INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Out of ovations, totally important post. If you have a bird to bring in for any reason, remember the temps. it was -9 here last night, I do not want to bring a bird into a 80 degree temp swing if its already ill! even an unheated room or garage is a better choice, a porch etc. I have some older birds with issues, and a few young ones from the negative temps this week I have brought in to the unheated breezeway. If this continues the muscovy will have to come in the porch, ugh.. One drake, my oldest lavender has a frostbit knob. He is always dunking and preening, it can't be prevented. Wetting feed is healthier for them, especially older birds. even if I do not ferment I at least add warm water. (not fermenting until weather is warmer, way too much feed) They are getting more moisture, less waste and eat more of the feed. Right now with negative temps I can't risk the frostbite but an average day, its like a treat to them in the evening. We all love the feeling of a warm full tummy!

I really wish I had been able to bring her in to temp gradually! Took a lot of time feeding her cold water to make sure she wasn't completely overheated. :/ I didn't think she would do well if I left her out, though, so it was the lesser of two evils. She seems to be well today, considering the circumstances of her moving inside. Supposedly, we just have one last week of frigid temps and we're supposed to start warming up as March begins, at least up where I am. I really hope so! Don't know why I never thought to do it before now! This morning, I gave them both a good, large hand full of feed and soaked it, and Cubby cleaned her plate! She's been eating off and on, but I haven't seen her eat so much in one sitting in a long time! Louise is being more dainty and taking her time with it, but that's just how she's always been.

Aww, I have really been wanting to get another boy for my flock since we lost Po... But I really don't have anywhere to put another bird right now for quarantine. All of my pens are full at the moment. :/ ...I need to borrow one of those money trees from Birdman.

Lol he told me he didn't have any money trees

ROFL!!!

He's just being stingy with them

My pretty ladies!!!!

Gorgeous girls! I really love how they look! My Violet is being a real grumpy butt lately, though, the little ingrate.

Edited to clarify something.

 

[barb s]

ATTENTION ATTENTION

There is one week left to get you vote to me on a date for Chickenfest 2015. I will be posting the date next Sunday.


Also the deadline for ordering T-shirts is 2 weeks from today. So get your t-shirt orders in. We are a long way from our goal.



Just thought everyone might also like to know the 1st day of spring is 1 month from yesterday.


Have a great day.

 

[birdman55]

hope everyone is having a great day...just got a load of wood delivered been busy moving it...and also cleaning the chicken coop...

lol...cut down a money tree today...lol

its funny when i worked landscaping with a friend of mine that started his own business we would plant like 5000 trees a year...i asked him what is the point...he goes in five to ten years...all the trees that we just planted in the last five years will be close to a million bucks....i was like gees i think i should buy some land and plant trees..

on a different note i think i will be doing some aquaponics this season...not sure as you all no i have tons to keep up with...and im falling behind...thats for sure...but aquaponics is when you use fish to grow veggies...i was thinking about using either perch or talapia...anyone have experience with aquaponics...would love some tips...and pros and cons for this...

 

[flyladyrocks]

I did something new today, well 2 things. First I paid for beef fat, specifically the fat from around the kidneys. Second I made tallow. The internet made it look so simple and it really is not labor intensive. But it is a slow process and it has a unique smell as the fat melts as the crispies start to cook. Once the crispies are close to done, the smell is close to that of a philly cheese steak grill in tight quarters on South Street.
I still have some more fat that is melting down but it won't be ready to strain till the morning. Fat is a space hog and my crock pot while 6 qts only hold about 6-8 pounds wedge in all funny.
If I do it again I think I will shred the fat before heating it so that it might melt faster. But if and when I do it again I need to remember to get fat from someone who is processing already so it won't cost $1 a pound. I bought half a cow last fall but I did not ask for the fat, it would have been free back then.

You want my little beardless Pip'd? If its a boy, he would be a good little guy for your girls.

 

[flyladyrocks]

So DH got our taxes done and I've been green lighted to spend some on an automatic door for the coop

only because it benefits him. Anyway what do you all have? What do you like/ not like? I had thought about building one at one point I just don't have the time or energy to do it right now

BTW I haven't seen Hoosiercheetah recently.

 

[Faraday40]

Since this little guy has been a regular in my backyard lately, I decided to get a photo. We also had a much bigger hawk stop by once. That one didn't camp out & lust for chicken all day. This smaller hawk is determined & still here. I've been keeping my flock locked up for the past 3 weeks, but this hawk's not getting the hint! It's also fearless & allows me to walk pretty close before moving.

I've been guessing it's a Cooper's hawk. Does anyone know?

 

[EmSteele]

Definitely a Coopers Hawk...^

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Well, when it rains, it pours! I have a third refugee to the house. This time, it's my baby, Frou-frou! I went out to take pictures of the girls and found a big, nasty wound on the back of her neck. I have no idea how it got there or how long it's been there! It doesn't look like feather-picking or cannibalism, so I'm thinking she may have been scratched by something and kept itching it and making it worse. I just feel wretched for not noticing sooner, my poor baby!


We've dressed the wound and she's sitting in a laundry basket on the couch beside me. (Yes, I'm making sure she can transition to the warmth this time.) She's acting fine thus far, save for being a bit stiff in her neck, and she's honking at me like she's not sure why I'm so upset. I just would be devastated if something happened to her. My beloved Frou-frou.



Edit: Sorry, y'all. I lost it a bit there. I think I've calmed down now.

 

[MowgliMom]

Definitely a Coopers Hawk. We have multiple birds nesting on our property. They have lured young birds to the edge of the fencing, reached in and tore the chicken's head off. I have aviary netting to deter air attacks but they would still come and sit on the support posts and harass my chickens. The addition of guineas seem to have deterred their daily visits.

 

[bradselig]

Finally got my first eggs from the LF birds! Found 2 unfrozen eggs today. Now if I could just get everyone seperated to find out if it was the brahma, BLRW, or the 3 hatchery hens I took in from a friend. Bantam cochins have given me several eggs now, nothing from the silkies. Hopefully soon!