they have the same parents as yours..
Henley (partridge)

Belle (black)

Sheldon (blue)

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Can I also ask where you got them and how closely are they related?

 

[chick rookie]

got wing tip feathers, didn't see that before think I need my glasses when looking at them.

SLW has a little feathering too.
feather legged

 

[lilmizscareall]

Two ??partridge?? And a gray/blue. Lol I thought the partridge (as you called them) were splash. Lol goes t show I've got a lot t learn! You should have seen the white Silkie hen (from Brad) trying to get all these bitties under her! I put them in the same crate the last half hr of the trip, those chick boxes were getting too ripe!! I heard a ruckus and stopped because I thought the big ones were hurting the babies...was too funny!!! Diamond was trying to pull all the babies under her, including the ducklings!!! They kept scampering out from under but she kept pulling em back and pecking at the roo as if to say "don't just sit there help me"! She's gonna be a great broody!!! A real Diamond! Then a few minutes from the house I got the crap scared outta me! Earl crowed!!! I so was NOT expecting that! Lilmizcareall told me he crowed this morning but wasn't expecting it then!

Part of me was kind of sad to hear him crow! It was like he was getting accustomed to his temporary surroundings. Oh, and he was sitting in the middle of the room when I grabbed him for you... It was time for him to move along...
He must have known he was home. One crow to unite them all.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

TSC just told me March 3rd is now the date for chicks!! I wander what happened that the chicks needed to be delayed? Does anyone know where TSC gets their chicks from?
They go into lock down tonight!!! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

I think ours gets them from Ideal? Not sure, will find out tho.

Well here we go people, my first lock down!! This is the best solution I could come up with. No it isn't ideal but it's what I got to work with. Just got done candling all the eggs and they seem to be right in track. So wish me luck that by Friday we have some peepers, and that the new eggs do ok also!

sending good hatching vibes, you did great! I think that should work fine

I got a few more pictures today.

Mille Fleur D'uccle Hen




This poor guy (below) has just been through a lot in the last 1 1/2-2 weeks.Getting beat up, his poor circulation issue (or whatever was wrong), and now he went and hurt his foot. I think he is just prone to accidents! He did have a tiny cut on his foot, and his foot was warm, also a little swelling. Since his "poor circulation" he has walked different, so now that he hurt his foot, he has mastered the art of one leg hopping in the matter of yesterday night until when I did chores (because he was fine yesterday). So anyways I had to doctor him up. I had a drop of of triple antibiotic left with out pain relief (when It hadn't been thrown away, I am not sure). I will have enough to wrap his foot on or two more times. But If I have to continue wrapping it for a little while longer, I was thinking of trying honey. Not that buying the ointment will break the bank, I just thought after 2 or 3 days maybe a slightly different approach would be good. I have read some of you guys suggesting using it for different things, Would it be good to use for this? Okay here are some pictures of the little guy, he is a trooper







relaxing, he almost feel asleep (lazy lol)

Both are dollbabies! I think honey is a good way to go. Hope it helps

Well DH went to town today and I cleaned house, brooders, and started striping the chicken coop for sanitizing tomorrow. About 2 pm DH came home with grocery's, and a plain brown box.... can you guess what what was inside?......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 Ameraucana chicks, 3 SLW's, and 2 BR chicks, all on my wish list.

List is getting Smaller.

Love my DH.

Aww what a sweetie!

Quote: May not be all bad, could be a cochin? hope someone can speak up. I am not real good at sexing, either but I can usually tell at 4 weeks.

Quote:

Hello. Just called TSC in Seymour, IN earlier and they said they were getting their chicks tomorrow (02/26/14).

Thanks for posting, and

and our thread

 

[kabhyper1]

got wing tip feathers, didn't see that before think I need my glasses when looking at them.

SLW has a little feathering too.
feather legged

That little feather legged sure has an ee face. I'll bet they are a mix. But, they will still be beautiful I'm sure.