INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Minminme]

They are cute! She has a nice crest!!

Forgot to ask...So do you think she COULD be a she?

 

[hoosiercheetah]

I just read your narrative with great intensity...I'm so glad you decided to put Ariel back and let Penny be the "canary" . Sounds like you like Ariel even more than Penny! We know that you will keep us updated in this series. Perhaps you can call it something in line with "The Henpecked Redemption" (My DH usually can come up with clever versions like this but he won't this time pout)

I'll see what I can do about a title. ;-)

I'm actually hoping there won't be much more drama. I'd love it if they all just get along.

I didn't put Penny in there because I don't like her, rather because she's a bad@$$ and I'm not worried about her getting hurt.

 

[CountryHen19]

I'll see what I can do about a title. ;-)

I'm actually hoping there won't be much more drama. I'd love it if they all just get along.

I didn't put Penny in there because I don't like her, rather because she's a bad@$$ and I'm not worried about her getting hurt.

Oh, I hope you didn't take anything the wrong way! I'm hoping for no more drama either-- and I know you didn't choose Penny because you didn't like her. She's a tough chick-er hen by the sounds of it. I enjoyed reading about it- and helps us all learn

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

WEASELS...

Please weigh in.

-Do you have weasels in your area of the state? (What area are you in?)

-Have you ever had a weasel attack on your chickens?

Haven't seen any weasels but have minks. I know they are around though. They are very similar. Mink are vicious little creatures, majority of the time they kill for fun, not for survival. They are so skinny they can fit through chain link fence. If there is a way in they will find it. Recently I sick mink went up one mom's porch and she thought someone had dropped off a ferret lol. She thought it was sick and brought it in the house! It was so ill it died that day, she was lucky it didn't get better and attack her. I took it to a fur trapper to confirm that it was a female mink and it had many white ticks on it, so we were thinking it might of had lyme disease.

 

[Poulet des Bois]

Hi Aaron & welcome here as well as to the wonderful world of chicken raising!
I sorta got lost in the posts, so I can't see if you got birds yet.
I have extra chicks for sale, assorted ages, from 1 week to 11 wks.
I've raised all myself. The older ones are poulets.
Olest: 2 white Rocks, 1 olive Egger, 1 golden Comet, 1 Cochin.
the younger are Marans: Blk. blue copper, & splash.
Then I have a few mixed my best loyal layers & calm hens: cherry Eggers ( they were my first purchase) crossed with my Blue Copper Marans Roo & my buff Orpington crossed w/ same.
I haven't been able to reach the gal who originally bred the CEs so I thought I'd try at least reproducing them & see if I get as smart & gentle offspring.
When I started out my situation was similar to yours. I bought a few nice Poulets 8-12 wks. & went from there to collect what I wanted my flock to consist of.
The cherry Eggers I kept, but sold the brahmas because of the setup I had. Now I have a nice big coop & run & they free range.
I too have hawks, but my Roo is a great "watchdog" "herder & protector". They know when to come close or get in; they listen to him as well as me.
If I see hawks before him I screach "HAWK!" And they come to cover.
They sure are fascinating !
You also might consider a few meat birds to start off with the chicks you might order; then separate somewhat in a few wks. To get on their own feeds. In 6-8 weeks you'd have meat in the freezer, your personal chicks would be well started & all kept warm together, you'd have some satisfaction, and then just rear your faves.hope this helps you or someone.

Message me if you're interested in some nice birds.
Good luck with what ever you do!
Chicks are fun, not that hard to raise, but it is nice to get your own eggs soon once the coop is ready!

 

[Mother2Hens]

@ Mother2hens,
Thank you for the suggestion on privacy. It is something I didn't consider. 3 out of 5 have hatched already, the 4th has pipped and there are internal peeps for the 5th egg. I think I'll be moving them this weekend.

That's exciting!

A week after her hatch, Bonbon started free ranging in our fenced-in backyard with her chicks alongside the hens. It's just crazy how fast chicks grow and how they act-- exactly like big chickens! It seems like they should act like helpless babies for a while-- but I'm glad they don't.
hoosierchicken~ I enjoyed your narrative, too. Your Queen Penelope reminds me so much of my crazy RIR flock leader Nene. I've found that as far as flock dynamics, the ones who are at the bottom of the pecking order feel the most threatened when I've added to the flock, so they're the ones who suddenly change from being meek to being aggressive.

I agree with you and have mentioned before that all I have to do to deter aggressive behavior is give the Teacher Look and point my index finger. I've been going in the coop at night for security detail lately since my young Splash Orp Eliza has insisted on perching with the mean hens. The three Silkies who think Eliza is their mother crowd in under Eliza's huge feather canopy, which can make it difficult for Eliza to keep her balance on the perch. Adeline, my Jubilee Orp (who is usually docile) perches above Eliza and tries to sneak a big peck on Eliza's head when possible. Roadrunner, my EE, frets about Adeline having a better perch and tries to peck her, and then she tries to perch next to "sisters/best buds" BR & SLW who peck at my EE to stay away. Meanwhile, small, but scrappy Nene presides from her perch at the top of the coop box door. She doesn't have to do any of the work of being a "bouncer." All I do is give looks and point and they all know that they're supposed to settle down in their spots and keep their beaks to themselves.

How to Calm your Flock at Bedtime
I really hate to admit this part, but I noticed that if I hum a made-up tune in a soothing manner and start blinking my eyes slowly when they look at me, they immediately begin closing their eyes, yawning, and settling down! I did that when Nene was young and had forgotten about it until I accidentally began humming recently and noticed how they responded. I can't sing, carry a tune, or anything, but that doesn't matter as long as it's a soft and soothing repetitive sound. I keep in soft anyway because I wouldn't want my neighbors to hear me singing lullabies to my chickens!

Update on Nene's Fowl Lice
I'm going to sound like hoosierchicken and his chapter on misdiagnosing chicken ailments-- but I have two years of experience and should know better. I reported that two weeks ago since Nene's feathers were looking ratty, I checked her over and decided she had fowl lice. Unlike my usual self, I used a more radical treatment of putting her in a trash bag with Sevin dust (her head sticking out of course). I just mentioned that I was supposed to repeat that procedure in two weeks, which is now. I was thinking about using a different treatment since her feathers look worse. Well, my DS and his GF came over this evening, and my DS looked at Nene and said, "She's molting-- look at all of the pin feathers!" I thought the white parts were evidence of fowl lice because of the photo examples of fowl lice. Apparently some of the shaft casings around the pin feathers led me to think that. Sorry Nene!

She's two years old and has only had a very light molt before.
lajohnston ~ I'm nosey like CRSelvey -- has your DH fallen in love with Chicken TV?

 

[hoosiercheetah]

 

Oh, I hope you didn't take anything the wrong way! I'm hoping for no more drama either-- and I know you didn't choose Penny because you didn't like her. She's a tough chick-er hen by the sounds of it. I enjoyed reading about it- and helps us all learn

No worries!  I never take anything the wrong way.  ;-)



If you meant me, then thank you for thinking of me but I'm flush with chickens and couldn't possibly take on any more.  If I do end up having to send a few belligerent Reds to the freezer, I'll wait to replace them until I'm down by three or four, and get baby chicks from someone.  I've decided that for me, bringing in started birds isn't worth the trouble of quarantine.  Someone mentioned a while back that they brood their chicks in the coop and only check on them a few times a day.  This sounds both manageable and ingenious to me - by the time they're big enough to really join the flock, everyone already knows them.  Of course, now that I've said that, someone else will tell me why it won't work.  ;-)

If you meant some other Aaron... nevermind!  :-D

 

[rule][COLOR=006400]hoosierchicken~[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I enjoyed your narrative, too. Your Queen Penelope reminds me so much of my crazy RIR flock leader Nene. I've found that as far as flock dynamics, the ones who are at the bottom of the pecking order feel the most threatened when I've added to the flock, so they're the ones who suddenly change from being meek to being aggressive. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]I agree with you and have mentioned before that all I have to do to deter aggressive behavior is give the Teacher Look and point my index finger.  All I do is give looks and point and they all know that they're supposed to settle down in their spots and keep their beaks to themselves.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]How to Calm your Flock at Bedtime[/COLOR]
[COLOR=8B4513]I keep in soft anyway because I wouldn't want my neighbors to hear me singing lullabies to my chickens![/COLOR]

[rule][COLOR=8B4513]Update on Nene's Fowl Lice[/COLOR]
[COLOR=8B4513]I'm going to sound like hoosierchicken and his chapter on misdiagnosing chicken ailments-- but I have two years of experience and should know better. Apparently some of the shaft casings around the pin feathers led me to think that. Sorry Nene![/COLOR]   [COLOR=8B4513]She's two years old and has only had a very light molt before.[/COLOR]

Thanks!  It will be really interesting to see what happens when I finally put all these little monsters together.  I sincerely hope it works out - I really like the reds; they're lovely little birds.  I'd really hate to have to remove them permanently.

My neighbors already know I sing to my flock.  With a 6yr old daughter, singing the random songs that get stuck in my head is just part of my life.  I know all the words to "Let it Go" and it's in a key I can reach (thanks Idina!) so they get that one on a regular basis.  I know a whole mess of lullabies; I'll have to try this and see what happens!

Ya, that sounds like me.  Thanks for helping me dodge that particular bullet!  I'm starting to understand that, as with many things, it take a large number of years to have seen most of the weird chicken things that can happen, and even after several decades they will still surprise you.  

My daughter is sitting next to me on the couch, reading over my shoulder, and she asked if there's anything about front-yard chickens.  It took me a sec to get what she meant.  so I'll as the group - anyone keep there birds in out front instead of the back?

ETA I'm the only one up this early on a Saturday, aren't I?

 

[CRSelvey]

Aww, well I would wait until dark, when she cant see you. Pull one egg out at a time. Get a super bright flashlight and sort of hold it like this... You will need to be in a very dark, pitch black area to see the best. Since they are so far along, it will look very dark inside. You should see the air cell on the fat end and the rest will be dark. If the chick has internally pipped, you will see shadow in the air cell. Since yo have never candled? Are you sure there are chicks in those eggs? Also I'm just thinking, Since the eggs are so close to hatching, I would maybe give her some more time before candling since you said she is still sitting on them. She will get up when she is done, chicks or not. If it comes down to having to float test or candle them later, that link and the candling instructions should help. Good luck!! This is my most nerve wracking time with broodies too. Some chicks are slower than others at getting with the hatching program. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...g-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

I'm really not sure they have chicks but she's so serious about staying on them that I'm trying to trust she knows what she is doing. Is there anytime that I must open the eggs? I really don't want to see chicks that didn't make it.

I wanted t share some pics of my little littles that got to go out in the yard today for the first time. The Red Comets are about 7 wks old the white Silkies are approx 8 wks and the gray (blue) Im hoping is a pullet she's my little crippled baby named Ellie. I think she's like 12-14 wks. They r in a VERY temporary pen so they can get some fresh air and sunshine. Kab- this Blue is one from the first eggs I got from you. Just love her soooo much she's sweet and gentle! She let's the babies crawl all over her and treats them like she is their mommy.

Your babies look good!

Let my little ones out for some free range time today! They lived it. These are my BR's and RIR's from Fredhen's! They are very friendly!

I love the color of your chicks!

[COLOR=8B4513]That's exciting![/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]A week after her hatch, Bonbon started free ranging in our fenced-in backyard with her chicks alongside the hens. It's just crazy how fast chicks grow and how they act-- exactly like big chickens! It seems like they should act like helpless babies for a while-- but I'm glad they don't.[/COLOR] [rule][COLOR=006400]hoosierchicken~[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I enjoyed your narrative, too. Your Queen Penelope reminds me so much of my crazy RIR flock leader Nene. I've found that as far as flock dynamics, the ones who are at the bottom of the pecking order feel the most threatened when I've added to the flock, so they're the ones who suddenly change from being meek to being aggressive. [/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I agree with you and have mentioned before that all I have to do to deter aggressive behavior is give the Teacher Look and point my index finger. I've been going in the coop at night for security detail lately since my young Splash Orp Eliza has insisted on perching with the mean hens. The three Silkies who think Eliza is their mother crowd in under Eliza's huge feather canopy, which can make it difficult for Eliza to keep her balance on the perch. Adeline, my Jubilee Orp (who is usually docile) perches above Eliza and tries to sneak a big peck on Eliza's head when possible. Roadrunner, my EE, frets about Adeline having a better perch and tries to peck her, and then she tries to perch next to "sisters/best buds" BR & SLW who peck at my EE to stay away. Meanwhile, small, but scrappy Nene presides from her perch at the top of the coop box door. She doesn't have to do any of the work of being a "bouncer." All I do is give looks and point and they all know that they're supposed to settle down in their spots and keep their beaks to themselves.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]How to Calm your Flock at Bedtime[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I really hate to admit this part, but I noticed that if I hum a made-up tune in a soothing manner and start blinking my eyes slowly when they look at me, they immediately begin closing their eyes, yawning, and settling down! I did that when Nene was young and had forgotten about it until I accidentally began humming recently and noticed how they responded. I can't sing, carry a tune, or anything, but that doesn't matter as long as it's a soft and soothing repetitive sound. I keep in soft anyway because I wouldn't want my neighbors to hear me singing lullabies to my chickens![/COLOR] [rule][COLOR=8B4513]Update on Nene's Fowl Lice[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I'm going to sound like hoosierchicken and his chapter on misdiagnosing chicken ailments-- but I have two years of experience and should know better. I reported that two weeks ago since Nene's feathers were looking ratty, I checked her over and decided she had fowl lice. Unlike my usual self, I used a more radical treatment of putting her in a trash bag with Sevin dust (her head sticking out of course). I just mentioned that I was supposed to repeat that procedure in two weeks, which is now. I was thinking about using a different treatment since her feathers look worse. Well, my DS and his GF came over this evening, and my DS looked at Nene and said, "She's molting-- look at all of the pin feathers!" I thought the white parts were evidence of fowl lice because of the photo examples of fowl lice. Apparently some of the shaft casings around the pin feathers led me to think that. Sorry Nene![/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]She's two years old and has only had a very light molt before.[/COLOR] [rule][COLOR=008000]lajohnston[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]~ I'm nosey like CRSelvey -- has your DH fallen in love with Chicken TV?[/COLOR]

It's always so impressive how well you seem to know each of your chickens. As much as I love the chickens, I probably just know my cat and dogs on that level. ;-)

No worries! I never take anything the wrong way. ;-) If you meant me, then thank you for thinking of me but I'm flush with chickens and couldn't possibly take on any more. If I do end up having to send a few belligerent Reds to the freezer, I'll wait to replace them until I'm down by three or four, and get baby chicks from someone. I've decided that for me, bringing in started birds isn't worth the trouble of quarantine. Someone mentioned a while back that they brood their chicks in the coop and only check on them a few times a day. This sounds both manageable and ingenious to me - by the time they're big enough to really join the flock, everyone already knows them. Of course, now that I've said that, someone else will tell me why it won't work. ;-) If you meant some other Aaron... nevermind! :-D Thanks! It will be really interesting to see what happens when I finally put all these little monsters together. I sincerely hope it works out - I really like the reds; they're lovely little birds. I'd really hate to have to remove them permanently. My neighbors already know I sing to my flock. With a 6yr old daughter, singing the random songs that get stuck in my head is just part of my life. I know all the words to "Let it Go" and it's in a key I can reach (thanks Idina!) so they get that one on a regular basis. I know a whole mess of lullabies; I'll have to try this and see what happens! Ya, that sounds like me. Thanks for helping me dodge that particular bullet! I'm starting to understand that, as with many things, it take a large number of years to have seen most of the weird chicken things that can happen, and even after several decades they will still surprise you. My daughter is sitting next to me on the couch, reading over my shoulder, and she asked if there's anything about front-yard chickens. It took me a sec to get what she meant. so I'll as the group - anyone keep there birds in out front instead of the back? ETA I'm the only one up this early on a Saturday, aren't I?

Good Morning Aaron. I'm up too. My kids don't care that it's a weekend. My son was up at 6:15. I tried to sleep once after he was up and the mess he made unsupervised made me realize I must be up when he is. I don't exactly have a back yard because of the way our house is situated, so you can easily report back that at least one of us has front yard chickens.

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

Ok guys, another question about chicken problems - my roo is sneezing and at night had a growly wheeze. No eye gunk, nothing gross coming out of anything, and it started when the weather changed and turned to crazy allergy season. He's still eating mating drinking and very very active. Opinions? Please!

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

Oh and I forgot to add...last night was hilarious. I didn't close my makeshift gate well enough, and they got out late in the day. I tried everything to lure them back to their big coop but no one wanted to go. They were all flying around the tractor trying desperately to get in. I finally let them in abd moved them all by hand. Oh well. I got a chance to look at one of my mutts butt lol. I was worried about vent gleet but it looks like I just need to trim her butt fluff.