INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[chick rookie]

I just want to point out to some "newbies" here that I cannot stress enough how important it is to quarantine ANY new birds you acquire, whether members here or other sources. Family, etc...doesn't matter. ..if you care about your birds and do not want to be in a position to have to put them all down or be limited to not moving birds off of your property because of disease. ..Quarantine

Most good Biosecurity measures are for at least 30 days. Granted there's always that risk of it not raising it's wary head during that time but like @jenaman experience and @daskhan for reasons such as getting accustomed to a new place or being able to keep a better watchful eye over behavior and health to know it's not because of a new pecking order but it's a problem with the bird.

Food for thought!

You'd appreciate finding something out in quarantine rather than your entire flock that you've worked so hard to build.

I cringe every time I read that someone has put a new bird right in with the others. Petrifies me!!

**edited to add**
Quarantine can be as simple as having a decent sized carrier or crate or box that is not going to be used for any other purpose. Typically diseases are passed via saliva/bodily fluids which keeping them to their own feeder and waterer, only using a specific clean scooper for them in their own feed container, washing hands thoroughly and tending to it after your own birds and ideally located in an area (shed/garage/basement) that your other birds/chicks aren't in. Because some diseases are airborne and take no more than some dust particles to transfer! May seem extreme at times but I'm telling you there are countless tears shed over this very thing by many loving poultry owners!!

Huge hugs to everyone as I only post this because I care!

And I can 2nd that. I made that mistake when I first got into chickens and had to cull my entire flock. It was heart breaking and I never wish that on anyone. I have a Quarantine area and I keep it. Its a outdoor dog kennel that is in a yard that the others cant get near. I started out doing it for just 14 days, that's not enough. So now I do it for 30 days.
I am doing it form now on with my goats a full 30 days too. I just today lost another goat kid because I didn't Quarantine a new goat.

@jchny2000 I lost Bub today at 9 am. For those that don't know Bub is the goat kid that surprised us all in may with his arrival.




RIP baby boy, I will never forget you.

 

[racinchickins]

Last night, I had a great visit with @Bawk and her DH to pick up a couple of Rees Legbar roos. I have to say they have one of nicest coop/run setups I have seen. Lots of space for their birds, very secure and well thought out. And their chickens are so gentle and friendly too.

 

[EmSteele]

@racinchickins great to know!

 

[Fattyfrogpots]

We were charging the same amount for eggs the past 2 years ($2 lg, $2.50 XL, $3 jumbo).  This spring we made the switch to non GMO feed, which of course is more expensive.  Around the beginning of June I looked back over the last 1 - 2 years, comparing feed costs to egg production (I keep my records on an excel spreadsheet) & realized we were losing money with every dozen we sold (avg. 4 - 5 doz/week).  We also don't expect to make much if any profit from our eggs, but I do want to cover my costs feeding the birds.  So we told all of our customers about 3 weeks in advance that as of July 1st (or whenever it was) our prices would be going up $1/dozen ($3 lg, $3.50 XL, $4 jumbo).  Of course this coincided with egg prices going up in the stores!  We just gave a simple explanation that no, it wasn't due to grocery store costs, but due to our higher feed costs/needing to cover our expenses.  We also told everyone that if it was too expensive for them they shouldn't feel any pressure to continue buying from us.  Didn't hear any negative comments.  We did have various responses like, "your eggs are worth it!", "you definitely need to cover your costs", etc.  We didn't lose any customers.  In fact we continue to gain customers, so much so, that I almost always have a waiting list for our eggs!  I was also feeling stuck with our prices for awhile, but then decided to bite the bullet and do what needed to be done.  Besides, the prices in the stores have gone way up so we really shouldn't feel bad about charging a bit more -- especially since we have a superior quality product!!    

I'm not at all surprised no one complained about the increase. I think the area I'm thinking of selling eggs next year would appreciate the non GMO feed and happily pay the prices you listed.

 

[Fattyfrogpots]

...

I'm on the Northwest side of Indy and we charge $4 per dozen (mixed sizes, mostly med & large). We sell out every week and have a waiting list. I just told my customers that I'm not selling any more eggs this year. The girls are molting and really slowed laying, so it's time for their worming and keeping a few eggs for ourselves to keep us through the winter. 


That's great to know @pginsber .
I'm on the southeast side of Indy. Are you selling at a farmers market or just from home?

 

[daskhan]

I'm on the Northwest side of Indy and we charge $4 per dozen (mixed sizes, mostly med & large). We sell out every week and have a waiting list. I just told my customers that I'm not selling any more eggs this year. The girls are molting and really slowed laying, so it's time for their worming and keeping a few eggs for ourselves to keep us through the winter. 


Interesting. What's your coop setup?

Coops*
Sorry had to correct you
I have a giant shed that part of has been turned into one coop soon to to
Be two.. I have a tractor style coop that is no longer being used I have my grow out pen with an 8x4 coop that is being temperally used by my buff orps till the other side of the shed is done

 

[pginsber]

Quote:
We only have 9 hens, so I can get plenty of customers just taking orders at work.

Coops*
Sorry had to correct you
I have a giant shed that part of has been turned into one coop soon to to
Be two.. I have a tractor style coop that is no longer being used I have my grow out pen with an 8x4 coop that is being temperally used by my buff orps till the other side of the shed is done

Sounds great! Pictures?

 

[daskhan]

These are the best pictures I have at the moment
I'm hoping to split that main pen into three and add about 4-8 new pens where the garden was reduce the garden to about an 8th the size it was

 

[amwchickin]

I can't find the post on the turkeys that need rehomed in northern Indiana...is anyone up that way coming down to Indy area that can meet me with some of them? I would like to help that person out, but can't justify driving all the way up there and then paying for birds as well.

 

[amwchickin]

I am so mad at my dogs right now!!! We had worked very hard to make our Aussies chicken friendly. My girl now loves hanging out with them, even breaking up rooster fights and when a layer goes rogue and lays somewhere in the bushes or field, she is very quick to helping me find nests.

Our first Aussie that we have bred and mine is the daughter of had pups early this summer. My dad decided to keep a male (he's so cute). Well, in the last two weeks, he has killed four chickens (all females) (why not any of my overabundance of roosters...) and mauled our Thanksgiving turkey so bad that my dad had to put it down. I can't confirm or deny that the girls helped him in taking down the turkey, because the bird was bigger than the dog... Even though our girls have been excellent with the flock, nature will take over at some point and they will do what a carnivorous animal would normally do!

The dogs are normally let out in a fenced in yard so they don't have access to the chickens. We will let them in with the flock if we are there to supervise. I had been working really hard on the pup so he didn't chase or try to attack. Even after doing what old farmers tell you to do, he is not doing any better. So we have decided to have him move on to a family that doesn't have farm animals and can really focus on him. Hopefully I don't have to do too much work again with the older dogs.


Ugh... thanks for letting me rant!