INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[leslea]

How can you tell if your girl is just starting to go broody, or something else?

I had to pick Lynda up off of an egg today. She was in the same spot I found her in last night, so I assumed she was going broody, but is it possible she was just in the process of laying? Maybe resting up, or resting after? I've never seen them lay, but I had the impression they kind of warm up the spot for a bit before they do it.

She hadn't plucked any feathers out, but she was really warm, warmer than usual.

I know Silkies go broody so that's what I assumed was happening, but could it be anything else?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How can you tell if your girl is just starting to go broody, or something else?

I had to pick Lynda up off of an egg today. She was in the same spot I found her in last night, so I assumed she was going broody, but is it possible she was just in the process of laying? Maybe resting up, or resting after? I've never seen them lay, but I had the impression they kind of warm up the spot for a bit before they do it.

She hadn't plucked any feathers out, but she was really warm, warmer than usual.

I know Silkies go broody so that's what I assumed was happening, but could it be anything else?

When you picked her up what was her reaction? Did you remove the egg and put her back down or put her out of the nest and what was her reaction to that?
They do tend to nest a bit before and after laying - some are more wham/bam/thank you ma'am about it than others so the actual amount of time spent on either can vary a lot from none at all to over an hour.

 

[ChickCrazed]

How can you tell if your girl is just starting to go broody, or something else?

I had to pick Lynda up off of an egg today. She was in the same spot I found her in last night, so I assumed she was going broody, but is it possible she was just in the process of laying? Maybe resting up, or resting after? I've never seen them lay, but I had the impression they kind of warm up the spot for a bit before they do it.

She hadn't plucked any feathers out, but she was really warm, warmer than usual.

I know Silkies go broody so that's what I assumed was happening, but could it be anything else?

My broodies tend to act a bit stupid when i toss them off their nest and tend to grumble at me when I go to pick them up. They then stand there a bit stunned when the cool air hits their bellies. If she is back in the nest box when you go back later she is probably broody. My broody silkie never pulled her feathers out (my broody marans are pulling their feathers out like crazy!).

On a side note, since I am battling numerous broodies right now....how long does it take for the eggs to start developing? I will sometimes miss collecting the eggs for a day or two and if they have been sitting on them I am wondering if I should toss them?

 

[leslea]

This has been a very tough week for me. Last Friday, I got a letter from the city saying I needed to remove the chickens from my property by November 9. Someone supposedly complained about the chickens and honeybees. I don't really believe this. All of my adjacent neighbors love my chickens. They come and visit them every week. They bring their kids and grand kids over to walk around the garden, play with the chickens, watch the bees work and help "on the farm". They also get free eggs and honey. The letter says I need 10 acres to have chickens. They included the ordinance they are citing, and when I read the ordinance, it actually says I need 0.2 acres for chickens. I actually own 0.33 acres and personally called the mayor's office and 2 different departments to make sure chickens were legal in city limits before buying them.

Sadly, I am not going to fight this. Instead, I am going to re-locate my chickens to my cousin's farm in Terre Haute this weekend. He has graciously offered to let me keep the chickens on his land indefinitely.

So why I am I not going to fight this? Because I am taking a page from Atlas Shrugged and leaving this place. I am getting everything in order to sell my house and move out of this place asap. I am taking my tax dollars with me and going to move out into the country, hopefully closer to my family in Terre Haute. I wanted to move anyways, but I am not going to wait until next year anymore.

Apparently, there are currently no ordinances banning beekeeping within city limits, so I don't have to move them right away. However, I have heard rumors that they are going to ban bees in town soon too. The town I live in is so backwards. As cities across the US, including Indianapolis, Chicago and even New York City, are passing laws to protect backyard beekeepers and chicken keepers, my tiny city is moving towards an outright ban.

That is so wrong. I wish people wouldn't do this. It doesn't make any sense to me. I'm so sorry they cost you time and stress.

On the other hand, you will love Terre Haute, and your winters will be much milder without that Lake Effect snow!

 

[leslea]

When you picked her up what was her reaction? Did you remove the egg and put her back down or put her out of the nest and what was her reaction to that?
They do tend to nest a bit before and after laying - some are more wham/bam/thank you ma'am about it than others so the actual amount of time spent on either can vary a lot from none at all to over an hour.

She did not like being bothered, but she didn't attack or anything like that. I'd read that broody hens can be awful. She just kind of made a pathetic little sound.

I didn't put her back on the nest. I set her down in the yard and she sat there for a few moments, then she joined the other chickens foraging.

 

[leslea]

Okay. I just found a super huge poop in the yard, near where she was. She's back in her same nesting spot, even though I put an ice pack out of the freezer there. She's right on top of it.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Okay. I just found a super huge poop in the yard, near where she was. She's back in her same nesting spot, even though I put an ice pack out of the freezer there. She's right on top of it.

LOL yep, you got yourself a broody!

ETA the first one is kind of fun, but it kind of gets old quickly! It is a constant battle to keep them off that nest!

 

[leslea]

LOL yep, you got yourself a broody!

ETA the first one is kind of fun, but it kind of gets old quickly! It is a constant battle to keep them off that nest!

Okay. Silly thing.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Ugh yes. So much rain lately. Enough already! All my silkies except the white ones look great all the time, unless it rains. Even when they dry out though, they look really good. The white ones though, they tend to show any little bit of dirt and get baths more often. Love the chicken on the horse! What a great idea. Even if she doesn't like it, it will keep her warm. Hope the feathers grow in quickly! Welcome to the thread! Love your coop Thank you for posting this! I will update the calendar. Excited to have this as the first swap/auction for 2015! Thank you for posting! I'll get this added to the member's page. Just love this, Janet! For real. Wish more people were like you. People always say how can I be a vegetarian and not mind processing carcasses/prepping it? I like to ask them how they buy meat and not think about it coming from a whole animal? People seem to have a hard time eating meat when they think about the fact they are just eating muscle. I have no problem touching it or processing it, because I know what it is, and what the animal's life can give to others. Purchasing packaged, ground up meat has really changed our perspective on food. I like to feel more connected to it, and know what I am eating.

Ok, thanks!

This has been a very tough week for me. Last Friday, I got a letter from the city saying I needed to remove the chickens from my property by November 9. Someone supposedly complained about the chickens and honeybees. I don't really believe this. All of my adjacent neighbors love my chickens. They come and visit them every week. They bring their kids and grand kids over to walk around the garden, play with the chickens, watch the bees work and help "on the farm". They also get free eggs and honey. The letter says I need 10 acres to have chickens. They included the ordinance they are citing, and when I read the ordinance, it actually says I need 0.2 acres for chickens. I actually own 0.33 acres and personally called the mayor's office and 2 different departments to make sure chickens were legal in city limits before buying them. Sadly, I am not going to fight this. Instead, I am going to re-locate my chickens to my cousin's farm in Terre Haute this weekend. He has graciously offered to let me keep the chickens on his land indefinitely. So why I am I not going to fight this? Because I am taking a page from Atlas Shrugged and leaving this place. I am getting everything in order to sell my house and move out of this place asap. I am taking my tax dollars with me and going to move out into the country, hopefully closer to my family in Terre Haute. I wanted to move anyways, but I am not going to wait until next year anymore. Apparently, there are currently no ordinances banning beekeeping within city limits, so I don't have to move them right away. However, I have heard rumors that they are going to ban bees in town soon too. The town I live in is so backwards. As cities across the US, including Indianapolis, Chicago and even New York City, are passing laws to protect backyard beekeepers and chicken keepers, my tiny city is moving towards an outright ban.

Aww, sorry to hear about that. Glad that you don't have to actually have to get rid if them but are rehoming them to a family member. People are ridiculous. Most people who have chickens in the country don't have 10 acres so that is just a dumb lie they are trying to get you to believe. I live in the country and we don't have 10 acres!

 

[ChickCrazed]

Ok, thanks!
Aww, sorry to hear about that. Glad that you don't have to actually have to get rid if them but are rehoming them to a family member. People are ridiculous. Most people who have chickens in the country don't have 10 acres so that is just a dumb lie they are trying to get you to believe. I live in the country and we don't have 10 acres!

X2, I am so sorry you are having to go through this, and I am thankful you have a family member willing to step up for you now.

I don't have 10 acres and I have far more land than my lazy birds need. That is just ridiculous.