INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

What about the bedding that Animallover is using? Maybe she needs more or softer. All of mine look good and I have a good amount of bedding.

i do have 1 question.... I noticed some of mine have lost some butt fuzz and are bare. Is this normal? They are all clean

That could be too, I have also noticed some do that during the "teenage uglies" when the feathers are coming in and fuzzies are going away.

 

[ellymayRans]

Hi everyone! My name is Nichole. Just getting started this year with chickens, we wanted to do it last spring but....well, it just wasn't in the cards. I live in Fortville, outside city limits, and I am very much looking forward to getting into these chicks. Been reading and researching on and off for the last year. If anyone in the area has any chicks for sale coming up in the near future, I think we'd like to start with about a half dozen. I'd also love some feedback on what breeds are doing well in our specific area, and laying well, even in the cool dreary days. I was thinking I would like to start with Rhode Island Reds....?

I don't have any chicks at the moment but can offer feedback on types. Any of the TSC (tractor supply company) or Rural King should either have or very soon have chicks. black australorps are usually ones available and they are great layers. Feathersite BYC and mypetchicken all offer ways to figure which breeds best fit your needs. If they will be free range etc. We all have our favorites!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Ohh yes, TSC anderson has chicks, was there today. I do think they had RIR's! All the bantam were sold out of course, as usual. They had Pekin ducklings too. Rural King in new castle has gobs of chicks, and they did have RIR, grey leghorn, production reds, several others. I bet greenfield TSC is getting theirs soon, if they aren't there already, Orscheins too..

 

[danand]

Hers another question.... I have those mason jar waterers in my brooder bins. I'm getting super tired of emptying and cleaning them. What's everybody else do? And has anybody tried the nipples on other plastic jars and hung them? Other than my newest batch they are all big enough to be super curious so I know they figure it out. Oh and I have the waterers set up on large lids but they still climb into them and get stuff in them and also knock them off the lids so they empty out

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hers another question.... I have those mason jar waterers in my brooder bins. I'm getting super tired of emptying and cleaning them. What's everybody else do? And has anybody tried the nipples on other plastic jars and hung them? Other than my newest batch they are all big enough to be super curious so I know they figure it out. Oh and I have the waterers set up on large lids but they still climb into them and get stuff in them and also knock them off the lids so they empty out

Here is what I use. I tried the nipple waterers but didn't like several things about them. I've posted about these before...here are a couple links:

I absolutely LOVE these water cups.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/1590#post_10520279
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/1630#post_10525504

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/01/comparison-of-poultry-cup-drinkers.html
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/02/poultry-cup-drinkers-waterers-winter.html

They stay clean so easy...no gunk in the water.

 

[CluckAcres]

Hi everyone! My name is Nichole. Just getting started this year with chickens, we wanted to do it last spring but....well, it just wasn't in the cards. I live in Fortville, outside city limits, and I am very much looking forward to getting into these chicks. Been reading and researching on and off for the last year. If anyone in the area has any chicks for sale coming up in the near future, I think we'd like to start with about a half dozen. I'd also love some feedback on what breeds are doing well in our specific area, and laying well, even in the cool dreary days. I was thinking I would like to start with Rhode Island Reds....?

WELCOME!!!!! If your wanting a hen that lays good eggs i would go with the Black Australorps or Buff Orpingtons. Those are my best layers.

 

[danand]

I'd read the earlier posts and definatly plan on getting some. Do you use them for babies too?

 

[ellymayRans]

Ohh yes, TSC anderson has chicks, was there today. I do think they had RIR's! All the bantam were sold out of course, as usual. They had Pekin ducklings too. Rural King in new castle has gobs of chicks, and they did have RIR, grey leghorn, production reds, several others. I bet greenfield TSC is getting theirs soon, if they aren't there already, Orscheins too..

Don't want to offend as I know the personalities differ with breed for chickens as with dogs but my neighbor has had and still has RIR and they are nasty girls. They come hang with my flock several times a day and they bully, boss and freak me out sometimes! Jumping up at my hands when I have anything in them. I'm sure thinking treats but none of mine do that. More calm and polite. Of course this is just my observation and opinion. My EE is also a awesome girl and reliable layer! I've just never seen them offered at any stores. O and local feed stores have them too. Check in with them you may be able to put in a request to have certain ones if they haven't ordered yet. Worth a shot!

 

[CluckAcres]

Hers another question.... I have those mason jar waterers in my brooder bins. I'm getting super tired of emptying and cleaning them. What's everybody else do? And has anybody tried the nipples on other plastic jars and hung them? Other than my newest batch they are all big enough to be super curious so I know they figure it out. Oh and I have the waterers set up on large lids but they still climb into them and get stuff in them and also knock them off the lids so they empty out

I know what you mean. I clean mine out and give fresh water several times a day.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'd read the earlier posts and definatly plan on getting some. Do you use them for babies too?

I put out canning jar waterers on this batch of babies since it was winter. If you look at the last link that I put above, I went out and saw the little ones drinking from the cups. I hadn't taught them but they are broody raised and they either learned by observation or mom taught them. I do, however, leave the canning jar waterers out for them and will until the weather is warmer.