INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[leslea]

Hatchery chicks are always questionable; sometimes there has been so much inbreeding, etc. that they have uncharacteristic traits for that breed. I have had several Marans cocks and none has been other than friendly and gentle. Most of them have had to leave because I keep only breeding and show stock, but none even remotely aggressive.

Well, that is encouraging!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Oh my gosh I am back, I have rose from the dead, I've been busy since last time I was on, I moved out, I'm working on getting my high school diploma, the roommates and I are thinking about getting a few chickens once I get a job and we get my dog sometime this week.

Oh I hope everyone is doing great!!!!!

Oh my goodness! WTG!!! Sounds like you have so many things going in your life now, I have missed your posts!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Morning, friends.

I don't know if you remember or not, but last time I dropped by I posted about my guinea's first clutch. She had a silkie helping her sit on it...bad idea! The guinea wasn't a good sitter, and the silkie lost interest around day 21. My kids had fun throwing rotten eggs at trees, though! The guinea is about 28 days into her second clutch now. I let her lay them in a window well far away from the coop where the broody hens won't be tempted to join her. We'll see how it goes. She and her fella are gorgeous Royal Purples, so I'm hoping she will hatch some keets and I can share the love. So many people have asked me for keets, it would be nice to see it happen this time.

So, hey, the real reason I dropped by this morning is y'all are my fave chicken experts, and I have a question. Turns out one of the marans MPC sent me was a roo. Do you have experience with Golden Cuckoo Marans roosters? Are they NICE? I dread having to deal with another holy terror like the EE roo I had last year was. If he's okay around my kid, of course I will keep him, but if he's mean he has to leave.

Re: MPC, that makes two roos out of 6 pullets in this year's order...and guess what, both the buff silkies I bought died (one was their fault, one was my dogs), so it has been kind of a disastrous order...I will end up only three egg layers from my order of six...and might STILL have to buy eggs to keep up with my three sons! It is enough to make a girl think about buying started pullets.

After getting so many roos that were supposed to be female, I think in the future I will just buy straight run. At least then I won't have the idea that someone has claimed to look at them and determined them one or the other. Even knowing they will give me my $ back if they're wrong, it feels like being taken advantage of to have them be wrong so *often*.

Andrew née Abigail:


day old^

last week (below)

Great pics! Its a bit frustrating, I have been "lucky" and usually get all hens, but it stinks cause I have to search for roosters.

just so everyone knows im a successful incubator and located near rockville( kinda central) im more then glad to help people in their future needs of incubating

Thanks for posting! Agreed, I am in east central (pendleton) and will also hatch for folks if there is room in the incubator, lol. I have a sportsman 1502 digital cabinet.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Bawk, that is great news. Now if I can find someone to help me out I will really be happy. 10 sumatra eggs and 16 exotic pheasant egged arrived today.

You are ways away from me too. Shame, I used to drive through there all the time, lived up in Lake co 34 years! Anyone near valpo at all guys, or know someone?

Quote: Thanks, thats what I was thinking! Congrats, the pekin ducklings are just too cute

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I miss having chickens, hopefully when I get a job I can get a few chickens, I know the roommates want to get a goat to help with the grass haha. What breed of goat would be a best to have? And should I get chickens or ducks? I have to relearn everything again

but I'll get it again sooner or later.

On the goats, Its important to think of why you want them. They are much like a dog, but cannot be housebroken. Seriously most important, DO NOT get a buck/billy/unaltered male. Once he becomes a buck, you will regret every moment you own him, they have 1 purpose, breeding. And that's all he will care about!
@SallyinIndiana posted several valid points to consider.
Chicken vs ducks is a personal choice but ducks are more work and messy, especially in a small yard.

I'm so upset and need predator identification help! I just went out to feed the chickens and found on of my Bielie girls lying dead in the yard between the coop and the barn, no damage to her body except a broken neck!

I am thinking it must have been a dog, possibly a cat. Could my barn cat have done this?!?!?!??!?!! He hasn't shown any interest in the chickens before. I think any wild predator would have tried to drag off the body or feed. She was an 8+ pound bird! The cats weigh less! I just can't believe it! Why isn't it ever the ones you don't care about?!?!?!?!??!?!

Oh no, I am just sick reading this. I am so terribly sorry.

Its sounding very much like a dog to me also.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

id like to point out that there is a growing trend in america to live more simply not to say people are being dumb of cheap but that actually prefer to use less technology and big company stuffs to take care of their animals and selves. with that said i know there are ways to raise animals for near to nothing out of pocket... more then likely youd have to own some land or get really lucky bartering but it can be done.i suggest doing alot of reading and researching and see what you come up with. some chickens if free range will feed themselves (haveing a lil layer feed helps with egg laying tho) and im sure given enough space a goat will feed itself too, care is your job for happy goats, but what happen to those breed that were self sustaining? why have we(humans) bred our animals to be near completely depended on use.( fyi i completely baby my animals) im just curious if there are any self sustaining breeds that require little to no human involvement...can you breed "wild" chickens? i hear they are extinct.

Disclaimer: This is 100% my personal method of keeping livestock, and in no way do I recommend my methods to anyone else. This is just what I do here. It works for us. Interesting, and you have hit on my whole perspective in keeping livestock, poultry and waterfowl. I follow what my grandmothers and Dad taught me, and learned a lot on my own. Every animal here no matter what its end purpose will be will be given love and respect... Yes, I treat each one like a real pet, right down to the quail..
We do have 5 acres, partially wooded and allow some areas to be "overgrown": Spring through fall, (if its still warm enough for insects and plant life) The majority of our animals are free range or pastured. Winter, they get feed to meet nutritional needs and normally fermented to improve nutrient consumption. My geese don't eat any "feed" in the summer, or the ducks unless they are raising babies. Its there, they don't want it! My chickens, guinea, turkey are also raised that way as long as they are freely able to move about and collect their own food choices. I do keep around 100 pounds of cracked corn in a large feeder during the summer at all times. If I am raising a pure breed, it will be confined to a breeding pen. That's when they get a good quality all flock feed, oyster shell and grit free choice.
My hogs are rotated to a couple different pastures, and if they aren't a friendly, social animal, they go to the freezer quick. My goats, for milk.. does are only confined if they have kids. My goat buck is tethered to a livestock trailer and is moved around every few days. If I know I will be home, and outside all day, I will tether him where I am working (fence rows for example) To ensure he does not become tangled or injured. We have around 2 acres we use for a hay pasture, and I do a large garden every year.
Wild chickens are whats called "Jungle fowl" but they don't compare to today's chicken breeds. Small, flighty and poor egg layer, meat production is minimal.
My flocks are mostly Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn, Easter/Olive Egger and Lavender Orp. All are excellent free range birds, and most will feed themselves for the warm months. Reality is, even in a free range situation in the winter months, they need our help. Unless you are in a climate that doesn't see freezes or snow. Hope this helps answer a few questions.
Please, always feel free to post thoughts or opinions, just remember to respect other's opinions on husbandry as well.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you all for the kind words on my Bielie girl! At this point I think SallyInIndiana might be right about the hawk. I would have expected some sort of damage to the body but the stupid thing might have realized too late how big she is and how my angry 13 lb rooster wouldn't let him sit on the ground to feed. I have been trying to reach my neighbor on that side to ask if she heard any commotion, but I have had a little hawk do a couple drive by's on my chickens while I was out there, maybe he finally got lucky

In slightly better news, I received some new babies yesterday, mottled and black split Breda fowl! They are a very food thrifty white egg layer that is known for their gentle and laid back personalities. They prefer confinement over free ranging and don't have a comb. They also have a tiny crest poof at the back of their skull, not large enough to obstruct vision but super cute. Here is a pic (found online) of the blue variety.




I'm excited to see how they grow! Racin has also been hatching for me, Bielies and Silkied Ameraucana. I am looking forward to having some more cuteness around soon!

Wow gorgeous roo!

Since we are sorta on the topic, @SallyinIndiana or anyone else with goats - what are your favorite goat books? Do you have some go to resources? Anything great for beginers?
The plan was spend this next year leisurely researching. With zoning changes looming now we are in read/cram/research RIGHT NOW mode. Of course that assumes there is a grandfather clause of some sort. I've got a stack of books requested at the Library. I love research and love to read so I find this fun. Love to have an excuse to sit outside with the chickens and read.

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/
Has interesting info. More towards a natural keeping and husbandry. Also points out the more modern methods of husbandry.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Last post, still way behind but caught up a little, LOL!
Busy day here. Caught a huge snapping turtle following my geese and ducks this morning. At first I thought it was just crossing paths. So I watched. Oh noo, the geese were frantic, every time the flocks of waterfowl went towards the pond, it was right after them.

Every chicken here was bawwwking, guinea were just going nuts. My big Embden gander was trying to run it off, so I had to step in. Not taking chances of him being injured. It was so heavy, I could barely lift it with a shovel. Have it confined in a drum until we decide what to do with it. Snappers will eat ducklings, goslings and sometimes adult ducks.

So DH got off work early and we went out for dinner (Formosa...Crab legs.. clams, YUM). Youngest DD stayed so we could get away for a while. Called her when we were heading home so she could take off. So we pulled in, and standing there in the driveway was my big black boar hog! Yep, he popped the hog fence panel open and was pacing around Marlas (oldest DDs female UNaltered potbelly pig) pen. So he of course, is a good boy and ran right up to me. Put him in the front of my livestock trailer, with a few marshmallows and eggs. This is a 300lb plus boar that is just under a year old, and still a sweet, friendly boy. Most hogs are like a dog almost if you treat them with kindness and respect.
Now to find Bacon the feeder pig, who is maybe 150 pounds and lives with the boar. Same age.. Grew up together. Found him in the creek, and 3 hours later, finally coaxed him into the trailer with my boar! This is the first Yorkshire I have had that's timid, just unfriendly, period. I don't actually "trust" any pig but this one has to go.. shows all the signs of being a fear biter, or worse. Ran, bolted away if I even talked to him! Tried getting my black boar out, nope. Bacon would not follow him in. So, 4 dozen eggs later, I finally lured him with raw eggs into the back of the livestock trailer, the boys just will be separated by a panel.
Livestock trailer will need a good cleaning tomorrow, ugh pigs really make a mess fast.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
ok I lied still awake.. We will sooo miss you! Hope you will keep us updated how things are going.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@chickcrazed oh I really hope it wasn't Sand Hill. They are trying so hard to preserve threatened breeds. (FYI I was researching Bredas a few weeks ago. So excited for you) There are other hatcheries in IA. McMurray is but they'd have way more in their incubator. On the AI map it has a place near Spencer,IA from the beginning of June.

@SallyinIndiana that is a great goat video. We watched it when you posted it before. Editing cause I accidentilly hit submit. So easy to do on my phone. I know there is so much to consider before Addi g goats. There are a couple if those little books I read this Spring which us why I saidit would be best to wait til next year. Looks like we have to push up our plans but that us doable. I think we need Nigerian Dwarf or Mini Nu Ian's. But then you torture me with selling your Oberhasli doe and @jchny2000 with her Dowling!

Sand Hill are well respected.. hope its not them.
I have a long list so far and growing. Looks like I will need to add a few does this year. Oberhasli are just an exceptional mid sized breed full of life, and spirit. Adore them, and my buck is much more manageable than other breeds I have raised.

Not to break up the conversation...

But my little Crashie Duck is 2 weeks old today! I think he's finally the size of a normal duckling now.

"Hey, I wasn't ready yet!"

He was lounging in my hand.

Seriously, how cute can one little critter be?!

Seriously too precious but I adore ducks period. You have a healthy baby!

Caught up with over 800 posts!! Chickens and Work and Pregnant Dogs keep you busy!!

Broody season has hit my girls! I have my Buff Orp that hatched out two mix and then adopted 6 Marans. My Mille Fleur decided she wants to sit on eggs. (All of them) Now I have one of my BLRW that is driving me crazy!! She is determined to sit, but keeps hopping nests. I have tried to move her into the garage and she went bizerk and broke eggs. Sitting in the hen house again on another set. I tried to break her and she did fine for all of 3 hours. Her behavior is causing the others to be really inconsistent in laying. I'm going to have to do something or I will either lose her or not get enough eggs that are usable. It's amazing how just one day makes an egg start developing that much.

So out of my year olds, I am getting 3-4 out of 9.

This year's spring group of 12 are getting red combs and getting a little less chirpy and more clucky. I got my first Leghorns eggs this week. Although they are small, my dad is excited to have his own white eggs...so maybe I can convince him to stop eating store bought...it's impossible to change his ways...

The temps have already been in the high 80's to low 90's. I've been putting out extra water in various places for the birds who haven't figured out the creek. The adults will go hang out down in the creek and stand around, sit on the cooler, shaded ground, and get better tasting bugs and crawfish! IT"S GOING TO BE A LONG SUMMER!!

I got my T-12 results back this week, all negative!! I am really hoping something breaks with the AI problem. I was planning on picking up a couple chicks from someone in Arkansas in August. I am making a trip out to Colorado, then the Grand Canyon and back home.

I also really want @SallyinIndiana 's legbars and @bradselig is killing me with all that he is selling!!

It makes you crazy waiting but the eggs are so worth it.

Made a devastating discovery this morning as I was checking pens and letting a few out in their run for the day. Apparently a racoon decided to pay us a visit last night. It took my last LF cochin hen, a silkie and 2 of my little cochin chicks. They were all in separate pens, but they had decided to start sleeping up against the chicken wire on the front part instead of on the roosts in the back part of the pen

. We were actually going to fix it this weekend when I realized they were sleeping like that, but just hadn't had time yet, because of work and school. I feel like such a bad chicken owner because I didn't protect my babies!!!

But I'll tell you what, hubby is fixing those pens as soon as he gets home tonight and I am also going to be moving some of the younger birds to the big barn coop, I feel they will be better protected there.
I also found that one of my older silkies was walking around funny this afternoon so I brought her in and looked her over, she wasn't involved in the attack, but she was walking with her wings spread out. Never seen her do that before. When I picked her up she was just fluff and bones. I hadn't realized how skinny she was because of all her silkie feathers. So right now she is sitting in my kitchen eating a bowl of yogurt and chick starter and she acts like she hasn't ate in days. I don't understand this either because she has food in her run at all times. Do you think the other 2 were just not letting her eat or is there something else going on.
I just don't know if I can handle losing another one. This guys are my pets more than anything and I really do get attached to most of them. I'm just praying Anna gets feeling better soon.

RIP Sarabi

I am so sorry. Any loss is so painful, we love them all. My worst was a possum wiped out all 8 of my first BCM chicks when I put them out at 8 weeks. Ripped open the chicken wire and fell asleep in the nest box. I do not use chicken wire anymore.

Quote:
Oh I won't take him, I meant for you to do it. As for cruel, its not cruel if done properly. And its is what someone has to do for all of the people that eat chickens or any animal really. At least he would have had a good life while growing up compared to the chicken farms that raise meat birds. Those birds don't have a good life imo.

Quote: @goodb Cruel is how "meat birds" are raised commercially and confined in horrible conditions to sell at the grocery. It just makes me sick. Every bird here no matter what the end purpose will be, is treated with respect and love. I do rehome roosters pet only if they are non aggressive roosters to people or other birds. Hopefully there is a place for your rooster.