INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

@hoosiercheetah

How soon do you want your pullets? Also, will you be doing the separated area in your hen house so that they can integrate easier (even after quarantine)? Especially in the winter when they are under close quarters, you'll be really glad they have a separate area....

 

[Leahs Mom]

I wonder if you could make a mineral block or two using lard and the leftover bag.

Hmmm. Maybe. I'll have to figure out how much to use for something like that but it is a thought. I always have a fear that I'm going to give them too much of that kind of stuff...especially the synthetic stuff which I imagine some of the ingredients are.... (There is some natural source in there like kelp, probiotics, etc....I'll have to do a good look at the ingredients and see.)

 

[hoosiercheetah]

@hoosiercheetah

How soon do you want your pullets? Also, will you be doing the separated area in your hen house so that they can integrate easier (even after quarantine)? Especially in the winter when they are under close quarters, you'll be really glad they have a separate area....

I already have the quarantine area set up, so I can take them any time, depending on price of course.

Yes, they'll have a separate area in the coop for a get-to-know-you period. They'll have enough space of their own, that I won't be in a hurry to integrate them. In case I forgot to be clear, I'm looking for 4 to 6 pullets, and I'd like to get them all from one source. Closer to Indy is better, but I can travel a bit for quality birds.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

http://www.ruralking.com/14-ft-x-14-ft-tree-netting.html

Anyone use this kind of bird netting over the top of a run? I mostly just need to keep hawks out, or snare them if they try to get in.

 

[kabhyper1]

http://www.ruralking.com/14-ft-x-14-ft-tree-netting.html

Anyone use this kind of bird netting over the top of a run? I mostly just need to keep hawks out, or snare them if they try to get in.

Yep. I used those all summer for my silkie run. They tend to collect leaves and seeds but that also helps to camouflage run. I bought about 4 of those and 2 of the deer netting that are 7' x 100' for make shift penning. The plastic fence posts do pretty well holding the netting up as long as you fold it over since the posts are only 4 feet tall.

 

[kabhyper1]

I was reading the mouse issues and remembered something. Mice hate peppermint. If you have mint growing. bring some inside. Peppermint essential oil works really well also I've heard. I haven't tried it, but I plan too. Nermal our barn kitten is no help yet. So other methods will be used until he grows up. My EE hens like to find nooks and crannies to lay eggs, so I'm cautious about traps. I like the idea of the sonic ones, but would that bother the cat or the alpacas I wonder.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

Yep. I used those all summer for my silkie run. They tend to collect leaves and seeds but that also helps to camouflage run. I bought about 4 of those and 2 of the deer netting that are 7' x 100' for make shift penning. The plastic fence posts do pretty well holding the netting up as long as you fold it over since the posts are only 4 feet tall.

Cool beans. I'm thinking of using t-posts and basic chicken wire for the run, and netting over the top.

 

[Leahs Mom]

http://www.ruralking.com/14-ft-x-14-ft-tree-netting.html

Anyone use this kind of bird netting over the top of a run? I mostly just need to keep hawks out, or snare them if they try to get in.

I use it too but I get it in the rolls. It works for hawks but, of course, isn't predator proof.

From Lowes. I'd put a link but their links don't seem to work to individual pages.

Editing to add: 7 ft. wide x 100 ft. long.

Greenscapes 700-sq ft Bird Netting

Item #: 376727 | Model #: 208711

$13.48

 

[hoosiercheetah]

I use it too but I get it in the rolls. It works for hawks but, of course, isn't predator proof.

From Lowes. I'd put a link but their links don't seem to work to individual pages.

Editing to add: 7 ft. wide x 100 ft. long.

Greenscapes 700-sq ft Bird Netting

Item #: 376727 | Model #: 208711

$13.48

Neet-o. hawks are the only daytime predators I'm worried about. We don't even get stray dogs in my neighborhood. Several of my neighbors are kind of crazy about calling animal control if they see a stray.

The girls are locked up tight at night. The Hennitentiary is totally impervious to raccoons and such.

 

[kabhyper1]

Neet-o. hawks are the only daytime predators I'm worried about. We don't even get stray dogs in my neighborhood. Several of my neighbors are kind of crazy about calling animal control if they see a stray.

The girls are locked up tight at night. The Hennitentiary is totally impervious to raccoons and such.

We use 200# fishing line strung about 10 feet up between trees and coop like a web, 2 horned owl decoys on each side of the property, wind chimes, garden and deer netting (taken down now for winter since the birds mostly hang out by the barn or under the alpacas), and the alpacas, the chickens tend to only go out to the pasture when they are out too. I think the size of them is also a bit of a deterrent. My fenced back yard is about 20 feet from our pasture and our dogs are out a lot. We live on a pretty populated road and our pasture is between 4 houses. I think for those that are in the middle of nowhere though the fishing line, owl decoys, bird netting, wind chimes etc.. would help if you don't have population, dogs, or other large animals to help. I have seen 3 hawks in the last few days and they seem to prefer the big field behind us for hunting.