INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[racinchickins]

[quote name="SallyinIndiana"

We have an ador too.  works great. 
[/quote]

X3 on the Ador door! Love mine! Works great.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Speaking of sunburnt chickens, I'm assuming they can get burnt, but it's never been an issue with my naked necks. So can they really get sunburnt?

Perhaps you need some fancy little scarves to protect their necks!

Who knows? Her skin just seemed really dry. But she was happy all summer long, never complained and went about her business like normal!

PS: I imagine they'd stay in the shade or go to the shade if they were uncomfortable anyway.

I had a couple of girls whose feathers hadn't returned before summer. Their skin looked a dark pink & I wondered, too, if they could get sunburned. Those girls were the first ones I made chicken aprons for this winter. I was afraid the polar vortex would be too much for them and their bare backs. My daughter and I ended up making about 40 aprons in an evening or two right before the cold hit. We even dressed up the roosters (yes, one does have some pink fabric showing on the edges, but he is manly enough to handle it!)

 

[PeacefulWalls]

I'm contemplating placing an order for pullets soon with Strombergs. There's a minimum of 25 chicks before April and also a breed minimum of 5. The breeds I'm thinking of are speckled sussex, blue laced red wyandotte, mottled java, salmon favorelle and California white. I think I may only keep about 3 of each though. If I do get an order placed in the next couple weeks would any of you be interested in the extra pullets?

 

[HouseKat]

One of our BAs disappeared yesterday afternoon and was still missing when I came to work this afternoon. Also, while searching for her this afternoon I caught one of our EEs trying to eat an egg that she had just laid! I saw her laying it, came back moments later to find it broken and her pecking at it. I immediately grabbed a plastic bag and scooped it all up. I'm hoping that it was the first time, but it would explain why we have gotten so few EE eggs. Saw a dead raccoon on the side of the road as I drove away, I wonder if it had anything to do with our missing BA.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: That sounds very interesting. I would feel more comfortable if I had something like that for a foot bath type thing.
I feel really rude sometimes, but customers, even friends, I rarely let anyone in my coops.
There isn't a lot I can do while they free range.

Thanks! How long does it take to be able to feed when you start a new one?

Also...how 'bout a photo of that water pan too?
I think the "life cycle" is 12 weeks. I start a new colony about every three weeks in the winter, and its gave me a LOT.
I use a bin up give or take about a month. I will have several thousand per bin in it by time i get to the oldest one.
Summer I use a lot less and they really build up. I focus on them more in the winter to keep proteins higher for my flock.
Ugh sorry, I keep forgetting the waterer! Will try to the pictures tomorrow between the rain drops, its so simple to fix up.
Not real pretty but sure is helping me.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: I know what you mean. I use whatever I can lay my hands on, and have some dollar store long totes that I use for chicks until they are ready for more space.
DH found me 2 - 20 gallon long reptile tanks with screens at goodwill, they are working very well for new hatches too! I will use boxes if needed.
Like this week, bought the RK chicks, and am having an excellent hatch so far with silkie eggs from Brad, and a big mess of quail hatching too

They work out great. The bigger chicks go into a XL dog crate in my grow out coop til they are socialized with the rest.

cardboard boxes are being used here too. We line them with plastic though for an easier clean up. We could toss and get new boxes. But brooding in the basement means trying to get large boxes down the stairs and back up to toss. We have a fancy metal brooder and I think I prefer the cheap / free boxes. We have a home made plywood brooder for the older chicks. It is nice but as long as these boxes are free and available, I'm not taking the time or money to make another wooden one. The one positive of the metal brooder is that the chicks are on a grated floor so the mess goes right to the tray for easier cleanup. Still that floor gets hard to clean too and tossing a plastic bag of chips is easier and less time consuming. Of course newspaper to line the tray is free and DRY pine chips cost money at the feed stores. Come dry weather wood chips will be free again but for now they add up.

really good points. My chip pile is composting rapidly so I need to make calls this spring again!

I
Quote: Good ideas!

You all make me wish I was living in Indiana!! I would sooo love to be involved in the work co-op. Helping and feeling needed is such a privilege! I could even help with some supplies... Lol lots of old barn wood around here, a little paint and you'd never know it's 20 yrs old. That's one thing I still haven't gotten used to around here - When old folks pass the majority of the time their homes are left sitting mt until they rot and fall down. Its so sad! All those memories and the history all falling down and going to pieces, seems like it means nothing to the younger generations.
Oh well off my rant now. Since I can't come help build and fix, I'll just go sew up some Aprons for our babies! I'll post pics later... Let me know if you are interested in buying one or a dozen... Lol. Later Gators!

We wish you were here too! I am hoping to have our next "Big" get together at our campground in Liberty.
I love the weathered barn wood. They are a rare find around here. If I hear or see one being torn down, I stop and ask for some.

Quote: get extra boxes to line to bottom too, if you are not using a plastic liner. Nothing like trying to lift up a box of wet dirty wood chips and having the bottom fall out / stay on your floor.
Yuk, no kidding! Learned that lesson fast!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: We did have a lot of fun! It was just fantastic to put faces to names. Sure miss oldsalt and vicki being on the thread

The owner at our campground has raised chickens. and his grandson is even selling eggs there now!
I hope our next get together can be down there. There are 2 campgrounds nearby that folks can stay and enjoy a weekend there too!
DH said he will be willing to help on a work co-op too. Sounds like there is a lot of us interested in it.

Quote: it sure is.

Quote: I really want to learn more about the solar powered doors, but build them myself.
my waterfowl, it won't work but most of the other poultry breeds it would help a lot.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

All the pics didn't show here are summer ones the above is cold weather.

Love the pattern varieties. so much color! The lace is very pretty too, I can see that on my very prissy little EE hen!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:

Sometimes people get "comfortable" and forget to show their Significant Other how much they care. Felt like you needed a hug.

 

[raisinemright]

My new brooder is doing great, the chicks love all the space. My only concern is the height of the walls. But so far they are not coming close to jumping out, yet!

It's so funny to watch them get a running start and act like they are flying lol!!
The bottom is lined with some extra pieces of cardboard. I hope it last for a little bit.