INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Can't believe the mild weather! My birds are loving it, but geez the mud is awful. And more rain coming in tonight. I am relieved that this isn't snow coming down. I am using so much wood chips Its time to call and ask for more. The good part of the wood chips is all the white grubs in them, I no sooner dump a tractor bucket full and they are all over it scratching, looking for grubs

and spreading it all out for themselves.

 

[minmin1258]

I need Russian orlaffs

Fertle eggs for a dollar

Just thought I would trow this out there. You aren't going to find Russian proofs eggs for $1. They are a very very rare breed. Not very many people breed them. And now is a bad time for eggs

I sold a friend Russian Orloffs (2 hens and a Roo) a couple months ago with the understanding I get a batch of eggs to hatch this coming Spring. Will chk n see if they'll b selling any hatching eggs.

 

[minmin1258]

Here's a non chicken related question. I'm needing to find a new provider for auto insurance. My current agent decided to drop the company I was using (MetLife) for the past 5 yrs (auto and home). I priced around several times during those 5 yrs and they were the best. Now I'm shopping around again and the cheapest I have found is Geico. Anyone use them? I've always went to places that have local agents. But just for auto insurance alone, it is $250 a year less than what I'm getting quoted on from everyone else (same exact coverage). Working retail, I have quickly learned the old saying "You get what you pay for" is very true.
So anyone use Geico? For home (not up for renewal until July) looks like Liberty Mutual (a geico company) is also the best value.

My current agent is quoting me $510 per 6 months and that's with $250 deductible on both comprehensive and collision. Gieco is quoting $370 for exact same coverage except a $0 deductible for comprehensive and $200 deductible for collision (so actually better coverage).

I had Geico years ago (7 or 8 yrs ago actually) they were very good company. Had occasion to file auto claim when neighbor set off bottle rockets in Fourth of July and busted out glass in side of my Van. Paid quickly with no qualms. Only reason we stopped/changed was they went paperless, wanted to deduct payment directly from my checking acct, also they didn't cover Mobile homes then unless they were setup on permanent foundations (mines on footers with concrete pillars)I didn't like the auto deductions at all! We now have Erie Ins co. On both home and auto. They have bn good to us also. Claims paid quickly, lots of discounts and not priced to high either.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: That would actually be a very good idea. Every other year its good practice to breed black back into your lavender stock to keep the color pure. I did so this last year, and the lavender chicks looked better the original stock. I will be keeping some chicks this coming year, my guys are 2 years old in February.

 

[Faraday40]

That would actually be a very good idea. Every other year its good practice to breed black back into your lavender stock to keep the color pure. I did so this last year, and the lavender chicks looked better the original stock. I will be keeping some chicks this coming year, my guys are 2 years old in February.

My daughter (& Husband) keep reminding me that Santa needs cookies, so my hatching dreams will have to wait.

This little egg has other plans.....

My black orp isn't anything special - genetically. What I'd like is to get a big round English Black Orp. I really like how they look when the feathers nearly touch the ground. I wasn't going to keep a roo, but I figured a hen protector wouldn't be all bad. Tank (the roo) just happens to be Lav Orp. He's rather quiet & now I find he's a "gentleman" too.

Tank went through a slight rebellious stage in Nov. He kind of tested everyone in the family. Not really attacking but a "bump" which was barely felt. Each time he got picked up. (Except for my preschooler who decided to play chase the rooster with a super soaker. It worked well!) As Thanksgiving got closer, Tank's behavior improved. DH kept saying we were going to have a "Tank's-giving" dinner, but the behavior improved, so there was no reason to get rid of him.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
I think almost every lone rooster goes thru the "testing" stage. You did exactly what was needed! The english orps are much different all together. I have 2 here. A blue and a black but both boys are so docile, they do not handle a free range situation well. I watch them very close and they stick together. They will be getting a coop of their own soon. Once I have a few weeks of hatching they will get my American lavender and blue orp hens. The size of them is pretty impressive but a lot of it is the thick fluffy feathering. The american orps have more body mass and less fluff to them, but not as attractive as the big fluffy english orp. I want to see the outcome of the cross, but will probably stick with the american line, and rehome the english fellas. They are more a single roo type bird, and can see they will fare better without competition of the more aggressive breeds.

 

[mrsblanchard]

For gifts this year, I decided to make ornaments using blown eggs. To make it even easier, I bought stickers instead of painting each one. The tops were made from floral accents I found in the wedding area. Buttons or beads would have also worked. I then put a layer of Modge Podge to add a little shell strength. Here they are hanging to dry. I learned a new trick to blow eggs out. After making a hole, use an empty syringe to push air inside the egg. This increases the pressure & the egg contents will push outward. Make sure to pierce the yolk so it comes out easier. It takes several pumps of the syringe, but you avoid kissing an egg. Wash it out in a similar manner. When finished & dried, the egg only has one small hole. I saved several blown eggs from when my hens started laying. We now have an egg from each hen to hang on our tree, as well as little gifts for all the neighbors & local friends. While shopping at Hobby Lobby, I found this Christmas ornament - 50% off. It was just too perfect to put back.

We do blown eggs at Easter, hadn't thought of ornaments! What beautiful unique gifts!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

@Faraday40 I learned a new trick too ! I also used a syringe only i was forcing water in the egg and well, Talk about egg on my face.

 

[Dish chickens]

This is one of two black orpingtons I have from last years hatch. They are both very nice looking and nice temperament. I only need to keep one around but I just keep hanging on to both thinking someone will want to improve or want new blood line. Either one would show very well too. I am hatching out new years and 2 more hatches after so I need to do something very soon. If you are interested PM me .....these pic are of the same rooster hatched in May 20014

 

[henhouse444]

I need 1 pair of chickens any type