INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CluckAcres]

Hello fellow Hoosiers! Nice to see this forum so busy! i'm near Middlebury, 5 min from the MI line. I've kept chickens 5 years now, and really like colorful plumage and eggs...I wish i had better pics, but i've got issues with my camera...this is a cellphone pic of my sink ;~)
I have 16 chickens, Ameraucanas, a pair of Araucanas, a buff Orp, a barred rock, two pairs of Barnevelders, and two random roosters, a splash Blue-laced Red Wyandotte (who is available to a good home!) and a gimpy Marans/Ameraucana mix.


I have a very lonely 3 year old India Blue peacock, if anybody knows where I can get him a girlfriend, please PM me! I also need a good Ameraucana rooster.

I was diligently live-trapping coons and possums last fall, so far i don't have any of those, and all but my Araucanas are too big for hawks, so I haven't lost any of my free-ranging birds this year...yet. I'm hoping to hire someone to build a flight/ breeding cage for a peahen, and some breeding runs for the chickens.

I'm thinking we're just gonna go from winter to summer this year?

Where is the link to be on the state member list?

Welcome! Check out the links below in my signature .You will find the members list plus a link to many other links and helpful info. If you would like to be added to the members list just send me a Private Message with City, County you live in and list what breeds you want listed and if they are Large Fowl or Bantam. Glad to have you here!

 

[CluckAcres]

I want to be on the Indiana list. I am in Roanoke, IN. I'm looking for French Black Copper Maran hens who are laying or are at least started pullets from good stock. Anybody out there have any or know of any, nearby?

Welcome! Check out the links below in my signature .You will find the members list plus a link to many other links and helpful info. If you would like to be added to the members list just send me a Private Message with City, County you live in and list what breeds you want listed and if they are Large Fowl or Bantam. Glad to have you here!

 

[CluckAcres]

We have alot of hawks and crows around my area lately. Seems there is more this year than usual. I had 2 chickens and a duck come up missing within the last week. Noticed the duck is gone today. Sorry brad yes one of the ducks i got from you is missing. I looked all over and couldnt find any signs.

 

[strssdmom]

Well, I set up my brooder yesterday, I*t's a large plastic tote, I put a thermometer with a probe taped to the bottom of the cage, I put in pine shavings and am testing the heat level and trying to get it rite before I go get my chic's, I've done lots of reading, just wondering if I should sprinkle some of the Datmatious earth on the bottom of the brooder, or does it go into the feed? I'm gonna have only 5-6 chic's so this cage should be good size for a few weeks, I'm also going to make a wire lid for it too. What do you guys think?

Looks great! Not sure if you need the diatomaceous earth (DE) in the brooder. They will not be outside to pick up mites or lice, so not sure about that. I think the wire top will made a big difference. All it needs now is a few chicks, and you will be all set. Don't forget a good starter food and the feeder and waterer.
Have fun!
Elizabeth

 

[SallyinIndiana]

We have alot of hawks and crows around my area lately. Seems there is more this year than usual. I had 2 chickens and a duck come up missing within the last week. Noticed the duck is gone today. Sorry brad yes one of the ducks i got from you is missing. I looked all over and couldnt find any signs.

I hope you find your duck and missing birds or find out what took them.

 

[vickichicki]

AATH - Many Birthday wishes. I believe as you get older you miss out on things like fun gifts. I think you could plead that. Chicks would make an awesome gift.

4 the Birds - I see the chickens are utilizing the snow shoveled path. Too funny. The property you there looks huge. We have a good friend who lives at the corner of 196th and Moontown. Love his property too. Would not mind moving to Westfield. Far enough away from the city, but an ok drive if you need things. Well that and sooo much space.

Cluck - I am going to assume with the late start on the good old spring the hawks are getting desperate for food. The critters are probably not as active as they normally are this time of year, hence them picking on easy prey. Would hanging foil tins/pie plates around help? I know you can use this method for the vegetable garden and it keep most birds out. Could try the scarecrow method too.

 

[CluckAcres]

Cluck - I am going to assume with the late start on the good old spring the hawks are getting desperate for food. The critters are probably not as active as they normally are this time of year, hence them picking on easy prey. Would hanging foil tins/pie plates around help? I know you can use this method for the vegetable garden and it keep most birds out. Could try the scarecrow method too.

Yea i think they are getting desperate for food. I know my roosters are doing there job as well also. When ever they see a hawk they let the hens know and they take cover but I have noticed a few times at least a hawk will just appear over top without any warning. They come up from behind the barn out of no where and the flock wont even notice it at first.

 

[danand]

PinkE- that's how I've done mine, and for covers I have those expandable window screens. So they fit on different sizes of tubs.

 

[instar8]

Yea i think they are getting desperate for food. I know my roosters are doing there job as well also. When ever they see a hawk they let the hens know and they take cover but I have noticed a few times at least a hawk will just appear over top without any warning. They come up from behind the barn out of no where and the flock wont even notice it at first.

I've lost a lot of roosters over the years because they will challenge an intruder...and get taken first. ;~(

 

[bradselig]

So I have a silkie chick that appears to be very weak. It was moving very little, barely able to keep eyes open. When I found it, I have been syringing/dropping electrolyte water to see if it will give it a boost. I have seen it several times laying in its back and not even bothering to try and right itself. Since I have been syringing water into him, he has gain some strength, able to stand on its own, cheering when taken from the others, etc. but still very weak. I tried taking some feed and mixing it with water and putting a dab up to his beak with my finger. He has no interest in eating.

Any suggestions? I'm continuing to hydrate him every hour. I'm able to give him less than1cc before he starts shaking his head and stops drinking. And he did poop on me which appeared to be normal.