INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Wow -- there have been a lot of new people joining our thread. I've neglected to say Welcome to all of you! It's kinda like the Indiana BYCers is experiencing people math instead of chicken math!!

Each spring since we've lived here we've had migrating diving birds visit our pond. 2 years ago a male horned grebe showed up for about an hour followed by a female which stayed at least a week. Last year a bufflehead stopped by for a short visit. This morning a pair of diving birds were on the pond. It was just starting to get light out & they stayed almost until the sun was all the way up. I had to use the binoculars to see them clearly, and I got a half decent look at their markings. Unfortunately I wasn't able to figure out what they were before they left. I'm pretty sure it wasn't either the grebes or the buffleheads again. Then a few hours later 3 herons showed up looking for some of our fish to eat since the pond finally finished thawing yesterday. And a canadian goose started hanging around one area of the south side of the pond this morning. I wonder if it has a mate that made a nest close by. Quite the active pond just a day after thawing!

Very cool, I love to watch what comes in at the park across the street.
We do have mallards sneak into our little pond on occasion too.

Okay, anyone with experience sexing barred rocks, I need some input! I got 2 as straight run but thought I managed to pick out a pullet and roo. I based this on the spot on their heads and the leg color. Their 3 weeks old now and I'm starting to have doubts on my choices. I have an EE pullet and a SLW pullet that I'm questioning so it got me to looking at all of my chicks a bit closer and that's what made me have second thoughts about my BR. I'm thinking I may have picked out 2 roos. They just look too much alike. I've got lots of pics, from day 1 til today so if someone can help me out I'd sure appreciate it!
Heres the roo:




Here's the pullet (maybe):






And here's a side by side comparison (pullet? On the left, roo on right in first pic. The pullet? Is bottom right in second pic):



Sorry if I overdid it on the pics but I figure the more views the better
Thanks!

I think you are right. What I usually see in all the birds is a bigger comb and less feathering in the roos, pretty early on too.
I see 2 RIR roos, and 1 JG roo in my "pullets" from RK! But I am afraid I didn't get any BR or WL roos at all!
UGH once again in search of a roo for both groups.

I just looked out the window & saw 4 ducks. Grabbed the binoculars & got a good look. Looked up online & easily found them -- 2 pairs of redhead diving ducks! This may have been what I had seen this morning, too, although that was just one pair. Cool!

Wow that's too cool! They are a really pretty duck.

Chicken math strikes again. Saw a 'Buy it Now' on Blue Partridge Brahma eggs..... Could. Not. Resist.

Actually, should work out perfectly. They should hatch with or just before the Bourbon Red turkey eggs Jchny2000 gave me.

(in case anyone is wondering - this is textbook rationalization.....)

just call me an "enabler", after all the poults need a few chick tutors right?

Quote: Oh man.. thats painful. We both need battery backups. Thats #1 on my wish list right now.

Quote: I wondered that too. I cant believe all the greening up I see in the yard already, my geese are just overjoyed!
They almost refuse to go back to the goose pen!

 

[ChickCrazed]

RIP Harriet I was out shutting down the coop and was heading in to do a headcount when I heard her scream. On day four of escaping the fence she was lost to dogs just as I feared. I am so sad. She was my only barred rock and she was awesome. I take small comfort in knowing the egg eating won't spread, but the fake eggs seemed to have stopped her anyway. I'm so sorry pretty girl

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: FYI I saw Brahma at RK in new castle straight run, $1.39! I was good and didn't but after seeing yours I REALLY wanted a few!

I swear chickens are like my kryptonite! Went to get some play sand for my kids and came home with two more chicks! Don't know what they are yet, I think cochins maybe. They were listed as assorted bantams. I tried to resist....really I did!

Here's some pics!

Precious!

Duck info overload! Having a hard time choosing just one duck breed!!! I think Pekins are the only ones crossed off the list so far!

Whats the primary purpose, pets, eggs or other?

 

[hogster160]

RIP Harriet I was out shutting down the coop and was heading in to do a headcount when I heard her scream. On day four of escaping the fence she was lost to dogs just as I feared. I am so sad. She was my only barred rock and she was awesome. I take small comfort in knowing the egg eating won't spread, but the fake eggs seemed to have stopped her anyway. I'm so sorry pretty girl

RIP Harriet! I'm so sorry, I know just how that feels. We lost one to our dogs last summer. It stinks to high heaven!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I was looking at my chicks today and noticed this little guy. He was from the cuckoo eggs I ordered but he hatched blue (hoping it was sent on accident and not actually from the cuckoo pen). I noticed something looked a little funny about him. I pick him up and notice his whole beak is crooked! It's not scissor beak (atleast not yet). I've never seen anything like this. He is cute with the little sprout on the top of his head. Regardless he will not be used for breeding (I don't know its sex, just referring to it as a "he"). Not sure if I should cull now or wait it out and rehome him for a pet?

Wow, unusual. I would say pet for sure, with no promises.
Had to be a birth defect.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

RIP Harriet I was out shutting down the coop and was heading in to do a headcount when I heard her scream. On day four of escaping the fence she was lost to dogs just as I feared. I am so sad. She was my only barred rock and she was awesome. I take small comfort in knowing the egg eating won't spread, but the fake eggs seemed to have stopped her anyway. I'm so sorry pretty girl

I am so sorry

 

[kabhyper1]

Color of the chicken? White lol. I can't guess egg color, there is no way to predict that unless you know if you know whether the dad carried the blue egg gene and what the mom layed. Normally can't tell how they will feather out either, but an all white chick almost always stays all white. I would guess pullet. Just a side note- this is the first time I have ever tried to sex my chicks this young. Please don't be mad if I am wrong lol.

LOL no not the egg color the bird color. That made me giggle. She is actually a champagne color with little darker bits in her wing feathers. Bad camera shot of her. I think pullet also though.

 

[kabhyper1]

I'm not a cat person, but this little one could change my mind.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

LOL no not the egg color the bird color. That made me giggle. She is actually a champagne color with little darker bits in her wing feathers. Bad camera shot of her. I think pullet also though.

O, Ok. Then I would venture to say she will be mostly a white creamy color with flecks or ticking of black

 

[bradselig]

Wow, unusual. I would say pet for sure, with no promises.
Had to be a birth defect.

Yea I definitely won't be using for breeding. I guess my biggest debate is to cull or rehome. I don't want to "pawn" it off onto someone if the beak will get worse and make it suffer. But on the other hand, I REALLY hate putting chicks down if it can still live a good healthy life!

So I guess if anyone is wanting a cute little curved beak silkie chick, let me know lol. I'm sure I could send a friend or two with it as well at no charge lol.