INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Here's what I'm trying for winter water this year. I can't endorse either of these until the temps get into the teens and single digits but thought I'd post a photo anyhow. I'll review them after things get colder.

This is my home made glass waterer sitting in a small heated dog bowl. It accomplishes a restricted opening so they can't get frostbite on wattles - or accidentally step into the water and get frostbite on the feet - which they can if the bowl is just open. The half-gallon jar is sitting in a pyrex leftover dish that is sitting down in the dog bowl. (Here is how I made the glass waterer but the water pan you see under it in this post is not the one I'm using in the dog bowl shown here http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/10/diy-glass-chicken-poultry-waterer.html




And the horizontal nipple waterer with the beautiful Black Bandie modeling. I'm concerned that the springs in these will freeze when the temps get in the teens and single digits. We shall see.... I am using a bird bath deicer/stock tank heater to start with but will be changing to the submersible 50 watt aquarium heater soon which is what I was using last year. I'll give a review later after it's cold really cold.

 

[leslea]

@twoboystwogirls

Do they free range?

I am no expert on this, but my girls lay more on days when I let them out of the coop. Seems the more sun they get, the more they lay.

 

[leslea]

There is an Appenzeller ad on CL from S. Indiana (from October) for three roos. That's how I discovered I wanted one- they are so pretty! I was sorely, sorely tempted to get a roo, but I know I really cant have one. Maybe your friend got one of these roos. I did send an inquiry to that ad asking where they got theirs from. Maybe I will hear back.

Thank you, I will do that.

I hope the bleeding rooster that was posted last night is doing better.

Nope, she got a female chick in the spring. Pretty girl!

Prob the same breeder, though.

Hang in there, you'll find what you want!

Okay, here's something funny...I was just googling for the ad you were talking about, and my own FACE popped up in the results! *crazy chicken lady* alert!!!!

 

[twoboystwogirls]

@twoboystwogirls



Do they free range?


I am no expert on this, but my girls lay more on days when I let them out of the coop. Seems the more sun they get, the more they lay.

We let them out of the run as much as we can depending on the weather and if we are home.

 

[leslea]

We let them out of the run as much as we can depending on the weather and if we are home.

That's what I do, too. Sometimes if I am only going to be gone for 2 hours or so, I will go ahead and leave them out because they timeshare the yard with our dogs.

Again, I don't know if this makes any difference at all!

 

[horseshubob]

I have some birds in my new coop !!!!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Well Earl must b feeling a little better. He's not walking nor moving around the crate hardly at all but at 5:17 this morning I was rudely awakened by the weakest gurgling crow I've ever heard! He still lets out a weak bellow ever once in a while, but is so quiet it's nearly nonexistent. He at least is showing some effort. Spoiled boy got oatmeal with scrambled egg and scratch grains added to it for breakfast. He nibbled a little but wasn't too enthused about food. Found another deep scratch on his back poor guy.
Well that's the morning update, hope you all stay warm n cozy today. Enjoy your day!

ETA: wasn't another rooster that did this, there's a new cat in the neighborhood! The ducks are vigilant protectors they've attacked it twice already today. I know was a cat that got Earl because I found fang punctures in the poor guys leg a little while ago. I hope his leg isn't broken. Searching for a vet that will see him.

if you have not found a vet yet, you might be able to talk a horse vet into seeing a chicken. Another thought is if you live near a zoo, they might have a vet on staff that you could get to see your roo after hours. Then there is the 4H people who should also have contact info for various vets.

My hatchery order has been pushed a month. I has sad.

That is sad, but come the end of brooding time you will be happier that the chicks are a month younger and less work in the cold weather.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I dont have any pictures on here so thought i would just throw one in. LOL wonder if they would use this for next yrs. calender or maybe its not good enough? what do you all think? I dont know how to submit it anyway.

 

[ellymayRans]

Well the chaos has begun! Bitter cold and snowy today..my dog was running around barking at the treetops for over an hour he stayed outside. I guess he decided the coast was clear and came in. An hour passed and I heard some shrieks I ran out to see a very large hawk had one of my Silkie boys! I screamed. .sending my dog after it! He tried flying away dragging him til he had to drop him to get away from the dog! Little boy took off running back and I met him halfway! Scooped him up and brought him in. He's lucky to be alive for sure! Large hole in his face and the back of his neck. The hole in his face never bled, I didn't think he'd even be able to drink without drowning. I swore it was into his nasal cavity. But here he sits recouping. I feel sooo bad for him!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

aww, poor baby. he is so pretty . what kind of dog do you have ? did you train him around your chickens ? I have 2 dogs and all they want to do is chase and maybe eat mine.