INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

And.... I HATE the canning jar waterers ... and any waterer that has a base with water in it. They get full of shavings and STINK! But I wanted to make sure the little ones were getting to the water and it's just a short time. If it hadn't been winter, I would have taught them how to use the cups by about 3 weeks.

 

[bradselig]

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 will likely have some available in a week or so. I have eggs getting ready to hatch as well as an order from Meyers shipping out next Monday. I will likely have some RIR pullets, Easter egger pullets, possibly barred rock pullets, (from meyers) and various other straight run chickens that i hatch. I am up north, but could meet in the Elwood or Alexandria area if you'd like. Let me know if your interested.

 

[danand]

Yeah I've been cleaning them out 3-4 times a day!! Ready to step them up. I wanted some of the cups so I'll try them on them. Mine are in the house so no mommies to show them but I really think they'll get it!!

And my opinion for Hurricane- ameraucanas . I have 4, got them as adults. They lay 6 out of 7 days. Very talkative and green-aqua eggs. I also have a RIR and she lays 6 out of 7. I have 6 new ameraucanas babies and they are much calmer and sweeter than the others I have right now.

 

[ellymayRans]

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 hang the plastic water and feeders from a wire attached by a small hook screwed into the tops, just a couple inches from the ground raising them as they grow. Attaching it by a large stick across the top of the brooder.

 

[danand]

I'll give that a try! Thanks Ellymay

 

[ellymayRans]

I'll give that a try! Thanks Ellymay

Dominique is also another great breed! Sad mine are gone but o so sweet and another awesome layer. I have always gotten almost an egg a day except during molts of course. None have ever gone broody. My salmon fav is awesome But she is more of an every other day kinda girl!

 

[vickichicki]

Welcome to the thread Nicole!

There are some great threads on BYC for choosing a breed that may suit you. You should have a look around in the recent reviews (located in the right hand colum) Might be able to find something there. Or here https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds

I have 10 RIR's 9 girls and 1 roo. They have a great personality, very inquisitive. However they are on the noisy side. Maybe not having a roo they would be quieter. They seem to be doing great at laying eggs, started right at the 20 week marker. Seem to be hardy with all the cold weather we are having. All in all... Love my girls.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Hi Hurricane Nic,

Welcome to the Indiana thread!! Here's my story and advice: It will be one year ago tomorrow that we got our chickens. We bought 6 Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicks at Rural King that were marked "pullets" (girls). Well, 5 out of 6 were "cockerels" (boys). We were really upset because we had raised them, and then were going to have to find homes for the young roosters. We were going to keep one of them, but he just crowed too much. Anyway, it all worked out for the best because through "craigslist farm for sale," I was able to find people to trade roosters for hens. Since then, we have our original RIR hen, a Barred Rock, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Black Jersey Giant, and an Ameraucana/Easter Egger. I really like having different breeds. My Easter Egger has been laying every other day during the winter, but she lays the pretty, green-blue large eggs, and she is really sweet and exotic looking. My RIR is very high strung, but very funny. I think RIR tend to be that way. All of them are beautiful, have different personalities, and are fascinating. Even during our cold, dreary winter days, I try to get outside everyday and do a little yard work because they just love following me and digging around. We let them free range in the fenced in area of our back yard, but I only take them in the far back yard when I can be with them (I call those excursions "field trips.") Yes, I am a certified crazy chicken lady who used to just be a cat lover. My chickens chase my cats. Anyway, the point of my story is that it is nice to have a variety, especially if you can just have a few as pets with egg laying benefits.

 

[bradselig]

Anyone breed porcelain d'uccles or naked necks?

 

[ellymayRans]

Anyone breed porcelain d'uccles or naked necks?

My first Naked Necks (10 of them) are in route as we speak! I'm very excited as I've read soo many good things about them! I'll post pics and update once they've arrived! Did I say I was excited already! Lol! My plans are to breed with my silkies and frizzle for some fun combos! Requested red, splash, blue and blr! Just keeping my fingers crossed they make it safe thru this darned weather we're having! O yeah but the 50 's coming this weekend! Why does that happen at the wrong time of week! !! Sigh...