INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

It's not even 9am & we've already had 3 hawk attacks. (Thankfully all birds are safely locked up. I don't let the flock out to free range until 8am.) After seeing the hawk walking on the ground next to the run when I went out to open the door, I decided not to let them free range yet. I put the turkeys, bantams, & chicks into the chicken tractors. When I went into the garage to refill feeders, the hawk returned. And again, Just as I was about to shower I heard horrible chicken screams & saw the hawk trying to get into the tractor cage with Trouble & her chicks. UGH!

The poor birds spent most of yesterday inside (for the same reason).

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

@Evelyn's Mom
Hi Evelyn's mom. Leah's mom here

Glad to have you! Tell us about your flock...what kind do you have?

Hello Leah's mom! You'd think my kids was Evelyn but it's my EE! Well, I have two Rhode Island Reds (Big Red and Little Red) two buff brahmas (Princess Poppy and Branch) one Easter Egger (Evelyn) and two buff orpingtons (Goldie and Sandy) they are so much fun, personality and mischief!

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

It's not even 9am & we've already had 3 hawk attacks. (Thankfully all birds are safely locked up. I don't let the flock out to free range until 8am.) After seeing the hawk walking on the ground next to the run when I went out to open the door, I decided not to let them free range yet. I put the turkeys, bantams, & chicks into the chicken tractors. When I went into the garage to refill feeders, the hawk returned. And again, Just as I was about to shower I heard horrible chicken screams & saw the hawk trying to get into the tractor cage with Trouble & her chicks. UGH!

The poor birds spent most of yesterday inside (for the same reason).

I hear that! Hawks are out in force lately! I'm afraid to let mine out too much, usually after school until bedtime or a little before. It's so dark so early now!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

What are signs that you should deworm? I look at poos, but that is it.
Have you posted a pic of beefy?

I don't have many pics of Beefy, I will try to remember to get a few, especially of his red skin. I watch for feather, skin and leg condition. Overall outward appearance, weight. Some parasites are too small to see, so just checking poop isn't enough. Since my birds all free range, they are more likely to have exposure to mites and lice.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

It's not even 9am & we've already had 3 hawk attacks. (Thankfully all birds are safely locked up. I don't let the flock out to free range until 8am.) After seeing the hawk walking on the ground next to the run when I went out to open the door, I decided not to let them free range yet. I put the turkeys, bantams, & chicks into the chicken tractors. When I went into the garage to refill feeders, the hawk returned. And again, Just as I was about to shower I heard horrible chicken screams & saw the hawk trying to get into the tractor cage with Trouble & her chicks. UGH!

The poor birds spent most of yesterday inside (for the same reason).

I am seeing more too, very bold. I think the young birds have left the parents. Every fall I see a lot more of them.

 

[Faraday40]

For us the period between late Oct - Christmas is the worst. That's when hawks get desperate & the chickens still want to go outside. (Also the trees lose their cover by then.) This year, I feel the hawks are out in force a little early. By New Year, the chickens prefer to stay inside the covered run, so it's a little safer for them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My 15 week olds have been going outside with the 4 older hens for a couple days now - but only when I'm home. I'm SURPRISED at how easy this integration is going since these kids haven't run together with the adults ever.

They have been raised entirely in the barn with the adults but in a separate area that is next to the adults. So the adults have seen them every day since hatch.

I was concerned that adults would chase after them, but so far they are all keeping their distance from each other and only asserting dominance when the young'uns come where they want to be.

I have to say this is a relief.

 

[Faraday40]

@Leahs Mom
Any pics of that pretty blue silver laced orp?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My 15 week olds have been going outside with the 4 older hens for a couple days now - but only when I'm home. I'm SURPRISED at how easy this integration is going since these kids haven't run together with the adults ever.

They have been raised entirely in the barn with the adults but in a separate area that is next to the adults. So the adults have seen them every day since hatch.

I was concerned that adults would chase after them, but so far they are all keeping their distance from each other and only asserting dominance when the young'uns come where they want to be.

I have to say this is a relief.

AGREED! I have found it so much easier with the "see don't touch" method of integrating flocks. Even with other species/types of animals it's just easier on them, and you! Unless they hatch here, I do a quarantine setting for at least 6 weeks. I've learned the hard way its a must.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Faraday40
Hopefully this weekend