INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[JanetMarie]

A broody mom with her two chicks were getting into our garden and digging up the onions and celery.

The spot they were getting in was on the gate where our Big Bun had chewed a large hole in the poly fence.

I repaired it with chicken wire fencing yesterday.

 

[Faraday40]

Look what I found in the bantam's tractor! Noodles comb has been getting darker for the past few weeks, and this is my (her) 1st tiny serama egg! Soooo egg-citing!

For the pic, I put it next to an orp egg for comparison.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I am considering getting a rooster and not sure which to look at.
There are some in my area that are cockerels and some that are 1 yr old.
The breeds are:
Black blue Ameraucana
Blue lace red wyandotte
Chocolate orpington
Barred cochin
They are all saying they are friendly. They look healthy in pics too - but once I decide which one - what should I look for?
I want a friendly enough one - doesn't have to be a lap rooster, but one I can pick up to check when needed.
Suggestions? Opinions?
Thanks!

 

[JanetMarie]

Orpington roosters are fairly docile, fluffy, cute. Both of my Orpington boys were lap boys. Both were good to the hens also.

I don't know about the other breeds.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Orpington roosters are fairly docile, fluffy, cute. Both of my Orpington boys were lap boys. Both were good to the hens also.

I don't know about the other breeds.

Thanks. The type of info I am after!

 

[Faraday40]

I definitely agree that orp roosters are gentle giants. As far as age, the ones 1 yr or older already have their adult personality. Young cockerels may be people friendly now but could go through a testing period that starts around 5-9 months. The young cockerels also need to learn how to effectively / gently mate hens. Some cocks go through an intense rape stage & may even injure a hen. Those are the things I'd ask about before breed. Temperament trumps everything. Of course there are several wonderful roosters out there, so you should be able to find a great one. If you're near the Chicago area, I'm sure I could find you a nice orp rooster - maybe even give you one of mine. I have many customers who can't keep roos, so I help them find homes when I can. You can always PM me if you're interested.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I definitely agree that orp roosters are gentle giants. As far as age, the ones 1 yr or older already have their adult personality. Young cockerels may be people friendly now but could go through a testing period that starts around 5-9 months. The young cockerels also need to learn how to effectively / gently mate hens. Some cocks go through an intense rape stage & may even injure a hen. Those are the things I'd ask about before breed. Temperament trumps everything. Of course there are several wonderful roosters out there, so you should be able to find a great one. If you're near the Chicago area, I'm sure I could find you a nice orp rooster - maybe even give you one of mine. I have many customers who can't keep roos, so I help them find homes when I can. You can always PM me if you're interested.

I would love one of yours, but it's a really long drive - close to 3 hours. Do you ever get this way or closer to the IN line?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I found these creepers on my tomato plants last week.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Your tomatoes are amazing when did you plant them? Ours are barely producing. We planted in april

I started late march indoors on a heat mat. 1st year I did that and am sold. Been doing a garden 6 years now and am so pleased.

I am considering getting a rooster and not sure which to look at.
There are some in my area that are cockerels and some that are 1 yr old.
The breeds are:
Black blue Ameraucana
Blue lace red wyandotte
Chocolate orpington
Barred cochin
They are all saying they are friendly. They look healthy in pics too - but once I decide which one - what should I look for?
I want a friendly enough one - doesn't have to be a lap rooster, but one I can pick up to check when needed.
Suggestions? Opinions?
Thanks!

Orps are very docile and Cochin.. BLRW are great if heritage. Ameruacana are also quite calm.. Steer far away from Australorp terrible roosters. Very aggressive. I have kept 4 and every one was awful, better take a stick to push him away. Walk out there see how he acts. I have taken in a lot of free roosters that were nuts once they came here. I have 2 adult roos 4-5 years old I hand picked for breeding.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I found these creepers on my tomato plants last week.
View attachment 1483602

I go out at night with a UV flashlight and pick off those bugs. Chickens gobble them, hate them the get huge and kill my plants.