INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

I took the day off work today to get the last minute things done for the barn housing. We were in the 50's and almost 60 yesterday, then 50's today and it's supposed to drop to the teens tonight.

Got everyone rounded up (which wasn't as easy a task as I thought it would be) and into the barn. It was so strange for the rest of the afternoon. They were very quiet. Exploring, but quite. And when it came time for roosting, the just didn't know what to do. They got a little more "talky" then, but still quiet.

Ended up putting one on a roost and then another tried it out out; then they both jumped down. It is pretty interesting to see them try to figure out what they should do. I think they were all thinking I was going to open the door and they'd all run home.

 

[ellymayRans]

My apologies. My assunption was incorrect. Following dog breeding pedigrees, the animals aren't supposed to carry your kennel name until you produce the pup through your own breeding. I rescind my offer, I'm going to grow them out as meaties. Just thought someone might want some of them before I did that.

I wasn't trying to discourage sharing the breed. IMO I think more chicken lovers should work on improving the breed.

 

[kabhyper1]

The English Angora are alot more work than the French Angoras. We do not groom everyday. Also, if you have the right kind of cage you don't really need to "clean" the inside of the cage too much. You have to get the kind with the tray underneath so that everything (poo) goes in there. They can't live in bedding because it will mat their fur. I don't see them being much more work than another type of rabbit. The girls actually like to brush them. Harvesting is obviously an amount of work. They also do better in the cold than other breeds. They actually like for it to be cold out. BUT, in the summer they are not very happy and need fans to keep them cool. We researched the Angora breeds for quite a while before we decided on the French Angora. We love them. They have the sweetest temperament. We just started breeding this past spring. Like anything else, I would suggest some research before you begin. My daughter really wanted rabbits but my husband told her no animals unless they give us something in return. Since we do not eat rabbit we chose the angora for the wool.

I think we found some english angoras. I have groomed dogs on and off for 10 years so I have the tools and the know how. I plan on keeping them in the house. We are only getting two does for now. We may get french later or a english buck. We wouldn't be getting them until probably the end of feb. Thanks again for your help.

 

[iamfivewire]

we like our Chanteclers - good for colder weather with the small or absent comb - they dont lay as much as an RSL, & are fairly frendly .

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

So does anyone else have fun "Animals asleep" pics? !?! Post!

Hehehe thats adorable!
This will be soooooo fun! here is my favorite...


She WAS asleep until I woke her up taking the picture! This is my LilX (cornish cross) with her buddy Bacon. She is saying "Oh no, moms going to make me go back to the chickens!"

Two pics I found on the iPad

awww too cute!

My husband and I have been talking about raising a couple of turkeys for the freezer next year. If we want the best tasting turkeys is there a certain variety we should look to buy as chicks?

Bourbon Red and Mini White won the "best tasting" on Mother earth news.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/turkey-taste-test.aspx#axzz3Ip5NeoEk
But, heritage take almost a year to reach table weight, longer if you want a large turkey. Turkeys do not "toughen with age" like chickens do, the older the bird is, the more flavor you can expect.
BBW/BBB reach weight (substantial weight in the toms) at 24 weeks. If you treat the bird as heritage and not let it eat 24 hours a day, it will grow slower and thrive. A lot of the flavor is in what they eat also. chopped fresh greens, fruit and veges as treats really helps if the birds won't be free ranging. I prefer the flavor of the bourbon red, but will be raising mini and holland white next year. I currently raise bourbons now and just adore the breed.

Didn't realize that choosing a breed would be so hard, I've been reading and researching numerous posts on different breeds and just when I have it narrowed down to two I like someone post negative comments about that breed .

I want chickens for eggs and ones that can handle the cold and hot Indiana weather, ones that are easy to handle not flighty. So I was thinking the australorpe because I've read they are high in egg production can handle the weather, easy to handle and average on broodiness. Then I read on here someone (cant find original post to quote) said that their australorpes are not those things at all. So what breeds would work for me? I was looking at easter eggers too, what breeds mix well and what ones don't ? I have LOTS of questions, I didn't want to ask a question that has been answered a hundreds times before, so I've been searching thru the archives to find the answers.

That was me on the australorps. My hens were from Mt Healthy hatchery in Ohio., and they boasted how they were high egg production birds. Mine act more like a heritage line, and spent most of the summer brooding air. I have had 3 roos from different sources and all 3 have been human aggressive. I hope I haven't steered you away from them, another line may be better than what I have. I posted the info because I wanted to share my experience as far as the issues with them, and my disappointment too. They are very cold hardy and good dual purpose as far as the roosters being large. The roos are very good to the hens, and very protective. I just expected better production of eggs, they honestly are no better than my orps, rir or rocks. Another hatchery or private breeders lines may be better.
Easter eggers, you don't know. It depends on what mix was used to make the bird! EEs are truly a mutt, so its difficult to guess at temperament. My honest opinion on a general dual purpose, easy to raise and keep breed are Plymouth Rocks, RIR, and Orpingtons. All 3 do very well here, friendly roos, forage and free range well, and can handle winter. The Australorp breed is the Australian version of the orpington ( Austral - orp).

 

[iamfivewire]

here's our 2 remaining buff chanteclers a couple months ago - we also have 3 white ones

 

[ellymayRans]

Hehehe thats adorable! This will be soooooo fun! here is my favorite... She WAS asleep until I woke her up taking the picture! This is my LilX (cornish cross) with her buddy Bacon. She is saying "Oh no, moms going to make me go back to the chickens!" awww too cute! Bourbon Red and Mini White won the "best tasting" on Mother earth news. http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/turkey-taste-test.aspx#axzz3Ip5NeoEk But, heritage take almost a year to reach table weight, longer if you want a large turkey. Turkeys do not "toughen with age" like chickens do, the older the bird is, the more flavor you can expect. BBW/BBB reach weight (substantial weight in the toms) at 24 weeks. If you treat the bird as heritage and not let it eat 24 hours a day, it will grow slower and thrive. A lot of the flavor is in what they eat also. chopped fresh greens, fruit and veges as treats really helps if the birds won't be free ranging. I prefer the flavor of the bourbon red, but will be raising mini and holland white next year. I currently raise bourbons now and just adore the breed. That was me on the australorps. My hens were from Mt Healthy hatchery in Ohio., and they boasted how they were high egg production birds. Mine act more like a heritage line, and spent most of the summer brooding air. I have had 3 roos from different sources and all 3 have been human aggressive. I hope I haven't steered you away from them, another line may be better than what I have. I posted the info because I wanted to share my experience as far as the issues with them, and my disappointment too. They are very cold hardy and good dual purpose as far as the roosters being large. The roos are very good to the hens, and very protective. I just expected better production of eggs, they honestly are no better than my orps, rir or rocks. Another hatchery or private breeders lines may be better. Easter eggers, you don't know. It depends on what mix was used to make the bird! EEs are truly a mutt, so its difficult to guess at temperament. My honest opinion on a general dual purpose, easy to raise and keep breed are Plymouth Rocks, RIR, and Orpingtons. All 3 do very well here, friendly roos, forage and free range well, and can handle winter. The Australorp breed is the Australian version of the orpington ( Austral - orp).

I love the chicken on Bacon pic! ! Sooo fun! I My first 6 chickens were chicks purchased from Mypetchicken hatchery. Maybe 4 years or so ago. I started with 2 Polish, 1 Dominique, 1 Salmon Favorelles, 1 Black Australorp and 1 Easter Egger. My favorite personality wise was the Dominique. All of them began laying within 22 weeks. I have 3 of those original left and my Easter Egger has been the best layer of them all. When she's not on a break for winter or molting she lays just about every day. None of them were bad. The Polish wouldn't roost in the coop at night at times and therefore not with us anymore. Predators. My lovely Dominique was pinned and killed by a hawk. She also was a daily layer. My Black Australorp is still with us and never went broody until a few of my Marans did last year but she broke easy and hasn't since. The Salmon Favorelles I would have a hundred if just them if I could live with just one breed (I can't. .lol) but she's very sweet unique purring but not a great steady layer. All of them are great foragers. I have quite a few different breeds now but definitely have a soft spot for my original flock of girls. My Marans are the broody queens here! Really though, just depends what your personal goals are for them. @hoosiercheetah and @ChickCrazed had great approach and perspectives as well! Ask away. .!

 

[ellymayRans]

@jchny2000 thanks for sharing your info on best tasting turkeys. .I've been contemplating a few just for Thanksgiving! We shall see. I saw some offered up on CL Bloomington.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

you both have awesome advise !!! or you can do what i did, just get one of everything. LOL

Very good post! And very true too.

Quote: It really is ok to share what line your birds came from, and that you know the pedigree they have. We aren't a breed specific group at all, and I enjoy seeing who has what. Seriously, please feel free to post. I had a terrible time finding the color and type of BCMs myself I wanted. Don't hesitate to post your birds available, it helps others starting out trying to find a breed they want. Our other members are correct on "breed etiquette" but we are here to share and have fun! Thanks very much for posting what you have

I have a free blue Ameraucana rooster. Bluffton, IN. PM if you are interested

I am very much so, but way too far away

I would love to have him.

 

[bradselig]

Very good post! And very true too.

It really is ok to share what line your birds came from, and that you know the pedigree they have. We aren't a breed specific group at all, and I enjoy seeing who has what.  Seriously, please feel free to post. I had a terrible time finding the color and type of BCMs myself I wanted. Don't hesitate to post your birds available, it helps others starting out trying to find a breed they want. Our other members are correct on "breed etiquette" but we are here to share and have fun! Thanks very much for posting what you have

I am very much so, but way too far away I would love to have him.

I can keep him for you until I make it back down with the other birds if you'd like and if he is still available. I'm meeting up with Cccccccckickens on Thursday.