INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[flyladyrocks]

When we first got started in rabbits we wanted to raise an endangered breed so that helped us settle on the Silver Fox rabbit. Since then (about 8 years ago), the Silver Fox has moved from the critical to the threatened list. The list also helped us select our duck breed -- Ancona -- which is on the endangered list. The Livestock Conservancy website is very interesting to explore. Here's what their website says about criteria for poultry:

Parameters of Poultry Breeds on the Conservation Priority List

Poultry breeds on the Conservation Priority List generally conform to certain genetic and numerical parameters.

1. The breed is from one of the four traditional U.S. poultry species (chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys).
2. A bantam breed may be listed if there is no large fowl counterpart.
3. The breed census satisfies numerical guidelines:
   • Critical: Fewer than 500 breeding birds in the United States, with five or fewer primary breeding flocks (50 birds or more), and estimated global population less than 1,000.
   • Threatened: Fewer than 1,000 breeding birds in the United States, with seven or fewer primary breeding flocks, and estimated global population less than 5,000.
   • Watch: Fewer than 5,000 breeding birds in the United States, with ten or fewer primary breeding flocks, and estimated global population less than 10,000. Also included are breeds with genetic or numerical concerns or limited geographic distribution.
   • Recovering: Breeds that were once listed in another category and have exceeded Watch category numbers but are still in need of monitoring.
   • Study: Breeds that are of interest but either lack definition or lack genetic or historical documentation.
4. The breed is a true genetic breed (when mated together, it reproduces the breed type.)
5. The breed has had an established and continuously breeding population in North America since 1925. Or, if imported or developed since 1925,
   • The foundation stock is no longer available.
   • Must meet numeric guidelines for inclusion.
   • Must have at least five breeders in different locations in the United States.
   • The global population is threatened and the United States population is making a contribution to conservation of the breed.

Breeds not meeting all these criteria may be placed in the "Study" category and monitored.

Oh how exciting for him! That would be a very profitable product. I wish him luck and be sure to patent it!

 

[Leahs Mom]

A question for folks with A GOOSE:
@jchny2000 @SallyinIndiana and others!

In the most recent Acres Magazine, there is an article with Joel Salatin asking him to update what he's learned since updating the Pastured Poultry Profits book. I was pretty excited to read what I'm quoting here regarding guard animals for chickens. Wondering what y'all think who have had geese.

Now remember. He says 1 GOOSE per flock of chickens. Not several geese. Here's the quote...please comment:

Quote: Pastured Poultry Since 1991 By Joel Salatin Acres Magazine March 2015

 

[wheezy50]

I have raised one batch of Polish chicks and had 3 of 7 not make it past the first couple weeks. I did everything the same as with many other batches of chicks as far as water, feed,electrolytes etc. I don't know why b/c that's the only time I've tried but they just seem more fragile than lots of other breeds. Mine were by themselves, not mixed with others and all the same age. I never figured out exactly what/why happened but they are notoriously (from reading) harder to raise

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

[rule][COLOR=8B4513]Just as I was thinking that my girls were bonding by hanging out together in the garage during this cold snap, I noticed that my two larger black bantam Cochin "chicks" from[/COLOR] @ellymayRans [COLOR=8B4513]have both had their cute bumps of feathers pecked!!! Not all the way to the skin, but the bumps are down-- what are those bustle areas called? Like my Orp Bonbon has-- see my avatar. I guess it's enticing to peck just like a crest is. Anyway, I hadn't noticed extra feathers laying around. Just before they went in for the night I saw my BR Tweedy flock leader peck one of them in that spot. It wasn't vicious, I think she's just trying to keep them in their place. Those Cochins are so funny-- they're exuberant and fearless, and apparently Tweedy wants to take them down a notch. I will keep an eye on that.[/COLOR] [rule][COLOR=8B4513]Ooooh[/COLOR] @bradselig [COLOR=8B4513]They are adorable, not ugly![/COLOR] [rule]

Do you mean their tails? (Cochins tend to have more rounded tails than other breeds, for example, and it looks like Bonbon does as well.) The base of the tail is a very common spot for feather picking, unfortunately, which is not a vicious act usually, but an act of boredom. :/ My girls used to do it all the time before we expanded the chicken yard. Even with free-range, they would get bored in the morning, when I usually don't let them range unless I know I won't be going anywhere. The best way to stop it is to either block it (with a saddle, or fencing the pecked birds off) or give them something more productive to peck at like treat cakes or flock blocks. And I thought the same thing about those precious babies. Just look at those faces!

[COLOR=8B4513]@pipdzipdnreadytogo Haha I bet that was insulting to poor Frou-Frou! I'm glad she is in good hands and being pampered. My Silkies (who are much smaller, I realize) have the run of DD's bedroom hospital, but they go into the dog crate at night just like it's a coop even though I leave the door open. Creatures of habit.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]When you said that you couldn't imagine living without Frou-Frou -- or something to that effect -- I can relate. That's how I feel about my Lionel cat (who is always in a reclining position). He's my constant, wonderful companion (adopted from Humane Society as a kitten). I took these photos last night.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]He kinda lacks dignity, though! [/COLOR]

I unfortunately don't have anywhere I can let Frou'f run loose, so she's got to be crated unless I'm at home. But even though she despises it, she seems alright. Your kitty looks so soft and fluffy! Frou-frou likes to think she's dignified, but she is definitely not graceful at least. Clumsiest bird I've ever known! She's not too dignified to be my precious baby foo-foo fuzzy, either. ...I've said too much.

Had my first winter loss yesterday. Came home from work and my double laced Barnevelder was laying under the roost. I did a thorough examination, and I can't find any reason. No injuries, she was not too thin, her feathers were beautiful. No indications beforehand either. I was watching her and my other Barnie. The one I lost was black laced, and the one I still have is blue laced. They were running around just like all the others. I do remember that it was about this time last year that I lost another the same way, and was told that it isn't unheard of to have a bird get to 9 or 10 months and just die of a heart attack. So I think that is what I'm chalking this up to also. I will be trying to replace her. That double lacing is just sooooo pretty.

Have you considered having a necropsy done to confirm this? I don't know, it just seems a little too strange for my liking... I agree, Barnies have some of the loveliest lacing. Have you seen the silver double laced Barnevelders? They're definitely on my 'want' list!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Spent some time with my precious Frou-frou today when I got home from class. First of all, if anyone is wondering, here is the wound I found. It's amazing how invisible it is with her feathers down! I put it in a spoiler for those of you who are not wondering. This was before it was cleaned today. It looks a LOT better than when we found it, just from getting cleaned and treated over the weekend. I was sick with worry when I found her like this, but I feel much better about how she's doing now.

Spoiler: Warning: Icky picture!

Frou-frou was mad at me for leaving her in the dog crate again. So mad that she wouldn't even look at me, but she certainly had a few things to say about it!

"Honk-honk!"

"I'm mad at you!"

She had a little something to drink while I was with her.

"BLUB!" See what I mean about graceful?

I just loved how this picture turned out. No flash. You can just tell the cogs are turning in her little head...

And some close ups of her lovely, splashy feathers.

Love this girl.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: So....maybe I can just come down and visit and do an in-home demo. I've done in-home before with a family group of ladies (and men) or folks they get together. Gets a bit cumbersome hauling equipment if we do any pressed cheeses since I have to move more equipment, but it's fun to do in someone's home! Mozz doesn't take much in the way of equipment.

Maybe I'll have to get some of those heritage reds (are you going to RedRidge sometime??) and we could make some of the quick mozz. (REAL mozz is a very long process over a couple days to get the pH in the right neighborhood...... but the quick mozz "cheats" the system and makes a quasi- mozz that's acceptable if you eat it relatively quickly. That's the one most people make when they make mozz at home as a "first" cheese experience.)




ETA: Whoops...should have said 'LADIES AND MEN". It seems that in the cheesemaking hobby, there are Many men. I think it kind-of goes with the home "craft brewers" hobby as well so a lot of men are the cheesemakers in the family! The men usually like doing all the technical stuff like using pH meters, building equipment, etc. I prefer to keep it simple and fun rather than "techie". I just can't imagine that "grandma" was running around with a pH meter in her apron while she was making cheese

(...but I do have the education to go the techie route if needed.....)
A cheese class sounds great.

As for visiting Red Ridge. Timing is a bit off this year. Maybe there will be a way for me to get to the TN chicken show but that is doubtful. Last I spoke with her, started chicks / trios were a mid to late summer thing if i wanted to get both RIR and Rhodebars. Since I only want to make one trip that is what I was hoping for. But plans change and it might be another year before I am free to make a multi day trip in the late summer.

I'm looking for a new breed, but I think it will be the Bellies as I really like knowing roo or pullet right away. Then next in line would be rhodebars followed by rosecomb RIR.

A question for folks with A GOOSE:
@jchny2000 @SallyinIndiana and others!

In the most recent Acres Magazine, there is an article with Joel Salatin asking him to update what he's learned since updating the Pastured Poultry Profits book. I was pretty excited to read what I'm quoting here regarding guard animals for chickens. Wondering what y'all think who have had geese.

Now remember. He says 1 GOOSE per flock of chickens. Not several geese. Here's the quote...please comment:

Quote: Pastured Poultry Since 1991 By Joel Salatin Acres Magazine March 2015

I have looked and looked at heavenly farms geese, or particularly one gray and white goose they post every so often, it is a hybrid of sorts with the fancy feathers. I really really like it. But I will have to make a choice between ducks and geese. This year I'm sticking with the ever so messy ducks but I'm trying out the smaller mallards I got from Racinchickins and a few more to add to them from ideal. If they don't fit in well then I'm going to be back at the heavenly springs farms website looking at applesomething ducks. At that point I just might end up with ducks and geese for 1 year to pick my favorite since they are both at the same place.

I have noticed that the turkeys tend to keep the hawk attacks down but not completely out of the sky. Adding in my goat does with the free rangers helped too. But I'm not sure the does will be in the chicken free ranging area full time. Then again that would keep them away from the buck.

 

[wheezy50]

Just thought I'd throw this out there for anyone interested. My local Meijer grocery section has some racks that they put clearance produce out really cheap. I've been stopping once a week or so and getting some fresh fruits and veggies for the chickens. Today I got bananas, apples, grapes and tomatoes. All of it was.39-.79 cents/lb so it doesn't add much to the feed costs. Sometimes they'll have green beans, broccoli and other over ripe stuff. My chickens really like mangos and papayas when they're available

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hi guys! I who never post pictures remembered to get a couple today!
Midget whites, couldn't get my 3rd hen in a shot tho:




My LO are 4 1/2 weeks old now: Love the gangly stage

Off to read and catch up!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Had my first winter loss yesterday. Came home from work and my double laced Barnevelder was laying under the roost. I did a thorough examination, and I can't find any reason. No injuries, she was not too thin, her feathers were beautiful. No indications beforehand either. I was watching her and my other Barnie. The one I lost was black laced, and the one I still have is blue laced. They were running around just like all the others.

I do remember that it was about this time last year that I lost another the same way, and was told that it isn't unheard of to have a bird get to 9 or 10 months and just die of a heart attack. So I think that is what I'm chalking this up to also.

I will be trying to replace her. That double lacing is just sooooo pretty.

I am so sorry to hear. Both my cockerels that I found were under a year so this may be the heart attack situation. They were mixed birds, and in my egg flock.

Quote: So sorry to hear.

Quote: Its really easy, I did one batch last year, made an herb and garlic cheese, yummy! You just make yogurt, and then and strain the whey by handing it over a bowl in a cheese cloth. add flavoring or use plain!

Quote: I think thats what got my 2 boys. They were from the same hatch, just seemed odd to lose both at the same time.

 

[ellymayRans]

Hi guys! I who never post pictures remembered to get a couple today! Midget whites, couldn't get my 3rd hen in a shot tho: My LO are 4 1/2 weeks old now: Love the gangly stage Off to read and catch up!

Love the midgets. Maybe one day! The LO is a cutie, is that the same bird in both pics? Looks like a roo.