INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Guys- I did a bad thing

. Had a chick hatch this week with wry neck, no vitamin e on hand and DH took a liking to this particular chick, so off to RK we headed. But DH had to go to Bloomington anyway, so I rode along instead of wasting gas in my car going to the Bedford store (see how frugal I was trying to be there?). Omgosh. The Bloomington store has soooo many more chicks, ducks, and turkeys than Bedford! They have a whole row of discounted bins! $1 pullets! $5 poults! I didn't catch the price on the ducklings lol. Sooo....I came home with 6 more BBW poults

. So much for being frugal lol. I'm up to 9 poults, plus hoping to get 5 midget whites soon. They had other breeds there, I just don't have room for anymore lol.

I saw a couple posts up someone talking about neighbor complaints and zoning. I'm fighting zoning in Lawrence county too. A few of the candidates for county commissioner want to enact zoning in the rural county areas outlawing any farm animals if you have less than 10 Acres. They also want to make it to where you have to get permission from your neighbors before you build any structure or even put in a garden! One of my neighbors came over this week and told my husband he is concerned about my farm because he's "not putting up with smells all summer". Grrrr. Last summer I had two pigs and no one even knew it! I don't even have them now, but thinking it's time to get some while it's still legal hehe.

LOL turkey math! Rezoning stinks. We had it here 4 years ago, but are far enough out we kept our zone AG status. I have been keeping pigs 4 years now, and ask the neighbors often if theres any odor problems.

Quote: Please feel free to be on that soapbox! That's all part of our thread. Discussions like this are important so others know whats happening in community.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

In non-chicken news...

Put the bees in our first-ever hive this afternoon. Photo of hubby and the "buzzies".

You did it! How exciting!

My name is River, on the Eastside of Indianapolis. Spent the last 2 months building a coop & a 12x6 protected run. Now that it's built, I need chickens! Haha! Is it necessary to put chicks in heated & protected places for weeks? I have no where but the coop to put them, and the places i've found to order from are all babies! Is there anywhere nearby to buy juveniles from? Or would the babies be ok outside, with the coop?

Welcome to BYC and our thread!

I'm new here, on the Eastside of Indianapolis. Got the coop & run built, looking for somewhere to purchase juvenile chickens from (as I have no where to keep the babies)...unless they would be ok in the coop/run now that the weather has gotten warmer?

Lots of members are hatching, so hopefully you can find someone close.

A few of the girls this morning

What cuties!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

here's todays eggs :

Love all the color, nice haul!

Another update:

Came home this evening to find the hawk had been busy again--killed the one confirmed Khaki hen-ling, the bitty Rouen with the beak problems (why I bought him), one of the Brahma pullets and, of course, my last turkey poult, who had weakened himself looking for his friend. I caught myself searching for him in the coop, even after burying him. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Family is all telling me to give up and kill everything, pretty much. It's just too heartbreaking and expensive when I can't sell birds (or even give them away) and can't make any money selling eggs.

Just reiterating here: all birds are free, but may or may not carry M.g. (or something else which occasionally causes similar respiratory symptoms). Purdue is sitting on their butts about sending me the t12 test carton. It's advised new owners not breed them until we know, but otherwise, the worst case scenario probably still means free usually-healthy birds which may or may not get sniffles occasionally in times of stress. Many are laying hens, and many are rarer breeds. Assume everything is pet quality because you can't show them anyway.

Brahmas: four LB hens, three gold-penciled hens, several mixed chicks (most look to be silver-penciled "DB" or DB/LB). @chickrookie has claimed the DB rooster, but a beautiful buff Colombian roo is available
Cochin: pair of black Cochin adults. One lemon pyle hen. Numerous mixes. Hens are of laying age, and the black one lays large dark eggs pretty frequently when she's not broody (which she has been occasionally, though never successfully)
Welsummer: two laying hens; one's a second-time broody and looking to be successful yet again. Both neat, chatty ladies
Australorp: one laying hen, currently broody
BO: one full-bodied laying hen
Wyandottes: 2 SLW, 1GLW, 1 splash-laced red, one RIR/BLRW (all laying hens), one BLRW roo (perpetually has lice, is pretty good with the girls, but never seems to mate right). Pair of older almost-at-POL/breeding age DB/SLW mixes, both pretty quiet and easily handled, hatched in Nov or Dec of 2015.
EEs and other assorted mixes (few blue, some likely green, most brown layers). 3 cockerels of older nature that aren't quite done growing: the DB/EE is going to be a giant, from the look of it (like Wun Wun the DB, his daddy, but getting there a lot faster); there's also a DB/SLW and what I think is a Sumatra/EE cross (blue and gold, very neat personality, growing up gorgeous).
@jchny2000 has re-claimed Mr. July, a stunning black Sumatra who has sired several mixes here

Right now, both Australorps, one Wellie, two gold-penciled Brahma hens, and the RIR/BLRW are broody.

Who's Staying: One of the two Australorps is perpetually broody and often sick (because she takes such terrible care of herself in pursuit of motherhood), so she'll stay here because my youngest loves her. One BO hen has likewise been claimed by my son and has been ill in the past. Not claimed but still with a history of illness, an EE will have to stay. A pair of mottled Breda will stay because the roo is seemingly always ill, but may also be quiet by nature, too. He has been very slow to make a full recovery even under good conditions, and I think another move will stress him beyond recovery. The other certainly-staying roo is lame for the foreseeable future, but just too sweet and scrawny to put down. Major Tom, the MW, has been perpetually ill since his buddy Saphira died, and now that his little buddies are both dead, I think he's going to really plummet. He's very stressed--constantly displaying and spoiling for a fight, yet unable to give one, and his sinuses are already looking pretty horrible again since the first of the two babies died--and I can't risk him getting other birds at another home sick, which limits me to putting him down or getting him some company (which takes money and room, both of which I'm short on).

We're going to be working on a fence as soon as possible, but we're also tied into putting a roof on a new coop and fixing up our sons' room... and finals in college... and finding a new job... and possibly having cancer... and too many other things to properly enumerate.

I am so sorry.

Finally!! My first Peahen egg of the season found yesterday!! Set it today, hoping its fertile, oh, and a girl!! Lol!!

Exciting, I have 1 in lockdown! Didn't see movement tho, so not getting hopes up.

Horrible news.

The "hawk" is actually a human child who has been jumping our fence and beating our birds with large sticks when we're away. Apparently, he's been beating on Major Tom, too, which explains part of why he's been so out of sorts. Neighbors spotted the child earlier this week but hadn't known he's been killing the birds. I had wondered yesterday why all of the babies were under cover, unlike earlier in the week when all of them were smaller and in the open. A larger duck had also been killed, and it probably weighed more than the hawks around here. I've seen Coopers and sharp-shinned hawks in the area, but I'd never heard of them killing so many birds in such a short time without eating any of them, though.

I have so much work to do, but I can't focus on anything. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.

I just wasted all day working on a hawk-proof run for the babies.

Thats distressing. That child is on a very fast dangerous path, and needs help. Definitely get the police involved so he gets the help he needs. I am so sorry.

Hey everyone I'm new to BYC and wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Sarah from Elizabeth Indiana. I have a variety of hens that I enjoy very much. My favorite hens are my americaunas. I would like to add some cuckoo marans but haven't had much luck ordering any.

Welcome to BYC and our thread!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I spread out my first bag of fly predators. It is hard to think of spending money on bugs, but these bugs make my life better. I used them last year and I've already signed up for this year too. Greatest way I have found to control flies.

I may have to do this. I do not like using chemicals, and had to buy fly spray for the cow and donkey. They sure have started out heavy this season.

HELLO EVERYONE! I am thrilled to be back among the living after being in bed for five straight days with a bad case of pneumonia. What a terrible week! I waited too long to go to the doctor because I thought my wheezing was from all of the pollen that had turned everything outdoors yellow. I'm still wheezy and have to go back to the doc this week, but I am so happy just to feel "normal" again.


My Baby Bonbon
Last weekend, I realized I was actually sick (after DH and DS kept telling me how bad I sounded), I planned to see the doc on Monday. Meanwhile, Bonbon suddenly went from normal to acting worn out—sitting a lot and breathing harder. Her comb and waddles turned purplish. She continued to eat and drink. Since it was the weekend, veterinarians were closed. I was too sick/dizzy to even check in with our thread for advice, so I hoped Bonbon could hang on until Monday when DH could take us both to the doc. Sadly, Bonbon didn't make it. DH and I happened to be standing near her outside because it was nearing time for the flock to go in for the evening. Bonbon started thrashing her head back and forth, and I knew she was convulsing and dying. I scooped her up and she died in my arms. I sang the Mockingbird lullaby to her and just held her. I felt so bad that I couldn't help her. On the other hand, I was relieved that it all happened so quickly and that she didn't have to suffer, but it's just heartbreaking because I feel like she wanted me to help her. Shortly before she died, she had walked down the hill to near where I had been sitting as though she was trying to tell me. She had beautiful brown, soulful eyes. What an exceptional being she was—and I'll never forget the wonderful experiences she allowed me to share when she hatched two 100% hatching eggs (thank you @jchny2000 and @ellymayRans ). As I write this, I am sobbing because I realize that I really haven't been able to grieve her loss since I was in such poor health at the time.

Tweedy?
The past few days I have noticed subtle changes in my BR, Tweedy, my Flock Leader. She has been breathing a little harder, and her comb is slightly curled. Otherwise she has been eating, drinking, and free ranging. I am definitely getting Tweedy to the vet on Monday. Some of you remember that Screech's necropsy "indicated" Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) sometimes also known as
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG). Following that report, my vet had me treat all remaining chickens with Tylan Soluble antibiotic mixed into drinking water—not an accurate method as far as I'm concerned. I prefer treatment by injection or oral doses when it's an option. Several of you recommended Denegard antibiotic as a good one to use, and I will mention it to my vet.

Coincidence?
Turns out there's a type of pneumonia caused from Mycoplasma bacteria! I don't know if that's what I had, but the antibiotic they gave me was a miracle drug. After only two capsules, I could tell a distinct improvement although I was still really sick and am not out of the woods yet. I am going to discuss Mycoplasma and Mycobacterial infections (you know how I dig in the soil every day with my flock) with my doctor this week. Btw, I haven't even seen my real physician! When I called last Monday, I was told there were no openings with my doctor or any other doctor in the practice—for two days! They told me to go to their Urgent Care Center. DH and I spent four and a half hours of heck there since they had a three hour waiting period to begin with. Totally unacceptable! Now that I am getting my strength back, they will be hearing from me. But...my point of this paragraph is that I will report back to you guys about the human - chicken - dirt - bacteria - illness topic. Many of you scientific types are probably already knowledgable.

To recap my diminishing flock, beginning in January 2016, the following five flock members have died—presumably from CRD: Eliza and Adeline - English Orps; Screech - Bantam Cochin; Lacy - Bantam Cochin from @chick rookie , and Bonbon - Bantam English Orp. My four remaining flock members include three of my original flock who are four-year-olds: Tweedy - BR; Lacey - SLW; Roadrunner - EE and last, but not least, Smalty, my little two-year-old Blue Silkie.

Protein Boosters
During the past month, I have offered my hens grass-fed raw ground beef, raw chopped calf's liver from a specialty meat shop, and three varieties of natural cat food—They were NOT interested, and acted as though I was trying to poison them! LOL Seems like with my flock, if they didn't eat something when they were young, they're not going to start now. They're too suspicious.

Bonbon in Frig
@kittydoc ~ I put Bonbon in a plastic bag with a knot in the top and she has been in the refrigerator since Sunday, 4-24. Although I can't afford to pay another $100+ for an indecisive necropsy, you had recommended a certain test be done at Purdue. I will have to look back through previous posts. It may be too late since Bonbon has been refrigerated for a week. I couldn't even function enough last week to try to look up that info or to try to explain it to my DH and have him talk to the vet. I just had to concentrate on getting better.

If anyone has any suggestions about any of the topics in my downer post, I always appreciate input!

Oh my, not been a good year. Glad you are feeling better, what a sad loss.

I'm in broody hell right now. Four silkies brooding on no eggs. Is it contagious? I only have 3 girls laying right now.

Hello all! New to BYC. I'm not sure where to post but I'm in Bloomington Indiana and have been raising ducks for just a couple of years and just love it. My question is does anyone know where I could maybe find a pair of call ducks? I'm just looking for PQ and am willing to drive if needed. Thanks!

Welcome to BYC and our thread!

Quote: Thats awesome to find someone close!

 

[river46201]

Thats awesome to find someone close!
[/quote]

I actually FIRST met her last year...Walked By & stopped in....really gave me the "you can do it" attitude that made me decide this year to go for it! Kinda cool....but since she's the one talking about a murderous neighborhood kid.... kinda wish it WASN'T her! Hahaha!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank goodness the stores won't have anymore chicks after this week

I have banned myself from going to town

On another note. I am using the heating pad momma on my new babies and it is working beautifully. They are in a large dog crate inside the coop (protected from drafts). I brought them home wed evening and moved them to the coop on thurs evening. I love it !!
Don't get me wrong. I loved hearing the peepers in a box in the kitchen and have done it that way for years, but this is definitely great !!

Ohhh I cannot allow myself in the feed stores. It would be BAD. My nephew does the weekly feed runs fortunately.

Quote: Totally agree, I have less problems with a grow up area introducing new flock members.

Found my second Pea egg today.
@racinchickins my experience with my gal has been she will lay decoys..about 4 or 5 in different places and then nest somewhere else, guessing because I take the eggs I find. Last year I took all decoys and her first clutch and none were fertile. The second clutch I let her sit and only 3 of those 5 were fertile. It was both male and females first mature years so I suspected those possibilities.

I've set both eggs.

My 2 turkey hens, well one is brooding and the other I've caught in the same best with her so I know she's laying in there too. She's only stayed 1 night in with her so not sure she's decided to go broody just yet.

All 13 MW turkey eggs and the 1 and only duck egg I have found are all fertile!

Sounds all good!

Btw, @Indyshent ~ Thank you for your generous offer of new flock members!

Although I am anxious to get more chickens, I am waiting to see if I can find anything out about Bonbon. I can't get my BR, Tweedy, in to see the doc until tomorrow afternoon. I noticed earlier that she feels full, the way that my infamous Nene felt when she had congestive heart failure. Just when it seemed that CRD must be the culprit for all the deaths, that may not be the case for Tweedy.

I am still hoping to take up previous offers to purchase a Cochin or two from @ellymayRans , a Bielefelder from @kittydoc , and maybe an English Orp from @jchny2000 . I also would like to add a few Silkies, and was hoping someone could hatch eggs from @kabhyper1 . That's been my Wish List for 2016, so hopefully things will turn around, and I can have a healthy flock again!

Count on it, I am working on building up the chocolate orps, and I will make sure I save you a pullet. I will also have Lavender orps, you can pick a pair if you would like, also! I can hatch silkie eggs for you also, I am only doing geese, ducks and turkey eggs now so have room.

more of the coop/run additions progress:

a 2nd one is completed & have put our Legbars + Leghorns into their new home
2 more to go, & then i can start on the roof

Love how they are turning out!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thats awesome to find someone close!

I actually FIRST met her last year...Walked By & stopped in....really gave me the "you can do it" attitude that made me decide this year to go for it! Kinda cool....but since she's the one talking about a murderous neighborhood kid.... kinda wish it WASN'T her! Hahaha![/QUOTE]
@Indyshent is an dear friend with a huge heart of gold.
I know what you mean, the situation is not good at all! Hope the neighborhood can catch him and get him help.

 

[tmarsh83]

@indyshent that's awful. Keeping the balance of my comments to myself.

So Friday I purchased netting for the top of the coop to install this weekend. Friday night I went walleye fishing with a friend. Got home late, closed up the coop and didn't give it a moment thought.

Saturday morning when I went out there were only feathers left from one of the marans and one of the new hampshires in the run.

I can't know exactly when it happened but it really cooked my grits that I had the netting in the car. It's locked down now. No issues since. They are 8 weeks today.

Upside, the older girls seem to be disinterested in them. I'll treat the big girls along the run fence so they can all be in proximity and I've seen no issues. So there's that.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@indyshent that's awful. Keeping the balance of my comments to myself.

So Friday I purchased netting for the top of the coop to install this weekend. Friday night I went walleye fishing with a friend. Got home late, closed up the coop and didn't give it a moment thought.

Saturday morning when I went out there were only feathers left from one of the marans and one of the new hampshires in the run.

I can't know exactly when it happened but it really cooked my grits that I had the netting in the car. It's locked down now. No issues since. They are 8 weeks today.

Upside, the older girls seem to be disinterested in them. I'll treat the big girls along the run fence so they can all be in proximity and I've seen no issues. So there's that.

Ah geez thats sad. If its at night with only feathers, likely is a fox or owl. Raccoon, possum and skunk will leave remains. We were having huge issues with great horned here and it made me finally coop everything. I have a handful of free rangers left, mostly EE and Leghorn. They sleep in the goat house and my donkey seems to keep them safe. My mallards also go in there at night under the goats sleeping platform.

 

[tmarsh83]

Ah geez thats sad. If its at night with only feathers, likely is a fox or owl. Raccoon, possum and skunk will leave remains. We were having huge issues with great horned here and it made me finally coop everything. I have a handful of free rangers left, mostly EE and Leghorn. They sleep in the goat house and my donkey seems to keep them safe. My mallards also go in there at night under the goats sleeping platform.

It could have been late Friday afternoon. I was gone so I can't know for sure and didn't check the run at two in the morning when I got home. The chicks were in the coop in a pile (how they are sleeping currently) so I couldn't tell anyone was missing.

Fox seems unlikely. The run is secure. I was thinking raptor of some sort.