INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

Jason there is a limited list here on BYC on cities and towns that allow it. 1 way to find out is either from a pay phone or pre-paid cell phone (and do not give your name or address) and call the local zoneing office for the city or town you live in.

My city needed the house address to say if chickens were allowed. It depended on the exact property's zoning. I was a touch bit stressed to give them my address but I knew it would be really hard to hide the chickens anyway in our small town. I even thought about giving them my neighbor's address but around here everyone knows someone and it would have come out in the end.
What I did do was to say I wanted the chickens as a learning experiment for my children. That was completely true and yet it did not give the impression of having chickens forever. But after investing as much money in chickens as I have, they are sticking around for a long time.

 

[bradselig]

I'm glad I'm in the country! Too many piddly rules and regulations when living in the city for me.

 

[bradselig]

I'm glad I'm in the country! Too many piddly rules and regulations when living in the city for me.

 

[gwrulz]

Hello Hoosiers. Getting back into backyard chickens.

Located in Franklin Indiana.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Some friends of ours have silkies, so we will probably go with them. Not too good for food or eggs, but they look silly. As for a duck, we want an Indian runner. Just a bit worried cause there is supposedly an ordinance against chickens in our town, but from what I see a lot of people have them. We've only lived here a year so we don't know the history of it.

Jason

PM me what town, Jason I will call and inquire! They won't have any idea why I am asking!

I found out today I am being annexed....going to the town hall meeting in February. We live next door to a beef farmer, and a large hobby farm on the other side...but I am still concerned what changes may be coming.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

new to the group today. I am in Indianapolis on the northeast side. I currently have 1 rooster (Black Australorp), 2 Black Australorp pullets, and 3 Red Star pullets. I picked them all up on February 29, 2012. Around Christmas, I hatched out 5 of 8 eggs (first time attempt) ijn a homemade cardboard box incubator. They should have an interesting look with the father being blackand the mothers the reddish brown color. I currently have 6 eggs in a new homemade incubator (placed Jan 3rd). The December hatches can be seen live (if they decide to go into the camera view) here. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cwaf . The girls and the General are out and about, roaming the yard in the paths that the dogs and I created. Maybe we will see more of the green stuff if the temps hit the 50's as forecasted this week!

Welcome! We are happy to have you join us! I think its exciting to get to watch the hatch channels. I was able to see one a few weeks back. One of us will get you added to the list. Do you have chicks you plan to sell? IF so we can add them to your info also.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hello Hoosiers. Getting back into backyard chickens.

Located in Franklin Indiana.

Welcome back to Chickens, and

We are glad you've joined us!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'm finally getting back.... So here's my introduction!

My first 6 chicks came from Townline Hatchery and I ordered them through Matthys Farm Market in South Bend so I could get just a few. (Matthy's takes specific orders from individuals in the spring then pools the order so there is no minimum.)

When I started out I had just a few goals and I have to say I've learned a TON since beginning and my understanding, and therefore my goals, have expanded quite a bit. However, here are the originals:

My original goals were:
-To raise animals that are fed what they would naturally eat so that their meat and eggs are healthy for us (rather than the typical factory-farm fare).
-To raise them, in general, as "natural" or "organic" as possible without drugs, hormones, etc.
-To allow them to forage, as much as possible, for their food.
-To begin to raise food for ourselves to become more self-reliant and less dependent on the "grocery store"
-To decide if I wanted to continue with chickens long-term.


The breeds I chose for the main group were:
-"Old Breeds" that are dual purpose with a good ability for laying. (No "egg machines" that burn out quickly.)
-Reputation for the ability to Forage well.
-Cold-hardy and heat tolerant.

Secondary breed choice:
-Wanted some colored eggs for variety; general rules don't apply here!

I wanted to start out SMALL and decide if I wanted to continue with the chickens so I only got 6 to start:
2 RIR
2 BR
2 Aracaunas

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As I said, I've learned a lot since I began and will likely not purchase chicks from the hatchery again. I WILL continue with chickens. As some of you know, one of my RIRs went broody and is now taking care of a brood of 4 Swedish Flower Hens (don't know sex yet - they're 1 week at this writing). (Originally Imported to the US in 2010 by Greenfire Farms.)

My future breed goals are to go to all heritage birds (by fertile egg or chicks) from good lines that I can continue to propagate for my future flocks. I prefer not to have chicks shipped and will travel a reasonable distance to pick them up.

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I found a wonderful feed mill where I can order feed formulated the way I want it. I tell them what I don't or do want to include and they formulate for vitamin/mineral/protein content depending on what I'm feeding (chicks, layers, broilers, etc.) Only caveat is that I have to purchase 300 lbs minimum. I was able to find someone to share with me so that has worked out very well. I feed organic with no soy (fitting to my goals). The mill also will formulate not organic but non-GMO, or conventional....whatever I want. Since I have to purchase in quantity, I decided to have them formulate an "all purpose" with 16% protein and low enough on calcium that I can feed it to the chicks. Then I put out calcarb free choice for the layers and supplement protein for the littles.

I think someone was going to put together a list of feed sources for Indiana so whenever that comes up let me know and I'll get the info to you!


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So...there's the "overview introduction"!

I love your thoughts and approach to non-gmo I sincerely hope to get there myself this next year. I want to work towards good lines of heritage breeds for our flocks too. My hopes is to obtain some JCHinks line of BO's and lavenders also. They are so lovely!
That was me, on the Food Mill links! We plan to add that to the members & links pages! You can share it here, or pm me either way is fine. We all need those good resources! I plan to check out the one closest to me (Alexandria) and i heard today there's one in Hamilton County also. It was so hard finding this info when I first got back into chickens last spring. Feed mills are really hard to find that are still open, what a horrible shame.

 

[CluckAcres]

new to the group today. I am in Indianapolis on the northeast side. I currently have 1 rooster (Black Australorp), 2 Black Australorp pullets, and 3 Red Star pullets. I picked them all up on February 29, 2012. Around Christmas, I hatched out 5 of 8 eggs (first time attempt) ijn a homemade cardboard box incubator. They should have an interesting look with the father being blackand the mothers the reddish brown color. I currently have 6 eggs in a new homemade incubator (placed Jan 3rd). The December hatches can be seen live (if they decide to go into the camera view) here. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cwaf . The girls and the General are out and about, roaming the yard in the paths that the dogs and I created. Maybe we will see more of the green stuff if the temps hit the 50's as forecasted this week!

Welcome! Never seen anyone make a incubator out of a cardboard box before. Glad it worked out!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Our forecast is saying 48, WOHOO! hope to have a lot of ranging time today. All my birds are restless. Should be able to get a coat of paint on the "new" coop too, my Australorps just hit 3 weeks, and I want everything ready for them when they are ready to go out.