INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

[COLOR=8B4513]She was a funny character. [/COLOR]  [COLOR=8B4513]That's another thing nice about this thread. I can work through my grief and even if no one reads my posts,[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513] it makes me feel better to write about it. [/COLOR]

I think everyone reads your post, I think the only reason everyone don't reply is because they just don't know what to say. Happens to me allot sometimes I'm just at a loss.... You will never forget Ditzy and will never be able to replace her, but 1 day you will be able to talk about her without breaking down and crying, I feel for ya I really do.

This, exactly. When I read about Ditzy, I felt like posting, but I just wasn't sure what to say. It hit really close to home for me, as well, so it took me a bit. It's been nearly 10 weeks since I lost my beloved Frou-Frou and I still feel very lost, and I cry way too easily when reminded. But it does get easier, and I have been able to think and talk about her fondly more as of late without needing to break down. It takes time, especially with the most beloved ones. Write all you need to, M2H, and make sure to get in your chicken therapy time. That's what has gotten me through this far. Even if I have been 'overworking' Elda.

"I want a raise."

(But seriously, she loves every second of it. )

 

[daskhan]

Pretty birds.  Ugly price tag, but pretty birds...LOL


I'm kind of bummed that members in my area aren't more active...went the member list last night looking for some local folks and looking at their profiles they don't seem to be on or post much...

Yeah I think it's just me you and chick rookie

 

[Brat Flock]

...

[COLOR=8B4513]Not sure if you've posted here before, but regardless,[/COLOR] [COLOR=A52A2A]Welcome to the Indiana Thread![/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513](you can click on the link at the bottom of this message for more info). I want to know what breed of chicken is on your avatar?? So striking! It looks like the eyes and waddles are gray/blue, too?[/COLOR]
[rule][COLOR=333333]Posted by @chick rookie
[/COLOR]


The bird in my Avatar is an Ayam Cemani. They are ALL black. I had two pullets but have since sold them to focus on Marans, Legbars, Sulmtaler and Bielefelders lol for now... I have several different breeds in my layer flock. Thank you though, she was VERY pretty and super sweet and calm birds overall

 

[Indyshent]

Well, update on everything so far:

DH has reconsidered/elaborated on terms of de-poultry-ization: I have to greatly lessen the feed bill and poultry-related expenses in general. So... all the turkeys and other meatbirds definitely have to go because they eat a ton. The five CX roosters and three extra drakes will be processed Friday at @jchny2000 's house, and she will take in my three fabulous, spoiled, super sweet BB hens, who can keep Bacon company in the absence of Puppy and Gonzo. @chickrookie is going to get the bigger of my CX hens for Waddles, Wun Wun (the giant Dark Brahma roo) and the less bossy of the Wellie hens, and I will take in her problematic Light Brahma hen with the aim of straightening her out. @ellymayRans is going to get both of super-sweet white silkies and the Royal Palm tom this afternoon.

Depending on how much DH likes muscovy meat, we may or may not keep the other five remaining muscovies. Other birds may or may not stay, depending on how much they eat, how much money we can afford to spend on feed, etc. So far (

) it looks like I'm going to be able to keep everyone else though.


AND THE EXTRA GOOD NEWS!

Black Betty's first chick hatched ahead of schedule!

Looks like it might be a DB/SLW or DB/EE; we'll know as it grows up. I'm going to move her indoors and maybe get a heat lamp on the babies as soon as I can, but today (and this week in general) are going to be super-hectic-expialidocious.

 

[pginsber]

Need some help please. Can Mareks be seen in a chick of 4 weeks old that is indoors? From what I've read, it say usually between 12-20 weeks old. I have a chick that was flopping around yesterday morning in her cage, seems to have lost the use of her legs and was using her wings to stay upright. But when I picked her up and set her legs into my hand, she stood up. I thought maybe vitamin deficiency, and gave her some poly vi sol, but she has stayed the same, legs spread and wings holding her upright. She had splayed legs when she hatched but it was corrected within that first week and was walking fine until now.

Poly vi sol without iron won't hurt this chick, but I don't think it will fix her, either. My suggestion would be to continue to treat her for splay leg.

Just want to talk a couple things out with people that know far more than me and can point out the error of my ways...

New coop design is almost complete (will share when drawings are finalized so you can tell me what I'm forgetting), and I have been researching quite a bit exactly what birds I want to add in the spring as I grow the flock. I want dual purpose birds, as once the ladies have moved beyond their use as layers I plan to pressure can them, so I'm looking at the heavier breeds. I like the idea of a mixed flock at this point. Not planning any breeding or hatching, just a nice mix of birds for laying. I'm semi-collaborating with my neighbor (who supplied my starter birds this year) on planning our spring order of chicks. He gets his chicks every spring from Murray McMurray and has had extremely good luck with healthy, productive birds.

At current I have the leghorn and ancona.

My short list is:
Cuckoo Maran
Delaware
Australorp

Also considering:
New Hampshire
Sussex
GLW

Anybody see something glaring where I've missed the boat with my choices/thinking?

Our first experience with Sussex is a Coronation Sussex that just turned one. She's the biggest bird in our coop. She's very sweet and except for the fact that she's humongous and our coop is not set up for such big girls, we love her huge, fluffy white pantaloons! Highly recommend a Sussex stays on your consideration list.

When I had only one Silkie, I was concerned about her going through the winter without a snuggle buddy. Do you think Smalty snuggle next to BonBon or Screech this winter?

@chick rookie ~ Light colored chickens and other animals are easier for a predator to spot (unless it's snowy outside!) It didn't help that Ditzy was a loner and seemed to linger out in the open instead of hanging out under bushes. The other chickens never picked on her or anything; she just wandered around in another world (that's where she got her name). Sometimes, though, she'd surprisingly outsmart the others. I'll never forget the time that she was the only one who figured out how to get to where I happened to be on another side of a fence. The others were walking back and forth, and she came right to me like she knew just where to go. She was a funny character.

That's another thing nice about this thread. I can work through my grief and even if no one reads my posts,

it makes me feel better to write about it.

Do you really think no one reads your posts? How silly you are being.

 

[chick rookie]

Well, update on everything so far:

DH has reconsidered/elaborated on terms of de-poultry-ization: I have to greatly lessen the feed bill and poultry-related expenses in general. So... all the turkeys and other meatbirds definitely have to go because they eat a ton. The five CX roosters and three extra drakes will be processed Friday at @jchny2000 's house, and she will take in my three fabulous, spoiled, super sweet BB hens, who can keep Bacon company in the absence of Puppy and Gonzo. @chickrookie is going to get the bigger of my CX hens for Waddles, Wun Wun (the giant Dark Brahma roo) and the less bossy of the Wellie hens, and I will take in her problematic Light Brahma hen with the aim of straightening her out. @ellymayRans is going to get both of super-sweet white silkies and the Royal Palm tom this afternoon.

Depending on how much DH likes muscovy meat, we may or may not keep the other five remaining muscovies. Other birds may or may not stay, depending on how much they eat, how much money we can afford to spend on feed, etc. So far (

) it looks like I'm going to be able to keep everyone else though.


AND THE EXTRA GOOD NEWS!

Black Betty's first chick hatched ahead of schedule!

Looks like it might be a DB/SLW or DB/EE; we'll know as it grows up. I'm going to move her indoors and maybe get a heat lamp on the babies as soon as I can, but today (and this week in general) are going to be super-hectic-expialidocious.

waiting with open pens... lol working my butt off to gt that done in this rain. bout had enough of that!! Rain I mean.

 

[Hholly]

This would probably make an awesome coop or run. https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5289104354.html

Cheap chicken plucker https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5288655708.html

looks like a deal! https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5290082640.html

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@chick rookie ~ Light colored chickens and other animals are easier for a predator to spot (unless it's snowy outside!) It didn't help that Ditzy was a loner and seemed to linger out in the open instead of hanging out under bushes. The other chickens never picked on her or anything; she just wandered around in another world (that's where she got her name). Sometimes, though, she'd surprisingly outsmart the others. I'll never forget the time that she was the only one who figured out how to get to where I happened to be on another side of a fence. The others were walking back and forth, and she came right to me like she knew just where to go. She was a funny character.

That's another thing nice about this thread. I can work through my grief and even if no one reads my posts,

it makes me feel better to write about it.

Totally agree. Have had some really painful losses, as well as life events. It feels pretty good to have friends to sound off to!

We are here for you, as you have been for so many of us.

Innovation is never fully appreciated in its time is it @mother2hens? Lol

I don't know why, but the orps just don't trip my trigger. As I'm looking at what to add, practically they make sense, they just don't do it. I'm bizarre I guess...

They didn't for me until I first saw the jubilees, and

LAVENDERS! I had to have them! almost 3 years ago jubilee was out of my reach, financially. DH would have had a heart attack lol. I did invest in the Lavender orps and don't regret for a moment. Lovely sweet birds, good layers, friendly roosters.

Quote: X2, stunning birds! The roosters are just too impressive!

 

[tmarsh83]

Totally agree. Have had some really painful losses, as well as life events. It feels pretty good to have friends to sound off to! We are here for you, as you have been for so many of us.


They didn't for me until I first saw the jubilees, and LAVENDERS! I had to have them! almost 3 years ago jubilee was out of my reach, financially. DH would have had a heart attack lol. I did invest in the Lavender orps and don't regret for a moment. Lovely sweet birds, good layers, friendly roosters.
X2, stunning birds! The roosters are just too impressive!

My LW would react much the same way DH would have...lol

I am going to end up with speckled Sussex because I just love to look at them. And those jubilee orps would break me.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

This would probably make an awesome coop or run. https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5289104354.html

Cheap chicken plucker https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5288655708.html

looks like a deal! https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5290082640.html

Great posts! DH had me order the book for the wizbang plucker. We have most of the parts already.

Well, update on everything so far:

DH has reconsidered/elaborated on terms of de-poultry-ization: I have to greatly lessen the feed bill and poultry-related expenses in general. So... all the turkeys and other meatbirds definitely have to go because they eat a ton. The five CX roosters and three extra drakes will be processed Friday at @jchny2000 's house, and she will take in my three fabulous, spoiled, super sweet BB hens, who can keep Bacon company in the absence of Puppy and Gonzo. @chickrookie is going to get the bigger of my CX hens for Waddles, Wun Wun (the giant Dark Brahma roo) and the less bossy of the Wellie hens, and I will take in her problematic Light Brahma hen with the aim of straightening her out. @ellymayRans is going to get both of super-sweet white silkies and the Royal Palm tom this afternoon.

Depending on how much DH likes muscovy meat, we may or may not keep the other five remaining muscovies. Other birds may or may not stay, depending on how much they eat, how much money we can afford to spend on feed, etc. So far (

) it looks like I'm going to be able to keep everyone else though.


AND THE EXTRA GOOD NEWS!

Black Betty's first chick hatched ahead of schedule!

Looks like it might be a DB/SLW or DB/EE; we'll know as it grows up. I'm going to move her indoors and maybe get a heat lamp on the babies as soon as I can, but today (and this week in general) are going to be super-hectic-expialidocious.

Congrats on the baby! I am so glad he has looked at things and understood it's importance to you! He will be impressed at the value of muscovy as a table bird. Prepared like beef, many folks can't tell a difference. My DH and parents thought I had prepared a beef roast until I informed them what it really was.

Quote: This, exactly.

When I read about Ditzy, I felt like posting, but I just wasn't sure what to say. It hit really close to home for me, as well, so it took me a bit. It's been nearly 10 weeks since I lost my beloved Frou-Frou and I still feel very lost, and I cry way too easily when reminded. But it does get easier, and I have been able to think and talk about her fondly more as of late without needing to break down. It takes time, especially with the most beloved ones.

Write all you need to, M2H, and make sure to get in your chicken therapy time. That's what has gotten me through this far.

Even if I have been 'overworking' Elda.

"I want a raise."

(But seriously, she loves every second of it.

)
pipd I love your dorkings! They are so sweet! Chicken therapists for sure, they need mealies for a reward

.

Quote: We are still working towards a chickenfest north so any of our northern members can attend. Hang in there, hope to get more folks actively participating!