INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Quinstar]

So, found another tick on me last night. I don't think I can count how many that is now. This one was attached. I wanted to die! Moving to acreage is awesome, but I'm over nature feeding on me. DH and I are discussing some guineas to eat the ticks. So, I'm wondering just how noisy are they on a regular basis? I don't think we, nor our neighbors would appreciate the sounds they make if it's pretty constant. Neighbor has a rooster and I'm thinking we may end up with one or two, but so far the crowing is minimal and doesn't really bother us. I've heard the noise that guineas make and it's terrible. I can handle it if I know they are ridding our yard or ticks and aren't loud all the time, but I really don't want to listen to their constant screaming.

Thoughts from those with experience?

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

So, found another tick on me last night. I don't think I can count how many that is now. This one was attached. I wanted to die! Moving to acreage is awesome, but I'm over nature feeding on me. DH and I are discussing some guineas to eat the ticks. So, I'm wondering just how noisy are they on a regular basis? I don't think we, nor our neighbors would appreciate the sounds they make if it's pretty constant. Neighbor has a rooster and I'm thinking we may end up with one or two, but so far the crowing is minimal and doesn't really bother us. I've heard the noise that guineas make and it's terrible. I can handle it if I know they are ridding our yard or ticks and aren't loud all the time, but I really don't want to listen to their constant screaming.

Thoughts from those with experience?

I have guineas, and Have no ticks. Well I do have ticks in the back woods where the guineas don't go. Mine aren't really that loud, except when they sound the alarm, and when they do that , I know something is out there that isn't suppose to be, and I go running to check it out !!! After you get use to them, you don't even hear their chatter talk, or at least I don't. I sure hear the alarm though , I have 25 so it can be really loud when they do the alarm. LOL !!!

Watch those ticks, a friend of mine got one on her back and she tested positive for lyme diese

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Mine are loud a lot, especially when free ranging, though it's usually with reason (mainly when something flies over). You do get used to their noises after a while with them. I've even reached the point where I can tell their 'that looks scary' scream from the scream they use when there's actually something out there. I only let part of them free range at a time so that they don't go far, but the area that they range in is tick free.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I found the breed of breeding chickens I want either silkies or appenzeller spitzhaunen but ill go with any breed

Silkies are very popular, something to consider when thinking of selling chicks. The appenzeller spitzhaunen sure are lookers. Either are great choices. I hope you find a breeder.

 

[Quinstar]

Alright, I'm sold. I'm picking up some guineas at the swap next weekend. Is there a minimum that I should get? I really don't want more that 3 or 4, but I don't want the little buggers to be lonely either. Are there any alterations that I should make to the coop since were in build mode right now?

Thanks!

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

Alright, I'm sold. I'm picking up some guineas at the swap next weekend. Is there a minimum that I should get? I really don't want more that 3 or 4, but I don't want the little buggers to be lonely either. Are there any alterations that I should make to the coop since were in build mode right now?

Thanks!

Mine were raised with the chickens, but now just free range, they roost on a fence at night, The roosted there all winter, and did fine, they can go in the chicken house but no matter the weather seem to prefer to set on that fence . How many depends on your set up, I have about 25, and they run on about 5 acres, they never go out into the far pastures (at least not that I know of) If you are wanting to keep them in a smaller area and not freerange you might just want 2 .

 

[Quinstar]

Mine were raised with the chickens, but now just free range, they roost on a fence at night, The roosted there all winter, and did fine, they can go in the chicken house but no matter the weather seem to prefer to set on that fence . How many depends on your set up, I have about 25, and they run on about 5 acres, they never go out into the far pastures (at least not that I know of) If you are wanting to keep them in a smaller area and not freerange you might just want 2 .

I'll definitely free range them during the day. We have about 2 acres that I want them for tick patrol on. We also have an 8x8 raised coop and will soon have an 8x16 enclosed run as well. We have 10 6-9 week old chicks that will free range during the day as well. I think I'd like to have them all return to the coop at night as we have 10 acres of wooded property and I'm pretty sure we found some coyote dens in the woods.

 

[CRSelvey]

Having a tough time finding organic feed down here. Looked at Tractor Supply, Rural King, Tops, and a few other places, but no dice. Does anyone else do organic/know where I can get some SE of Indy? I'll even order it online if needed.

I also looked in those places and was unable to find any. I recently made a trip out to this place near Brownsburg to get some Organic non-GMO chick feed. A 50lb bag was about $32. I know that's a lot more expensive than what you can buy at TSC, but so are the eggs I've been buying at the store http://centralindianaorganics.com/about.htm. The people there were really nice and I plan to get enough feed each time that I won't have to go back often.

Originally Posted by jchny2000

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and comfort over this nightmare. We moved the geese this morning, and now know it is a fox. We had another attack while during the move and saw it! I have never seen such a bold fox, they are always very shy of humans, weird...Its got me very surprised and concerned to have seen it! Everyone is now in the main coop. and the adult geese are pretty happy to be back in there. My little Paddy is pretty lonely and frightened however, I am thankful to still have him. Devastated to have lost his sisters. We have a good friend that traps, and will be planning the fox's demise this weekend. My neighbor confirmed the same thing happened to their ducks. Thankfully, Big Gee has accepted the pekin hen, and is allowing her to stay in their group. (Angel is a lil jealous however!) Once I know my babies are safe, I will look for some brown chinese to replace our Hope and Ivy. Will also be looking for a pekin drake! I have sure learned to not be over confident on knowing animal behavior after this. Sad part about it, I can't let the birds enjoy the pond anymore. If we do get a LGD, then everything may change but I am not taking any more chances with my babies.

jchny2000 , I am really sorry about your babies and thank you for posting the updates. I was thinking about you and your situation all day yesterday. We have a fox that lives next door right now and it makes me really uncomfortable when I have my chicks in the garden with me. A friend told me that our county has a bounty on foxes and if you take them to the courthouse, they will give you a payment. I'm originally a city girl, so that sounds kind of funny to me, but if your county has one, maybe it could help offset the cost of replacing what the fox took from you? Also, I'm still catching up on the older posts, but it is really generous of you to invite people to get together to help teach and share. Its a really great idea and if you are still planning this, I'd love to participate.

Originally Posted by Quinstar


So, found another tick on me last night. I don't think I can count how many that is now. This one was attached. I wanted to die! Moving to acreage is awesome, but I'm over nature feeding on me. DH and I are discussing some guineas to eat the ticks. So, I'm wondering just how noisy are they on a regular basis? I don't think we, nor our neighbors would appreciate the sounds they make if it's pretty constant. Neighbor has a rooster and I'm thinking we may end up with one or two, but so far the crowing is minimal and doesn't really bother us. I've heard the noise that guineas make and it's terrible. I can handle it if I know they are ridding our yard or ticks and aren't loud all the time, but I really don't want to listen to their constant screaming.

Thoughts from those with experience?

My next door neighbors have had guineas on and off over the years and their only issue seems to be keeping them safe from the raccoons. Sometimes they just won't roost up in the trees. In my experience, they are loud, but to me the sound is heavenly because it means that the ticks are dissappearing. There has been a noticable increase since she lost her flock.
I'm not sure if you are interested, but I recently read these articles on Mother Earth News : http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/ticks-prevention-and-remedies.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/beautyberry-natural-insect-repellent.aspx

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

To make a brooder 4' x 8' x 30" high:

Buy 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood. Rip them to 30" x 96". Screw 30" 2x4's to the edges.
Cut the 18" plywood left over into 48" lengths and screw them to the 30x96 assemblies, making a box with no top or bottom.
You will have 4 18"x48" pieces. Stack them so that the ends are 36" high.

Done.

I can easily step over the 30" height. If you are shorter/taller, adjust to suit your crotch clearance.

When you are done with it, remove the screws and store it.

John

Ok, I will probably try that too. I am 5 5, so I should be able to step over that okay. So many broder ideas to try.Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I went to lowes today and got some fence and nails. My construction was put on hold yesterday when I ran out of both of these, so to make sure I didnt have to go back to lowes toay or tomorrow (but I probably will anyways lol) I bought a 50ft roll of chicken wire and a 5lbs box of nails. I am going to have to go back sometime during the week to pick up plywood. I didnt have the trailer with me so I couldnt get any then.


Originally Posted by bradselig


Awesome! Hope you have a great hatch. You never know with shipped eggs. Mice had 0% hatch and I've had 100% hatch.
Paints are next on my list! If I remember correctly littleameraucanamom has beautiful paints! (Well all her birds are amazing!)
glad you got everyone safe and figured out what was doing the killing! Hopefully you can get it taken care of quickly!


Really! 100%hatch rate with shipped eggs, that is awesome!I know that I am not going to get 100% bhatch since I have some that are looking like quiters and like 2 or 3 with blood rings, BUt we'll see how they look probably around day 10 id I can wait that long, maybe 7 lol. I'm impatient.

 

[Quinstar]

Oh, and I wondered how friendly guineas are? I was thinking of just picking up a few grown birds so they can get right to work eating those @*$&#*@!$& ticks. I definitely don't want chicks, but I'd be ok with getting ones that are ready to go outside, but still pretty young if that would make them more friendly.

My husband sent me this today and I thought I'd share. I couldn't stop laughing cause this will probably be how we end up...

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/12/the-great-guinea-hen-massacre/307754/