INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[leslea]

So I tried this once and my phone glitched. If this is a repeat sorry.

If you want to stay in state, you could spend the day at french lick casino, or do an over night at White Oak cabins at patoka lake. We stayed there a few years ago for our 5th ann. and LOVED it. I wish we could find time to go back. Pm me if you want any more info on it.

Hope you can figure something out.


On another note, we should be getting our 25 BA pullets tomorrow morning!!!!!! I'm super anxious and excited!!

Thanks, Primal Momma. French Lick does have that train...the kids would like that!

We sort of live in a cabin now (not really, but the setting is much the same), so I told DH when we bought the house there would be no more Gatlinburg trips for us...I reckon that includes Patoka. I think he's realizing he just needs a change...and being home for a week hanging out, going to the drive-in, stuff like that will be a recharge.

I would love to see the ocean again. It would be fun and wear out the kids. BUT...I have wanted chickens a lot longer and really, this break is all about him. I am looking forward to our first summer here!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Are EE's always so wild? Mine act like it's the first time they have seen a human everytime I approach the brooder. Crazy beasts! Plus at 6 days old they have full sets of wings.

Not always. They tend to be a "breed" that needs handled more in my experience. They tend to be okay when they are chicks, pretty wild for a few weeks, then start to come down. Thats just how mine usually do. Mine usually start to get more sweet around 8 weeks and on. I had this one pure white girl, she was just a sweet heart since she was a baby. I lost her in our first bad cold spell. But they tend to be little shy and wild for a little bit, then they usually come around.

ETA: I guess I should add, a majority of mine don't want to be cuddled. They like to be pet sometimes. Most of mine like to follow me around the pen. Most of mine also like there beards rubbed. About the perfect way to describe them is sweet but shy. You always have that one that is just a little crazy though lol

 

[leslea]

We have a friend that does our pet sitting for us. She is extremely reliable and has experience with chickens.
Awhile back I was chicken sitting for another chicken owner, the pet sitter friend had to take over for me one night when I couldn't get out of work on time. Her job is only a mile down the road, so it was an easy lock up and that's all she did.
I'd suggest asking someone that you know and that seems to like the birds. Then invite them over to help. After a few weekends of visits, here and there. Go out for dinner, or run an errand... Ask them to lock up for you in the evening.
This is a great way to ease a friend into the bigger task.
I also suggest talking to them about "what ifs".
What if:
A coon attacked
A opossum injured a bird
Someone is sickly
Someone needs vet care
They would need to be prepared to cull a bird. I would probably let them decide how... You won't have an opportunity to show them...
I always try to leave a credit card for possible vet visits(with my dog or cat). I attach a note that reads:
To whom it may concern,
So And So has permission to use my credit card for an emergency pet visit at your clinic up to and not exceeding the amount of $XXX.
If the care of said animal exceeds the set amount, please contact us to discuss euthanasia.

Which is AWFUL to write down, but I wouldn't want my pets to suffer. Same thing goes if a bird was injured. Please do her in, I don't want to know how, but don't let a hen suffer hem-hawing around about calling me.
Of course the sitter should know the difference between an injured bird and one that might have an artery severed by a predator.
Okaaaay, so basically you have options! Just be smart about it. I think with these tips, even @SallyinIndiana could go out with family for an evening.
Oh and this same friend house sits too, so if need be, she can stay at my house. That sounds like what Sally would need... Live in help!

Those are all great tips to bear in mind.

When I used to have cats I had that same kind of set up re: the CC and pet sitters. No one wants to sit with our dogs bc the foxhound is so LOUD he scares people to death. Been a long time since we've had a sitter.

It's awesome you've had such good luck with sitters!

 

[racinchickins]

I forgot to mention my Brinsea Brooder came today!!! They love it. I'm wondering if it is low enough for them though. I set it on the highest level for the ducks, so they didn't over heat. Any suggestions? I would prefer to not use my heat lamp anymore. Does it need to be lower?

It needs to be lower, just over their backs. They won't overheat. If they get too warm, they just walk out for a bit. Mine like to lay about half in and half out of the ecoglow. When they have to crouch to get under(not just duck their heads) you raise it.

 

[leslea]

we are so bad too! Just couldn't make a decision so we're gutting our master bath instead!! So much more fun than the beach! NOT! So hatching chicks and made the leap of ordering eggs to bring in another line of BCM! Been waiting and waiting for DMRippy and Wynette to offer there's up and they did so I jumped at the opportunity. They've been working on them for years so fingers crossed I get good type. I am sooo eggsited!

You have definitely got your hands full!

We still have so much unpacking to do at home. Between that, the birds, and the little fixits we need to do in the nice weather, I feel like a vacation away from home isn't great timing. We've got a fence to paint...a deck to stain...a gravel path to re-gravel...not to mention we need a new grill and patio furniture. How is a lady supposed to enjoy sitting outside with her Silkies without appropriate patio furniture?

 

[chick rookie]

Not always. They tend to be a "breed" that needs handled more in my experience. They tend to be okay when they are chicks, pretty wild for a few weeks, then start to come down. Thats just how mine usually do. Mine usually start to get more sweet around 8 weeks and on. I had this one pure white girl, she was just a sweet heart since she was a baby. I lost her in our first bad cold spell. But they tend to be little shy and wild for a little bit, then they usually come around.

ETA: I guess I should add, a majority of mine don't want to be cuddled. They like to be pet sometimes. Most of mine like to follow me around the pen. Most of mine also like there beards rubbed. About the perfect way to describe them is sweet but shy. You always have that one that is just a little crazy though lol

sorry about your white hen

. I have one that is feathering out white cant wait to see her fully feathered.

 

[chick rookie]

This is a repeat but I haven't got an answer yet so am going to try again... lol

At what age can I start giving reg. grit? Have lots left from my other hens and if I could use it up it would save me some money, but I don't want to if it will hurt my chicks. Was thinking I could give it to my 4 week and uppers???

 

[racinchickins]

You only need to give grit if you feed them something besides crumbles/pellets. I'd say once they are fully feathered and just look like small chickens you could change from chick to adult grit.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

sorry about your white hen

. I have one that is feathering out white cant wait to see her fully feathered.

Thanks, it was my fault though. I should of left the heat lamp on for just a little longer. I love watching my EEs feather out.

 

[chick rookie]

Thanks, it was my fault though. I should of left the heat lamp on for just a little longer. I love watching my EEs feather out.

We live and learn, as I am finding out the hard way this year

I am having such a great time with my EE chicks, never had EE chicks before and it's true, " they are like a box of chocolates, ya never know what your gonna get, I got a chip munk chick that is feathering out looks like blk with Welsummer wings. Don't know what that is gonna look like all grown up????

It's just taking so long... lol