INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CRSelvey]

Be sure to check the pads of her feet, she may have a sticker or splinter. I do think you have a hen, she is beautiful!
Thats the good stuff for ACV, if its not a spoiled smell, its ok, Mine is a sweet, sour almost pickly smell. I dont really know if theres a time limit if you are taking out and adding new daily, my batch is the same from last august I think.

Thank you! Her feet actually look great which leads me to think it might be internal. I'm really hoping she gets better, but she looked the same this morning.

 

[Quinstar]

itsjustme- That's terrible about your chickens. Right now that is my biggest fear with our dogs. I'm not worried about our bulldog, he has no prey drive whatsoever, but the Doberman might be another issue. I try to let her see and smell the chicks every day so that she gets used to them and they get used to her. Every time she get's too excited near them we tell here to "Leave it". Trying to make sure she knows they are a no touch object. She's great with the cat, so I'm hoping that once the chickens get older she will view them like Archimedes (our cat).

me me me- Ugh, that's exactly how I felt the first time I cleaned Lemon's butt. I was standing in the kitchen by the sink, realized that the cotton ball wasn't doing anything, so I started using my fingers. Upon thinking about what I was doing all I could thing was "You've got to be kidding me. I've finally lost it!". It amazes me what I'm willing to do for my fluffy/feathery little kids and I've only had them for 2 weeks.

mother2hens- Thanks so much for my avatar! I love it. They really are fantastic reference tools when reading posts. I'm still getting to know who everyone is, so it's great to immediately be able to tell where they are!

TooFast- Those coop pictures are great! Do you have to go into the chicken run to clean the coop? I just picked up some old camper windows from Craiglist on Tuesday (those aren't actually my windows, but the same style) and found a cheap old storm door for the door to the run that I'm picking up this weekend. Planning on painting it turquoise. We are replacing all of the screened parts with with hardware clothe to make everything a bit more secure.



I'm really curious about the inside of everyone's coop. There are a ton of photos on the internet of the exterior of coops, but not nearly enough of the interior. What type of interior set up do you all have? Pictures please!!!!

Also, I find all the KY jokes greatly entertaining. It's funny cause up north we make fun of southern IN. But then again, I'm practically MI up here.

 

[CRSelvey]

Don't feel bad about still having your babies inside~ Last summer, ours were 3 months before the coop was ready. They lived in a large dog crate in my daughter's bedroom, and luckily last year we had that wonderful, warm spring so I could take them out in the tractor every day.

Leg and Foot Issues: From my limited knowledge it seems like bumblefoot is typically caused from stepping on a sharp object like a nail, and it doesn't sound like you have debris lying around in your chicken area. I purchased the Chicken Health for Dummies book through this site so I suppose it's ok if I share these pages about troubleshooting leg and foot issues.

Thank you for posting this info. I checked her feet and legs this morning and they look really good, but she's still just limping around when she needs food or water. I can't see any cloudiness in her eyes yet, but I really hope that's not what is wrong with her. I'm going to put her in my other dog crate for awhile so she doesn't have to move around much and see how it goes. I am just so surprised that I am already attached to these guys. I mean who knew a chicken would be as sweet as a dog or a cat? I was just getting them to have better eggs and now I really like them. I think (hope) my husband is messing with me though because he asked if it was safe to eat her if she dies. His sense of of humor is only funny to him, but I love him anyway.

 

[Quinstar]

Another quick question. Has anyone tried using a mini wind turbine or solar power for your coop?

 

[sirbuster]

Does any one if a turkey buzzards will after chickens? I have about 10 of them in my yard I am afraid to let my chickens out.

 

[CRSelvey]

Thank you for posting this info. I checked her feet and legs this morning and they look really good, but she's still just limping around when she needs food or water. I can't see any cloudiness in her eyes yet, but I really hope that's not what is wrong with her. I'm going to put her in my other dog crate for awhile so she doesn't have to move around much and see how it goes. I am just so surprised that I am already attached to these guys. I mean who knew a chicken would be as sweet as a dog or a cat? I was just getting them to have better eggs and now I really like them. I think (hope) my husband is messing with me though because he asked if it was safe to eat her if she dies. His sense of of humor is only funny to him, but I love him anyway.

Well, I went downstairs to check on them and I have a second chick doing the same thing. I just finished cleaning out another dog crate (who knew they would be so handy) and am putting the two chicks in there together. I hope this doesn't spread, but I guess I need to replace all their bedding too?

 

[vickichicki]

Turkey vultures are scavengers by nature. Your chickens should be fine. I assume there is a carcass somewhere near by they are after. If you live by some fields and they have recently tilled, there are going to be some recently shredded critters and that will be inviting to a vast number of vultures.

Does any one if a turkey buzzards will after chickens? I have about 10 of them in my yard I am afraid to let my chickens out.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Quinstar posted:

I'm really curious about the inside of everyone's coop. There are a ton of photos on the internet of the exterior of coops, but not nearly enough of the interior. What type of interior set up do you all have? Pictures please!!!!

Also, I find all the KY jokes greatly entertaining. It's funny cause up north we make fun of southern IN. But then again, I'm practically MI up here.

Southern Indiana jokes? Whaaaa? haha Since we live right across the river from Kentucky, we've always told Ky. jokes. Although I'm 15 mins. from Ky, I can assure you that they are totally backwards and we are not. ha My sister in Louisville does not agree. Actually, I think most states have "Kentuckian" types. A little rivalry is fun, though.

Quinstar needs to have a look inside your coop (she's nosey--haha) Please post interior photos anyone.
I have some inside the coop photos on my Profile page. My hens approved you viewing them. : - )

 

[sirbuster]

Thanks

 

[oldrooster]

Another quick question. Has anyone tried using a mini wind turbine or solar power for your coop?

I had an idea perhaps getting a free cycle or craigslist solar side walk light thingie and putting it in a flag holder near a shed door for a solar powered light to make sure I can clearly see the door without needing electric. I figured if there was light there it might deter a criminal from cutting the lock or prying the hasp off, shutting the door behind themselves while scopeing out what loot to steal and maybe give them a head start since it's hard to see everything in the dark, nut being able to see if the door is shut or mostly shut.