INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Minminme]

Seems like the thread is slower than normal the last couple days. I sure hope everyone is Healthy, happy and just busy getting ready for winter.

 

[Leahs Mom]

[COLOR=13598B]Phew, that's a scary process! Glad they both made it safe and sound! I can't bring myself to have birds shipped to me through the mail--especially seeing how badly the hatching eggs we got were treated.

[/COLOR]

I thought the same thing. Pretty much swore I'd never do it.

Then about 4 people chimed up and said they ship birds regularly with no problems and that they felt they did very well. Leigh and I debated (she thought she'd never ship either) and we decided to try it. She said she didn't have "butterflies" in her stomach at all. But she did have "bats" flying around in there!

The boxes that they're shipped in - which is a special box market "live birds" with venting, etc., should definitely alert someone that there are birds. But also the stress of being in a box and moved from handler to handler is pretty scary for sure. Leigh is the one that talked me in to sending 2 so they had each other's comfort. I'm glad she did. It's my opinion that stress is the cause of many diseases as it puts a strain on the immune system. So I am still watching for any signs of problems.

We shall see. At this point they seem quite well and healthy. I gave the probiotics in the water right away but they were more interested in EATING than drinking. Those boys have a "teenager's appetite" for sure! And the Swedes are friendly little kiddos.


So @pipdzipdnreadytogo
Here is something to consider when it comes to quarantine.

[And the person that told me this perspective will recognize it...]

Scenario 1:
When you have a free-ranged flock that is exposed to wild birds, squirrels, frogs, snakes, rabbits, chipmonks, mice... and everything else you can think of out there in the environment, they likely have a good immune system as it is being strengthened by being exposed to lots of things. The strong, healthy birds will thrive; the ones that aren't so healthy will be naturally culled just as they are in a wild flock situation (if we let that happen). So what we're left with is a strong, healthy flock.

So, in theory, a truly free-ranging flock that is healthy is exposed to lots of things and grows stronger because of that exposure.

Enter new birds. If they haven't been free-ranged, the thought is that the home (ranged) flock would be more of a threat to the new bird's health as the new ones would have been more protected and not had the opportunity to be exposed to all those things throughout their lives from young and wouldn't have built strong immunity.

So the thought of quarantining the new birds away from the flock in that case would not be for the health of the current flock but for the sake of the new birds.

Tracking with me so far?


Scenario 2:
So...following that thinking...
If you have a home flock that is free ranging.
And you add started birds from a flock that is free ranging.

Would it stand to reason that the TOTAL quarantine may not be as important between these kinds of birds? (This disclaimer being that you know the situation from which the new birds are coming very well...not just believing what someone says but actually knowing by observation and perhaps over several years of chicken keeping.)

Now I'm not talking about just throwing them into an unfamiliar flock. But putting them into a "see no touch" situation where they are with the flock right from the beginning but just can't have contact for several weeks or whatever time it takes for them to become familiar faces.

****
I know that the thinking is that there may be different things in each group's original environments that are different, thus the quarantine. But...do you think it's right thinking?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
not a thing. I did have frostbitten combs last year on 2 roosters. 1 worse than the other but I think it was a combo of ducks, extreme temps and not enough vents. We closed vents on those really really cold nights and the moisture in the coop from the ducks just had no where to go. Both roosters made it through the winter and 1 was stew after I got some more roosters hatched as he was the backup breeder. The other I plan to use this year for breeding again. His comp is without points but still has rounded peaks where points would have been. Not pretty at all and I could never show him but otherwise he is a great breeder.
This year my breeders will be in the pole barn and it has 2 garage doors that can open up to let the south sun in. Venting should be much better. The other coop, I'm inclined not to close off the large vented section of the north wall.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@SallyinIndiana
On your pole barn pens, will the birds you have in them have a way to get outside if they want to go out? Or will they just be in the pens without an outdoor option during the winter?

[I'm still thinking through how I'm going to set up the indoor kennels, outdoor access, etc.]

On the waterers, I'm more concerned with WATTLES hanging in the water while they drink from an open waterer. That's been my whole reason for not just using the heated bowls (in addition to not wanting anyone to step in one by mistake and get frostbitten feet/legs.) It I weren't concerned with that I'd just use the heated bowls I have "as-is" I think.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

A shed for sale on CL that would make a perfect cute little coop almost identical to the one Leah's Mom has. The shed is not mine or anyone I knows. If It was I would be trying to talk the owner into keeping it full of chickens.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4720141450.html

It may not look that cheap but I have seen these sell for so much more new.

Very good deal! My neighbor bought a much smaller one, paid around $1200.

Quote: Brrrrrr!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

So @pipdzipdnreadytogo Here is something to consider when it comes to quarantine.

[And the person that told me this perspective will recognize it...] Scenario 1: When you have a free-ranged flock that is exposed to wild birds, squirrels, frogs, snakes, rabbits, chipmonks, mice... and everything else you can think of out there in the environment, they likely have a good immune system as it is being strengthened by being exposed to lots of things. The strong, healthy birds will thrive; the ones that aren't so healthy will be naturally culled just as they are in a wild flock situation (if we let that happen). So what we're left with is a strong, healthy flock. [COLOR=FF0000]So, in theory, a truly free-ranging flock that is healthy is exposed to lots of things and grows stronger because of that exposure.[/COLOR] Enter new birds. If they haven't been free-ranged, the thought is that the home (ranged) flock would be more of a threat to the new bird's health as the new ones would have been more protected and not had the opportunity to be exposed to all those things throughout their lives from young and wouldn't have built strong immunity. So the thought of quarantining the new birds away from the flock in that case would [COLOR=FF0000]not be for the health of the current flock but for the sake of the new birds.[/COLOR] Tracking with me so far? Scenario 2: So...following that thinking... If you have a home flock that is free ranging. And you add started birds from a flock that is free ranging. [COLOR=FF0000]Would it stand to reason that the TOTAL quarantine may not be as important between these kinds of birds? [/COLOR] (This disclaimer being that you know the situation from which the new birds are coming very well...not just believing what someone says but actually knowing by observation and perhaps over several years of chicken keeping.) Now I'm not talking about just throwing them into an unfamiliar flock. But putting them into a "see no touch" situation where they are with the flock right from the beginning but just can't have contact for several weeks or whatever time it takes for them to become familiar faces. **** I know that the thinking is that there may be different things in each group's original environments that are different, thus the quarantine. But...do you think it's right thinking?

[COLOR=990000]I'd say no, and I'll see if my sleep deprived brain can explain why here in text as good as it sounds in my brain. First off, in my opinion, quarantine should never just be about keeping the new birds away from the established flock. Quarantine is a two-way street. You should as much be quarantining the new birds from the established birds as you are vice versa at first. Mainly, this is because of the different fauna in the soil as compared to where the birds once lived. There are many strains of cocci, for example, that could cause issues for a bird that has not built an immunity to them. That's why I always keep new birds in total quarantine for at least a week before exposing them to my flock. Second, there are the diseases like MG, Coryza, and other nasties that create asymptomatic carriers--birds that appear healthy but will spread disease. Another reason for that initial week of total quarantine is an adjustment period for the new birds. Stress can cause birds carrying things to start showing symptoms. The reason for three weeks beyond that initial week, whether you introduce an individual from the established flock or not, is that that is widely considered the span in which the stress from changing homes can cause carrier birds to show symptoms. That being said, since some birds will not show symptoms even under these conditions, I always recommend a 'sacrifice' bird be introduced into quarantine at some point after that adjustment period first week. With that in mind, if you have a very intimate knowledge of how the other birds' flock is kept and are absolutely beyond a doubt sure they do not have a carrier flock for anything, your theory would hold true that quarantine would be, dare I say it, not as important as getting the new birds introduced to the local fauna in the soil. I think, simply because I am so attached to my birds on an individual level and could not handle the thought of introducing something ugly to them, that I would personally do a full quarantine no matter the source, no matter how trustworthy I find the person, no matter how sure I am that their flock is clean. I quarantined Tilde even though I was relatively sure your birds were clean, I have quarantined every bird from Brad I have gotten even though I trust he keeps his birds healthy, I quarantine all chicks whether from a hatchery or hatched from eggs--heck, I'm quarantining ducks, a species of poultry well known to be more hardy against disease in general as compared to chickens!--and I will continue to do so no matter the source or species of the birds. What you do with your birds, of course, is entirely your choice and something you should decide on while keeping every possibility in mind. However, a full, month-long quarantine, even done as strictly as possible, is still relatively little effort for what peace of mind it gives you in the end. And that's what I think. [/COLOR]

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

[COLOR=900000]Well, Trudi and Malcolm are settled in for the night.

Unfortunately, I'm realizing more and more how small these guys are. You see, they are quarantined in a basement area and there are a lot of boxes down there as well. Well, when I went to herd them into their night-time pen, they darted right in and between some of the boxes!

Some box shifting later, and they're safe and sound in their pen now. Phew! Now I know their tricks, so we'll see if they get into any more trouble tomorrow night.



They let me pet and hold them for a short while after I got them in (not by choice, I might add, but they were a lot more calm than they were when we bought them). It's amazing how thick their feathers are! And so soft, too! Malcolm has the cutest chubby cheeks, and Trudi is so feisty! I got a good talking to for 'mishandling' her, needless to say.

[/COLOR]

Aww lol, they are sure cuties and so sneaky! I have never seen them in person, but have heard so very tiny they are. I bet they warm up to you pretty fast, congrats!

i dont know the show you are all referring to and i have a friend that judged in a show today but i dont know it either. lol ( i stay well informed) anyway, he is shipping me a breeding pr. of his seramas and some eggs on monday. I am super excited about them. i have never had shipped eggs and them being B size i really am not holding much hope but we shall see. the few times i have received birds in the mail they were a day late. he lives in camby In. i think.

Exciting, congrats!

We got our breeder pens moved into the pole barn they still need their winter lights installed along with the dog water bowls but first we are going to get some more shavings in there. Nothing like cleaning and filling a water bowl only to have the birds toss the new shavings everywhere. For tonight they are having fun with their store bought shavings.

Fantastic! We are a long ways from it yet, making some progress tho. I bet they were flinging shavings everywhere!

Questions, question and more questions...

So, this is the coop. Don't mind the mess. The boxer pup is proving to be a hand-ful, tearing through a bale of straw, digging holes and dragging out everything not bolted down. The coop will need to be worked on, but it's doable for the rest of the year. Anyway, as you can tell, the run is pitched toward the coop and a little to the back. Thoughts on how to add a roof to it for winter. The angle of the pitch won't allow for me to build up the end attached to the coop and put on a corrugated plastic roofing type roof.
Are sweet gum tree leaves ok to add to the run?
Those familiar with FBCM: I have both black and blue. The chicks were easy to tell apart by the down color. Now I have a pullet (I hope) that should be black but has feathered in with a charcoal colored feather. She's not black and she's not blue. Any ideas?
Do FBCM pullets have ANY copper on the wings?

I found several links on google about the trees:
https://www.google.com/search?q=are...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Hmm, not sure what to advise on the coop run, maybe someone with better building skills can help.
I only have BCM, and BM but all my hens are black except the necks. The color comes out in a lacing pattern.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Another dreary rainy day, its just chilly and miserable. Waterfowl are loving it! Chickens not so much. This "big chicken"

who hates to be cold was not outside much today either, for more than a few minutes at a time. Most are staying around the coop, or in the bushes and field grass. I have my winter stuff out now, and its not even really cold yet

Making slow progress on barn plans, a lot of trash to burn. Setting up a burn area also. Have already pulled out 3 ancient broken dishwashers for scrap. I think the scrap metal pile is going to be as big as the barn, UGH. Nice conversion van in there that will work well to install a chair lift for my parents. Its been parked 13 years now, needs very minor mechanical work.
Am looking hard at my breeds next year, and will probably not be breeding BAs. I have tried 3 roosters now, and all 3 are/were severely human aggressive. That's saying a lot coming from me, it usually isn't a big concern if its just me. My rooster takes good care of his hens, he stays. If a rooster attacks me, they go to jail right then. Bruce had improved to where we had an "understanding". He charged and tried to attack my Dad today when he took his daily walk, right in front of me. He knows not to challenge me or anyone around me. NOPE! That's not ok

. Dad found it hilarious, but its not safe, Bruce is a big guy. I was with Dad, and grabbed Bruce up in a second. We finished our walk with Bruce under my arm and is sitting in a "jail cell" tonight. My BA girls will/do go broody, and are very good moms! But, they are not as good of production on eggs as I had hoped. I am discussing with a neighbor now, he has always liked them. I am just really concerned with anyone getting a mean rooster. I have told him he needs to visit Bruce's coop so he understands the actions of this roo, and would like his flock to go together. His plans are for a simple ,single breed, dual purpose free range flock thats already mature.
Going forward, This is the last aggressive breed I will keep. You hear stories of RIR being the most aggressive roosters. I totally disagree, and am very impressed with the adult fellas we have. (thanks to members here, you know who you are

) I have a young cockerel also that's my nephews favorite chick, rides on his shoulder.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

So guys... whats your feelings? What breeds of chicken have been the best in your opinion, the worst? I am trying several heritage, some new breeds. There are so many new and interesting breeds out there, I am very curious to hear opinions. If you had to choose a single breed to fit your needs, what is it, and why?
I have had the best overall production, and luck with wyandottes, roosters can be aggressive. Personality, my orps are people friendly, some roos are not good to their hens. Leghorn, fantastic egg production, personality is flighty and not social to people. EEs are all over the board, but are truly just a mix/mutt bird. RIR have been good roosters, good layers. same for barred plymouth rocks. BRs are probably my favorite! I have a mature Swedish flower hen rooster I am very impressed with so far. Good rooster, friendly to people. Young adult I am working with arecrested cream legbars, so far I like them very much.
What would you choose, and why? lets help folks new to chicken keeping decide what breeds to look at first.

 

[dogwoodlaine]

4am and the babies are on their tippy toes looking for their "mommy dearest" that they love to hate. Water jugs; full of bedding and bone dry....check Feed dishes; all feed kicked out or eaten with just traces of dust and bedding left behind.....check
Two groups down, four to go.