INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[mcurry]

Sorry to hear about the losses Cluck AATH, my Australorps had black & yellow & white fluff. Maybe Australs or Black Sex links? My guess isn't much for being a newbie sorry. They're cute as a button nonetheless! Hope everyone is dry & safe. I left the stapled tarps on the coop since it was so cold. Chickens seem good, but been worried over warmth. I peeked in a few times today & they all ran to me. I believe they're spoiled with cuddles, cornbread, & worms lol

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Cluck ~ So sorry to hear about your losses.

Em Steele~ Sorry to hear about your chick's death.
Re your new chick~ I hope it's a Jersey Giant! If I had to name a favorite in my flock, it's my Jersey (creative name-haha). She's at the top of the pecking order. Although she is large, she walks slowly and gracefully and then stops, turns, and poses! She has a sweet, conversational voice, but if she becomes annoyed by one of the other flock members, she sounds like a fog horn. I traded one of my RIR cockerels for her, and she supposedly was one year old when a got her (a year ago), so I didn't have her as a chick. I googled JG chicks, but I am no expert, so it's hard to say if that's what you have.

Does anyone else have or had a Jersey Giant? I wonder if all of them have eyes that make them look like they are glancing backwards.

I don't but I wish I did! I think they are beautiful birds! I still plan to have a few, your girl is just stunning!

Wow just realized i hit 1,000 post and about 3/4 of that is just right here on this thread!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!

WOOOHOOO! WTG!

You are NOT annoying, questions are awesome! Here is MHO:
off the ground is a choice, really. My "coop" is at ground level, all of them. As long as they are critter proof, its ok.
Height is also a preference. I like being able to walk in, so all of mine are 8ft but they are sheds with runs and pop doors.
I am in central IN, and no insulation. Really depends on your breed of birds.
Ventilation, MORE is better, but you don't want draft in cold weather. So up high is important, but windows won't hurt either.
Run height is also a preference, I like walk in runs. But if its just for chicken use only 2 ft isn't bad, 4 ft is better.

I was thinking off the ground because we are LAZY people...

We've only got a little corner plot in an addition in Bloomington, so space is limited. I was thinking 4'x4' and 3' tall box kind of thing for the hens to roost in (nesting boxes jutting out from the side). And every opening covered in hardware cloth.

The run only being 2' tall was to save on hardware cloth (we're CHEAP too...). I was thinking of making the roof secure but detachable for cleaning the run out. Hinged on one side and padlocked on the other. Flip the lid and rake it out kind of thing.

For breeds, we though that starting with 2 rhode island reds and two orpingtons to start with, maybe get a fancy bird next year...

Is it possible to get hens that are socialized and ready for the coop, or is that just pie in the sky?

Thanks for the prompt response!

Mr Tattoohead

P.S. I'm taking notes from all the responders! Thank you all for the help!

You really can find layers, someone is moving and doesn't want to take them.. etc.
Keep eyes peeled on craigslist too. The bad thing is they won't imprint like a chick will, but if they are well socialized you should be ok. A fair price for a young layer is usually $10-15, Orpington is a sweet and gentle breed.
LOL theres not a thing wrong with cheap! I repurpose and recycle with the best of them

 

[animallover2202]

animal lover~ Do you think your cat might have an abscess? It's an infection that usually results from a cat fight-- being bitten or scratched by another cat. I've had several cats in the past get them. The wound slowly fills up with disgusting infected pus until it bursts, which can happen if your cat itches it. I've always taken mine to the vet where they've cleaned the wound and given antibiotics. You can Google: cat abscess. OR do you think your cat has a "hot spot"? It's an area on the skin that becomes irritated from allergies, fleas, or other reasons. The cat obsessively cleans the area, which causes further irritation. When I've taken a cat to the vet with a more severe case, they've prescribed prednisone, a steroid to reduce inflammation. You could use the NuStock spray. You can Google: cat hot spot.

im thinking its a hotspot we dont have any other cat(dad wont let me :/) and she doesnt go outside so it has to be a hot spot and i put NuStock cream on her and wraped it up losely



i brung in my 5 babys cuz it was cold out and there only 9 weeks old and i brung in Ms. May and Mr.Frizz there in the kitchen with a blacket over them to keep them warm ...anyways not to long after i brung them it it started sleet storming what a close call lol but at least there all safe and warm

 

[Mother2Hens]

Sorry!!! I meant AATH about the loss of the chick and about the Black Jersey Giant!!

 

[oldrooster]

You are NOT annoying, questions are awesome! Here is MHO:
off the ground is a choice, really. My "coop" is at ground level, all of them. As long as they are critter proof, its ok.
Height is also a preference. I like being able to walk in, so all of mine are 8ft but they are sheds with runs and pop doors.
I am in central IN, and no insulation. Really depends on your breed of birds.
Ventilation, MORE is better, but you don't want draft in cold weather. So up high is important, but windows won't hurt either.
Run height is also a preference, I like walk in runs. But if its just for chicken use only 2 ft isn't bad, 4 ft is better.

I was thinking off the ground because we are LAZY people...

We've only got a little corner plot in an addition in Bloomington, so space is limited. I was thinking 4'x4' and 3' tall box kind of thing for the hens to roost in (nesting boxes jutting out from the side). And every opening covered in hardware cloth.

The run only being 2' tall was to save on hardware cloth (we're CHEAP too...). I was thinking of making the roof secure but detachable for cleaning the run out. Hinged on one side and padlocked on the other. Flip the lid and rake it out kind of thing.

For breeds, we though that starting with 2 rhode island reds and two orpingtons to start with, maybe get a fancy bird next year...

Is it possible to get hens that are socialized and ready for the coop, or is that just pie in the sky?

Thanks for the prompt response!

Mr Tattoohead

P.S. I'm taking notes from all the responders! Thank you all for the help!

try to find a breeder or someone wanting to thin their ranks of hens, if no luck research diseases and go to an auction, that way you would know the difference between a healthy and a sick bird many people from our area go.here http://www.dinkysauctioncenter.com/ to buy chicks, chickens and other fowl and extra supplies,

 

[Mother2Hens]

Sorry Again! I was confused! EmSteele~ Sorry about your chick!

AATH posted: Can anyone identify this beauty


My Jersey Giant photos went with AATH's post.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: It may be AL but you are doing all you can to help her. Glad to hear the babies will all stay warm and dry tonight, and I know you won't be worried for them now.
The rain, and storms are supposed to be over tomorrow, and finally, SUN!

Hope its true, I want to open our camper for the year, and see our good friends at the campground!

 

[sirbuster]

Question does anyone know the cheapest place to buy dryer millstone? My chick and turkeys love them.

 

[CluckAcres]

It may be AL but you are doing all you can to help her. Glad to hear the babies will all stay warm and dry tonight, and I know you won't be worried for them now.
The rain, and storms are supposed to be over tomorrow, and finally, SUN!

Hope its true, I want to open our camper for the year, and see our good friends at the campground!

I thought you was leaving for camping today.

 

[animallover2202]

It may be AL but you are doing all you can to help her. Glad to hear the babies will all stay warm and dry tonight, and I know you won't be worried for them now.
The rain, and storms are supposed to be over tomorrow, and finally, SUN!

Hope its true, I want to open our camper for the year, and see our good friends at the campground!

ive never been camping i want to but never really went and i want this rain over and snow over with too -__-