INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[ChickCrazed]

That's OK. I appreciate the willingness to help. I couldn't do eggs or chicks anyway, even in the spring. due to my extremely limited space. That's why I have to wait to find older birds that are known to be hens



So, for people who want rare breeds, do they almost always have to order eggs or chicks from far away and raise them themselves, and then try to sell off the extras? That seems like quite a gamble, and you would need space for them until they sold, if you could even sell them. I would like an Appenzeller Spitzhauben someday, but I don't see any way of getting just one. Being new to chickens, I am discovering all sorts of breeds for my wish list, but apparently only the common ones are easy to find.

You can order sexed chicks from the hatcheries. They won't be the same quality but you are LESS likely to end up with a bunch of males (they only claim 80% accuracy so you will likely still end up with a few boys to rehome). Most people go the chick route I believe. It seems that most breeders will sell chicks straight run so they don't get stuck with a bunch of males themselves. If they sell older birds it seems to be in pairs/trios/quads so they are still getting rid of some of the males. That isn't to say that you won't find exactly what you want, it is just going to be more difficult.

As far as growing up the chicks, when the weather is nice it isn't that bad. I had them in a tote inside with an eco-glow heater, then they went out into a large appliance box in my garage until they were coop ready. It isn't as much work or as space intensive as many fear.

We do have quite a few breeders of less common breeds in the state and here on the thread, but I think many of us have also ordered chicks from other states. I had a group of 10 arrive this spring from Missouri and they were fine.

ETA some of the hatcheries do carry rare breeds, but they are not to the standard of perfection.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:

It really is not the best time of the year for hatching, but you might be able to get a few CCL eggs from different people to hatch yourself. I'd offer to hatch you some but I'm only getting about 5-8 eggs a week from my CCL. Given a week to collect eggs and 21 more days to set them, it would be mid December before any chicks hatched and no promises of any females.

That's OK. I appreciate the willingness to help. I couldn't do eggs or chicks anyway, even in the spring. due to my extremely limited space. That's why I have to wait to find older birds that are known to be hens



So, for people who want rare breeds, do they almost always have to order eggs or chicks from far away and raise them themselves, and then try to sell off the extras? That seems like quite a gamble, and you would need space for them until they sold, if you could even sell them. I would like an Appenzeller Spitzhauben someday, but I don't see any way of getting just one. Being new to chickens, I am discovering all sorts of breeds for my wish list, but apparently only the common ones are easy to find.

There are chicken shows where a breeder might be selling or at least could add your name to a waiting list. Other than that the hatcheries have been mentioned.
Local breeders can sometimes be found by contacting the 4H leaders.

I got some of breeds as chicks from another state, eggs shipped in from another state, a set including one male from the west side of Indiana, and a set from the north side of Indianapolis. The breed you are looking for and the quality of that breed can really narrow down the market / location.

Here is a link to some show dates. The OHIO Nationals just passed. Another local show is coming up in Connersville I think. Lebanon was a big show but nowhere near as large as the Ohio show. Even some of the hatcheries attended the OHIO show.
http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/

 

[kabhyper1]

I think it's cold enough that it's slowing down my feed fermentation.

How are the new silkies doing?

They are doing really well thanks for asking. I have a batch due to hatch in a week and a half. Hopefully we get spots this time. lol

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I am not sure but I think you want The Araucana breed. I think they lay true blue eggs. I think I read that somewhere.

Araucanas, ameraucanas, and crested cream legbars all lay blue eggs

I didn't care for the personality of my only BA either.  And I hatched 2 of her offspring mixed with a SFH roo.  They both seem to have gotten the personality of their mother and I haven't liked either one of them.

Oh...anyone interested in a year-old BA/SFH mix girl that, so far has layed well?  

I was interested and pm d you the last time I went up to michigan but you never got back to me

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I am going to the Dixie Classic!!! This is the farthest away show I have ever been to and i am pretty excited about it

 

[enola]

Be careful where you get your araucanas and ameraucanas, good quality hens from these breeds will lay blue eggs. But there are a lot of cross bred ones out there.......... I have 3 Cream Legbar hens that lay "greenish" blue eggs. These are hens from one of the breeders that is helping write the SOP for the Cream Legbars. There is another breed said to lay blue eggs, Arkansas blues, however the hatching eggs i have bought were not the "bluest" eggs i have ever seen. All of these hens do lay beautifully colored eggs, just not as blue as i expected.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Be careful where you get your araucanas and ameraucanas, good quality hens from these breeds will lay blue eggs. But there are a lot of cross bred ones out there.......... I have 3 Cream Legbar hens that lay "greenish" blue eggs. These are hens from one of the breeders that is helping write the SOP for the Cream Legbars. There is another breed said to lay blue eggs, Arkansas blues, however the hatching eggs i have bought were not the "bluest" eggs i have ever seen. All of these hens do lay beautifully colored eggs, just not as blue as i expected.

If you have ever looked at an Ameraucana or Araucana egg color chart you will see a few shades of green. Ameraucanas specifically are a newer breed and they aren't always the bluest . It is just better to know go you are buying from

 

[leslea]

Well it stayed 45 degrees in the barn all night! No frozen water yay!. We will see how long that lasts this week though.

Ugh, I'm dreading tonight! So cold out, already.

Most of the blue egg layers that you will find are Easter Eggers falsly called "Americauna". My Easter Eggers all lay blue eggs so I wouldn't rule those out if all you want is blue eggs. If you require pure breeds you are probably going to be looking for Crested Cream Legbars or true Ameraucana as they are the most popular. Both are probably going to be next to impossible to find as grown hens since they are rare and breeders will not be parting with many breeding age adults. You might be able to find someone downsizing their flock. I would be leary of going to a swap or auction since it is a really easy way to bring a nasty disease home, but it is a possibility and people do it. Chicks would be the easiest to find but it is a bad time of year to be doing them.

Ditto! My bantam EE lays very pretty blue eggs.

Hi, I have been haunting craigslist looking for hens that lay blue eggs with no luck. The few ads I have found have been sold by the time I inquire, or they are all "americaunas" that lay bluish green eggs. I've also tried Hoosier Topics. Then I got to thinking that maybe someone from Indiana on BYC might be able to point me where else to look. I don't have 20 posts yet, so I can't use the Buy Sell Trade area.

I have heard there is an auction every Thursday up in Strawtown, but I can't imagine there would be special or hard to find chickens there.

I kind of hesitate to put my own "chickens wanted" ad up on CL. Those tend to draw out the scammers, but I guess it might come to that if I don't have any luck through just searching.

So, am I putting this question in the right place? Is there a better area of BYC where I should have put it?

Thanks for any advice.

Honestly, I feel like it's easier to order what you want from a hatchery. The cost of ordering exactly what you want (sex, color egg, date of arrival, etc.) makes the birds a little more expensive, but by the time you factor in the costs of driving around to buy birds, time spent on Craigslist, MotrinIB, etc., it's pretty much a wash. EE are really common in the spring, too. You might be able to pick up some from TSC, but then you'd have to deal with whatever sex you get. My friends who buy chicks locally blanched at what I spent on my first flock last year, but it is still the easiest way to get what I want...so I just did it again!

The one thing I want you to steep in - and what ultimately gave me peace about it - is this: You can't do it perfectly, and you can't do it wrong. Any chickens you get will be a fun, entertaining learning experience. As you go along your flock will grow and shrink and change, and you'll find out what works for you over time. Take the long view on it. Your first flock is a starting point, not the destination. Relax and have fun!

This is so true. If you will just read along with the thread, you will pick up so much information.

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.

First of all, welcome, and take a deep breath. I know it feels stressful now, but you will get the hang of things and then it will be a joy looking up which birds to get next!

Okay...I think most breeds mix well. The only breed I have ever asked about that my Indiana BYCers warned me don't mix well are the Salmon Favorelle. They get picked on for some reason. I still want some, but I am waiting for another time. They are too cute, though! Otherwise, most of what I have read about "not mixing" are other species. Guineas and turkeys have been reported as picking on chickens by some on this board. I'm sure our friends will tell me if I've misunderstood this point!

As for cold hardy and broodiness, this will be my first winter with chickens, so we'll see how it goes...I was worried about my silkies, but everyone says they will be fine if the coop is dry and well-ventilated. It is. They are a little broody but it hasn't been a big deal yet.

My biggest problem in the first six months of chicken-keeping was getting rid of a rooster. The 2nd biggest problem was when a chick died on day 2. My son was traumatized. He cried about that for a long time. It was a good life lesson for him, though. He's excited to get more chickens.

Anyway, welcome and good luck, and report back with your findings, whatever you decide!

Looks great! It's pretty exciting when its completely done, you will be ready before you know it.
Good luck in your search.

Gorgeous!

Big Thank You to all of the Vets. We appreciate your service!

Ditto!

And that reminds me, I still have not used hubby's discount at either Lowe's or HD.

I would really like to find some mature birds in my area ..... anybody know of any near corydon ?? Thanks

There are some folks listed on the member list. You could try PMing them.

Alternately, my friend/neighbor is a chicken addict and she might be willing to part with a few mature birds if you don't find any, otherwise. I can't speak for her, but I'd be willing to ask if you run out of options.




My news!

I think my fourth hen started laying!

Last night hubby missed an egg in the coop, so I knew there would be one there today when I went out. I didn't have time to collect it bc I was on the go, but when I came back later today, I had five eggs instead of the expected max four! One of them had a few bloody streaks on it. Is that normal for a first egg?

My other news!

I ordered chicks today. Probably will have too many, but after losing one and rehoming another last year, I don't have enough eggs! That shouldn't be a prob this time next year! Worst case scenario, I'll have a Marans and an Olive Egger to rehome.

I'd thought I would just pass on the OEs, but I think I am obsessed with a colorful egg basket. Hoping my coop won't be too crowded!

 

[minmin1258]

HELP!!! Well ok things aren't THAT bad but I have a problem.
Went outside a couple hours ago to close the coops and bed down the ducks. Found Earl
(my white Silkie Roo just over a year old I believe) laying on the ground beside my car covered in blood literally from head to toe. These pictures were just taken, he has had two baths to TRY to get all the blood off of him so I can check for hidden injuries.

Ok so here's the problem, he has several gashes that look fairly deep. Can you give chickens stitches? Are they necessary? His head is gashed, above his right wing, on his left thigh and on his chest. What could have done this and left him lay? Is it possible for a rival rooster of the same breed to do this kind of damage?
He seems to be holding his own but he's very weak, like he's just fought a huge battle! Anything I can do for him other than what I've already done (clean him up, warm him up, Neosporine w/o pain relief on his wounds, baby aspirin in water for pain, and some vitamin water to help boost him a little).

 

[Granny Hatchet]

first off you should put him under a heat lamp. he looks to be in shock. then maybe a post in the emergency threads will bring you better help. yes a rooster can do that and you can use super glue to close a wound but it needs to be disinfected first . if he has stopped bleeding it may not be needed