INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Sorry I was gone camping all weekend. I just took some pics of some of my flock. The first 4 pics are Cochin Roos I got off Kabhyper1.







My Silkie Roos and rear end of one of my hens in bottom corner. LOL


Indian Runner Ducks.


Indian Runner Duck, OEG Bantam Roo and EE Roo (maybe) in back.


Pekin Duck relaxing in Pool



Pekin Drake and Grey Tolouse Goose


Face Shot!!


This is Floppy. She is a flop eared

I just love the pekins I am looking for more! they have interested personality, make me laugh

 

[Old Salt 1945]

Need some opinions! Husband swears we need to wait until our chickens are a year old to butcher....that the chicken wouldn't be 8 pounds before then. I think we can butcher a lot earlier and have more tender meat that way, especially since we have dual purpose breeds... what are the pros and cons of both sides?

I wouldn't wait longer than 6 or 8 months, particularly with roosters. You don't want your teeth to bounce off the meat!

If you have an old bird, you will have to use a pressure cooker. Even with that, it would probably be better to cut up and use with dumplings or noodles.

John

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
M2H, I have never spanked and never had to with my 2 girls. Pointless... To me, its capital punishment! If a child is hurting another living thing, we need to teach them its WRONG!.
I also raised 4 boys, never laid a hand on any but one. and there was one, very mean spirited boy.. Was cruel to babies, horribly mean to animals, pinching them, and laughing when they cry!

I did swat his behind for smashing a baby bird and bragging about it. I acted interested in what it was, and he showed me what he had done. I was so sad to see he did! Do not understand what drives someone to kill for fun. Yep, I swatted his butt and explained we do not harm an animal for fun, its a living thing. I still worry on the boy today, did he realize hurting a living thing for fun is wrong? I will never know.
Guns, well yep I carry one and have a lifetime permit. I also have a rifle with me when my critters free range. After the horrible incident with my bottle raised baby goats I will never assume any stray dog is friendly. Those dogs went after my dad too, I am thankful he thought to throw rocks at them.

Rangi, all tired out from being a troublemaker.

tired baby, he is soooo your baby!!

Mr. Frizz full blown rooster attacked me he has nubby spurs so his spurs didnt get me but he bit my hand and scratched my wrist oh well hes just mad i took his lady away lol

My silkie roo butters is a lil physco attack bird too. Be sure to wear gloves if he is aggressive. Use a gentle firm bump to the chest, thats chicken language saying BACK OFF! Continue to bump, gently, so not to hurt him if he won't, you have to teach him you are the alpha.

Hey All I need some help, What do you guys use for a liquid calcium supplement? Oyster shell just isn't cutting it for one of my girls, poor girl lays everyday. I have a big bowl so they can help themselves also started adding it in the fed but still getting very very thin shelled eggs from her and the other 2 girls are eating her eggs, this is not a problem I want to get outta hand! Thanks All!

I use layer feed, and rarely see a shell less egg, also leave oyster shell free choice. I cut it 50% for my waterfowl with grain, the shells are terribly hard if I don't.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Nah.... To each his/her own. Some people are skilled enough in behavior modification of children to not have to resort to such measures. I was not. All three daughters are in their 40's and are good, decent people with a desire to be good people. The oldest required a very modest amount of correction when quite young. She was set on course by age 3 with the occasional pop on the rump. The mid-kid required none, barely a stern rebuke. The youngest was a holy terror until she was about 10, then she caught on. She is my favorite (don't tell the other girls). We recently had a wide-ranging conversation about "back then". She thanked me for turning her around when she was little. She had recently read an article about children being set in their ways by 6 or 8 or something like that. We didn't give up on her, or allow her to run wild. She is the one who I mentioned could, given the materials & time, build a house, including wiring, plumbing, and concrete work.

People who don't want guns shouldn't have them. But they ought not to deny them to those who do, except for the criminals. If a criminal is found to posses a firearm, (s)he should be tossed in the clink for a good long time, say 10 years.

Guns and their potential use is a subject that can be argued unto eternity. I like them. I have several. I almost never have occasion to use one for anything other than poking holes in paper. I live in a safe area where the keys are usually in my car in the driveway and the doors to the house are only sporadically locked. I have a handgun license, but hardly ever carry one. I would if going to a really dangerous part of Indy, but I don't, so I don't. If I lived in a dangerous area, I would. I think that, if more citizens carried handguns, there would be less crime as criminals would never know who might be able to fight back. One of the old-timers, maybe Mark Twain, but maybe not, once said "An armed society is a polite society". But they had crime back then, too. So who knows? Well, hell, here I go, rambling on the keyboard again. Shut up, you old coot, nobody cares about your drivel.

Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

John

John, I agree with “To each his/her own.” It would be a boring and scary world if everyone had the same ideology. Most people’s views are shaped by how they are raised. Although I’ve always viewed myself as open-minded and tolerant, I’ve found that my typical circle of friends have similar views, which formed my comfort zone. I had never joined an online group before since I’m on the computer so often as a freelance graphic designer. When baby chicks joined our family a year ago, I consulted BYC from time to time and later ran across jchnny’s new Indiana Thread. I felt welcome and was fascinated by all of the different types of people who I usually never met. I was not only a newbie by entering the farming culture as a chicken owner, but also by joining an online group and conversing with a diverse range of people who own various types of poultry and animals. Learning about members’ flocks, coops, animals, kids, views, and lifestyles have been a whole new exciting world. At times, I have felt out of my comfort zone since I can’t relate to killing anything, processing meat, having a gun, and I have to admit that even swap meets disturb me because of concern about care and health of the creatures. However, as I’ve said before, I admire those who take responsibility for raising their food to ensure its quality. I understand why some people have guns for protection. I often remind myself that I can’t possibly know what someone else’s experience is -- I can’t “walk in their shoes.” I put things in perspective. On this thread, members feel free to discuss ideas, questions, concerns, and preferences from feed to health remedies to coop design. It’s rewarding to see a diverse group be supportive of one another~ and to think that over a year ago, I would have never thought that chickens would bring people together!
Julie

 

[Mother2Hens]

this is a very sad day. this is one of our silkies. she has stood on one leg for months now and refused to leave the coop. no swelling and no other symptoms. i never found any sore spots or anything with her leg. 3 weeks ago we brought her in from the coop into the small coop we have inside because she started to loose a little weight. we started her on poly-vi-sol and anti-biotics. she started to seem like she was getting better. then last week that all changed and she collapsed. she is now unable to stand at all and just lays on her side. i have been helping her eat and drink once an hour since. i feel the time has come that it would be best to end her suffering. she has no quality of life at this point. she is one of my favorite chickens. i feel like my heart is being ripped out but know this will be for the best. please don't think this is easy for me because it isn't. this is one of the hardest things i have ever had to do. she will always be in my heart.

So sorry to hear about your darling baby! We're thinking of you and your family.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
John,,, thank you, well stated. I do understand both views but I admit I do hunt and carry a lifetime permit. Like you, I feel I have a safe home, and leave my concerns at the door.

Hi all! Just started fermenting feed and i think its great! Thanks janet! The birds love it so much they come right up to me and eat out of the spoon! Much easier to put them up at night if they fear they are going to miss out on food! I love seeing hard poops now instead of runny ones! The birds also love tge plastic gutter we are feeding them in too! Everyone just lines right up! Also i still have 3 americana polish mix chicks for $6 total. I want all 3 gone to make room for my ducklings in brooder. Judging by their color i would say there are 2 hens and a roo! Email [email protected]
Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

Hehehe they sure go crazy over it! Glad you got the chance to try, it will really cut the food bill too! I want more pekins!!!! Really liking these they have an interesting fun demeanor

 

[Mother2Hens]

Hi! I'm in South Bend. I'm just about ready to order chicks. Trying to get through the conflicting issues with local ordinances. South Bend just passed an ordinance allowing chickens in the city. I live at a county address just outside city annexed area. I'm being told by local authorities I need 5 acres. I've spoken with my county council member. The ordinance reads "agricultural uses." Not sure what I'm going to do yet.-Ralph

Welcome Badgerralph!
If you live where you could keep chickens discretely (not hidden, but just not publicizing) or if your neighbors are fine with chickens, (I give mine free eggs every couple of weeks and maintain a very nice relationship ), then I'd say go for it. That's absurd that you can have them in the city, but not the county. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I know, I think he is stunning and would make some beautiful chicks with my girls.. The only thing I am humming and arhhhing at is his age... the girls are still young and probably not ready for such a vivacious male yet.

if they are laying eggs, he will be their dream guy. go for it. Hens will squat fast for a mature roo but watch their back and wings..

Quote: ugh, no kidding make the cell provider figure it out!

Do any of you order chicks from hatcheries? And if so can you recommend a good 1? Iv been looking at a couple and iv been reading alot of not so good reviews. I don't like the idea of having babies shipped through the mail but iv run out of options and have to do something. Promised my 6 year old Antwerp quail chickens and have failed miserably at finding any locally or even semi locally. Lol any help to get me out of the dog house would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

My australorps were from Mt Healthy. Pleased with them. main thing, pick who is closest, and post your experience, hope all goes well. Ebay or craigslist is my only other thought.

So on the obtaining rooster for my girls I came across this on Craigslist..http://bloomington.craigslist.org/grd/3808070177.html
DH is pulling a face at me, somthing about too many already, what do you mean seperate cages for breeding etc..... might be one of those secret ventures without him

I think that would be a stunning male to cross with my fluff balls.

smile at him, tell him hunny It rocks my world and i am so excited!!!! then, tell him u already did LMAO!! just kidding,
i am always swapping so we have a lot of temporary pens. I am setting a few breeder cages using hoop coops. My wyandottes are going up for sale and am changing to different breeds.The BCM have just stole my heart they are just sweethearts.

Hi! I'm in South Bend. I'm just about ready to order chicks. Trying to get through the conflicting issues with local ordinances. South Bend just passed an ordinance allowing chickens in the city. I live at a county address just outside city annexed area. I'm being told by local authorities I need 5 acres. I've spoken with my county council member. The ordinance reads "agricultural uses." Not sure what I'm going to do yet.-Ralph

and glad you joined our thread

Fight it, theres a lot of good info here....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/37/local-chicken-laws-ordinances-and-how-to-change-them
good luck and holler if u need help!

 

[Mother2Hens]

me me me~ Sorry to hear of the loss of your little goat despite all of your efforts. Hope working on your chicken palace helps take your mind off of your loss. We love looking at photos that show the progression of coop building, so we can cheer you on. : - )

 

[Too Fast]

Mr. Frizz full blown rooster attacked me he has nubby spurs so his spurs didnt get me but he bit my hand and scratched my wrist oh well hes just mad i took his lady away lol

We are kinda waiting for that to happen here. How old is Mr. Frizz?

I'm non-violent. I don't believe in spanking and I will never own a gun. : - ) Old Salt will really go all Rush Limbaugh on me now!

Yes he probably will.

Well, I just caught up with the 80 posts in the last 18 hours, and John took it easy on you!