INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[bearbottom]

My chicks came in today. Thou, now i'm a bit scared with all the Al talk. I got the form the same place i got my chickens i have now. Thou, i'm a bit worred about them too. i haven't lost any but, my brahma's have very slight run nose. You have to look really really close to see it. The other chickens with them don't have any thing. Plus, they have not layed any eggs but, there is feathers all over the place. I'm think weird weather and molting. thing that scares me is we do have geese land in the corn field behind our yard. we haven't Seen any this year and our neighbors usally hunt them. Our run is inclosed on the side that are near the corn field. The run also has a roof.Plus, they do not run the hole yard cuz barn cats and neighbors dogs. Anywho chick pics

 

[kabhyper1]

I suppose if people had an issue with what I wrote the right thing to do would have been to come to me privately about it. I'm going to remove myself from this thread. I have several friends on here that I value, but voicing an opinion is apparently not allowed without issues now. I'll do what I need to do for my birds . I dont expect everyone to do the same. But I also dont want my flock sick because of anothers flock. Sorry if I upset people. Stay safe everyone.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I am not very good at writing things, the reason I do not post very often. But I feel like I need to say something. But first let me say that I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad or cause any trouble of any kind.

I guess that I am the one that who would be getting an earful from some of you. I live in the county where AI was found and I free range my birds every day of the year. I do not have runs on my pens, I do not have a big barn to keep them shut in. I could keep them shut up in their coops 24/7, for who knows how long, but I don't. Their coops are set up for sleeping and laying eggs in, not living in. I am not saying that I have the ideal set up, because I don't. But it is what it is and there is nothing that I can do to change it. I do not have the money nor the ability to do anything about it. I am not uncaring or ignorant to the situation and I am not trying to put any one else's birds at risk. I worry about my birds the same as everyone. I have a lot of money wrapped up in my birds like everyone. I try to practice the same bio-security as everyone else, with the exception of allowing my birds to free range and be chickens.

Again I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad, or cause any trouble.

I free range. Right now it is roosters but all of my chickens once outside get fresh air and once as large as a softball they get net covered runs if not free ranging. Once outside my birds typically like the outside and this time of year I like them out ad entertaining me too. I did have one set of roosters that had to be nudged out of the garage this Sunday as they were trying to roost on the lawn mower instead of the roosting bars in the free range coop. Of course there is nothing to stop them from going into the garage during the day but at night they all get put into the rooster coop only to be let out the next morning.
I get a great benefit from watching my birds, goats, and cats just living their lives in the wonderful outdoors. Then I get the benefit of rooster meat too. clearly it would be devastation to lose all of them but to lock them up even tighter than I do in winter would be just as bad for me and maybe worse for them. Other problem can arise when the birds are locked in a coop 24/7. lots of overheating and humidity and bug issues.

Just my opinions but I will keep free ranging and using net covered runs. I'd prefer changing the laws that allow so many wild birds to keep migrating over keeping everything locked up.

All this talk about AI and the fact that it has made it's way to our state is very concerning. I am prying for all those effected, I am so sorry they are going through this, and to those near by hoping they do not have to. I know I don't want it!! I already lost my entire flock to a disease once, if it were to happen again I just don't think I could stand it.
I have neighbors ( not next door but close ) that moved in last year with a nice new prefab coop and covered run. He has been working almost every day on all kinds of other projects, even in the winter ( when weather permitted it ) now he has a hoop coop ( Covered ) and is working on something very big that involves concrete footers lots of 4x4's and very shiny metal ( cant wait to see what it becomes ) but I sit over here and say things like " poor chickens" ect.... but with AI in the state I am thinking I need to do the same thing.
Ok I just lost ya all, I know I did, sorry. The thing with his covered coops that bugs me is that the birds don't have a lot of space, They probably have the recommended space pr bird but that is it, and I always give extra room in my runs when I can and where I cant I let them free range every day. So I guess I'm the type that just don't like to have caged animals of any kind. Just my OP. No offense meant towards them or anyone else.
I guess with the free ranging choice comes risks of all kinds. I better just hush before I offend someone some how.
I have a picky goat mom. She has stopped eating the alfalfa the vet wants her on to help her with her weight problem while she is nursing her kid. Does anyone have any ideals to get her to eat it. I break it up real fine, and I tried to wet it. She has nothing to do with the wet at all. She was eating the broke up stuff but has now stopped. I don't know what else I can do.?????
The kid has forward knees still, I was hoping they would straighten out by now but they aren't getting any better. Anyone know if there is anything I can do for that???
Chubs and Waddles ( my meaties ) are doing great, with all the exercise they have been getting they are getting stronger and are walking farther each day, thanks for the tips on how to take care of them, they are really sweet birds. My SF is spoiled beyond common sense, They try and follow me out into the front yard ( no bird allowed out there, no fence and lots of non-chicken friendly contained dogs and cats, not to mention the busy road. So I always have to sneak out front... lol
My next door neighbor is burning something that stinks and makes my eyes water. The part of his yard that he is burning in is right next to my silkie pens. Should I be worried?? I mean if it brothers me it is probably bothering them too, right? I asked if he could please put it out because of the smell and such and that fact that I cant go out into my yard to do anything because of it and was told it was his yard and he can burn whatever, whenever he wants. So asking is not going to work.I cant move my pens, I have no place else to put them. I would bring them in the house till he is done but I'm afraid the air temp in side and out would make them sick.
I think I should stop now my brain is just in over drive today.
Hope everyone has a great day, ttyal

The kid advice I was given when I asked for some right before the does delivered was to give the mom and the baby BoSe (from a vet) and vitamins E (from Walmart) and Vit B shots (from TSC) If your goat had been underfed most likely she did not get a mineral block either. So BO-SE and a couple copper pills along with some vitamins would be my very unprofessional recommendation. Then I would also spray her down with a bug spray or a flea and lice product like frontline. Anything that could be taking from her right now could be an extra strain she just does not need. Possibly even supplement the kid with another goat's milk or even the kid formula. I've hear that whole milk with baking soda added can replace a bottle or two a day for a kid but not an entire day's supply. So maybe let the mom spend a few hours here and there away from the kid and see how she does.

 

[minmin1258]

 
All this talk about AI and the fact that it has made it's way to our state is very concerning. I am prying for all those effected, I am so sorry they are going through this, and to those near by hoping they do not have to. I know I don't want it!! I already lost my entire flock to a disease once, if it were to happen again I just don't think I could stand it. 
 I have neighbors ( not next door but close ) that moved in last year with a nice new prefab coop and covered run. He has been working almost every day on all kinds of other projects, even in the winter ( when weather permitted it ) now he has a hoop coop ( Covered ) and is working on something very big that involves concrete footers lots of 4x4's and very shiny metal ( cant wait to see what it becomes ) but I sit over here and say things like " poor chickens" ect.... but with AI in the state I am thinking I need to do the same thing. 
  Ok I just lost ya all, I know I did, sorry. The thing with his covered coops that bugs me is that the birds don't have a lot of space, They probably have the recommended space pr bird but that is it, and I always give extra room in my runs when I can and where I cant I let them free range every day. So I guess I'm the type that just don't like to have caged animals of any kind. Just my OP.  No offense meant towards them or anyone else.
  I guess with the free ranging choice comes risks of all kinds. I better just hush before I offend someone some how.
I have a picky goat mom. She has stopped eating the alfalfa the  vet wants her on to help her with her weight problem while she is nursing her kid. Does anyone have any ideals  to get her to eat it. I break it up real fine, and I tried to wet it. She has nothing to do with the wet at all. She was eating the broke up stuff but has now stopped. I don't know what else I can do.?????
  The kid has forward knees still, I was hoping they would straighten out by now but they aren't getting any better. Anyone know if there is anything I can do for that???
   Chubs and Waddles ( my meaties ) are doing great, with all the exercise they have been getting they are getting stronger and are walking farther each day, thanks for the tips on how to take care of them, they are really sweet birds. My SF is spoiled beyond common sense, They try and follow me out into the front yard ( no bird allowed out there, no fence and lots of non-chicken friendly contained dogs and cats, not to mention the busy road. So I always have to sneak out front... lol
   My next door neighbor is burning something that stinks and makes my eyes water. The part of his yard that he is burning in is right next to my silkie pens. Should I be worried?? I mean if it brothers me it is probably bothering them too, right?  I asked if he could please put it out because of the smell and such and that fact that I cant go out into my yard to do anything because of it and was told it was his yard and he can burn whatever, whenever he wants. So asking is not going to work.I cant move my pens, I have no place else to put them. I would bring them in the house till he is done but I'm afraid the air temp in side and out would make them sick.
  I think I should stop now my brain is just in over drive today.
  Hope everyone has a great day, ttyal

Maybe call the vet about the doe, ask for ideas. Thats surprising, mine gobble alfalfa like its candy!
The burning trash would worry me, I think I would call the county and talk to them. If the odor is strong and burning your eyes, yikes, what he is burning may not be LEGAL to burn, and is supposed to be properly disposed of..for that reason.

My suggestion would be to add some honey to the alfalfa. It's sweet so she'd probably WANT to eat it. Then there's the natural antibiotic and pro/pre biotic properties in it as well. It's natural so not a problem for her to gobble it up. Plus because it's sweet it seems more like a treat so maybe she'll eat it better.

 

[bearbottom]

.[/quote]

I suppose if people had an issue with what I wrote the right thing to do would have been to come to me privately about it. I'm going to remove myself from this thread. I have several friends on here that I value, but voicing an opinion is apparently not allowed without issues now. I'll do what I need to do for my birds . I dont expect everyone to do the same. But I also dont want my flock sick because of anothers flock. Sorry if I upset people. Stay safe everyone.

i hope nothing i said upseted you

i think any and all info is beneficial.

 

[minmin1258]

Something else I need to say, I'm having some pretty serious health issues and may be needing to change my plans to attend Chickenfest this year. Now the problem, I was going to be doing the decorations and food. If there is someone willing to help Barb with these projects I'll send the things I have to you, and you can go from there. I'll explain what I was going to use the items for and help in anyway I can from a distance and possibly from a hospital bed. Please forgive my pulling out at this late time but if I continue the way I've been for the last few month I will be permanently in a wheel chair soon. Thank you for you help, patience and understanding.

 

[ChickCrazed]

I'm so heartbroken right now. My incubator wigged out and cooked 50 eggs that were supposed to go into lockdown on Sunday. They included a bunch of Bielie eggs I was hatching for myself, some Marans from EllyMayrans and my silkied lavender ameraucaua eggs that I had shipped in.

This was the first hatch of the year for myself. Now I don't trust my incubator. Anyone close by interested in setting some eggs for me once I re-group? I guess I need to figure out a better incubator situation for next year.

 

[Leahs Mom]

The issue isn't that folks are sharing their opinions. The issue is that folks are condemning other folks for their opinions and with their opinions.


It's a good thing to hear from all sides. I hope that everyone keeps sharing their thoughts.

Some old fashioned respectful sharing is just good manners. Statements like, "This is what I'm thinking now..." Or "I have some questions that I'm wondering about....." are good. And when other folks think something different, it's not a personal attack...they've just decided to do things differently. And that's okay.


So...

Let's keep sharing what we think, and feel, and are doing! And lets share in a manner that respects other's ability and freedom to think things through and make decisions for themselves - even if it isn't the same thing we'd do. That will make for good conversation and respectful friendships.

 

[raisinemright]

I am not very good at writing things, the reason I do not post very often.  But I feel like I need to say something.  But first let me say that I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad or cause any trouble of any kind. 

I guess that I am the one that who would be getting an earful from some of you.  I live in the county where AI was found and I free range my birds every day of the year.  I do not have runs on my pens, I do not have a big barn to keep them shut in.  I could keep them shut up in their coops 24/7, for who knows how long, but I don't.  Their coops are set up for sleeping and laying eggs in, not living in.  I am not saying that I have the ideal set up, because I don't. But it is what it is and there is nothing that I can do to change it. I do not have the money nor the ability to do anything about it.  I am not uncaring or ignorant to the situation and I am not trying to put any one else's birds at risk. I worry about my birds the same as everyone. I have a lot of money wrapped up in my birds like everyone.  I try to practice the same bio-security as everyone else, with the exception of allowing my birds to free range and be chickens. 

Again I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad, or cause any trouble.

Don't feel like you are the only one in your position. I'm in a very similar situation. My birds free range everyday just like yours. Even if I had the funds I wouldn't "coop" them up as some choose to do. I got my birds for many different reasons and the top reason is I like to watch my birds and like I have said before "if I had to coop them up I wouldn't have them". I don't think anyone on here is ignorant to what is going on. I do believe we all joined this group to learn and share info. This does not mean I'm right or wrong in the way I do things. If you choose to free range or pen that's your choice and you shouldn't push the issue. I'm afraid that even with the best security we can do is not going to be good enough!! I mean let's be realistic if a multi million dollar operation can not control the spread in their system how our we supposed to?? It's a bigger issue than why/how we raise our birds the way we do. I hope and pray that it doesn't get any worse for anyone, but I think it's out of our hands. Let's just get back to sharing story's and pics of our joys in a covered run, cage, or in the yard doesn't matter to me I just like chickens!!! (And turkeys,cows,ducks,pigs,dogs,cats,horses, and I'll even throw in alpacas)

 

[hoosiercheetah]

Let's keep sharing what we think, and feel, and are doing!

I think my dinner was pretty good.

I feel like salisbury steak was a wise choice.

I'm not doing much now, aside from digesting.

I hope I haven't offended anyone with my microwave dinner methodology.