INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[flyladyrocks]

As far as planning for the year. I'll have Mottled Javas, Cream Legbars, and American Bresse chicks available this year. I finally got the groups separated, and I'll start saving eggs in March.

 

[Faraday40]

"achieve the hugest, fluffiest, friendliest chicken on the planet?"

My vote is for Orpingtons! They're already Huge, Friendly, Docile Giants. Make Great pets, don't fly, & lay eggs year round Cons: always underfoot (a chicken parade follows everywhere you go) & they are passionate about eating. While they follow you, they'll whine & beg for treats.

I'm going to try some Bielefelders this year. I've heard only great things about them. Someday I'd like to see a Jersey Giant. It seems I prefer the bigger birds. *


*not emus though. LOL You'll have to keep us updated on that adventure.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Hmmm. The only breed two breeds she picked that met your criteria would be Javas and Rocks. You need to be careful with the game breeds : Aseel, Shamo, Maylay, etc.... They tend not to get along with other breeds of chickens. And the males will injure/kill other roosters. As far as your huge fluffy chicken, you need to throw in some Brahma too. They meet the huge, fluffy, docile category very well! I love mine!

As far as planning for the year. I'll have Mottled Javas, Cream Legbars, and American Bresse chicks available this year. I finally got the groups separated, and I'll start saving eggs in March.

ooo -- mottled javas! I thought about ordering them 1 time last year. Never did, though...

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Really...I don't know much about silkies.  These are my first.  Does it split even though the nail was split.  Or are they born with it?  Her toenail you can tell was split.  So interesting.  She is a sweet girl.  When I bring her up to check and rebandage her...I let her sit on the counter and hang out with me when I am cleaning up or doing dishes.  She just looks out the window and purrs and coos.  So sweet!

I absolutely will not look at Craigslist anymore.  I just cant.  I have no trouble finding homeless abandoned animals...well really they find me!  My most recent is a kitten that I found in a Meijer parking lot on a busy holiday weekend.  She would have been run over for sure.  People saw her but just kept walking past her, it is so sad. And she was under the first car straight out of the exit door. People saw her for sure.  I would not have had the heart to leave her, especially when she came right to me.  I suppose she has earned her keep.  She caught a mouse in the house that snuck in.  And she catches mice in the barn all day long!

I too feel bad when I don't clean my girls coop, if their waterers are dirty, if they look sad...etc.  They just melt my heart!  Getting ready to head out now to let them out!

Yeah, I've read about birds with feet like that, especially Silkies, almost like the toe was meant to be two toes but didn't split entirely? I think it comes from the fifth toe genes. Silkies are known for being quite tame and sweet as well. Sounds like she's got that down pat!

And, well, we at some point had around 15 dogs and cats because of just what you're talking about, so I get it. Luckily we've always had lots and lots of room out here. We're down to 3 dogs and 5 cats now, for which I'm sure we're all thankful. We'll see how long that lasts...

Ok. Any takers!!!??

Someone slap me! I just accepted 4 Emu eggs!!! I can barely get chicken eggs to hatch. Plus coming all the way from CA... but they were giving them away and I figure if it's even remotely successful it will be worth it. Quite an experience. Or at the very least paid to have them shipped to me to see and touch a real one!! I know, I know, I'm shaking my head too!! Lol!!

Oh my gosh, crazy! Although, I did want Emus for a long time, but decided to pursue smaller poultry instead... Hmmm...

If all 4 hatch...doubtful, but planning ahead who here should I be PMing for a new addition!

Nope, nope, not me!

 
There aren't really words enough to describe how much I want a coolerbator like yours or how I need one like I need a hole in my head. I would have birds coming out of my ears, and I would still want more.

Case in point, I just picked up seven bitties at a Rural King. Really hoping I don't have a bunch of roos (they're supposed to be sexed, but we all know how that goes). 1 SL Wandotte, 2 Welsummers, 1 Australorp, 1 buff Orpington, and 2 Easter Eggers (billed as Araucana, but again, we all know better).


Edit:

Anybody know where and if I should/could find Silkies or Rocks? My daughter made a list of chickens she really wanted, and I stupidly told her I would try to get some on her list (because he younger brother was also making a list as homework). I told her to pick birds that would be good in a little backyard, non-flighty and good with children and cold weather... and what does she pick? Java, Leghorns, Malay, Modern Game, Penedesenca, Phoenix, Plymouth Rock, Shamo and Silkies. I think she has a penchant for leggy breeds and ones that were pictured in partridge-type colors. I'm hoping I can make do with the probable Welsummer roo (which my youngest has already claimed, Hail faerie, cheese and rice!)

My son took the assignment far more to heart and only picked ones that were supposed to have those qualities. Wound up with Ameraucana, Araucana, (heard Aseel hens were good with kids and cold, but want more opinions. Same goes for Shamo and Malay. Game birds are just iffy like that), Australorps, Barnevelders, Brahma, Cochin, Delaware, Dominique, Dorking, Faverolles, Houdan, Jersey Giant, Langshan, Naked Necks, Orpingtons, Polish, Plymouth Rock, Silkies, Sussex, Sultans and Welsummers.  We can cross a few off that list, and I'm fine for the most part with what we've got.

But it brings me to the question of the hour--as a veterinary student and lover of science fiction--if we bred Cochins, Malay, Langshans and Jersey Giants, could we not eventually achieve the hugest, fluffiest, friendliest chicken on the planet?

Well, it's not exactly what you're asking for, but I feel obligated to shout out for Dorkings! There are just not enough Dorking people. If you are looking for birds that are non-flighty, good with kids, calm, and super sweet, look no further! I love these girls!

A quick hello

Hopefully things will settle down around here before too long.  I keep trying to skim the posts and there are lots I'd like to reply to but just haven't had the energy. 

Appreciate the condolences - thanks!


All of a sudden getting as many as 6 eggs a day from the 9 girls I have.  Seems like a new girl lays every day.  The door to the barn is frozen but they have plenty of room in there.  This winter has been wonderful with the 16x12 indoor pen.  Much better than the small chicken shed and I haven't had to worry about shoveling anything.


@pipdzipdnreadytogo
How is that girl with the silly, oversized crest?

Take your time, we understand.

Miss Tilde, she's grumpy. You know, as usual! She's been making me move her from the nests every night to the roosts, and complaining the whole way with her little grumble noises. And then some nights she up and decides to pick a fight that she can't finish and I end up having to calm some birds down! Oi! But otherwise, she's well. Holding her own, keeping the littles in check, and getting her fair share of the treats!

I'm still super jealous of that inside pen of yours... Just need to win the lottery so I can build myself a barn.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

You beat me to the punch - I was going to PM you and ask what you will have! I hatched a couple of his bresse last season. They were great white birds. My lack of love for white is the reason I sold mine. But they were nice and grew wonderfully. I did not have a rooster but the hens were very sweet. I would choose the Bresse any day over the white leghorns.

 

[Faraday40]

I do love this pic! There's just something about the loving look she gives.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Had to do some test photos today so I thought I'd update the "BAD MOLT" girl. I had to bring her into the house for almost 3 weeks. Never had a bird molt so bad and right when it went into the single digits here.

She is a hatchery red girl from Townline that they sell as "Rhode island Red". She will be 3 yo in March. BTW...she started laying this week.



Here she is November 21, 2014:



Today: Feb. 10, 2015

 

[flyladyrocks]

I hatched a couple of his bresse last season. They were great white birds. My lack of love for white is the reason I sold mine. But they were nice and grew wonderfully. I did not have a rooster but the hens were very sweet. I would choose the Bresse any day over the white leghorns.

I do love this pic! There's just something about the loving look she gives.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Yeah, I've read about birds with feet like that, especially Silkies, almost like the toe was meant to be two toes but didn't split entirely? I think it comes from the fifth toe genes. Silkies are known for being quite tame and sweet as well. Sounds like she's got that down pat!

And, well, we at some point had around 15 dogs and cats because of just what you're talking about, so I get it.

Luckily we've always had lots and lots of room out here. We're down to 3 dogs and 5 cats now, for which I'm sure we're all thankful. We'll see how long that lasts...
Oh my gosh, crazy!

Although, I did want Emus for a long time, but decided to pursue smaller poultry instead... Hmmm...
Nope, nope, not me!

Well, it's not exactly what you're asking for, but I feel obligated to shout out for Dorkings! There are just not enough Dorking people. If you are looking for birds that are non-flighty, good with kids, calm, and super sweet, look no further! I love these girls!

Take your time, we understand.

Miss Tilde, she's grumpy. You know, as usual!

She's been making me move her from the nests every night to the roosts, and complaining the whole way with her little grumble noises. And then some nights she up and decides to pick a fight that she can't finish and I end up having to calm some birds down! Oi! But otherwise, she's well. Holding her own, keeping the littles in check, and getting her fair share of the treats!

I'm still super jealous of that inside pen of yours... Just need to win the lottery so I can build myself a barn.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I do love this pic! There's just something about the loving look she gives.

Isn't there, though?

All your fault that I now want Dorkings. How well do they lay? That is the big question for DH. DD and I could care less if they were all our pets and didn't lay an egg but DH wants the eggs! I gotta get off the computer and go to work. I don't wanna go.

Success! They were a bit late to start laying, about 7 months old if I remember right, but I've gotten 2 medium sized whitish eggs from them almost every day since. They average about 5 eggs a week each.

Had to do some test photos today so I thought I'd update the "BAD MOLT" girl. I had to bring her into the house for almost 3 weeks. Never had a bird molt so bad and right when it went into the single digits here. She is a hatchery red girl from Townline that they sell as "Rhode island Red". She will be 3 yo in March. BTW...she started laying this week. Here she is November 21, 2014: Today: Feb. 10, 2015

She looks fabulous!!