INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

@flyladyrocks
On the chips - it's the carbon that is out of balance with the chips alone. That's likely what the tree guy was concerned about.


For the chickens....
The "poo" is the nitrogen input and the chips are the carbon input.

I let mine sit long enough that I see worms in them. I did that because mine were predominately pine chips which I think tend to be acidic. I didn't want to put them in until I was sure they were broken down a bit. I still think that's "optimal" if there's a place and time to do it.


However, let me say what I "think" based on my observation. This is my opinion only so take it for that.

It didn't take very long for my wood piles to be literally full of worms. Maybe 4-5 months. I think that if I had gone ahead and put them into the run, the mix of the new chips with the chicken poo being added from the indoor coop too would have been fine. Since that original wood pile filled quickly with worms, I think it would have the same effect in the pens.

So...if I were in a place that I couldn't let them sit to cure, I'd certainly put them down in the run. Especially if I knew that they were from a "clean" source that hadn't been doused with chemicals recently.


PS: Were you hoping to get some rodents this year, or some wood chips this year?

ETA:
When you put the chips right into the run, I wouldn't be looking for it to "fill with worms" like it does in a large, undisturbed pile. The chickens will move it around and you'll keep adding to it from the coop, or more chips, over time. The soil under them will attract the worms later on in the process. After you've chipped and they've been on the run for 3-4 weeks (or maybe a little longer or shorter), the soil under them will start to get the benefit. After giving them some time, you can go out w/a shovel and see what's going on under there....... Every once in awhile I'll take a shovel out and dig and turn over a bit of the dirt to see what it's like. When things get working, it is a rich, easy to dig dirt under there and you should see happy worms.

When I do that, all the chickens come running because they know there will be a feast to dig through that turned dirt. I only do it in a small area.... and they dig through it and actually replace the chips back over it in such a way that you can't even tell I dug!

 

[pbirdhaven]

@pbirdhaven do you think she is a frizzle?

Hard to tell at this age, but I don't see the wing feathers curling.

Sexing by wing feathers...help please.

Sorry I have posted several pictures but second guessing myself here.

The chickens were hatched July 4. The TP we lost had mostly fuzz for wing feathers while the remaining one had good wing feathers. So we assumed he was a male and remaining is a female. What do you think?

Here is the Tolbunt Polish :






Now this is the Gold Brabanter. Do you think male or female...this is last Thursday:




Feedback?

Don't know about brabanters, but polish tend to be tricky to sex. In general, the crests of the cockerels tend to sweep back, while the pullets are more rounded. But that can change as new feathers come in. Once had a "cockerel" start laying! I haven't had much success sexing by wing feathers until they're a few weeks old, and then more by the saddle than the wings.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: If its a normal "quack" its a duck, raspy quiet quacks are drakes. Also comparing to the parents is helpful, drakes normally get bigger pretty fast.

The breeder said the fuzzy wing TP was a roo because too early for wing feathers. I thought he just wasn't thriving. She said look at the Bravanter's wing and tell her if it is a male or female too. I sent her a picture but haven't heard still.

Understand the hard to be patient thing.

Most chicken breeds I keep, the hens get tailfeathers first. Rarely do any of my roos get tails in until much later, around 10 weeks. Also, longer necks and longer thicker legs.

Quote: Agreed, same experience for me.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Big thanks to @racinchickins and Wade. Finally was able to get down to his house, and pick up my white Holland turkey poults from our group order. Love visiting him, I always bring home more than I plan lol!

Love to get together and talk, too. Added 2 more Midget white hens. Was sorely tempted on his beautiful Sweetgrass turkey poults but I already have 3 breeds, LOL! If anyone wants turkey poults, racinchikins is your guy! I also finally got a couple dark cornish, YAY!
After seeing racins I now know what I have is not a dark cornish chick... little ticked at the breeder. Mine has a straight comb! So will be sending an email about that

(that was not a fellow BYC'er either, but an eBay breeder.)

 

[daskhan]

I was told Cornish are good for meat but nothing else that true?

 

[Bawk]

@daskhan Cornish Cross can't live long, they were developed to be meat early. Otherwise have heart issues and I read their feet can't support their bid bodies past a certain age

 

[Bawk]

 

Sexing by wing feathers...help please.


Sorry I have posted several pictures but second guessing myself here.


The chickens were hatched July 4. The TP we lost had mostly fuzz for wing feathers while the remaining one had good wing feathers. So we assumed he was a male and remaining is a female. What do you think?




Feedback?

Do you know if the breeder selects for sexing by feather growth? I believe this is a sexlinked cross (or an autosexing trait, but I don't remember for sure), so it doesn't work if it isn't bred for.




 

When we had ducks, we went by looks on some breeds of course but the boys got curls on tails while the girls' tail feathers were downward

Really? I never knew that you could tell by that! I'd read that they should have their voice change around 4-6 weeks old if they're female, and males should start to get their curl and have their voice change at 8 weeks or later, so I've been driving myself nuts while trying to be patient. I'm hesitant to say for sure, but I'm really starting to think my little Crash is a girl!

If its a normal "quack" its a duck, raspy quiet quacks are drakes. Also comparing to the parents is helpful, drakes normally get bigger pretty fast.

The breeder said the fuzzy wing TP was a roo because too early for wing feathers. I thought he just wasn't thriving. She said look at the Bravanter's wing and tell her if it is a male or female too. I sent her a picture but haven't heard still.


Understand the hard to be patient thing.

Most chicken breeds I keep, the hens get tailfeathers first. Rarely do any of my roos get tails in until much later, around 10 weeks. Also, longer necks and longer thicker legs.

 

Rain, rain, go away!!!!!


Monday, I decided to put down my first ever chicken.  She just wasnt getting better and she had been inside and was miserable and thin...I took her to the best avian vet and she said she too thought it was time.  I HATE that she is not here anymore.  And I HATE that I feel like I was the one to make the decision to end her life...but I keep trying to remind myself that she was so sad.  It wasnt right of me to keep her here for my own selfishness when I knew she was miserable.  I could see it in her eyes!  However she lived as spoiled as chickens can get. I will miss her, my sweet Penelope. 

Oh, this is a place I've been so many times before. It's never easy to make that choice, and I always have doubts. But you're totally right, it isn't right to keep them going when they're just lingering. Sometimes, you can just tell when they're done fighting.


It's been a tough year for everyone, I think, with all this wetness. My poor girls are in a swamp. :/ I'm about ready to pack it up and move to Arizona. Or the Sahara.



 

The breeder said the fuzzy wing TP was a roo because too early for wing feathers. I thought he just wasn't thriving. She said look at the Bravanter's wing and tell her if it is a male or female too. I sent her a picture but haven't heard still.


Understand the hard to be patient thing.

If it's bred for, then by this age, I would be looking at tails more than wings. Females should have more tail pins and feathers than males.

Agreed, same experience for me.

Really odd, guess depends on the breed. It though I know CL are auto sexing, I noticed the little Roos had larger tail feathers than the pullets today and were larger already. Their legs looking larger too but they are not yet 2 weeks old.

So that is why I was stumped when you all said look at tail feathers.

The wing feathers, I think it is the females wings feather first and then the overlap feathers are even if male but the ones coming in on wing will be shorter over first feathers on wing if female. Something like that.

Hoping someone clarifies about the wings

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing

https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/chick-sexing-techniques/

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I was told Cornish are good for meat but nothing else that true?

@daskhan Cornish Cross can't live long, they were developed to be meat early. Otherwise have heart issues and I read their feet can't support their bid bodies past a certain age

True, Cornish cross are not a good choice for anything but a meat bird. Hens will lay, and the eggs will hatch.. but they eat n eat n eat, I had a hen live 2 years and did give me chicks and eggs.. But she was raised in a free range environment.
These are not the Cornish cross meat bird. Dark Cornish are used to create that breed of chicken, but the true dark Cornish are a traditional game bird breed of chicken. More information here:
http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/cornish
They are not a "large" breed, but the quality of table bird is pretty amazing. Good layers of large eggs, and a very good choice for a dual purpose bird. Crossing this breed with giant breed chickens is a very good option for a micro farm or self sufficient plan. Cornish cross comes from white Plymouth rocks, dark Cornish and some other breeds in that mix.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: If its a normal "quack" its a duck, raspy quiet quacks are drakes. Also comparing to the parents is helpful, drakes normally get bigger pretty fast.

The breeder said the fuzzy wing TP was a roo because too early for wing feathers. I thought he just wasn't thriving. She said look at the Bravanter's wing and tell her if it is a male or female too. I sent her a picture but haven't heard still.


Understand the hard to be patient thing.

Most chicken breeds I keep, the hens get tailfeathers first. Rarely do any of my roos get tails in until much later, around 10 weeks. Also, longer necks and longer thicker legs.

Quote: Agreed, same experience for me.

Really odd, guess depends on thebreed. It though I know CL are auto sexing, I noticed the lirttle Roos had larger tail feathers than the pullets today and were larger already. Their legs looking larger too but they are not yet 2 weeks old.

So that is why I was stumped when you all said look at tail feathers.

The wing feathers, I think it is the females wings feather first and then the overlap feathers are even if male but the ones coming in on wing will be shorter over first feathers on wing if female. Something like that.

Hoping someone clarifies.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing

https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/chick-sexing-techniques/
CL are autosexing breed. At hatch you would have seen the color differences to tell you what you have. With most breeds I keep, my hens will get tail feathers much earlier than the roosters, but Legbars I can't honestly say. That doesn't always apply to other breeds. I keep Orpington, Rhode Island Red, White leghorn, Black Australorp and Easter/Olive eggers currently. I have found wing feather sexing to not be accurate enough, but tailfeathers are pretty much spot on. I rarely miss judging my orpingtons. The boys do not have tails til much later, same with the EE/OE and other breeds I keep. It is soooo frustrating in the beginning, I know! I have hen luck here, I rarely get boys and have to find them if I lose a rooster. I am always hoping for roosters when my chicks are growing up.

 

[BigBirdy]

I have 3 very load roosters. Is there a forest or safe area I can leave them where they can find food and water and sleep on tree branches? Or even a sanctuary that will give them life long care?