INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[vickichicki]

rsmcclure irisheyes and Kristyg - Welcome to the thread!!

Cluck - Many belated Birthday wishes.

Too Fast - Wow, the coop is looking spectacular. Not sure what we have planned for the weekend. I know I need to clean my coop good as a friend has invited herself over this weekend to come see the chickens... arghhh!!!
DH is playing in a pool tournament Sunday, I might have a few hours to spare so long as I can bring my wee one with me. I say wee... he is 8. If you really do need help.
Is there anything you need to get the coop done material wise? I can dig around the shop and see if we have it.

 

[vickichicki]

About the Vultures~ I think vickichicki is correct! Another Mystery Solved!
I Google Image-searched Turkey Vulture and I feel certain that's what they are because the first few times I saw them, I thought they had a horizontal wide stripe across the wingspans. This evening I decided that it just looked they had horizontal stripes because of the way the sun hit their wings. When I saw the Google image, I realized they have a gradation of wing color, which combined with sun rays make it look like a wide stripe. In my past posts, at first I thought they were hawks migrating, then someone mentioned vultures, but since the flock looked black, I had just Googled Black Hawk and Black Vulture. Here's some interesting info: The Turkey Vulture is gregarious and roosts in large community groups, breaking away to forage independently during the day. Several hundred vultures may roost communally in groups which sometimes even include Black Vultures.
Vicki~ as far as a recently plowed field that would attract them, I don't know of any, but there must be something going on since I've seen these large flocks lately.




danand~ Definitely not Sandhills Cranes, but occasionally I see a bird fly by (there's a small lake nearby) that I assume is an egret, but it could be a crane now that you mentioned them.

Of course I am going to take time to talk about the birds.... lol

I was not aware vultures migrated. Might depend on what part of the State you live at. I saw the youtube clip, I think seeing a flock of vultures gives an ominous feeling.

Your bird flying over will either be a blue heron or an egret. Next time you see him notice how he holds his neck. Herons (dark blue/grey colour) fly with an s bend neck and egrets (pure white) fly with their necks straight out. The ever elusive to me Sandhills fly in flocks, specially during this time of year for migration. You will normally hear them way before you ever spot them (unless you are fortunate to be in a place they like to rest). They fly surprisingly high, more higher than any birds you ever generally see, hence the hearing before you see. You should google the sound, very distinct, IMO they sounds like Zebra.. lol They are also noticeable as they fly in an unorganized flock, unlike the Canada goose that does the v shaped formation. Sandhills are all over the place and come on waves of groups.

My dream is to eventually go to Jasper Polaski to watch the migration happen. One of the few birds that hits Indiana that I do not have a real picture of, well those and the darn Wood Ducks. I am convinced there is no such thing as a Wood Duck. I have a beautiful 'stuffed' wood duck a friend gave me (it was his first ever duck hunt). The only time I have ever seen one.

 

[vickichicki]

I have decided I might have to post some pictures on here of the new chicks so ask you guys if you can help me identify them. I have posted them on the 'what breed' forums and still come out dry. I guess it doesn't really matter in the long run, but knowing lets you appreciate the changes they go through as chicks. Then knowing as they look like dinosaurs they will eventually look cute.

 

[danand]

Vicki- we have Sandhills here in southern In a lot! They stay more and more. Yes they are very distinctive to hear. We always go running for the yard to watch them when we hear them. They are migrating right now and have been seeing them. They can be in groups from 4-5 to hundreds. South of Columbus in there are some areas where they stop for a while, we always try to go see them . They are fun to watch dance!! We have 2 small , old ponds and have wood ducks. And a creek so lots of terrain for them.

 

[4 the Birds]

Good Morning Hoosiers! The Sun is coming up and it looks to be a sunny and mild day. I plan to do some garden fencing today (chicken wire down low to keep rabbits out).

Kristi: Welcome!

Too Fast: The coop build is looking good!

Animal Lover: Probably not a roo crow at 5 weeks of age. Our roos start to call around 5 or 6 months of age and the first calls sound funny (like a squeaky baby deer or something).


Picture!!

 

[Crafty chick]

Danand~ they stop in the fields all around our house! You are very welcome to come when they migrate. They've already been through this year, but not as many as last year. Maybe some are stragling. I'll remember to call you when they do! They sound like aliens when you step outside at night.... very eerie sound. LOUD too.

 

[kristyG]

Hello and welcome to this very active Indiana thread!  36 new birds, eh?  Have you kept chickens before?

Not since I was a kid

 

[kristyG]

We converted half of an old horse barn into coop and are making a small chkn tractor

 

[danand]

4- great sunrise pic!!! Yep lets make good of a beautiful day!!

crafty- would love to watch from your house! We usually stop on 400 and watch them. Although we do have them fly over here and there's a spot north of Westport they will sometimes stop. I love their sound, no mistaking it!!!

 

[kristyG]

Anyone use D.E. I was beginning to think I'd never find any but TSC carries some mixed with calcium bentonite I'm going to try it out