INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

@jchny2000
We had some friends that kept quail in their walk-out basement in an indoor aviary thing. (These folks are from Russia originally.) She finally decided to get rid of them because of the smell. They are in a subdivision with an acre lot, but I don't know if there was an appropriate place to put it outside.

You mentioned not being able to free range them. I didn't think you could keep quail unless they are penned somehow.... wouldn't they just fly away?

They need daily maintenance, and if confined in a small area would probably get pretty smelly. I can't see them surviving free range. They wouldn't populate, the brooding instinct is completely bred out, from being kept several thousand years in other countries. They don't clutch eggs, just randomly drop and keep going. Many countries keep them as a primary meat source. super cheap and easy to raise and care for.

Well it's a start! Heading to pick up first trailer in a bit and get all of the cages donated for the cause loaded up!



I am picking up 3 more on my way to get the trailer.

I have just had an out pour of generosity from so many!! Thank you!
@racinchickins and his DH, @mother2hens and her DD, @pbirdhaven and her DSs are all loaning a helping hand to capture and corral Sunday! I couldn't ask for more! You all are amazing "family"!

I'll continue to post progress pics and share the venture!

It's just a wonderful feeling to know there are so many good people I am having the privilege to call my friends!

we have an awesome group of good friends here for sure. I think its wonderful all the work you have put into rescuing them, and making sure they are properly rehomed too.

So not to really bring up the interbreeding arguement again but when I first got into chickens a guy who was into chickens told me you could breed for right generations I think that's rediculus but is it true?

What is your question exactly? What group of birds are you planning to breed together, where are they from, etc. so we can answer properly?

 

[daskhan]

Well I have well hatchery chicks on the way and was hoping for a roo from each breed so I can "breed" them but I fear they are related but also my rir roo is getting older I still think he's youngish due to small spur but I'm not sure so I was hatching rir hoping to get a replacement but in that case I know he will be the son of atleast one hen and half brother to any added hens so my question is at what point does inbreeding become an issue I was told eight generations before you start to see problems I'm trying to breed chickens ATM breeds are rir , buff Orpington , Dominique, cx, light brahmas, barred rock, leghorn, black jersey giant, I think that's it for right now may be adding a dozen or two more lol

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well I have well hatchery chicks on the way and was hoping for a roo from each breed so I can "breed" them but I fear they are related but also my rir roo is getting older I still think he's youngish due to small spur but I'm not sure so I was hatching rir hoping to get a replacement but in that case I know he will be the son of atleast one hen and half brother to any added hens so my question is at what point does inbreeding become an issue I was told eight generations before you start to see problems

Oh yes. You have years to go before that would be a problem. Hatchery birds are so crossed within their own lines its why they are less desired than a breeder of specific birds. The main goal is egg production, and meat birds there. Its all in what you really want in your flock. I have several hatchery birds here and some are my favorites, especially my RIR and a very old barred rock, Mabel.
For example, My Lavender Orpington are my "project", came from breeder X almost 3 years ago.. I looked at breeders for months and chose 3. Then, checked who could fill my order when I was ready. I added new blood this year from Breeder Y. next year, I may find a new line, and add new blood from breeder Z or may wait. I usually just add one new bird from another breeder to improve my flock. It doesn't have to be yearly either as i noted. I want the best possible Orpington I can breed, and have goals I am always improving on. This year, I wanted to improve the look of the eyes, because of my oldest rooster. too squinty for my liking. So, kept one of his daughters and have a rooster that's taking his place. I still have 2 sons of my original rooster because he is otherwise impressive in personality, type, color, comb and conformation. He is immense, so he is now head rooster of my mixed flock.
You can work with hatchery birds in the same manner to reach your goal, more of a challenge. I saw a very impressive Blue Orpington last year from Meyer hatchery. Was shocked, she was perfect in my eyes. I downsized last season and didn't keep her, kind of regretting it. I have a very nice splash Orp rooster I could have paired her with now.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Locked down 6 goose eggs tonight. Can't see well enough to tell, but all look viable. My DD is super excited, she has been waiting to add 2 more geese at her place. Set 3 more in the incubator along with the quail eggs, last few turkey eggs also. Bourbon reds have stopped laying this year, Midget white are still going! Noticing a big decline in chicken eggs already. Mallard derived ducks especially pekin are still laying steadily.

 

[chick rookie]

Oh wow! I am so sorry, that had to be horrible.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. She is still hanging on and there hasn't been anymore bloody poop as of today. So we will see. Thanks

Thanks for the advice in my moment of panic. She is hanging on and I kept her on the Corid.
I think quail eggs are so beautiful. I would raise them just so I had something that beautiful to look at every morning. Good luck and Thanks Again.

yes I was very upset still am when I get to thinking about it. I had high hope for the Silkies and big plans, guess it just wasn't meant to be at that time. I have since got the hens I need and am now keeping my eye out for some quality Roo's. But don't want them still next year.
Glad she is hanging in there I really do hope she makes it and you don't have any other issues

Locked down 6 goose eggs tonight. Can't see well enough to tell, but all look viable. My DD is super excited, she has been waiting to add 2 more geese at her place. Set 3 more in the incubator along with the quail eggs, last few turkey eggs also. Bourbon reds have stopped laying this year, Midget white are still going! Noticing a big decline in chicken eggs already. Mallard derived ducks especially pekin are still laying steadily.

Good luck with your hatch, I have stopped this year, I don't want chicks in the house through winter... lol
Your eggs are dropping and mine are picking back up, course I don't have an egg on the place right now, Covered Bridge vendor took them all!!! But that was fine will have more latter in the day. I hope.

 

[ellymayRans]

My always broody silkie hatched 3 more beautiful babies! She had 4 eggs and 1 died after a couple of weeks. She hatched 2 Black and 1 partridge! I just keep letting her hatch after she starts laying again because I want more partridge and blues. So my tally is 1 Blue hen, 1 partridge hen, 1 black carrying partridge roo, 1 Blue pullet,2 black chicks, 1 Blue chick and 2 partridge chicks.
A pic of 1 of the blacks, partridge and partridge momma! The 2 blacks are teenie!

 

[ellymayRans]

Locked down 6 goose eggs tonight. Can't see well enough to tell, but all look viable. My DD is super excited, she has been waiting to add 2 more geese at her place. Set 3 more in the incubator along with the quail eggs, last few turkey eggs also. Bourbon reds have stopped laying this year, Midget white are still going! Noticing a big decline in chicken eggs already. Mallard derived ducks especially pekin are still laying steadily.

Woohoo!!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Well I have well hatchery chicks on the way and was hoping for a roo from each breed so I can "breed" them but I fear they are related but also my rir roo is getting older I still think he's youngish due to small spur but I'm not sure so I was hatching rir hoping to get a replacement but in that case I know he will be the son of atleast one hen and half brother to any added hens so my question is at what point does inbreeding become an issue I was told eight generations before you start to see problems I'm trying to breed chickens ATM breeds are rir , buff Orpington , Dominique, cx, light brahmas, barred rock, leghorn, black jersey giant, I think that's it for right now may be adding a dozen or two more lol

if your goal is to be a small hatchery I would recommend simply ordering a pair of roosters in each breed from a different hatchery every other year or so.

But if your goal is breed improvement, my recommendations are going to sound mean. For breed improvement I recommend starting with 1 or two of the breeds you like the most and really learning about them. For me I spend most of my time on my RIR and Sumatras followed by the BLRW. Anything else I hatch is not for breed improvement but for fun, food or selling. One might notice that CCL is not on my list. I do hatch them but I haven't had the time to really develop a knowledge of the breed's standards or to closely study the birds I have. For me the CCL are just a fun way to have auto sexing chicks and colored eggs.

Chicken inbreeding is called Line Breeding and there is a method to it. There are certain pairings that are preferred over others. I have not gotten a full handle on that yet either. Many Line Breeders will keep 2 "families" of a breed and cross their families every 3-4 years for new blood. There are lots of posts on line breeding on several threads. I know there are quite a few in the heritage RIR threads as well as the threads for heritage birds of all breads. Maybe start there.







So who all is going to Rural King today to use their 10% off coupon? I hope to get there or at least send my DH.

 

[ellymayRans]

Sitting in Bloomington MCd's drive thru I tried to get a pic of the craziest looking little squirrel! Lol! My son was having a fit because I got out to get a better pic and just scared it! Lol! It had an entirely white body with the brown tail and little bits of brown on its feet and face! I've seen black squirrels in Michigan but nothing like this! Bad pic I know but..had to share!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Peafowl Rescue...I'm getting ready to head to Indy…staying at a friend's in Fishers tonight so I'm closer to Zionsville. Looking forward to seeing everyone and helping with this project!