INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

It is a natural time for them to stop laying, rest and rejuvenate for the next season.

Disclaimer: Just my philosophy here... I let them rest. I think it makes for healthier birds in the long-run.

On the other hand, there are folks that want them to lay constantly then replace them every 1.5-2 years.

Some day I may go the "production" route. But for now I let them rest and have a natural life.

 

[kabhyper1]

It is a natural time for them to stop laying, rest and rejuvenate for the next season.

Disclaimer: Just my philosophy here... I let them rest. I think it makes for healthier birds in the long-run.

On the other hand, there are folks that want them to lay constantly then replace them every 1.5-2 years.

Some day I may go the "production" route. But for now I let them rest and have a natural life.

That's why we only have the light on for an hour before sunrise. If they want to stop they can, I just want them to have more light in general, since they seemed to be getting kinda depressed when it starting getting dark at 5:30. They seem happier with a little morning light in the coop. It hasn't really changed my girls laying pattern too much anyway.

 

[Kiniska]

I have been working on chicken capes too. My girls have such short broad backs I had to play with the design until it fit right.

First I dug out my scrap cloth. Thankfully I had some cotton batting left from another project. Oh and some flannel scraps for lining them. Gotta have soft and fuzzy next to the bare bits.

Cut it all out.

Layer and pin.

Sew it together with some bias tape.

Add elastic to underside. And...

There you go! A bevy of colorful insulated coats.

 

[kabhyper1]

I have been working on chicken capes too. My girls have such short broad backs I had to play with the design until it fit right.

First I dug out my scrap cloth. Thankfully I had some cotton batting left from another project. Oh and some flannel scraps for lining them. Gotta have soft and fuzzy next to the bare bits.

Cut it all out.

Layer and pin.

Sew it together with some bias tape.

Add elastic to underside. And...

There you go! A bevy of colorful insulated coats.

Those are cute! I used the material I had laying around for mine. I would like to get some polar fleece and make some warmer ones.

 

[browncow15]

Hum I may have to try my hand at one of these. I've got a girl with some roo damage

 

[Kiniska]

Those are cute! I used the material I had laying around for mine. I would like to get some polar fleece and make some warmer ones.

I worry about using synthetics on animals because they don't breath correctly. We can take stuff off, they can't. Cotton, wool, linen, and silk are my preferred materials. Yes, one if them is made out of silk scraps some are linen. Only the best for my girls. Seriously, lots of people use fleece. It just seems to me I am never as comfortable or as warm in synthetics as in natural fibers. So it is probably the same for the animals.

 

[Kiniska]

Oh, good tip to save money. Go to Good Will or the Salvation army. You can get wool trousers, blue jeans, all sorts of natural fabrics to use for making these. The cotton flannel liners were from an old pair of men's pajamas. They had a bleach mark and I got them for 50¢

 

[kabhyper1]

All of the ones I made are cotton.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Super easy to do, just the motivation to set it up I am lacking

I just can't seem to get back to full throttle yet.

My girls seem to be eating an awful lot today! I have a 4" PVC pipe feeder that's 41/2' tall. I put 2 1gal buckets full of feed mixed with calcium and grit into it this morning about 730. I just went out to check the waterers and well over half the feed is gone! That much feed normally lasts 3-5 days. I know they eat a lot during the winter but this is ridiculous!!! There are 19 of them eating out of that feeder but I still think it's too much. Am I wrong? Should I cap off the feed until just before they go to roost for the night?

They are eating more because of the cold, they burn more energy staying warm.

Meant to upload two pics but it seems only one came through.

I have burlap I plan to set up for fodder, I need to get it going!
Winter came on sooo fast, just was not ready at all.

Quote: OH NO arrrgh! I would go crazy without mine! Hope it will be an easy fix.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I got all 10 done! Whew lol. Well except for snaps, I ran out.



4 of the baby silkies went to their new home last night. The family that got them love them already. They brought us alpaca hats from their store. So warm!



Gracie is finally getting her splashes

Aww loved the babies! I am so jealous, The hats are lovely!
I still hope to have alpaca again some day. I have always wanted to spin and make my own yarns.
Will start with crias next go around instead of adults tho.

Quote: I am definitely doing several this weekend, and will get my burlap hemmed up for the fodder at the same time.