INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

I posted this on the Natural Chicken Keeping thread...but wanted to post here too. (So this is reruns for some of you.)


Well, boys and girls....

I did something that I said I'd never do. Well, really, I did something I said I would "probably never" do. This post is a confession of my doings.

Ready?
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I had 2 16 week old cockerels SHIPPED to me.

There. I said it. SHIPPED. THROUGH THE MAIL. Besides that, they are "started" birds. Another thing I always recommend that folks don't do.

@Minminme was going to try to get together a chicken train for transportation for me but it didn't work on all of the ends (Thanks for you willingness and effort!!!!)


Now I have to admit I don't recommend folks that are NEW to chickens get started birds. When we have no experience we have no idea of what to look for. And when you're getting started, I think starting with chicks that are on the new area is best. Unless you are SURE you know the folks you're getting them from like @SallyinIndiana who raises started pullets for new chicken keepers that want to have eggs as soon as possible and don't want to raise chicks.


Anyhow...I got the cockerels from someone whose husbandry methods I know very well. They were supposed to be here Wednesday. Came Thursday. So these boys were in a box for almost 48 hours (I hate shipping). I only wanted 1 cockerel but good common sense said that 2 hatch-mates in a box would be way less stressful than one traveling alone so... behold! 2 Cockerels

These are my NON-CRESTED Swedish Flower Hen boys.

The boys are in quarantine in the garage for now.

Even after a long ride in a box, they seem to be in good spirits!


These were some hungry boys! First thing they did was eat non-stop for about 20 minutes!







Now they're checking things out.

Speaking of quarantine....it seems like some chicken keepers have more sense than the CDC.....

 

[Leahs Mom]

That was yesterday.



Today.....

I wanted to get the new boys on the grass (away from the main flock) as soon as possible so I did some rigging.....




Have an old swingset frame here from when I was a kid!!!!! Yep, I said old.

Had a few kennel panels around waiting to be used elsewhere. Add some plastic netting I also had around. A few clips. And bedsheets just to shield from hawks since I didn't have a top. And.....

 

[wabashchickens]

I found this In my chicken run on a roost should I be concerned?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Take a look at this...may help set you at ease:

The hen who produced this specimen was an older bird who became very thirsty.
She is producing a large amount of watery urates the cause of which is unknown, but could possibly be a kidney problem.

The hen who produced this specimen was about 25 weeks old. She went off her food and ate so little she became underweight. She held her tail down and was tired. She may have had worms and/or egg peritonitis.

Worms

picture taken by smiler43 picture taken by Lindeggs


Broody Poo

Thanks to ANHBUC for this picture

 

[ChickCrazed]

That was yesterday.



Today.....

I wanted to get the new boys on the grass (away from the main flock) as soon as possible so I did some rigging.....




Have an old swingset frame here from when I was a kid!!!!! Yep, I said old.

Had a few kennel panels around waiting to be used elsewhere. Add some plastic netting I also had around. A few clips. And bedsheets just to shield from hawks since I didn't have a top. And.....

Drooool!!!! Those are some super sexy boys!!!! I think my wish list just got longer! Darnit!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I found this In my chicken run on a roost should I be concerned?

When I get a poo that is strange, I look at the birds and see if any of them look like they are acting "off". I observe for a day or 2 and see if the poos return to more like I think of as "normal" for my flock.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Drooool!!!! Those are some super sexy boys!!!! I think my wish list just got longer! Darnit!

These boys are only 16 weeks old The boys are in the "in between" stage....still peeping and bocking little bocks.

....but I'll have some hatching eggs I think in the spring....and maybe even some chicks.

Here are my ladies:

These 2 are 22 weeks old now. Will start laying in a couple weeks.





This girl (Emma) will be 2 yo Jan.1. She was broody raised here.

 

[Minminme]

These boys are only 16 weeks old The boys are in the "in between" stage....still peeping and bocking little bocks. ....but I'll have some hatching eggs I think in the spring....and maybe even some chicks. Here are my ladies: These 2 are 22 weeks old now. Will start laying in a couple weeks. This girl (Emma) will be 2 yo Jan.1. She was broody raised here.

VERY PRETTY!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

One more time....
I know this has been covered time and time again, but....
Based on current So. Indiana conditions, when can the babies go outside without supplemental heat. I know it has alot to do with feathering. Mine will be 5 weeks old on Monday, October 20th. They are almost fully feathered, two strips of pin feathers down the chest and almost all the fuzz gone from their heads. It has been low to mid 50's at night (sometimes a little colder). I have them on an enclosed back porch. I've already had to split them up and double the brooder space. They can stay on the porch, pretty much how ever long I want, but my fil is chomping at the bit to take his portion home.

What breeds are they? Some are less adaptable to cold and dampness than others.
You have to judge by their actions, but once fully feathered they are normally fine. I would wait til after tomorrows frost tho, its going to be unseasonably cold. Temps are supposed to return to normal the next day.

Everyone must be taking a 3 day vacation! I've never seen no posts this late in the day before.....

Thanks for pointing that out, @jchny2000 It is very frustrating that folks can't use their land as they see fit. I think people are afraid of loud sounds and stink. If using "natural" husbandry methods it makes all the difference in the world on the lack of stink and healthy soil, etc. Reading Joel Salatin's books really helped me see that as animal owners our responsibility is to try to provide them with a situation that emulates what they'd do in nature to the best of our ability. It just makes for more healthy animals and environment.

For example, practices as simple as dividing a pasture (no matter how small and how few animals) so that the animals can be rotated through, moving them to new ground in short order (daily or weekly, etc.) so the whole pasture gets the chance to be grazed evenly and then rested in small chunks emulates how animals in the wild graze, then move to a new area. This is such a simple - and easy to do - husbandry practice that helps fertility and animal health.

I remember him saying that if you can smell manure then there is something wrong with the system.

Pretty profound, but I'm finding that to be true on a small scale, at least, with the chickens. And I think I could accomplish that with larger animals as well if the pastures are divided and rotated. Such a simple, healthy fix. And the divisions are accomplished with very inexpensive fiberglass posts and a string or 2 of electric wire.

You don't ever go walking around out in the woods and smell animal droppings or a strong stench from an area that is over-grazed. They move to another place and keep grazing, then rotate back through after things have a chance to re-grow. And on their way, they fertilize if for the future growth and health of the land. No added human input needed

Okay...I guess I was on a soapbox again.

LOL! Its eerie like a ghost town

have a hunch many of us are working on winterizing.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@jchny2000 & @Leahs Mom It is really amazing how chickens are misunderstood. Thank you so much for your understanding and support.

The chicks and chickens are settling in. @chick rookie was gracious enough to take all 4 of my Mille Fleurs and even 2 of my silkie pullets. I am so happy they are going to a good home and going to be very spoiled chickens. All my chickens are settling into their new homes.



My cousin recently lost some peacocks and turkeys. They died suddenly; would be healthy when he would check on him and the next day dead. None of the chickens have been affected. The ground has been dry, they don't have bloody stools, they aren't exhibiting signs of respiratory disease. He has ivermectin and cordid available, he hasn't treated them with either so far. He wanted me to ask if anyone would have advice on what could be happening, what to look for and possible treatment options. At this point, we aren't ruling out genetics as a possibly cause.

Lastly, I am on my way to Dinky's with my family and will be wearing my BYC T-Shirt. Hope to see some of you there, I know the Lebanon show is this weekend too but we are going to the Bridge Fest tomorrow.

I am glad you are getting things settled! and big congrats to @chickrookie !! we have been trying to coordinate and were not able to get together yet.
There is an excellent peafowl thread, its followed by turkey keepers too. Turkeys and peas are very similar type birds too.
Looks like its not been active a while, but there are several members that can probably give a quick answer.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735197/peafowl-for-2013/1060#post_12890301
@casportpony (Kathy) is one to talk with for sure.
Peas are a bit of a challenge to keep. It sounds to me like they all ate something posionous, having perished overnight without warning.
Quote:

That was yesterday.



Today.....

I wanted to get the new boys on the grass (away from the main flock) as soon as possible so I did some rigging.....




Have an old swingset frame here from when I was a kid!!!!! Yep, I said old.

Had a few kennel panels around waiting to be used elsewhere. Add some plastic netting I also had around. A few clips. And bedsheets just to shield from hawks since I didn't have a top. And.....

Quote: Love the repurposing! You have a gorgeous flock

I have to say I am very impressed with my Mister from you. They are a very sweet rooster! He will become the egg coop rooster next spring, or whenever we get breeding pens up.