INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[atrueb00]

Here's a video of my silkie rooster running around all wet. He is so funny!

He and all the ladies got honey all of themselves (long story, lesson learned to not put just processed frames on top of the chicken coop!) and all had to be washed. He loves being pampered and just sits in the warm water to soak. So funny!

My cousin in Terre Haute still has multi-color and pearl guineas for sale, they are 3-6 weeks old. Very good at keeping bugs in control. He's asking $3/each. Here I am with an opal one that is 4 weeks old.

 

[atrueb00]

Did you know we have a member's events and links page? We list out helpful info on chicken health and safety, incubating chicks and even gardening and honeybee tips. If you have anything you'd like to add, or if you've written any articles you'd to share, please let me know! I am always on the lookout for member-generated content and new ideas for the events page. Your input is invaluable!




We also have a map showing member locations and locations of auctions/swaps.




There is an event calendar too so you can check out upcoming auctions in your area. If I am missing any events, please let me know!

 

[atrueb00]

@LKShepherd, thinking of you today, have you gotten your chicks yet?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: my appliance repair guy predicted last year's cold winter. He made his prediction at the beginning of July. I had a fair warning but little did I know how to prepare.
I need to get the guy back out here not to fix anything but just to tell me if winter will repeat itself. Although other than adding more heated water dishes, and keeping the ducks in their own pen, I'm not sure what I can do. It was so cold our wood chip pile froze and we had to use those thin shavings from TSC. The venting was there but still I had roosters with frostbite from the moisture in the litter thanks to the ducks.
I would not start hatching as soon I suppose and there is no way I will brood ducks inside past 1 week of age.

Speaking of ducks, anyone want some duck eggs? Message me but if you are willing to wash them and bring your own cartons, I have too many. It is to the point that I will start feeding them back to the roosters soon. I no longer have a drake, so they will not hatch. But the ducks do like to play mate each other. Even my original two have done this for at least 6 months.

Quote: We get an all flock from RK that is pellets we drive and pick it up. it is just over $12 for 50 lbs. it did not ferment well by any means for us and it smelt horrible wet. It did contain animal protein the last time I checked the label. Since the animal protein is there, flies will eat it if too much is put out for the chickens.
http://www.ruralking.com/nutrena-country-feeds-all-flock-feed-50lb.html

I'm looking into getting an all species pellet from lowes in greensburg. I haven't tried their chicken food but their goat food is really good. Our goat breeder used it and now we use it. Flies like the goat feed too though if extra is sitting out.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Did you know we have a member's events and links page? We list out helpful info on chicken health and safety, incubating chicks and even gardening and honeybee tips. If you have anything you'd like to add, or if you've written any articles you'd to share, please let me know! I am always on the lookout for member-generated content and new ideas for the events page. Your input is invaluable!




We also have a map showing member locations and locations of auctions/swaps.




There is an event calendar too so you can check out upcoming auctions in your area. If I am missing any events, please let me know!

This is great. I had been to the page before but this is so much better organized now with even more info. Just another lesson, keep checking back as we are improving as we grow.

 

[EurekaChic]

You'll probably wish you hadn't mentioned that because it reminded me to tell the story of
The Cat Brothers Reunite
You'll see how Woodruff Place fits in . . .


Six years ago when my older DD, Meredith, was in college, she and her roommate had just moved into their first apartment and decided to adopt two older cats. When they walked into the Indy Humane Society, they immediately noticed two adorable, fluffy orange kittens that had just been added. Unfortunately for the older cats, the girls left with the kittens that they named Lionel and Purrcy. The girls and cats lived happily together. Two years later in the fall, they all moved to a historic house in Woodruff Place.

The following January (2010) on a cold, snowy day, the girls were in class when they received texts from neighbors saying that their house was on fire. Luckily the neighbor told the firemen that there were two cats in the house. A fireman went to the living room and called, “Here Kitty, Kitty!” Lionel ran up to the fireman who brought him outside and gave him a kitty-sized oxygen mask treatment. By then, the girls arrived at the scene, and Purrcy could not be found. The following morning, Meredith’s roommate went back to look for him and found him sitting on her bed in the fire/smoke/water damaged room. He was gray from smoke and ashes and was breathing heavily, so she rushed him to her veterinarian’s where Purrcy spent a week recovering. Apparently he hid in the house while it was on fire. Lionel spent the first night at the vet’s to make sure he was okay.

The cause of the fire was from a workman using a sander near the furnace. He ran out and was lucky to survive. The house was a total loss from both fire and water damage. The girls lost 90% of their possessions. DH and I moved Meredith to an extended stay hotel for a month while we sorted out the mess and insurance, etc. It was a traumatic experience, and the winter weather made everything more difficult. Meanwhile, Meredith was trying to keep up in an intensive program at Herron School of Art & Design. Because of all of the logistics involved, Meredith and her roommate ended up getting separate apartments.

Lionel had always been very loving and needy, but without Purrcy for company, he became even more demanding. While Meredith worked on assignments, Lionel sought her attention and walked all over her art. DH and I offered to take Lionel when she had large projects due, and after a few times, she decided he was better off with us (his grandparents-lol). I was thrilled because I had always been crazy about Lionel. He’s like a dog-- he follows me everywhere, runs to the door when he hears a knock, and is very affectionate. Normally, Lionel is super relaxed, but he doesn’t like sharing my attention with other animals. He doesn’t allow our other cat in our bedroom or in my office, and he gets uptight and confrontational if another cat visits.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, July 2014. Meredith and the same roommate had been living together again for a couple of years, but weren’t happy with their landlord who lives inconveniently in Chicago. (Prior to that, Meredith lived by herself for a year in an apartment on Mass Ave., and also --once again in Woodruff Place). Anyway, this summer they decided to move. Meredith moved to an apartment in a beautiful house in Woodruff Place (hopefully third time is a charm!) Her roommate moved in with her boyfriend who’s allergic to cats. She asked if I would like to reunite Purrcy with Lionel. I was happy to take him, and we all wondered if they’d remember each other after being apart four years. I worried that Lionel would not be happy to have another cat around vying for my attention.

When we brought Purrcy home, he and Lionel sniffed noses. Understandably, Purrcy hissed and was nervous for a little while. I was amazed that Lionel didn’t act aggressive like he does with other cats. It became obvious within an hour that they remembered each other! We weren’t really expecting it, but it’s been so wonderful to see them reconnect-- and so quickly! Lionel hasn’t minded Purrcy getting on our bed or coming into my office. He shares everything with his brother. They always hang out together. It’s been fun to discover their similarities from having the same meows to sleeping on their backs.

Our other cat prefers to be outside as much as possible! Even the chickens seemed confused by another orange cat. I’ve read that chickens can discern different pets and animals, so they probably refer to them as Orange Menace One and Orange Menace Two. Actually the chickens are the menacing ones. The cats make efforts to avoid those mean, pecking hens!

These photos aren't good quality-- I've posted good ones of Lionel in the past (I'm sure everyone remembers--haha). Lionel is the one with a little white fur.


Here's a short history lesson about Woodruff Place:

Woodruff Place is a neighborhood in Indianapolis located about a mile east of Downtown Indianapolis. It was established in the 1870s as an early suburb of Indianapolis. Woodruff Place was once considered to be one of Indianapolis’s more affluent neighborhoods before beginning a gradual decline as the automobile led to the development of newer upscale subdivisions beginning in the late 1910s. The 1980s and 1990s saw extensive neighborhood rehabilitation, and Woodruff Place is now considered a highly desirable historic inner-city address. Its design reflects the developer’s plan to build a prestigious enclave. Most of the homes in Woodruff Place are expansive, Victorian style homes from the late 19th century. Other styles include Arts and Crafts, Stick, Cottage, and Queen Anne. The layout of the neighborhood is simple; three drives that run north-south (appropriately named East, West, and Middle) and a cross drive (not surprisingly, named Cross Drive). The streets have expansive tree lined boulevards with original fountains and statues. A large fountain sits at each one of the intersections.
In 1972, Woodruff Place was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2001, the neighborhood was officially designated a local historic preservation district by the City of Indianapolis.

So cute! And what a great story. I once had three cat siblings -- the offspring of a feral cat in a feral cat colony I used to take care of. Two sisters and a brother (the brother looked a lot like Purcy):


They were named Lily, Fern and Rufus (RIP all three). Loved those cats. They were actually really tolerant of most other animals tho -- not only our dogs, but even the raccoons and possums in the neighborhood. And Rufus just LOVED our Great Pyrenees, Darwin. Snuggled with him all the time. Now we have two cats, both rescues. Micky doesn't really like the dogs, but Mercy really enjoys them and plays quite a lot with our smallest (the yorkiepoo, Abby). Here are Ziva (mastiff/boxer) and Mercy snuggling:



I love the Woodruff Place neighborhood. It's a great place to take a nice walk.

 

[browncow15]

my appliance repair guy predicted last year's cold winter.  He made his prediction at the beginning of July.  I had a fair warning but little did I know how to prepare. 

I need to get the guy back out here not to fix anything but just to tell me if winter will repeat itself.  Although other than adding more heated water dishes, and keeping the ducks in their own pen, I'm not sure what I can do.  It was so cold our wood chip pile froze and we had to use those thin shavings from TSC.  The venting was there but still I had roosters with frostbite from the moisture in the litter thanks to the ducks. 

I would not start hatching as soon I suppose and there is no way I will brood ducks inside past 1 week of age. 


Speaking of ducks, anyone want some duck eggs? Message me but if you are willing to wash them and bring your own cartons, I have too many.  It is to the point that I will start feeding them back to the roosters soon.  I no longer have a drake, so they will not hatch.  But the ducks do like to play mate each other.  Even my original two have done this for at least 6 months. 

We get an all flock from RK that is pellets we drive and pick it up.  it is just over $12 for 50 lbs. it did not ferment well by any means for us and it smelt horrible wet.  It did contain animal protein the last time I checked the label.   Since the animal protein is there, flies will eat it if too much is put out for the chickens.
http://www.ruralking.com/nutrena-country-feeds-all-flock-feed-50lb.html

I'm looking into getting an all species pellet from lowes in greensburg.  I haven't tried their chicken food but their goat food is really good.  Our goat breeder used it and now we use it.  Flies like the goat feed too though if extra is sitting out. 

Pming a about duck eggs

That's the feed I use to, as long as I don't run out before I make a trip to martinsville. Funny though I've had pretty good luck fermenting it. Actually I prefer the pellets to ferment, makes it easier to mix initially when I add cracked corn or something to it. I've reciently gotten premade pelleted feed from the local mill that I get cattle feed from too. The brand is Heinold out if Kouts IN

 

[EurekaChic]

And, in sad news, I came hope to a dead Bielefelder pullet. They had all been doing great and looked great. She was dead, jammed in a corner of the run with her head under a portion that sticks out. She didn't seem to be stuck (my first thought was that she got stuck and panicked). I don't have any idea what happened and am sad about the whole thing.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[bradselig]

I bought 300# of feed today (hopefully it will last the 2 weeks but I doubt it lol) and was so excited when I checked out that layer feed was down to $10.59 and chick was $13.29 per 50# bags! About $1 less per bag. Hope it keeps going down!

 

[chick rookie]

We buy a new roll of heavy transparent (more like translucent) every winter. DH uses a power stapler to attach it to 2x4s around the coop about 3' off the grounf, and we use large branched to hold the bottom down. I believe it's a 4' wide roll. It could certainly be used to nearly cover a coop, but you do need to allow for ventilation of course. We just tear it off in the spring. Our coop is in a corner, so we only have to be super careful about watching to be sure there are no loose or fallen staples on those sides.

We need to put siding on the henhouse portion. We added insulation, 1/2" thick (all that we could attach easily), and covered it with Tyvek. It has that West Virginia shack look, but we will put up siding before this winter.

where do you buy that? I cant remember ever even seeing any. What is Tyvek ?

Well Said. I totally agree. But mine do not like the deep snow. I know I did alot of shoveling last year, so they would have a path, also stomped what I could down with my boots. Brats wouldn't even help, just ran behind me !!

I felt like I was shoveling every day so the girls would come outside. and I also throwed hay on the paths. I really dread another winter like the last one.

The top of my run has a tin roof. Sorry I should have specified. That is a new addition though. Last year it was covered with a tarped roof. The clear plastic curtains from Walmart were thicker and sturdier than others I've used before. They held up MUCH better than the Dollar Store ones I had to replace after three days.
ETA: if u use a tarp over your run (as I did) it has t be supported to hold snow weight (I used 2x4's because I had planned to add tin as soon as finances allowed). I also doubled the tarp and used grommets and nylon rope to "sew" it together for strength.

I had an area right in front of the chicken door about 6x8 that was a snow free zone, it was made out of tarps and 4x4's this spring we made a proch like roof over the same area we have some metal roofing for it but it's not on yet... still a tarp.

but I have to be nice bout it, I have so much I want done it all takes time I know.

These are my Babys, growing up and getting their curls.

I love the white one they are Beautiful

I saw a coop (somewhere -- maybe on BYC?) that had a ceramic wall heater installed -- just a square of ceramic that heats up when the temperature goes below a set point. It was mounted high enough and away from the perches that is was unlikely any bird would touch it, but I think they are supposed to be safe to touch anyway (or you could cage it). Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Eco-heater-NA400S-Wall-Mounted-Ceramic-Convection/dp/B004FAMXL0# I think.

I like this ideal, but wow the cost to do all my coops...

Welcome! We have other non-Hoosiers on this thread. Everybody's been really nice to me (I'm a Hoosier, but new to chickens and BYC). Very friendly bunch (yes, there is some disagreement over advice on occasion, but done in a generally respectful and tolerant way).

ETA: For example, the current debate about 'to heat or not to heat'.....that is the question.

lol I didn't mean to start a debate... But you all have gave me sooo many options and I have learned a few things too ... so thank you.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes. These pics were taken when the chicks were 4 weeks old.


Cole

Sunshine

Maybaline

Blizzard, who was formerly known as Snow White but we decided it was to girly for a boy

Blu my rooster feeding the chicks like does the hens. He enjoys the chicks and spends time with them frequently. They some times follow him instead of Jewel.

Jewel showing the chicks the best place to dust bathe

On a sad note one of my Marans chicks is not feeling well and I had to bring him in today. He has perked up quite a bit after giving vitamins and electrolytes but I tried to bring him back out with the others and they were picking on him so he is still inside. I hope I can figure out why he is feeling bad. His only symptoms are tired and fluffed feathers.

berry very cute but .... what are they???

PS: You can't use the heated pet mats like for dogs and cats. They are weight/pressure sensitive so they only come on when the animal lays on it. Chickens aren't heavy enough to turn those on.

This kind is the one that would work: http://www.shopthecoop.com/product/radiant-floor-heating-mats-for-pets.html

Thanks. It's a toss up between these or the boot warmer mats, I like the mats cause they look like they would be easier to clean and the beeding wouldn't stick to them. Might end up getting one of these for my dog with the bad back and the one with a bad hip.

For anyone concerned, my widdle Wibbles is looking a bit better this evening after I gave her some feed 'porridge' to work on earlier. I'm still going to give the vet a call in the morning and see if I should give her an antibiotic or anything. I made a thread over on the Ducks section of the forum and it was suggested that she might have an infection in her nose or sinuses from her nostril being clogged the other day, and I want to play it safe with my precious li'l ducky.

Just wondering if you have had a chance to talk to the vet yet? I am a little behind on post so if you have already answered this question then just ignore me and I will find it as I catch up... lol