INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I'm really sorry about your peafowl.

My DH's all time favorite show is West Wing. I have not watched it because I had three jobs back then and never watched TV. I gave him the box set with all the episodes for Christmas this year and he asked me to watch the first episode with him. Now I am like a puppy waiting everyday for my treat. I get everyone fed and to bed then immediately ask him if we can start another one. I was so crunchy (my version) last night because he was already watching the football playoffs. Now seriously, I get that its two great teams and it may have been a good game, but I felt like saying "Its going to be one of those two, so now can we watch?" He's out of town for ten days and I've promised not to watch ahead so I think we could have forgone the game last night.....Just my opinion.

He's really pretty. Do your Cochins lay speckled eggs? I only have one laying right now but she lays the prettiest brown eggs with white speckles. I just love them.


Here is his site: http://shop.chickenfountain.com/. I started following his page on FB when I read about his products on the Chicken Chick page. I love his fountain and cant wait to get one when I figure out the water solution. He has an option for keeping the water from freezing at the nipples too. I'm sure I could figure out how to do this, but really, I'm just happy he has already done the work (besides that, he seems to genuinely love chickens). The first time I used it, it didn't work. It turns out that I wasn't thinking very clearly. I used a smartwater water bottle and couldn't figure out why the water wouldn't come out. DUH, I didn't put a hole in the bottle. Anyway, I put a small bowl under the nipple with a little grit in case someone gets over enthusiastic about their water. Its so much better than cleaning out all the wet bedding. It also works well on the 2L bottles, so I use them in the garden during the summer so I switch them out easily. I froze water in the bottle half full, then put some fresh water in before taking them outside. It stayed cold most of the day. They were rigged up with bungee cords on the fence. In the brooder, I used small jewelry wire to wire the bottles to the crate.
That is such a good idea. I might have to try that. I still really like the sand, but those could be a great alternative for us.

Lucy Update:

I've done some more research on the thrush and it doesn't seem possible that she could have gotten it, but I am still going to move forward as if she does. Our coop and water are always clean and have good ventilation, so it would be hard I think, but I'm happy to have a direction to try. I am going to trim her vent feathers today when I give her another bath. I've also started with the probiotics and I looked around for vets. I was not able to find one within 1:15 of my house, so that's tricky. I called around to see if anyone would be interested in giving me guidance via webchat, but obviously, they said no, lol. I have an appt on Friday, but it means my youngest doesn't get to go to preschool. At least its just one day.

This is the vet I am seeing unless anyone has any feedback otherwise:http://www.exoticvetclinic.com/posts/pet-owners/

Oh and my drunk roo is gone. He couldn't stand at all today so I took him to my friend's house and they put him down for me.

I hope you are all doing well.
Kabhyber- really cute chicks!

Sorry about your rooster, I hope Lucy gets better.

My cochins lay a really light brown/ cream color

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Thanks, It was a month or so back. When I picked it up, I knew immediately what was wrong

.
I have since added a deeper, lower roost bar for the peas and turkey hens.



Saw this post over on the turkey keeper thread, sharing it here, good info!
Quote:

Oh, and about electric fences: This is borrowed from another shepherd who lived out West. She puts aluminum strips on her electric fence and smears peanut butter on to bait them. When the coyotes (or other wild preditors) lick the peanut butter they get a full shock of the fence without their thick coats being able to insulate them. They don't challenge her fences after that.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I went in my barn today to find a clump of feathers. They were wild bird feathers though, not chicken feathers.My stupid barn cats have caught a robin, baby sparrow, and this mystery bird in the last week. They don't eat them though just kill them. But the dang things won't touch a mouse. They are easier game! I love my barn cats, they are pets, but they are starting to tick me off. The wild birds have began to learn to not go near the chickens, I scare them away. I don't mind them (actually enjoy them) coming around, but I don't want them around my chickens. I don't really want to kill a bunch of mice, but I don't want to lookout my window one day see my barn being carried away by mice (so It doesn't bother me as much if the cats kill them). So long story short they keep killing wild birds that aren't really causing harm, but won't catch any mice. Just got a new barn cat the other day, maybe she will be a good micer. Any way these feathers are different than from birds I normally see around. They have a white tip, the bottom of the feather is black with a blue sheen and the top is blue, with black stripes. These aren't very large feathers either, maybe 2 in long. Anyone know what It is?I never found the actually body just this clump of feathers on my barn floor.

 

[CRSelvey]

I've been doing some more reading and trying to figure out what was wrong with my roo that died and what is wrong with Lucy. I try not to overthink this stuff, but its really hard not too. I'm thinking my roo must have had Mareks. I saw many pics of other birds who had the nerve form and it looks like he did and like the little girl before him. She is recovered, although not at 100%, but she gets along fine. I'm really hoping this isn't the reason that Lucy has been limping. UGH.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I went in my barn today to find a clump of feathers. They were wild bird feathers though, not chicken feathers.My stupid barn cats have caught a robin, baby sparrow, and this mystery bird in the last week. They don't eat them though just kill them. But the dang things won't touch a mouse. They are easier game! I love my barn cats, they are pets, but they are starting to tick me off. The wild birds have began to learn to not go near the chickens, I scare them away. I don't mind them (actually enjoy them) coming around, but I don't want them around my chickens. I don't really want to kill a bunch of mice, but I don't want to lookout my window one day see my barn being carried away by mice (so It doesn't bother me as much if the cats kill them). So long story short they keep killing wild birds that aren't really causing harm, but won't catch any mice. Just got a new barn cat the other day, maybe she will be a good micer. Any way these feathers are different than from birds I normally see around. They have a white tip, the bottom of the feather is black with a blue sheen and the top is blue, with black stripes. These aren't very large feathers either, maybe 2 in long. Anyone know what It is?I never found the actually body just this clump of feathers on my barn floor.

sounds like a starling, they come in many varieties and it is good for them to be killed not scared. They spread all kinds of bird sicknesses. Also they travel with scouts or spies so if one finds food, soon enough to cover 1/2 an acre can be setting up camp.They are small too so we are not talking small amounts of feed getting wasted.
As for mice, they breed like rabbits. My bar cat eats at least 3 a day or I see at least 3 a day getting eaten unless a rabbit is caught. We still have mice in our smaller coop. The birds I got from Brad have not caught on that the mice can be food for them yet. The big one is close as he is even starting to challenge the ducks' rule.

 

[kabhyper1]

Okay this is pic heavy, but I got some pics of the whole silkie flock.

The 15 week olds
Henley

Gracie

Lily

Lumi (getting a red comb I think ..)

Chance

Belle

Sheldon

The parents (except for snow who has chicks)
Ashes

Suki

Dolly (she has a twisted foot, but gets around fine)

Luna (going through a molt, her beard is gone lol)

Booker the roo

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

sounds like a starling, they come in many varieties and it is good for them to be killed not scared. They spread all kinds of bird sicknesses. Also they travel with scouts or spies so if one finds food, soon enough to cover 1/2 an acre can be setting up camp.They are small too so we are not talking small amounts of feed getting wasted.
As for mice, they breed like rabbits. My bar cat eats at least 3 a day or I see at least 3 a day getting eaten unless a rabbit is caught. We still have mice in our smaller coop. The birds I got from Brad have not caught on that the mice can be food for them yet. The big one is close as he is even starting to challenge the ducks' rule.

I realize that they pass on diseases, I mentioned that on this thread the other day. As with anything there are risks you have to take, there is no way you are going to be able to get rid of all the wild birds. It is to the point where I am going to have to start setting traps for the mice.

 

[Leahs Mom]

On another thread, someone shared the RatZapper trap which I'd never seen before. No poison for the birds to get into and they can't accidentally be snapped in a trap.

http://www.amazon.com/Rat-Zapper-Ultra-Rodent-RZU001/dp/B00CM859OA

 

[Delawaremommy]

Question for all breeders.....

I know that Bantys don't have trouble hatching out LF eggs but does the same hold true the other way around? I have the four Delaware hens and if any of them want to go broody II would like to have them hatch out some Banty eggs. Is that asking for trouble? Will they break them or will they know they need to be delicate?

 

[Indiana Chicka]

I have eggs today. Found 1 in three differnt cages. Opened them to see if they were fertile, but I didnt see the "bullseye" in them. Is it too soon? They have only been with roosters for 2 days and these are the first eggs.