INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Hholly]

Quote:
Have an awesome camping trip! Happy Anniversary!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a herd of chicks (around 45) about 8 weeks old, and 10 hens. When I only had a few I too ground my own but somehow chicken math happened when I wasn't looking. I had to ban myself from anyplace that had chix for sale. But I was too late. So I was thrilled to find Honeyville.
Did you find a recipe and just ask them to make it? 300# would be easy to split.

300 lbs makes good sense for you then! I'm not sure if that is still their minimum or not...you'll have to check.

So when I got the feed, I didn't know anything - just that I wanted an "all flock" with a low enough calcium that I could feed to all birds and supplement calcium free-feed. They put together a VERY BASIC formula using all organic and field peas to replace the soy. The feed probably wasn't much different than what they usually do except for using the peas. I have the exact formula they used if you'd like me to find it and post. It contained corn, field peas, fish meal, alfalfa meal, Fertrell. I had to order the Fertrell special as they don't usually use it. I just liked the Fertrell for organic so that's what I wanted. I think they made it 16% protein if I remember correctly.

If I were going to do it today, I'd probably specify some things different just because I know more.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Crista

PS: I know 2 other farms in our area that are using no-soy feed formulated for them by Honeyville so they probably have a standard that they make for them.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: I know my children would like both roosters if you don't mind parting with them. And they would be pets not breeders as I don't have any plans to breed chickens again.

For shoes the sizes are 10.5/11 little girl 13/1 little boy then 3 youth girl then 3.5 youth boy.

For those of you that sent me messages about where to get shoes, thank you very much. I have checked the local goodwills and salvation army in my area. I found one pair of shoes for 2 of the children but they were on the dressy side so we made them dress up shoes instead of mud shoes. Children go through so many shoes, and it is the muddy ones that tend to actually wear out not the dressy ones. So I'm not surprised that I'm not finding a whole lot there.

 

[tmctlt]

Going camping Friday night, wooohoo! DH and I always celebrate our anniversary at our campground. We met there 17 years ago, and married there on same date, 16 years ago on the 28th. Have my brother and Sis in law staying with my parents this weekend so we can get away. Hoping to get some fishing in too! Youngest DD's wedding in 3 weeks, yikes. So much left to do!

Very glad I have the chicken flocks confined now. Saw a fox around 7pm running IN my pasture, goats chasing after it! My neighbor saw it too and she text me warning it was out there. We both have smaller bird species so we warn each other if we see something. Since Sugar is due to kid soon, she is very defensive of the pasture right now. It sailed right over the fence and ran towards the creek. Daisy my donkey didn't see it until the the goats started chasing, and was right behind them.

Goslings are hatching out great! Had my first shrink wrapped baby today, but she was mostly hatched. Just had a large piece of shell stuck to her. Muscovy are finally back to laying normally and Miss Physco (the broody queen of ducks lol) is preparing her first nest. Physco is one I have to watch close, she will starve herself not wanting to leave her nest, hence her name. Keeping birds is so much a soap opera some days.

Hope you folks have a nice time with great weather Janet, congrats to you both on your Anny. My bride and I just celebrated our 35th on the 23rd..we headed N up to the Dunes and then cruised the Michigan coastline and stayed a night in a couple different towns.

 

[Crista]

@Leahs Mom
Thankyou for your input. I would love the details of what you would use, if it's not too much trouble. I got a bag of organic which will last awhile, but will prob go with the 300# next time. It is still a 300 # minimum. I have a friend who may be interested in some of it. So it will work out fine

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@Crista

PS: I know 2 other farms in our area that are using no-soy feed formulated for them by Honeyville so they probably have a standard that they make for them.

This is interesting and an awesome discussion for folks wanting better feed choices. Whole foods for us and our animals are certainly a healthier approach. Especially for our ladies that give us eggs for breakfast! I eat a lot of eggs and my parents love them too, its a very pure protein.

Quote: Thank you~It is stunning up there. I grew up in Lake Co and learned to really appreciate the Dunes. Beautiful and VERY interesting. Also learned to ride dirt bikes on the trails and had a lot of fun as a kid. Congrats on 35th Anny!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Brother and his DW wont be here until morning now, so we aren't leaving until tomorrow. Thanks guys, am really hoping to fish a little! We are in the middle of swapping for a pontoon style boat for our bass boat so we have room for guests. I don't mind bank fishing a bit until its done.
Lots of discussion with my parents the last week, they want to join us visiting the campground. I about fainted! Dad confided that he never catches anything and that's why he doesn't like it..Oh my, Time for Dad to get to catch a fish, LOL! Our camper has 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchenette so they can be comfortable. We also have internet for dads movies and moms pogo games lol.
we started right in looking into a pontoon boat. Both my parents would feel safe on it with safety railings, and have a shade canopy. Even a restroom! Brookville has very nice handicap docks too. Both appear to be feeling better after valve replacements and recovery. It will be so good for them to be able to get outdoors, and socialize with the other retired folks at our campground.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I had such a fun day. Everyone that really knows me, I love any critters. Even the predators, many were here before we were. But kids, any child, period. They are so excited meeting animals from the cow to the quail! Summer break is here and oh my, most of our neighbors children were here this afternoon at some point! I just love it

I called a lot of parents to be sure its OK they are visiting and if they can hold a chick, guinea keet etc. Its a good feeling seeing older kids, late teens interested in the birds and livestock. Teenage boys on go carts cuddling baby goslings all the way down to the siblings in grade school wanting to take Gee the oldest gander home. Its also an awesome feeling we all network and communicate so we know where the kids are.. and they are safe.

I really appreciate the community we live in. Parents still teach the kids respect for elders, and the children visiting us I can and DO call the parents, already knowing the answers. Out of proper respect, and safety I do call them so they know where their kids are. The kids respect animals and just love to see all the babies hatching and growing up. Its really surprising the goslings and Daisy the mini donkey seem to be most favorite. Sugar, my one horned goat is everyone's "unicorn" and the kids love meeting her. I can't leave home to do scouts and 4H anymore, but I want our kids locally to know they can visit when eggs hatch, and see a newborn bird in the incubator just popping out of the shell. I want my neighborhood kids to feel safe, and feel free to visit with parents permission anytime .

Its just a warm feeling to see the spark of interest in the kids wanting to keep farming. WTG to the parents supporting them.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Phew, quiet here today! Not that I'm one to talk! I haven't really been busy, personally, just enjoying my summer break from classes. Thought I'd share pictures of my babies today at 12 days old, though. Also, a few of the Silkie babies, who are just over 11 weeks old now.


Two of the Silver Gray Dorkings, Donnie and Callette. I'm about 99% sure now that Donnie (blue band) is the boy.

Miss Cazzie the blue Cochin. She hops into my lap almost immediately when I sit with them. Unfortunately for her, her little nails are razor sharp!

Izzy the Blue Ameraucana and her precious cheeks! She has a lot of attitude already.

Dorking pile! They like to pull up the paper towels and 'carpet bathe' when I have them out of the brooder.

The paper towels got pulled up? Lydda pleads the fifth...

Thirsty babies

My poor Brahma, Umru, has almost no feathers yet. Poor darling's going to go through a heck of an awkward phase...

Rooska the precious Lavender Orp

Here are the two Silkie boys, Benjamin and Winter. Big Ben is such a cocky little squirt! He's lucky his father is so patient with him sometimes! Meanwhile, Winty's pretty much afraid of his own shadow. Talk about polar opposites!

Indigo, my little beauty

Marka and her huge foot feathers!

And here they are, the teenagers, just hanging out like teenagers do.