INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[ChickCrazed]

Does anyone know what these two could be mixed with they both lay a dark brown egg, much darker then my RSL's eggs. I guess I had to much time on my hands and looked up what color eggs BR's lay and their eggs are not even close to that color. They are hatchery quality from TSC.

Flash

Loki

Here are my eggs from everyone they laid the darkest ones.

I am ready to see leaves fall on the ground here. It is so hot and humid. I am still in keep chickens cool mode. I know once it is cold I will wish it were hot again.....lol. I am never happy with the weather. Fall is my favorite season but it seems so short.

X2!!!!!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Bahaha, I suppose this summer did take it pretty easy on us, at least up here in the north. We didn't have too many overly hot days and for the most part it was quite pleasant. I'm sure I had my fair share of complaints about the heat in previous summers. I guess I'm just put off by the thought that winter is coming and bringing with it the dreaded white plague!

 

[Rhandi74]

Bahaha, I suppose this summer did take it pretty easy on us, at least up here in the north. We didn't have too many overly hot days and for the most part it was quite pleasant. I'm sure I had my fair share of complaints about the heat in previous summers. I guess I'm just put off by the thought that winter coming and bringing with it the dreaded white plague!

Oh My, that is a lot of snow. We had lots for us last winter but lots was 4" of snow. Our problem here is the yoyo ups and downs. One day we were at 5 degrees last year and the next day we were back in the 40's.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm going to just give up and put the chickens in the upstairs bedroom over the winter so I don't have to go outside to feed and water and shovel and feed and water and shovel and feed and water and shovel ........

 

[sdetwiler333]

Hello & welcome. I am just getting started myself. I live in Warsaw, and am in the process of building my coop & run. Looking forward to getting the birds. Hoping to have it finished & ready by the end of this weekend. I am looking for Rhode Island Reds . , So if anyone knows where to get them or has some to sell, give me a shout.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Hello & welcome. I am just getting started myself. I live in Warsaw, and am in the process of building my coop & run. Looking forward to getting the birds. Hoping to have it finished & ready by the end of this weekend. I am looking for Rhode Island Reds . , So if anyone knows where to get them or has some to sell, give me a shout.

Welcome!!!!! I can't help with birds but it is a good time of year to look since many will be wanting to downsize before winter! You might consider a mix of breeds before you settle on one. Their temperaments vary quite a bit and it is fun to have different colors in your coop and egg basket! Good luck!!

 

[Faraday40]

Hi neighbors (We're from IL)
Just wanted to know if anyone could help sex my 7 week old Coronation Sussex. It was part of my daughter's 4H project & the only CS egg to hatch.
Because of the comb color I've been thinking male, but it's supposed to be bigger, right? Is our "Hope" a male or female?




Last pic: I remember reading somewhere to locate growing saddle feathers starting between the wings. What I can't remember is what it means. (At only 7 weeks old, the pointy or curved ends not present. The feathers are just not grown.) Does anyone have a prediction?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:

My DH snickered too, ROFL when I told him the breed of the little gilt!!
Both your fellas are pretty content right now! I chose hens for them and moved them to a pen, oh my! My white Silkie hen just adores your big guy! My partridge hen took right to Cher. I have a hunch a few others will be moving over too.
I really enjoyed your visit. Oh goodness, your 12 yr old was amazing! He has a great mind and will be someone of interest very soon. I was actually confused for a moment at the questions he was asking! He will make a fantastic businessman someday, with an entrepreneur's spirit. Please assure him, we are "not for profit", just for a love of birds needing homes and a hobby for me. He asked very good questions, be proud of him. And please. feel free to visit again.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well I was offered the new job today. While I still havent accepted it im pretty confident I will! Im excited about the change.

That being said, I may have more flocks to sell. Gonna have less time at home so may need to sell more projects. If anything it will be a few more free ranging birds and silkies. But ill be sure to post here first.

Thats awesome news!!! Think hard.. I know you will. be sure you want to let them go. I have sold birds and its really made me miss them.
Manager positions are a lot more hours.

but a huge plus on the resume also! sending you a hug, its a hard decision! Wanted to tell you WTG I know you earned it!!!

 

[Mother2Hens]

My Personal Experiences
Bumblefoot ~ Thoughts on Heat during Winter ~ What amount of Temperature Change might harm a chicken?

I took my Jubilee Adeline back to the vet to have her bumblefoot re-checked. Dr. Gormley was pleased with the progress. He unwrapped the bandages, cleaned the area, applied antibacterial, made pad out of gauze, and re-wrapped her foot/partial leg. No charge. I'll take her back on Saturday to have it removed for good hopefully. I still have her in a hospital kennel inside, but let her outside in the afternoon when I can supervise.

Dr. Gormley is the veterinarian who also runs a wild bird rehabilitation clinic. For years, he and his family have enjoyed raising heritage livestock breeds including chickens and other animals including Dexter Irish Cattle.

While I was at his office, I asked if he provided heat for his chickens in the winter-- like the one we had last year. He replied, "Oh, definitely!" I told him that I belonged to an online Indiana chicken group and that I am one of the few who provides heat. I mentioned that last winter some members had chickens that suffered frostbite and/or died from the cold. I said that I could obviously tell when my chickens were miserably cold and I didn't believe in survival of the fittest. He agreed that he could tell when his some of his chickens, depending on breed, needed heat. Dr. Gormley said that they have a heat source in a portion of a large coop, and the chickens who need warmth will seek it --much like chicks do with brooder heat. He doesn't believe that heat "spoils" them or conditions them to need warmth. I explained to him that I add heat just enough to make them more comfortable-- for example, I posted last winter that when it was 0 degrees, my coop thermometer read 20 degrees in the coop box section, which is well ventilated.

Then I remembered to ask the mystery question! I said that many chicken resources advise against temperature changes-- like having a chicken to go from a warm house to the cold outdoors or from air-conditioning to a hot summer day, but I haven't been able to find out what is the recommended temperature range. Dr. Gormley said, "Around 20 degrees" (which turns out is the range of my coop heat). He said that it was fine to switch Adeline from indoors to outside for breaks because our air is set on 75 and it's been in the 90s outside. He mentioned that of course it's especially bad to have a chicken inside a toasty house in the winter and then put them out in the snow!

Many posts/sources who are against heat cite coop fires as the reason not to heat a coop. IMO, that's like saying that I shouldn't use my fireplace because my house might catch of fire or I shouldn't use my gas stove because it might start a fire. When I've described my practice of using heat in my coop, I've emphasized my use of safety precautions just as I would when using any appliance, etc. I've also said that my coop design and location are suitable for heating, but not all environments (like a hay filled dusty barn) are safe.

Anyway, as we all know, there are many opinions about raising chickens. I'm not urging anyone to do as I do-- I'm just sharing this conversation and information.