INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

I am so sold on turkeys, my little poults are 4 weeks and I just LOVE them!

precious little guys, they are soo friendly! I have to stop holding them, or none of them will make it to the freezer

We have named one Arnold. He is a really big Tom, and has started displaying already

he buffs and puffs at my DH when he makes the gobble noise

I have been reading on the BBW's and some have been able to keep their weight down, and actually get hatches. I may keep a few and try it.

 

[animallover2202]

I have a bunch of coop questions but ill only ask a few tonight ...ok me and my dad figured out a design but ran into a few problems 1 can we use chicken wire for a wall and put plastic up during the winter?? 2 how big does the nesting boxes have to be?? 3 how big does the breeding pen have to be?? More questions tomorrow

 

[AATH]

I have a bunch of coop questions but ill only ask a few tonight ...ok me and my dad figured out a design but ran into a few problems 1 can we use chicken wire for a wall and put plastic up during the winter?? 2 how big does the nesting boxes have to be?? 3 how big does the breeding pen have to be?? More questions tomorrow

I'm new to this too but I would say no to the chicken wire wall because indiana weather sucks and it can turn cold instantly so they need a place with no drafts. The other two questions I'm not sure about.

 

[Mother2Hens]

AATH~ The other night Mr. and Mrs. Mallard visited our front yard, but sat right next to the road. (There's a lake nearby). Tonight, Mrs. Mallard returned to the same spot. Our cat was interested, but considering he is afraid of our assertive chickens, we aren't worried.




jchny~ Love your avatar with Paddy! I also enjoyed the story about your goose taking charge of the rooster!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Welcome to jtriersch! The fodder story looks interesting. When I get a chance, I need to look into that. Meanwhile my husband made two grazing frames and planted grass areas surrounded by chicken wire since our five hens ate all the grass in the fenced in part of the back yard.

Welcome to AmLambson! Darling little girl (and chickens). I've only had my hens a year, and I also had wondered about vet care. Although there are many experienced members on this Thread who can help with health care issues, we have discussed that it's good to be proactive have a first aid kit (go to Search This Thread), and also have the number of a vet who treats chickens.

Welcome jgarreth! My coop has dirt and sand and a few small rocks in the bottom. Mine mostly poop in their cat litter boxes (containing pine shavings) that are placed under their perch. haha I use a vinyl glove and just clean up the poop almost every day. It's no big deal since my flock is small. A lot of people on this Thread use a "deep litter method" (go to Search This Thread). Whenever it is not freezing, we hose down the areas outside of the coop a couple of times a day.

Hope someone in Columbia City - Ft. Wayne area can help chickentender1's brother and sister-in-law: I am just in the planning stages of helping my brother and wife's venture into Chicken-ism. I have been trying to find some folks near Fort Wayne or preferably nearer to Columbia City where they will be moving next week. The idea is to hopefully get some first hand observation on how to set up an operation so she can meet any legal issues or etc., though very small. Do you know of any one in this area that might be open to helping us? Best day possible to you. Tom from Fort Wayne

Congrats to Cluck and Crafty chick on their new jobs!

bloonskiller~ I think you might be the first on this Thread to have sheep!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have a bunch of coop questions but ill only ask a few tonight ...ok me and my dad figured out a design but ran into a few problems 1 can we use chicken wire for a wall and put plastic up during the winter?? 2 how big does the nesting boxes have to be?? 3 how big does the breeding pen have to be?? More questions tomorrow

AL, ask as many as you want, that's why we are all here

The wire and plastic is a yes. If they are fully feathered, just be sure there's no draft in winter. ventilation up high. If its really cold, I have even used bagged leaves to create a wall of insulation to help keep them warm. Hoop coops are set up much like that, heres an example:

http://www.raincreekpottery.com/Pages/HoopCoopChickenTractor.aspx
I am building these for breeding pens. awesome and cheap!
My nesting boxes are the smaller storage totes, 18 quart i think? i get them at walmart, dollar store. as long as its got hay, shavings & a fake egg in it or a golf ball, you are all set. I have also used milk crates, and even cardboard boxes.
Breeding pens, you need 4 SQ ft per chicken i think, that's the only requirement.
hope that helps

 

[strssdmom]

I have a bunch of coop questions but ill only ask a few tonight ...ok me and my dad figured out a design but ran into a few problems 1 can we use chicken wire for a wall and put plastic up during the winter?? 2 how big does the nesting boxes have to be?? 3 how big does the breeding pen have to be?? More questions tomorrow

I am new to all of this, but I would say no to the plastic and wire wall. Indiana does get pretty cold.

Our nesting boxes are 12" x12" (one foot square). Not sure if that is the norm, but that is what my husband red they should be.

Don't know anything about the breeding pen.

Good Luck!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

AATH~ The other night Mr. and Mrs. Mallard visited our front yard, but sat right next to the road. (There's a lake nearby). Tonight, Mrs. Mallard returned to the same spot. Our cat was interested, but considering he is afraid of our assertive chickens, we aren't worried.




jchny~ Love your avatar with Paddy! I also enjoyed the story about your goose taking charge of the rooster!

Hahaha, love this picture! my very old barn cat, he is 18 just lays and stares at all the birds. he is solid black too. Thank you, we now have Ivy, she is a sweet little brown, and paddy has a lil brother grumpy, another white. We had one precious little brown born with wry neck. She is getting better, but has a lot of trouble walking. she can eat and drink on her own. We have named her hope. Paddy is flat HUGE! I will have to post pics, he is just a dollbaby. He has some primary feathers now too.

 

[Mother2Hens]

animal lover~ I bet your Dad's store has boxes and containers that could be used. You're always good at figuring things out! : - ) Read below, too.

Resourceful Do-it-yourselfers: Since there have been so many clever people on this Thread who've been repurposing materials, I started occasionally looking on craigslist "free" and have noticed free scrap lumber, free pallets, free bricks, and free rock. I also read an article in our newspaper about a local company that recycles plastic, especially buckets and plant containers. During a discussion about fermenting food, I think Cluck had mentioned that his grocery gave plastic buckets away. The article stated that local bakeries/donut places had tons of plastic buckets and that plant nurseries had so many containers that new plants come in-- that's a big reason why this recycling company began. So... if you're looking for a certain sized container or certain material, just brainstorm about what business might have what you're looking for. Most places are happy to give stuff away for re-use-- a different type of recycling.

Springtime! I never have any baby pictures to post (boohoo), but I took this picture of my flock today in the area of our yard beyond the fenced-in part where they ate all the grass.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

animal lover~ I bet your Dad's store has boxes and containers that could be used. You're always good at figuring things out! : - ) Read below, too.

Resourceful Do-it-yourselfers: Since there have been so many clever people on this Thread who've been repurposing materials, I started occasionally looking on craigslist "free" and have noticed free scrap lumber, free pallets, free bricks, and free rock. I also read an article in our newspaper about a local company that recycles plastic, especially buckets and plant containers. During a discussion about fermenting food, I think Cluck had mentioned that his grocery gave plastic buckets away. The article stated that local bakeries/donut places had tons of plastic buckets and that plant nurseries had so many containers that new plants come in-- that's a big reason why this recycling company began. So... if you're looking for a certain sized container or certain material, just brainstorm about what business might have what you're looking for. Most places are happy to give stuff away for re-use-- a different type of recycling.

Springtime! I never have any baby pictures to post (boohoo), but I took this picture of my flock today in the area of our yard beyond the fenced-in part where they ate all the grass.

M2H you are so right, a 5 gallon bucket is an awesome nest box too. My hens are too big, but I have seen several posts on BYC, cut the lid in half and add hay. I plan to use them for my banties.
Your girls look so happy

I know mine are loving the fresh grass and BUGS everywhere!