INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

That's a cute little chicken - even when she's molting. I was wondering, do the bantam breeds have a rougher time in winter? What about the really little ones like Seramas? We were tempted to hatch some, but decided to stick with the larger breeds.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

Thinking ahead...

In the spring, Lord willing, I'd like to add a few hens to the flock. Egg production is my primary concern, so I'm considering leghorns. Is there anyone sort of near Indy breeding them, or would I have to go through a hatchery?

 

[chickiebaby1]

Thinking ahead...

In the spring, Lord willing, I'd like to add a few hens to the flock. Egg production is my primary concern, so I'm considering leghorns. Is there anyone sort of near Indy breeding them, or would I have to go through a hatchery?

As long as my roo and hen make it through the winter I will have some leghorns in the spring. I actually have 4 of her eggs in the bator right now to see if I can get some more girls for more eggs. She lays the best eggs too. Already some of them are to big to put in the carton.

Also I love them because they are really sweet. My roo is not aggressive at all.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

We are for sure planning to go to the Lebanon show . I have sworn myself to not buy birds. (note to self, do not bring cages!) Chicken breeds, my most wanted breed is still the coronation sussex. It would be very hard for me to pass them up!
I am still thinking hard about pheasant, but I would go with ringnecks... Its just the thought of a permit, another coop. But they are really interesting. I do want to look at them more if they are there. Maybe just bring one cage, hehehe If I found the white or melanistic hybrid, I would probably bring some home. They are just beautiful birds.
So, what time is good to go? This will be my very first time to attend a show, ever. And will be wearing my shirt! DH has about worn his out, he likes it.

If you aren't looking to buy, then I would go anytime after 9-but before 1. 9 is when judging starts, so all the birds will be there by then.

I would love them, but I don't know where to put them, UGH! You are killing me I will have to get eggs from you this spring.

wow thats a houseful of mommas!!!!

I don't know for sure if I will have eggs in the spring or not. I never did finish building my breeding pens.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

 That's a cute little chicken - even when she's molting.  I was wondering, do the bantam breeds have a rougher time in winter?  What about the really little ones like Seramas?  We were tempted to hatch some, but decided to stick with the larger breeds. 

[COLOR=900000]She definitely is a cutie.

As for your question, I will first say the only bird I have ever lost to the cold was a large fowl Barred Rock that was even more naked than Rosie is in that picture. Chickens of any size can handle the cold pretty well as long as they are properly equipped--and by properly equipped, I mean fully feathered in!

I won't go into too much detail, but the average feather worn by most chicken breeds is perfectly suited to insulate from the cold, and the bird itself will produce enough heat (which those feathers hold close to the bird's body) that the bird shouldn't have any problems with very cold temperatures. Breeding, however, has brought on different kinds of feathers, namely frizzled, silkied, and hard feathers. In theory, those different feather structures make the birds less insulated against the cold. My experience with a silkied feathered bird has shown me that they can handle the cold fine, but frizzled and hard feathers are less insulating as compared. In essence, if the bantam breed you are investing in has the right kind of feathers, they should handle the cold just fine.

Another thing to remember is that good genetics plays a part as well. If a breed is bred for hardiness, it's more likely to be hardy. Sometimes, within the same breed, some individuals just handle the cold better than others. My understanding is that Seramas are not particularly cold-hardy in general. I have read a few reports of them doing alright in the cold, but most say they can't handle it. That kind of tells me that Seramas would not be a good choice if you have particularly cold winters. Similarly, my Sebrights (Rose included, when she has all her feathers) have done fine in the winter, while others have reported their Sebrights struggling. It depends a lot on the individual.

If you're looking for just any bantam breed, you could go for a more cold-hardy breed in general, such as bantam Cochins or Brahmas. They aren't particularly small bantams like Sebrights or Seramas, but are small compared to most LF breeds. (And, have I mentioned I love Cochins? ) Otherwise, if you get teeny bantams, my suggestion would be to just keep a good eye on them as it gets colder and only intervene if they are clearly not thriving. It's pretty easy to tell when a bird is not doing well in the cold just by their behavior. Most, however, will do fine as long as they have adequate shelter and plenty of food and water. [/COLOR]

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

[COLOR=900000]I am so mad! A little at myself, too! I just noticed the feed we've been buying for the girls for a few weeks now has been medicated! Is TSC the only place in the area that caries a non-medicated all-flock feed?! The real kicker is that the only difference between the labels on the medicated and non-medicated feed bags is a little strip of red on the ingredients label.


Now, duck people, I have about 10 days of medicated feed and we are 4 days to possibly bringing home ducks. I know ducklings shouldn't have medicated feed, but what about adult ducks? Should I just feed it to them or should I try and find a bag of non-medicated for them? I'll be switching to a non-medicated feed as soon as possible, of course, but still have all this feed to get rid of. :/ This is just so frustrating![/COLOR]

Rural king, TSC, Big R and a local hardware stores around here carry both. Sounds like your TSC is sneaky because all the place around here have it right on the front of the bag

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Rural king, TSC, Big R and a local hardware stores around here carry both. Sounds like your TSC is sneaky because all the place around here have it right on the front of the bag

[COLOR=900000]Well, that was actually not a TSC that we've been getting this feed through. It's a small feed mill in Churubusco. I know chick starter is clearly labelled when it's medicated, but this was flock raiser. I definitely don't blame the feed store for this--the bag, itself, is not labelled at all and it's just the paper ingredients label sewn on the bottom that says the feed is medicated. :/ If I look up medicated flock raiser online, the bag looks the same as well. Not very smart packaging.[/COLOR]

 

[ChickCrazed]

Thinking ahead...

In the spring, Lord willing, I'd like to add a few hens to the flock. Egg production is my primary concern, so I'm considering leghorns. Is there anyone sort of near Indy breeding them, or would I have to go through a hatchery?

I'm pretty sure there is someone in Lebanon that breeds silver leghorns. I put a post out on one of the central Indiana poultry facebook pages and she responded (when I was looking for hatching eggs for evil broody BLRW). However most breeders only sell chicks and straight run. If you are wanting them sexed you will probably need to go to a hatchery.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

I'm pretty sure there is someone in Lebanon that breeds silver leghorns.  I put a post out on one of the central Indiana poultry facebook pages and she responded (when I was looking for hatching eggs for evil broody BLRW). However most breeders only sell chicks and straight run.  If you are wanting them sexed you will probably need to go to a hatchery. 

Thanks!

So I know there's worms in this can, but which hatchery is the best?
:-D

 

[ChickCrazed]

Thanks!

So I know there's worms in this can, but which hatchery is the best?
:-D

I liked the selection at Ideal, but I have not yet actually ordered from a hatchery so I can't really vouch for them! They do have a lot of different breeds.