INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

The next incubator I get, I am going all out (well I would really get a cabinet if I was doing that but.....). I want a nicer, more reliable one. I think I'm going to get a Hova bator Genesis. The one I want comes with egg turners and they candler. At least this way I won't have to worry as much about the temperature getting messed up by someone

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I just found this thread. I have 4 golden comets, 5 barred rocks, and 1 jersey giant. All hens. I am in Mooresville. I am interested in finding a silkie or two to add to the flock. I don't suppose there is anyone close that has one for sale??

and our thread!

I am closing out my silkies due to parent care, keeping my oldest and dearest but will have a few for sale.
Send me a pm if you are interested, my birds are all hand raised and well loved. Most are "pet quality".

Quote: http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2961.htm
Both sites are well maintained and I have camped there a LOT.
PM me if you need any help at all

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I am in Indy, kinda freaked a little b/c the tornado was SW of us heading NE, fortunately the storm turned more sharply North and missed us. When the sirens went off we went out and put the girls in the brooder and brought them inside (they were really happy about that!) but I was not ready to leave them out and possibly lose them at 8 weeks old!

Hope everyone is okay!

We lost a few trees and branches. Hope everyone and their birds are well!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Didn't notice the nasty weather here, I think it all went to the east of us. Processed 6 Cornish X and a roo today! Haven't tasted them obviously but the Cornish seemed much easier to clean out than the multipurpose Roos we did last year!

They are. I do like how much easier they are to process. Havent got any CX this year yet. and really missing them for the freezer. I free range and raise them just like the rest. Makes a huge difference.

PS: This is a window box w/pyrex pans in it for wet feed.

Thinking of trying some dry in one of these boxes without the pyrex but I think it's too wide and they might be able to stand in it and scratch feed out It works perfect w/ the pyrex as those narrow it down enough that they aren't able to stand in it and it also keeps them from tipping if they try to stand on the edge.

Agreed, I bet they will waste a lot. Sure looks nice tho.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

on a smaller scale, we plan to make some troughs out of drywall pans for this winter. I think we will be screwing the drywall pan right onto the edge of the breeder pen. Since I'm pretty sure we are staying away from wet food I'm not too worried about the screw holes dripping or leaking.

editing to say we are also considering a PVC feeder that allows us to feed the chickens without enter the pen. The cost is much higher on those though.

I plan to add a feeder like John (oldsalt) posted for winter. FF is a lot of work for the winter months with so many birds.

The only problem with saying that you don't see any adverse effects is that with heavy metal, it is a "build up" over time in the bloodstream issue. You won't necessarily see any adverse effects right away.

Then after it builds, it manifests much like any other disease so it's hard to pinpoint that's what it is from without taking blood levels.

Signs of zinc poisoning in chickens include:

Loss of appetite / weight loss
Feather picking
Shallow breathing
Depression and lethargy
Weakness and shaking
Loss of balance
Diarrhea (in advanced cases stool may appear black and tarry)
Vomiting
Kidney, liver and pancreatic anomalies
Anemia
Death


Signs of lead poisoning:

Poultry with higher contamination levels may exhibit the following symptoms:

Lethargy
Depression
Failure to grow or to maintain weight
Loose stools – greenish-black in color
Lack of balance
Disorientation
Inability to perch
Vomiting
Brain function disturbance
Loss of coordination
Loss of vision
Seizures
Inability to hold head straight
Death


Article in NY times regarding lead detected in backyard chickens

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/d...ead-for-new-yorks-garden-fresh-eggs.html?_r=0

Fantastic post!

I know people that have used the gutters for a long period of time, without any issues. Not something I would of decided to add without the research

Agreed, always helps to learn about what others have discovered.

Quote: I like the dispenser type feeder idea for grit and oyster shell. Breeder pens especially since they do not free range as much as my egg flock.

yes those metal ones are almost exactly what I was looking for. The exception being that for the chicken feeder I would not want the feed to come to the top as they would fling it out. For the ones that I will be making, they need to be less than 24 inches wide and not super tall, when in position, the top of the feeder storage can at most be 23 inches off the ground. Otherwise the door will not open correctly.

I really want to use a flock type feeder that will be easily filled and huge. I will still give them FF but more as a treat in the evening. Not being home much, I do see my birds foraging more, but I worry they are getting enough to eat. I did notice one of the troughs still had a lot of FF so I am worrying too much lol.
Seeing them with a lot of worms and mice! My youngsters seem to have something in their beaks nonstop

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: OUCH chew slower!

Okay guys Im bumping this because I need some smart peeps advice. What is this??? Its like rubber textured, but looks like undigested crumbles. It is definitely poop. Sorry its gross, but I really need to knowif I need to worm them. They are 7 weeks. Acting fine. Several of these poops today.

Think back. what was different yesterday. New free range area, feed, etc..I dont see any worm or parasites. Even 2 days ago?

The next incubator I get, I am going all out (well I would really get a cabinet if I was doing that but.....). I want a nicer, more reliable one. I think I'm going to get a Hova bator Genesis. The one I want comes with egg turners and they candler. At least this way I won't have to worry as much about the temperature getting messed up by someone

Ugh, hear ya; Why I got my sportsman cabinet. No worries and everything hatches. Have heard a lot of good comment on the hovabator.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Nite all, off to bed!

 

[gunchief25]

Morning all Cockadoodledoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

 

[racinchickins]

Didn't notice the nasty weather here, I think it all went to the east of us. Processed 6 Cornish X and a roo today! Haven't tasted them obviously but the Cornish seemed much easier to clean out than the multipurpose Roos we did last year!

The Cornish X are much easier to process. Since they are so young when you do it, they haven't developed the muscle tone and stronger connective tissue that the older heritage Roos have.

 

[racinchickins]

The next incubator I get, I am going all out (well I would really get a cabinet if I was doing that but.....). I want a nicer, more reliable one. I think I'm going to get a Hova bator Genesis. The one I want comes with egg turners and they candler. At least this way I won't have to worry as much about the temperature getting messed up by someone

You should consider one of these. I love it! Stable temps, good humidity control, and fantastic view of hatching eggs.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/incuview-egg-incubator.html