INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

I keep seeing people suggesting cats as a possibility for the chickens, I am sitting here thinking... No.. I just don't see it.. They are private eaters and will drag off whatever they kill and hide it while they eat it.
However...depending on what part of indiana you live in and how rural the location you can not rule out a bobcat.
Not sure why I did not think of that last night.
I keep thinking domestic cats... I guess I was basing that off my location and what would eat my chickens here.

Good point! There's Bobcat up in Lake Co I know for a fact.

Like everyone always says, you miss this thread for a couple days and you have a lot of catching up to do! I'm behind on my pictures but will try to take and post some soon. My new coop build for the bantams is almost done, its been taking a lot of my free time. Also got the kiddie pool out for the peking ducks. They seemed to like spashing in the edge of the pool, but they never ventured completely into the water. Guess it wasn't warm enough for them today.

I also got my cornish cross chickens butchered over the weekend. I decided to try raising some for the first time this spring, and probably won't be doing it again! These birds just seem so big, dumb and slow compared to the layers I have had the last few years. They rarely ever left the side of the feeder. They would scratch around with the other birds for a minute or two and then straight back to lay by the feeder. Some had rubbed their feathers off the breast/belly area from laying down so much. I started with 8, one turned out to be in the wrong bin, it was a light brahma. Two more died of unknown causes before a week old. One more died for no apparent reason last week, could have been a heart attack, I dont know. So I only ended up having 4 to butcher, definitely not worth the trouble for only 4 of them! If I ever try this experiment again I would want to go in with some others and do 40 or 50 of them at a time. I guess these will still be better than store bought since I know what, for the most part, they ate. And I know they had a good comfortable life here.

I have done them twice. Fermented feed helped a LOT with the 2nd batch, and I withheld food 12 hrs on, 12 off. I have 2 left, will be a year old in July! they do lay, crow and free range also. I have hatched 3 of their chicks so far, so they can be a "regular chicken"

But forcing them to free range was the key. They are still "chow hounds" and lazier than the other chickens, but they don't gorge themselves like they do as chicks. I am raising heritage LF and will be putting extra Roos in the freezer tho.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Yes I sure was! I thinki need to start writing all this down lol. I should have some extra BLRW (your assumption was correct). I just don't want to count my chickens before they hatch! Lol

You'd better not post about any more breeds you have -- it seems like every time you do we want some of them!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

me too. after how horrible the year started off i am really excited with how wonderful things have become. it was a rough start but we believe this has also been the best year of our lives. here is a shot of our property i lined out in google earth with the help of my gps. there is a lot of elevation change on the property but it will work out perfect for all the critters.

Wow, that will be awesome! I love the area you are moving to, we hope to get down near the river when DH retires. Isn't odd how things seem to happen for a reason.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

I'm so glad we got some rain overnight, but thankfully no strong storms here. The rain brought out the earthworms. This morning as soon as the chickens were let out I saw a barred rock running around with a looong earthworm dangling from her beak and half a dozen other chickens chasing after her!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My little blue cochin is broody! She is sitting on eggs plus I put a few under her. She has been sitting for at least 1 day so far. She pecks me when i stick my hand by her. LOL I should get a pic of her sitting.

Thats great! Only hen I seem to have go broody is the muscovies

One is trying to hatch air this week I guess.

Quote: Good luck. Hope you can find out what the culprit is.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Wonderful news Animallover, just remember gentle, no jars or bumps. Sally made very good points all around.
Sally how long was power out?

sending good luck to you.

Quote: Haha, you aren't kidding! I don't think about it

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I'm so glad we got some rain overnight, but thankfully no strong storms here. The rain brought out the earthworms. This morning as soon as the chickens were let out I saw a barred rock running around with a looong earthworm dangling from her beak and half a dozen other chickens chasing after her!

OMG I lift stuff out by the barn like blocks or old lumber and its total chaos when the see me doing it! We are renovating and clearing the property so there's always yummy surprises.

Quote:

he is a chicken math enabler!

 

[animallover2202]

if the egg is pourse will it still hatch???

 

[ShawnaScott]

I would love a couple Swedish flower hens too!! Maybe we can do a bigger order and split it?

Yes! If the place only sells straight run, I will be placing rather large order so I can get all the hens I want!

my buff orpington roo dances. I think he has a fighting dance and a mating dance. He wont fight but if another roo gets close to his hen he does this funny little feet shuffle if they act aggressive back at.him he runs screaming lol then he has a diffrent dance he does when he's chasing hens around. I had a banty (idk what kind?) I called happy feet. He reminded me of tje penguin in the movie his feet were always moving but he had no hens he stayed by himself but It was so funny. He would shake 1 leg then kick the other he had a little routine and would do it while he was eating or standing. Iv not found another 1 like him

I love that name, Happy Feet. I may have to steal it because mine had a rather girly name! I have only seen one dance from him but hopefully he'll do more.

My Butters (buff silkie roo) got all hormonal when the chicks were going out to the big brooder, he was a doll until the babies went to the porch in the brooder cage. He thinks any new babies are HIS and gets very aggressive if you pick one up! He got a full bite on my wrist the first time. I had to put him outside with the egg flock, I wasn't able to even feed them without the evil physco banty attack

Yes, I call it the indian dance! 3 of my 4 do it,


Looks great!! Great choices on your birds too!

I would say you have graduated!!!

That is so cute!

 

[EmSteele]

I've only names 3 chickens...all are roosters. Lemon Pepper a is black and gold mystery chicken, also my biddy and the too I've chosen to keep. Even the hatchery is having trouble identifying it. We also have Beer Can and Grilled..... I think those names are pretty obvious. Only 7-8 weeks old and they are pure. Evil that will soon be cooked by the method of the name they were given.