INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

Denand- do you think she got mites because she can't preen herself properly with her beak? I don't know - I have no experience with that - more just asking. I haven't had a chick have that problem (yet). Any chicken can get mites I just wonder if that made her more susceptible. My roo had them horrible in the spring. Makes me itch just thinking about it.

Thanks to all who helped me with the EE question. I was starting to panic. I really need to list a couple of my Roos on craigslist and then this time actually let the person who responds have them lol. I can tell my hens are getting a little irritated. One of my sebrights should really go.

besides the constant attempts at mating and annoying my girls i like them. They are hilarious to watch. and one follows my SLW girl everywhere. I think he's enamoured.

Julie you live close enough to us, if you wanted, we could pick out a Saturday for processing. We have a few more roosters that i want to turn into chicken soup. I'm sure once DH gets in the processing mood, he would not mind a couple more. Then you could have chicken soup too. That is, if you eat chicken, I know some on here don't.

LAM - do you read them all to catch up or do you "cheat" and jump to the end?

Most times I skim and skim if I'm more than a page behind. Today there was 170 posts so lots of skimming.

Quote: This is going to give me lots to think about. I wonder how hard it would be to add in a bunch of windows and chicken doors. I also wonder if they would have smaller sizes something close to 25 feet not 53. If I could get a small one for 750, then spend maybe another 500 to convert and paint / discuise it. That would be one awesome deal.

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I don't actually own chickens but I am looking to purchase in approx 3 weeks somewhere between 50 and a hundred white cornish hens (boilers) which are around 42 days old. Do any of you have something like that?

Thank you

a few hints from me. Things I learned the hard way before selling off my surviving Broilers.
1. They do not need nearly as much heat as is recommended. I would say at least 5 decrees cooler if not 10 degrees cooler by the end of week two. I lost some to heat and thought they were too cold, then I really lost more to heat.
2. They needs lots of water with the save a chick stuff in it. Multiple water stations are a must for more than 15 broilers.I would recommend at least 4 decent sized waters for 100, and check then at least ever 2 hours to make sure there is water and no clogs.
3. They eat a lot, you can save some money by fermenting food. They need lots of protein, make sure to get the meat chick food.
4. They eat too much, they can not have food left out at all hours of the day. They have to be on a feeding schedule.
5. If you are going to try and get them to eat grass and bugs, start by the 10th day. But this can increase the processing age and in the end might not save much food. Still chickens that eat grass and bugs tend to be happier and healthier imo.
6. Think long and hard about your brooder and space where the brooder will be. 100 egg layer chicks create a lot of poo in 4 weeks, 100 broilers, wow the smell will be outstanding. If you have a brooder that allows the poo to fall into a tray you are looking at changing that tray at least 2-3 times a day. With the pine chips, the water getting in the chips with the poo will increase the smell. I would recommend some kind of tray under the water stations and then puppy pads for the first few days up to a week.
7. Given it is your first time with chickens, I'm thinking you have not had to kill a whole lot of chickens. With broilers you cannot really delay killing if something comes up. Killing and processing takes time. 10 in a day is a large number for 1 person to do. To have 100 at one time would really take some planning. Maybe a fifth would get processed as tiny chickens at 5 weeks then some more at 6, 7, and 8 weeks. Most of the stuff I have read recommends not letting the broilers get too much older than 8 weeks due to heart issues.
8. If you can spare the time and the extra cost per bird, I might give a smaller amount a try first say 10 or 15 broilers.

Ok hatch experts, I have a question. You probably saw my earlier post about my chicks. I had two hatch. One yesterday afternoon and one in the middle of the night. This morning I found one that had pipped early yesterday. The shell was cracked in the middle exposing membrane that had dried. It was dry and leathery. There was absolutely no movement. I chipped at the shell and still no movement. I removed part of the shell exposing its behind and the yolk had been completely absorbed. I put it back for about an hour and then checked it again before i left for work. Still no movement but it had bled a bit. I went ahead and took it out and removed the rest of the shell. At this point it looked dead. Eyes shut limp and lifeless. The head and beak had been completely encased by shell before I removed it. So, I am thinking I probably should have left it alone and let the momma hen take care of it?? but my thought was if it was dead it could contaminate the eggs and baby chicks left in the nest. It had appeared to me it had died mid hatch but I have no experience with this. Its my first time. Any thoughts? Just don't want to make the same mistake twice.

I have only used an incubator. Here is what I have found. First not every full grown chick makes it out. Thankfully we have a cat now that can deal with the death much better than I could. Next some chicks will make i if helped out BUT of the ones i have tried to help out maybe 50% make it most times they don't live even if I can get them out. Several things can cause the issue. Weak chicks, an air draft (called shrink wrapping), air bubble was too small, air bubble was too big trapping chick, the list goes on and on. The no movement is making me think that the chick had passed before you tried to help it.
When I do help the chick out of the shell, I use warm wet paper towels and do my best to make sure the chick does not dry out. Even then it does not work most of the time, but when it does I get a good warm fuzzy feeling. And trying to help sure beats doing nothing once it is clear that the chick won't get out on its own.

 

[julie0477]

Sallyinindiana - thanks for the feedback. I seriously went over it and over it in my head beating myself up all day. I do think it had passed or was too weak to make it. Not one movement or chirp. Just my first time so I'm
Being hard on myself I guess. I felt better when I came home to my two healthy cuties. I don't currently have any Roos I could face processing but my family does eat chicken. If you ever want to unload some you've processed I'd consider offering a monetary donation to the cause and for your efforts and take a couple off your hands (trying to avoid getting kicked off for advertising or buying/selling lol). I'm not real fond of the commercial chicken industry. I'd rather buy from a some one on here.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Sallyinindiana - thanks for the feedback. I seriously went over it and over it in my head beating myself up all day. I do think it had passed or was too weak to make it. Not one movement or chirp. Just my first time so I'm
Being hard on myself I guess. I felt better when I came home to my two healthy cuties. I don't currently have any Roos I could face processing but my family does eat chicken. If you ever want to unload some you've processed I'd consider offering a monetary donation to the cause and for your efforts and take a couple off your hands (trying to avoid getting kicked off for advertising or buying/selling lol). I'm not real fond of the commercial chicken industry. I'd rather buy from a some one on here.

I'm not up for selling ours yet. They were all pan fry deals so only good for soups and such. They are also lacking in the white meat area. (I had to think about a family friendly way to say they are not brick shaped).
If we ever get good at raising the broilers that might change. Still from what I have read, the store chicken is much cheaper. I think the cost to raise up a broiler to 8 weeks is at least $10. I'm not going to be selling anything in this post since I would have to think long and hard about the risks involved in selling a processed chicken to the general public. Now friends that want some help processing that I'm ok with as it would be their chicken so their job to make sure it was healthy.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Could you post a photo or a link of what this is? I'd like to see it




I thought about just using a regular window fan but I am concerned about fire. Since the regular house fans aren't made to take all the dust, it can overheat and cause a fire and there is always so much dust in a chicken house, I just figured it wouldn't be a good idea.



I'll have to check that out!


Sometimes there are "trolls" that go around on BYC and "flag" posts just to cause trouble. Often times the moderators don't have the time to really check and see what's going on and they just get rid of or edit a post. Perhaps that's what happened?



I LOVE BULLDOGMA'S horse trailer coop. I actually had a horse trailer lined up to make one earlier this spring but ended up that it had axle problems so we didn't end up getting it. She originally posted it on the natural chicken keeping blog when she first made it. Very inspiring!

I like that you can take it with you if you move....or can move it to a different location on your property if you decide your coop needs to be somewhere different than you originally placed it.

I've looked for various enclosed trailers ever since...just haven't found the right one yet!

I will try and post a pic or a link. I got it today but It wasnt even what I ordered. It was pretty much a mini version of what I ordered. Instead of being 12in long it is 6, half the size!

 

[strssdmom]

Okay, more questions...

I am about to inherit 9 chicks that are 4-5 weeks old. We currently have 20 hens that are already laying for us.

Do the new chicks have to be in a brooder with a heat light at this age? The temps here are 60's & 70's at night to 80's and 90's during the day.

How do I introduce them, AFTER quarantining them? How long do you quarantine chicks before introductions?

How do I handle feeding them? All of my hens are on layer crumbles. Can the chicks eat that?

If there is anything else I need to know, please educate me!!!!

Thank you in advance!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Okay, more questions...

I am about to inherit 9 chicks that are 4-5 weeks old. We currently have 20 hens that are already laying for us.

Do the new chicks have to be in a brooder with a heat light at this age? The temps here are 60's & 70's at night to 80's and 90's during the day.

How do I introduce them, AFTER quarantining them? How long do you quarantine chicks before introductions?

How do I handle feeding them? All of my hens are on layer crumbles. Can the chicks eat that?

If there is anything else I need to know, please educate me!!!!

Thank you in advance!

I try to keep mine under a heat lamp until 6 weeks old bantams longer. Do not put them with your hens until they are bigger they could get trampled or severly picked on. To introduce them put them in a cage in your run. Let everyone check them out, do this for as long as you feel necessary. I would do it a few time before I let them out. I would quarientene them for a month. Feed them chick starter, I feed medicated chick starter only like 2 dollars more . Do not feed them layer crumbles that will give them to much calicum. I think that anwser all your questions and I dont think there is anything really important you left out when asking questions.

 

[CRSelvey]

W

Phew I finally have a minute to myself! This week has been crazy and it's only tues!!! Last Friday I surprised my hubby for his birthday; packed the kids and everything up and we went camping for the weekend. Got home Sunday and found out my SIL had been having contractions all weekend so I got a call early Monday morning that I needed to get my niece at some point. I threw my 2 kiddos in the truck to make a trip to Laffy to get my bottle babies I had planned to pick up. Got home, got the calves settled and threw everyone back in the car to go to Indy to get my niece and meet my nephew! Wrangled three kids to bed finally and then hit the ground running again this morning! My poor chickies must feel neglected!

Oh and it's stunking HOT outside just in case anyone was wondering!

Anyone have any suggestions on how to post pics from my phone? Ill share my new babies with everyone!

What kind of phone are you using and are you on the "mobile" site or "desktop" when using your phone?

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I ordered 3 of these. It isnt even worth sending back I will get less than $5 back. heres a link http://www.petstore.com/petmate-water-cup-double-for-pet-crates

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Okay, more questions...

I am about to inherit 9 chicks that are 4-5 weeks old. We currently have 20 hens that are already laying for us.

Do the new chicks have to be in a brooder with a heat light at this age? That would depend on their current conditions. If I was raising them from chicks they would be comfortable at 60 by 4-5 weeks. I drop my temps faster in a goal to get them out of my house. They will not need any heat during the day. If they do currently have a heat light, you can plan to break them of it in less than a week. The temps here are 60's & 70's at night to 80's and 90's during the day.

How do I introduce them, AFTER quarantining them? How long do you quarantine chicks before introductions? I fully quarantine but not to extreme measures for two weeks. Then I make the you can see but not touch me introductions for at least 3 days to a week depending on size difference. I try to get them in a tractor next to the run with the hens but with a good 9 inches between the pens. Then after a few days I will let the adult chickens free range around the chicks. After a week or so I will watch why they mingle close to dusk. Depending on the size difference, They might mingle for an hour or two then gradually up to 4-6 hours till at the end of the second into week when they will be 8-9 weeks old I let them sleep together. Sometimes the chicks will go roost in the adult coop after only a day or two and I let them stay unless they are getting picked on.

How do I handle feeding them? All of my hens are on layer crumbles. Can the chicks eat that? my chicks get the medicated chick feed followed by the all flock once they are at least 8 weeks old. The layer feed is not recommended until the hen is at least 16 weeks old and showing signs of being at the point of laying. Layer feed is not the best for a rooster. I found that out the hard way.

If there is anything else I need to know, please educate me!!!! If they have not seen grass yet, I would try to get them in your yard as soon as possible to encourage free ranging. If they look scrapy, scrambled eggs with garlic can help put a nice shine on them.
If you want advice on space in the brooder, I would recommend for the first couple of nights keeping them in section of the brooder or coop you plan to use until they get used to your setup. Then you can give them more space. I think sometimes too much space in a new area can scare a chick. Once scared they might huddle and kill each other.

Thank you in advance!

I hope this helps. CCCC..Chickens had a lot of great advice too.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I hate when typing on computes you cant show emotion (except for simley faces and stuff). When I am trying to be sarcastic and am going to start saying bazinga (anybody that watches the Big Bang therory knows what I am talking about lol),Then I will be sure people get it lol!