INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

When the olders started intimidating the youngers (after mom ditched them) I put out a safe place where they could get away to eat where the olders couldn't go. I think I posted the photos before.

When it got colder, I drug the dog house over there and put in shavings and grass clippings so they could get a bit of shelter. When it got into the single digits I finally just locked them on the brooding side of the hen shed so they would be inside instead of afraid to come in. I think the temps are supposed to be up around 30 tomorrow so I'll let them out again.

Here's the safe place with the dog house added. Kids can go through but the LF are to big to fit through the bars:



Here it is without (can't remember if I posted these):

 

[Leahs Mom]

PS: My husband found the dog house on the side of the road...someone was getting rid of it. I think he paid $5 but it may have been free...my memory fails me on which but not more than $5.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I'm thinking of setting up a similar area in my small coop/run for the ducks come spring. We have a small duck house made from the puppy house we ended up not needing. I think I might want to add some kind of venting to it but am not sure so for now my DH is calling it done. If it stays warm maybe I'll get started on setting up that area on Friday. Surely it won't rain all day.
The ducks won't like it but I'm nervous about letting them free range since I have seen them fly and they fly quite well. The other option is that the ugly tractor coop survives the winter and becomes a duck / almost laying coop. Those ducks are really good at teaching free ranging.

On a different note, any ideas about the best place to buy a toe puncher for chicks. It would work like an ear piercer so no lasting pain but the identification would work longer than the plastic rings I have been using. Cheaper in the long run too.
It would be great if there were two differently shaped holes. But one would be enough for this year.

 

[Delawaremommy]

Okay....I am lost...or I lost my mind...or my nerve or my underwear at the last concert!

The girls are HATING winter! They have turned from four happy hens to four angry fowl!!! The snow was bad but the ice beats all!! and now we are supposedly in for more of both! But they are staying warm and I am keeping them busy even though they have to stay in their pen and not roaming the yard (mostly because by the time I leave work it's dark and they are asleep and also because if they are out they help themselves to the doggie door and sit on the kitchen table!!)

The dogs had a scare though as there were some strange tracks in the snow on the porch on Sunday! Silly chickens!

Well I am off to find myself or my mind or my nerve... not to worried about the other!

Stay warm and safe everyone!!!

Connie

 

[Leahs Mom]

http://www.randallburkey.com/CHICK-TOE-PUNCH/productinfo/24020/#.Uq95I-Kons4



They all seem to look alike from what I've seen.

 

[Leahs Mom]

This one looks like it might be easier to use: http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies....id=920&zenid=c9c96a18dcdc28c32a37203fd4a6d698

 

[SallyinIndiana]

This one looks like it might be easier to use: http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies....id=920&zenid=c9c96a18dcdc28c32a37203fd4a6d698

thanks, I like the looks of this one better too.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I'm thinking of setting up a similar area in my small coop/run for the ducks come spring. We have a small duck house made from the puppy house we ended up not needing. I think I might want to add some kind of venting to it but am not sure so for now my DH is calling it done. If it stays warm maybe I'll get started on setting up that area on Friday. Surely it won't rain all day.
The ducks won't like it but I'm nervous about letting them free range since I have seen them fly and they fly quite well. The other option is that the ugly tractor coop survives the winter and becomes a duck / almost laying coop. Those ducks are really good at teaching free ranging.

On a different note, any ideas about the best place to buy a toe puncher for chicks. It would work like an ear piercer so no lasting pain but the identification would work longer than the plastic rings I have been using. Cheaper in the long run too.
It would be great if there were two differently shaped holes. But one would be enough for this year.

Meyer Hatchery has one. There catalog says they are $7.88 and looks fairly easy to use

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
I wonder if they would ship it with free chicks for Christmas. Probably not.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I wonder if they would ship it with free chicks for Christmas. Probably not.

You should ask, say you will even pay for the heat pack lol