INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

I wonder if you could give him a good sized kennel right inside where the chickens are for a week or 2...kind of like you do when bringing a new bird into the flock? The "see but no touch" thing.

I'd think that if the adult chickens decided to, they could do a little guy some real damage. But maybe if they get used to seeing him around without being able to get at each other they'll do better when he's out in a week or 2?

Just a thought. Have no experience!!!

 

[racinchickins]

Does anyone near Brown County need a rooster or maybe five roosters? I always end up with too many roosters.

Quote: I would definitely be interested in doing that. Send me a pm and we can discuss details and maybe come to an agreement. Just as a starting point (and info for other turkey raisers), other peoples research says it takes 75-95lbs of food per turkey to go from poult to table. Looks like @jchny2000 and I need to really get started on the bulk food project....

 

[Mother2Hens]

I have a really interesting video on my facebook page, its a digital creation of development of an embryo.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=583187868439897

hope its viewable.

I happened to see that video last night! It's fascinating to see day by day changes.

Chicken Embryo Development - YouTube

I do. I also sell eggs and poults in the spring and summer. Last year was the first time we had one of my birds for Thanksgiving. My MIL called it the 'Best turkey she'd ever had'. And if you've ever met her, that was a big compliment. Because whatever is in her mind is what she says. She lost her inside voice years ago.
@racinchickins Hahaha We noticed as our parents aged, that they lost their "filters."

@wabashchickens

Here are two popular options-- I use the deep litter method combined with pea pebbles that help keep the dirt churned up and dry. I also remove poop daily from the coop sleeping box section, but I have a small flock, so it's not a hassle. I also use Garden Lime (very inexpensive) to sprinkle over poop residue as needed. It keeps flies from congregating.

The Chicken Chick: The Deep Litter Method of Waste ...
Chicken Coop Bedding: Sand, the Litter Superstar
Originally Posted by kabhyper1
Hey guys! Can any of you lend some insight on adjusting a 5 month old kitten to the flock? We have mice really bad and got a barn kitty yesterday. He is using the little coop in our barn as a healing/ adjustment area. I let him out to explore a bit today. The chickens are really unsure of what he is. I want this to work out since he is such a nice mellow cat. Any advice would be great. Thanks! I dont want him killing my chickens.


@kabhyper1 Your kitty is adorable!! Let him get pecked in the nose by a hen. I'm not kidding. I have three cats, and they quickly learned not to mess with the chickens. Cats' noses are sensitive, so if they get pecked, it hurts! My hens gang up on my cats when needed, and I've even had a chick chase a cat by itself! One of my chickens pulled my cat's tail as he was fleeing! My cats try to avoid the chickens if possible. I mentioned recently that we adopted the brother (Purrcy) of my cat, Lionel. Although Purrcy learned not to mess with the chickens, we've enforced the message by saying "NO" and chasing him away from the chickens.

 

[Mother2Hens]

In Evansville area with my five buff orpington girls. They are seven weeks old.
I watch for hawks wile walking them every day. They love the crickets.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Hey guys! Can any of you lend some insight on adjusting a 5 month old kitten to the flock? We have mice really bad and got a barn kitty yesterday. He is using the little coop in our barn as a healing/ adjustment area. I let him out to explore a bit today. The chickens are really unsure of what he is. I want this to work out since he is such a nice mellow cat. Any advice would be great. Thanks! I dont want him killing my chickens.



He really vicious.

I purposely let my cats get to know the ducks and turkeys then the roosters then the older hens. My cats are not near chicks though.

 

[Mother2Hens]

@kabhyper1 At first, we supervised Purrcy around Bonbon's chicks. He knew he shouldn't near them, but we could see his instincts kick in, so we reinforced with NO! and chasing him off. Purrcy snuck out a few times, and Bonbon apparently protected them along with the gang of mean hens. I still reinforce the rules to Purrcy.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Just my opinion...and I know sand has been discussed before....

But I avoid sand as litter or a run bedding. It can very easily become a vector for cocci and I know some folks that have had recurring cocci issues when using sand. When they switched to pine shavings, leaves, etc., the cocci was no longer an issue.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Just my opinion...and I know sand has been discussed before....

But I avoid sand as litter or a run bedding. It can very easily become a vector for cocci and I know some folks that have had recurring cocci issues when using sand. When they switched to pine shavings, leaves, etc., the cocci was no longer an issue.

we have a small sand area that gets covered with pine shavings and tun the chickens dig to the sand. But the next day the chickens are dusting in the deep litter in the run and the sand gets covered again. From what I have seen, I would also recommend staying away from sand. The pine shavings are easier to get a good working deep litter going. So many benefits to having a deep litter that outweigh the sand option for me.


I know it was posted earlier but Would anyone like to get some heritage turkey poults? These are great fun birds. Even if you don't process them, they make wonderful pets. Mine sound like tiny puppies and follow me around too.

 

[hanakimi]

I would be interested in 'sponsoring' 2 turkeys, raised and processed as part of the sponsoring, for a fair price. If you didn't have to keep the turkeys, maybe 2 more wouldn't be so bad.
Just trying to think outside the box.

I'd also love to do that as well. I'm only allowed hens where i live

 

[kabhyper1]

Thanks for the advice. He is curious about everyone, but I haven't let him in with the chickens and alpacas yet. He just got neutered on Tuesday and is still on meds so he is still in his little cat coop. That coop makes an awesome cat house. He loves it. I'm hoping sleeping in that coop every night will keep him around when we let him out for good. He is really sweet, I wouldn't want him getting hurt by another cat or raccoon or something.