INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Someone was talking earlier about having a safe place for the chicks to go when they are let out with the older ones. Mine were raised by a broody but when she was done with them, she no longer protected them and was just as mean to them as the others!

They were doing fine as they were raised right in with the adults by the mamma and know "their place". But I wanted to have a little area they could go if they wanted and also a place I could let them get the amount of food I wanted them to have if I was giving raw meat, sprouts, etc. That way they could get their share before the "olders" got the lion's share.

Found these little "digless fence sections" at Lowes for $13 each piece and made a little corner refuge. I put a little of the deer/bird netting over the top just in case a hawk came in and they ran in there.
The corner is held together with zip ties. Zip ties also attach them to the kennel panel.


The "littles" can fit through the fence posts but the adults can't fit through!

 

[PandoraChick]

Hello all! I thought it might be time for a formal introduction. My name is Jeanne and I live outside of Chesterton/Valpo area.
My husband is Jason and we have 1 daughter(age 7) and God willing, another in the oven soon. We have about a little over an acre and last year discovered the wonderful world of chickens. We started with 6, then 6 more, then 5 more for a total of 17. We did very well with them, but wound up with an oopsy Rooster we tried to keep and named him Fred. He was a Partidge Rock and I loved him, but he began trying to attack my daughter..after an internal struggle with ethics, we decided to cull him. We fed him to our great dane Milly(who is pretty much my life, after my daughter). She eats raw chicken everyday, just not OUR chickens. She is actually really good with our girls. We also have 4 cats, a great dane and a rescue bunny named Pongo in our family.
We have not had any predation issues, but did lose one of Barred Rock Girls(Grace was her name)...she got her head stuck in a fence and when we found her it was too late

. My daughter was crushed and wanted to burry her, so we had to have a little chicken funeral and made her a nice memorial garden. My daughter is just like me with animals..loves them all and would not dream of hurting one...she is a true rescuer at heart..She is constantly telling family our chickens are NOT meat birds!

We have 20 chicks in the brooder now, mostly production type birds. I am now looking to add Silkies & Cochins that will be more like pets for us and have there own special coop . Our girls now are like pets and have the best of everything, but we are hoping to do 4-h and poultry shows with our daughter.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone here and learn more about this poultry addiction we all have

Congrats on the new baby, what a beautiful name!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
We had a lady like this at the last place I lived. It turned out she was really really bored. After many different attempts (making her a pie, asking for help with gardening, and several other things) to try and get her involved in my life she actually became friendly. Then 6 months later we moved. But she was super nice and helpful for about 6 months.
Maybe if you can find out what interests her you can find a way for her to become more of a friend. Maybe try taking her on outings with you and your children or asking her to help your children with a tough subject in school.

 

[kabhyper1]

Well we got the coop moved to it's permanent location. Just need to build a run. The Alpacas don't seem to mind it. I think my husband did a pretty good job for his first coop.

 

[EmSteele]

So, what age should I take my girls and possible boys outside to play? I'm not ready to MOVE them out yet! RIR are almost 4 weeks, Barred Rocks are almost 5 weeks. Weather in S. Indiana is BEAUTIFUL but don't want to take them out before they are ready.

 

[Kiniska]

We had a lady like this at the last place I lived. It turned out she was really really bored. After many different attempts (making her a pie, asking for help with gardening, and several other things) to try and get her involved in my life she actually became friendly. Then 6 months later we moved. But she was super nice and helpful for about 6 months.
Maybe if you can find out what interests her you can find a way for her to become more of a friend. Maybe try taking her on outings with you and your children or asking her to help your children with a tough subject in school.

I was actually thinking the same thing. People like that are often just bored and lonely and haven't the social skills to make friends. They are often very loyal friends if you can get past the prickles. However sound like stressed mom has a lot on her plate. Taking on another project might be a bit too much.

 

[AATH]

Almost done with the coop. Moving the girls out this weekend!!!

 

[Kiniska]

Well we got the coop moved to it's permanent location. Just need to build a run. The Alpacas don't seem to mind it. I think my husband did a pretty good job for his first coop.

Love this! Hope he got a big kiss.

Your alpacas are beautiful!

 

[kabhyper1]

Thanks Kiniska! I love them. I hope they like the chickens. It will be interesting when we do introductions lol.

 

[BeInspired]

Posted on the main welcome page but wanted to come over here also. Wanted to say a quick Hi to the Indiana members.
I'm new to BYC - I own Great Inspirations Farm in Chesterton/Westville -- we are a CSA and will be adding chicks in the near future. After I figure out how to make a free-ranging coyote and raccoon proof run!
Well looking forward to learning more with you.
wendy