INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[slutter]

I've been very busy lately, but I finally got on here! thanks again to @ellymayRans for the muscovies, they're looking great and were worth the drive!

 

[ellymayRans]

I've been very busy lately, but I finally got on here! thanks again to @ellymayRans
 for the muscovies, they're looking great and were worth the drive!

So glad you're enjoying them and it was great to meet you!

 

[hbrown322]

Has anyone had chicks who obsessively peck at the brooder box?
I just got my chicks yesterday (Friday) and on and off all day today they have been taking turns pecking at the side of the brooder box. There is a little tiny hole there where I nailed in a perch. Before I got these chicks I raised the perch a little higher. The old nail site is where they are pecking. I don't think it's anything to worry about, I was just curious. Maybe they are bored?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I had an explosion of chick's a couple of days ago. After two hatches with incubator issues, I finally had a strong hatch with chick's popping out like popcorn! This is great but honestly unexpected.

I have a billion lavender Orps, and smaller numbers of blacks, black/chocolate split cockerels (pets), black/lavender splits, blues, and finally chocolate/chocolate cuckoo (pet/layer only). All are vaccinated against Marek's disease, and my NPIP certification renewal is submitted.

I have a trio or quad of blue English Orps that are about 5-6 weeks old. They look very nice and if they don't sell soon, I'm gonna keep them myself!

Mandy convinced me to give hatching eggs another try. I love my silver grey Dorkings so I'm trying to hatch some more. Fingers crossed that a few make it. I had no idea ahead of time that color is autosexing, BONUS!!

I am letting a broody sit a few eggs for kicks. Started with 9, she broke 5. Maybe 4 will make it. It's her first time, and mine.

That's all my news.

I am probably waiting later in the spring next year to hatch. Great to hear the hatches are going well!

I've been very busy lately, but I finally got on here! thanks again to @ellymayRans for the muscovies, they're looking great and were worth the drive!

Wonderful news! I am glad you were able to get some. I still have only had 1 hatch so far. Hopefully will see some in 5 weeks.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Has anyone had chicks who obsessively peck at the brooder box?
I just got my chicks yesterday (Friday) and on and off all day today they have been taking turns pecking at the side of the brooder box. There is a little tiny hole there where I nailed in a perch. Before I got these chicks I raised the perch a little higher. The old nail site is where they are pecking. I don't think it's anything to worry about, I was just curious. Maybe they are bored?

They are interested, wondering if its food! Boredom and curious. The good thing is they sound like healthy chicks! A suet block for chicks would be a great toy for them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: When mine are in a cardboard box or solid wall box for brooding they peck on it. Sounds like they're knocking. I always say "knock knock, who's there" when they do that.

 

[wheezy50]

I have also had tough luck this Spring hatching my MW turkey eggs. Probably set around 20 of her eggs (I just have a pair, that was almost every egg she laid) I think 10 total hatched and 5 of those failed to thrive and didnt make it past 2-3 weeks. The 5 I have left are around 6-8 weeks old now and seem healthy and happy, fingers crossed. Most of the eggs that didn't hatch were fertile with fully formed poults, must have died in the last couple days before hatch. Her last 3eggs weren't fertile and I havent seen an egg from her in a few weeks now.

My silkies have been hatching with good success, they've been over 90%. Unfortunately at least 3 are trying to be broody and the eggs have really slowed down.

Lavender orps have been successful as well, probably around 80-90%. They are still laying pretty well, I just set another 14 of theirs today.

Polish have been tough on me this Spring and im starting to think they are just a tough breed to get healthy, robust chicks. I set 4 of my own hens eggs (before a coon got her), all hatched, and all but 1 have failed to thrive and died within 2 weeks. I purchased some bantam polish eggs from someone local and had good hatches but half of them also failed to thrive and died. Its weird because they hatch well and seem great for a week and then downhill. Polish just are a more difficult breed to raise, at least for me.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@jchny2000
I did a little rearranging in the chick-safe pen in the barn today. When I was in there I sat on the floor and had 6 Four-Week-Old Buckeyes climbing all over me. One even went up on my shoulder.

Such fun little birdies!

I need to get some updated photos of the chicken children

 

[hbrown322]

When mine are in a cardboard box or solid wall box for brooding they peck on it.  Sounds like they're knocking.  I always say "knock knock, who's there" when they do that. 

Thanks!!

 

[hbrown322]

They are interested, wondering if its food! Boredom and curious. The good thing is they sound like healthy chicks! A suet block for chicks would be a great toy for them.

Good idea, thanks!!