INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/for/3882806289.html

This is the link for the coop. I think this would be sufficient for 5-6 hens, right?

Awesome deal!And I think it would be enough room for 5-6 hens.

 

[ldymelissande]

Hi, My husband is thinking of free ranging a few guineas on his parents properties for tick control. What I now need to know is how much are they? Would anyone in the NWI area be selling older birds. Such as unwanted males, non breeding quality. I really don't want to do a brooder with them and I don't want too fancy since they have way too many coyotes for me to want to be too attached to these birds

 

[strssdmom]

***HELP***

I have 24 chickens between the age of 14 weeks and 17 weeks. I have had up to 11 of them trying to cram into one nesting box at night. Most of them abandoned the nesting box and are now using the roosting bars, however, I still have a few that sleep in the nesting box at night.

MY QUESTION...How do I get the rest of them to stop roosting in the nesting box?

Also, at what age do they start laying eggs. I have heard people say as early as 17 weeks and I have hear people say not until after 24 weeks. When can I expect the early signs of egg laying?

Thank you in advance!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Question that I haven't found a consistent answer to....In the winter, do I need to put some sort of heating lamp in the coop, or are the chickens okay as long as I get "cold weather" chickens? I'm just wondering if the coop has to be close to the house for that purpose, or if I can put it further out in the yard (which is what I would like).

TIA!

Heat lamps are an unnecessary fire hazard in your coop. Insulate if you're that worried about them getting too cold, don't take the risk of losing your flock in a fire. This thread is a very good reminder of the hazards of heat lamps and improperly used extension cords: www.backyardchickens.com/t/745178/fire-safety-in-your-chicken-coop-barn-important


Honestly, the summer heat is worse for them than the winter cold. If you're worrying about anything, it should be making sure they have somewhere to cool off over the summer.

I have Sebright bantams, who are supposedly not cold tolerant. Even in the several days we had frigid temperatures over this last winter, they were bright, active, and running around in the snow. My coop is not insulated or heated. The only thing I did was put a shower curtain over their door to help accumulate heat while they were in there. No problems from them or any of the other hens. On the other hand, I did have a hen collapse in the heat wave last summer.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

***HELP***

I have 24 chickens between the age of 14 weeks and 17 weeks.  I have had up to 11 of them trying to cram into one nesting box at night.  Most of them abandoned the nesting box and are now using the roosting bars, however, I still have a few that sleep in the nesting box at night.

MY QUESTION...How do I get the rest of them to stop roosting in the nesting box?

Also, at what age do they start laying eggs.  I have heard people say as early as 17 weeks and I have hear people say not until after 24 weeks.  When can I expect the early signs of egg laying?

Thank you in advance!

It's been my experience that if you want them to roost, you have to go out every night and put them on the roost until they figure it out for themselves.

The laying age is largely dependent on the breed. For example, 16-18 weeks is normal for most production breeds and hybrids, such as red sexlinks, white Leghorns, production RIRs, etc. 24+ weeks is to be expected for less production-oriented breeds and hybrids, like Easter-eggers, Brahmas, Marans, etc. Watch your girls for sudden growth and redness in their combs. They should lay within a week or two of this happening.

 

[animallover2202]

Is black runny and black normal looking poo ok??? It kinda looks like tar

 

[tntbell]

Hi, everyone. I'm trying to find a member somewhere near north Judson or Winamac with a few good chickens for sale. We love silkies, faverolles, light brahmas, orpingtons, marans, and RIR's. We'll take any breed available, however. Only looking for 3-4 standards or 5-6 bantams. Thanks everyone.......Tony

 

[pbirdhaven]

Thanks everyone for all the info. I've been stalking the site when I have time (last couple days have been crazy w/work and kids' activities). You guys are very, very active! I love all the pics of your chickens!

I found a great looking coop for a reasonable price on craigslist! I'm really excited about it!

Question that I haven't found a consistent answer to....In the winter, do I need to put some sort of heating lamp in the coop, or are the chickens okay as long as I get "cold weather" chickens? I'm just wondering if the coop has to be close to the house for that purpose, or if I can put it further out in the yard (which is what I would like).

TIA!

Congrats on finding a great deal!

I don't use any kind of heat in the winter, and my coops are not insulated. I do use heated waterers where I can; otherwise I just empty at night and refill in the morning. Besides the fire hazard that Pip mentioned (Sebright Mom lost 50 chickens, including brooding chicks and her son's show stock in a fire from a heat lamp earlier this year.), extra heat in the coop makes them more susceptible to respiratory infections. They are much more hardy than we are!

Haven't lost any birds to the cold, but have lost birds in the summer heat. Now I make sure that they can get outside in the daytime and have plenty of water--even set up a kiddie pool or shallow rubber feeding pan for them to wade.

 

[Old Salt 1945]

International space station to be visible for 2 minutes at 11:01 PM traveling from northwest to southeast like a bat outa hell.

John

 

[Crafty chick]

wish i had a telescope John!