INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[weezerfish]

My Maran hatched! Ive got 3 healthy chicks so far. 3 eggs are still possible but I'm not seeing internal pip or movement . My guess right out of the incubator is a trio. The 1st hatched has more size and build. Most outgoing and a bit bigger than his siblings. My other 2 are mostly black, the bigger chick has white eyebrows.
group photo and individual chicksView attachment 1654480 View attachment 1654483 View attachment 1654491 View attachment 1654495

I have over a dozen leghorn and 1 OE locked down due 1/28.

Awesome!!! Chicks are so stinkin' cute! I missed out on that this time around as some friends with a better set up raised ours for us until about 3 months.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

So far, all ten of them have been squeezing onto the top roost. So nice when they get along! Lol! One of the BR ladies has a bigger comb than the rest of them. Was thinking maybe I got a little cockerel, but she hadn't started crowing. Was very certain she was a she when she squatted for me yesterday! Anyway, sounds like the rest of their combs may catch up.

My Mabel Sr. had a huge comb, she looked rooster too. I have to see if her picture is on this laptop. Look for pointed feathers on the saddle and hackles.

 

[Faraday40]

My Maran hatched! Ive got 3 healthy chicks so far. 3 eggs are still possible but I'm not seeing internal pip or movement . My guess right out of the incubator is a trio. The 1st hatched has more size and build. Most outgoing and a bit bigger than his siblings. My other 2 are mostly black, the bigger chick has white eyebrows.
group photo and individual chicksView attachment 1654480 View attachment 1654483 View attachment 1654491 View attachment 1654495

I have over a dozen leghorn and 1 OE locked down due 1/28.

Congrats on the adorable chicks!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Other news... An old friend no longer active on our thread contacted me. She's moving and asked I take her goat herd, and LGD. She knows I will help her start a new herd when her situation allows without cost. After a lot of discussion, DH and I are going to do this. I'm not a huge fan of Nubian but these are a well bred line of goats. I've had 2 prior but neither had a history. I know her husbandry practices. Remi our dog could use help watching out for predators too.
I'm going to quarantine them within the pasture in electric netting. My Oberhasli buck doesn't like dogs so it needs to be a controlled introduction. I'll wait a month to be sure they have learned hot wire, then introduce to the herds. I'm also being cautious because my Herefords aren't accustomed to a dog.
I have just started using Premiere 1 electric netting. Its easy to move to rotate pastures/spaces. We are replacing our coops this year also. Will be completely portable and easily moved. I've studied permaculture farming about a year now, really like the idea aside from mulching. Cover crop is more appealing.

 

[MistyDF]

Hoping to get some thoughts on if I need to do any kind of supplemental heat this week. I live in Indiana and typically my 5 girls are ok in the winter. We have a serious cold snap coming in a couple days with air temps at -15 and wind chills in the -30s.

My coop is about 4'W 7'L 4'H and they all roost on the highest roost. I have a sweeter heater above their heads as we had some small frostbite spots last year during a bitterly cold month. The floor is currently about 5" deep pine shaving (I plan to add some more tomorrow). All food and water is in the run underneath the coop and water is heated. They have an auto door.

With this type of temp on its way should I do something extra to add heat to the coop? I was thinking about a heating pad on the roost lol

Any thoughts would be great! Thanks

 

[Leahs Mom]

@MistyDF
Hello! Glad you came over.

I think you'll get a lot of thoughts here and heating the coop is a very "emotional" topic with advocates on both sides.

It may somewhat depend on the breed of chickens you have as well. Could you please tell us what breeds you have and the ages?

 

[MistyDF]

@MistyDF
Hello! Glad you came over.

I think you'll get a lot of thoughts here and heating the coop is a very "emotional" topic with advocates on both sides.

It may somewhat depend on the breed of chickens you have as well. Could you please tell us what breeds you have and the ages?

Yes it is certainly a hot topic for most. I try not to heat it but when we get these type of temps/wind I worry.

I have 2 RIR and 3 Sexlink - All will be 2y at the end of Feb so this is their second winter.

 

[shannon84]

I'm in southern Indiana and I'm very worried as well. I have a large chicken heating pad for my two girls, one RIR and new Hampshire red hen, the RIR is slightly molting. Is the heating pad good enough? It gets really warm! Thanks!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Yes it is certainly a hot topic for most. I try not to heat it but when we get these type of temps/wind I worry.

I have 2 RIR and 3 Sexlink - All will be 2y at the end of Feb so this is their second winter.

Welcome we are glad you've posted! I do not heat my coops. If you train them to warmer conditions and the power goes out, its not a good out come. You can feed suet blocks, grain and ensure the coop has no northeast drafts. If you feel they need heat, do it. Just don't use cheap clamp style heat lamps. Dangerous. Of course do what you feel is comfortable for you, depends on where you are. I keep Muscovy they are a south American duck breed, I'm looking at a heat source the next few days for them.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'm in southern Indiana and I'm very worried as well. I have a large chicken heating pad for my two girls, one RIR and new Hampshire red hen, the RIR is slightly molting. Is the heating pad good enough? It gets really warm! Thanks!!

Welcome, glad to see your post! My flock is a mix of Leghorn, EE/OE and misc brown layers. I'm east central IN, Pendleton. Supplemental heat is not always a good thing. If they aren't adjusted to cold weather and your heat source fails.. Its not going to end well for your chickens. I Only supply heat in extreme weather such as what we are facing this week. -14 at night for example, they need our help. I don't use heat lamps but air forced personal heaters with a tip over shutoff. They cost around $15 at Menards or rural king. Chickens allowed to naturally adjust to your weather won't usually need heat. Please go with your gut feeling tho so you feel your flock is safe and warm.