INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[itsjustme]

Ok obviously my phone doesn't feel like doing quotes. So I will just do this the easy way. CRSelvey- its amazing your hen come back! And it is harder loosing birds when you have kids! My kids are the same way. If something ends up missing my kids will say but that one was my favorite! Hope your kiddo feels a little better since 1 hen come back. Animallover congrats on your 1st hatch! Alpha will look wet for a bit but I'm sure you no that lol. My 1st hatch I was oing nuts I bet my family got a hundred texts that day. Lol I'm sorry I can't keep up with everyone and I can't quote so if I go back get caught up iv done forgot who's post I wanted to quote anyways. We are talking about getting internet, if we do in the near future I promise to do better lol

 

[Mother2Hens]

All of these hatches are making me anxious to try it myself. Is it hard to incubate? And do I need to pick up an incubator at the store, or is it possible to make one easily/cheaply? I work from home so I wouldn't need an egg turner, can just take a quick break and go turn them myself. Got a few more months before my chicks will start even laying eggs though. Can't wait!

You can do a Search This Thread, but this is my summary of all the posts I've read: In March, a lot of people talked about making their own incubators. Then, it seemed like it became clear that the better quality the incubator is, the better results because there are so many precise variables in order to have a successful hatch. Like anything else, the more practice/experience you have, the more confident you become. That's just my perception of what I've read. I haven't tried -- maybe next year. : - )
animallover~ Great Job on your hatch!! That's great that you're still working with the poultry leader. Also proud of your dog training! You have accomplished some amazing things this year.

CRSelvey~ I bet the hen ran off and hid, and the coon just had one bird. The other night, I had my hens out past the fenced in area for just a few minutes when a senile beagle was loose and startled my hens. The dog only started to run after my EE Road Runner since she runs fast, but I scared the dog away. Then we noticed that the BR was missing-- finally found her--she had run all the way to the front of the house and hid under a bush. I think she would have stayed there a long time if we hadn't finally found her.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Jchny posted:

John, I am truly sorry to hear. We are fighting wildlife like mad too, I had my 8 young copper maran wiped out last night, appears to be raccoon. Seen a gray fox take one on my Lavenders in broad daylight less than 30 feet from me! I am beside myself with anger!!! I am setting snares, everything I can to remove the foxes, DH is hooking up video cams for the coop. All out war! I am just sick over my marans. They were the sweetest birds, and I will get the coons that have done it. I had a young BR hen in with them, and she somehow survived the attack. She is in the house until I can protect the babies better. Time to rebuild the grow out pen too.
So sorry for not being on of late. Trying to catch up on posts now.

My gosh Janet-- I am so sorry to hear that. You are really getting hit by every wild animal imaginable! That is so tragic to have your beautiful birds snatched away. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be trying to protect so many flocks and other animals. I wish there was some way to surround your farm area with electric fences. : - (

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

The closest to you that I know of is in Huntington. I was just in there and they are finishing up their chicks. They had cornish cross, australorps, and cuckoo Marans left. The only other chicken order they are getting is the Friday which is a bantam assortment. Then they will be getting in their guineas. This year they pretty much only ordered pullets unless they had a request for cockerels or st run.

wow I have never seen guineas at the orschelons near me I'm going to have to watch more closely! But speaking of guineas does anyone here have any experience with vulturine guineas? ( I think that's what they are called? Bf seen a picture of them and now wants some. I have read about them but like to hear from people who has kept them.[/QUOTE]
I fell in love with them too! But they are a "mule" meaning they can't reproduce. Google them, lots of good info.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Jchny posted:

John, I am truly sorry to hear. We are fighting wildlife like mad too, I had my 8 young copper maran wiped out last night, appears to be raccoon. Seen a gray fox take one on my Lavenders in broad daylight less than 30 feet from me! I am beside myself with anger!!! I am setting snares, everything I can to remove the foxes, DH is hooking up video cams for the coop. All out war! I am just sick over my marans. They were the sweetest birds, and I will get the coons that have done it. I had a young BR hen in with them, and she somehow survived the attack. She is in the house until I can protect the babies better. Time to rebuild the grow out pen too.
So sorry for not being on of late. Trying to catch up on posts now.

My gosh Janet-- I am so sorry to hear that. You are really getting hit by every wild animal imaginable! That is so tragic to have your beautiful birds snatched away. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be trying to protect so many flocks and other animals. I wish there was some way to surround your farm area with electric fences.

Thank you. The attacks yesterday were horrendous, Raccoon kill for fun, they will wipe out an entire flock, and not eat them, just kill. I confirmed raccoon tonight, but not before he got a lavender. I have lost 3 of my babies so far, Lavender orps are so docile and friendly, they don't realize something will harm them. This raccoon has been dispatched, I am very happy to report! We will finish the electric fence tomorrow and hope it stops the immediate attacks. My birds are terribly unhappy but at least they will be safe. We are dealing with fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum right now.
Even more concern, one of my barn cats was killed, and another badly injured. So I am assuming coyote, the cat killed was huge, at least 30 pounds, the smaller fella is about 5 pounds but he escaped with a wound to the stomach. All my neighbors ( about 6 within a mile radius) are also saying they are having losses, flocks wiped out. I am very worried this isn't over.

 

[hogster160]

jchny, Oh my gosh, I sure hope you are not offended, but I am adding you and the family (animals included) to my prayers. I just can not imagine going through this, yet I am sure my day will come.

 

[Too Fast]

Good morning, everyone! This is what I woke up to:

Cute. He needs to get a deeper, longer voice tho, eh? Just wait until he's older. Going to crow non-stop. Enjoy!

Use a washcloth to hold the hot bulb! And I'd use any house bulb rather than none. Glad she's hanging on and improving!!!

Better be careful. Hot lamp + wet/cold washcloth = kaboom, exploding lamp. Everyone probably knows this, but just in case.

 

[Too Fast]

Thank you. The attacks yesterday were horrendous, Raccoon kill for fun, they will wipe out an entire flock, and not eat them, just kill. I confirmed raccoon tonight, but not before he got a lavender. I have lost 3 of my babies so far, Lavender orps are so docile and friendly, they don't realize something will harm them. This raccoon has been dispatched, I am very happy to report! We will finish the electric fence tomorrow and hope it stops the immediate attacks. My birds are terribly unhappy but at least they will be safe. We are dealing with fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum right now.
Even more concern, one of my barn cats was killed, and another badly injured. So I am assuming coyote, the cat killed was huge, at least 30 pounds, the smaller fella is about 5 pounds but he escaped with a wound to the stomach. All my neighbors ( about 6 within a mile radius) are also saying they are having losses, flocks wiped out. I am very worried this isn't over.

That electric fence should do it. Give the fowl a nice place to free range. It won't stop any ariel attacks, tho.

 

[ldymelissande]

I am way behind on all of my chores thanks to a nasty summer bug. When you cough until it feels like your head is going to explode its a bit tough to want to work on carpentry or mow ( whine over)

 

[Kiniska]

I see a lot of you guys are losing animals to wild life. Did I really build a fortress or am I just that lucky? Coyotes cross around my house all the time, some wolves too I seriously suspect. Not to mention the plethora of weasels minks raccoons and opossums. And hawks are plentiful. What is the deal?