INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

@pipdzipdnreadytogo
Good points all. Thanks for the response even if your brain was tired!

@jchny2000
I'm looking forward to the breed discussion. One thing I'd ask folks is to define WHY they like a particular breed since different folks are looking for different things. So it may be helpful to answer in terms of some specifics of why each person likes particular breeds. Such as:


What's your main purpose/focus for keeping chickens?
-Pets?
-Production of eggs or meat?
-Business endeavor...raising chickens/hatching eggs/meat to sell?
-A mix of all of the above?


How is the egg production?
How is the personality? What about your experience w/the roosters?
In general, what do you like or dislike about the breeds you've raised?

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Ok. Finally got off my butt and took pictures of some of the birds I want to sell. I figured I'd post on here before I post on CL. Send me a pm if you are interested. I'll start with Turkeys... First is a proven breeding trio of Royal Palms. He's gorgeous. They made lots of great babies this year, but there are quite a few Royal Palms out there, and I want to devote my space to some breeds you don't see as often. They are all around 1 1/2 years old and the girls have stopped laying for the winter. I'll post more pics of the others tomorrow. Don't want to overdo it.

[COLOR=900000]Gorgeous guy!! Royal Palms have to be among my favorite color for turkeys! (although there were Narragansett and Burbon Red turkeys at the show yesterday, and man, are they ever lovely!)[/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!

[COLOR=13598B]They are so tiny! It's really hard to imagine until you see them in person! But for some perspective, it was about a 3 inch wide gap in the boxes that they squeezed into. I'm going to try to get a picture of them with something that shows their size if possible.[/COLOR]

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.

[COLOR=900000]I think those stories come from production / hatchery quality Rhode Island red roosters, which are really aggressive in my experience. Not sure if that's the kind you have or not, though. Speaking of, I saw my first heritage quality RIRs in person yesterday! WOW, they are dark! There were rosecomb RIRs that I thought at first were young black Wyandottes![/COLOR]

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.

[COLOR=13598B]Get some Dorkings!! Before my Elda and Kit joined the flock, I was full out a Plymouth Rock girl. I still love them, and I'll likely always have a few, but the Dorkings are so much sweeter and friendlier! The difference I'm finding between Plymouth Rock friendliness and Dorking friendliness is that the Plymouth Rocks are much pushier about it all. When they come over to see me, they are all over me, poking and proding and trying to fly into my lap. That can be a bit daunting, especially to smaller people (for instance, my 5 year old niece is really unnerved by the Barred Rocks even though they are never aggressive to her, just really pushy). The Dorkings, on the other hand, come over and wait to be petted or wait until I pat my lap for them to hop up, and they nestle down on my lap calmly while I stroke their feathers. I don't have any roosters, but they are supposed to be very calm and docile as well. The Dorkings aren't laying yet, so I don't know what their laying will be like, but if I remember right, they are about average for heritage breed laying rate. They are supposed to be excellent for meat if that's what you're looking for. My two girls are already pretty hefty at 5 months old. For overall utility, I would probably pick Bielefelders. They are autosexing, heavy birds, and are supposed to lay a lot of eggs. My Violet is a sweetie, too, as far as raising them for pets goes. Such a snuggly bird! But, if I could have only one breed in my flock, I definitely would choose Dorkings at this point! They have looks, personality, and some utility! They've already made my official occupancy list for when we build the barn--they have a breeding pen or two reserved for them in my plans. I just love them so much![/COLOR]

 

[ChickCrazed]

@pipdzipdnreadytogo
Good points all. Thanks for the response even if your brain was tired!

@jchny2000
I'm looking forward to the breed discussion. One thing I'd ask folks is to define WHY they like a particular breed since different folks are looking for different things. So it may be helpful to answer in terms of some specifics of why each person likes particular breeds. Such as:


What's your main purpose/focus for keeping chickens?
-Pets?
-Production of eggs or meat?
-Business endeavor...raising chickens/hatching eggs/meat to sell?
-A mix of all of the above?


How is the egg production?
How is the personality? What about your experience w/the roosters?
In general, what do you like or dislike about the breeds you've raised?

That is an interesting discussion, I look forward to hearing what other people say. For me, if I had to go down to only one breed I would definitely keep the Bielefelders. They are dual purpose and auto-sexing, so you immediately know which ones not to get attached to if you are going to grow the roosters out to eat (which I would like to do at some point). They lay a very good amount of a medium-dark brown eggs, it is a similar color to my Welsummer's eggs, and are said to be great winter layers. They are HUGE birds! My rooster at 7 months of age is slightly over 10 lbs, I've heard that Bielefelder roos grow until 18 months and get up to 13 lbs in the end. I don't have a single worry when he is out there with his girls free ranging! They are great free-rangers. They are also VERY VERY sweet and inquisitive and are so laid back I think they would do fine in close quarters (they don't pick on each other and will be bullied by aggressive breeds). Personality wise I would say they are very similar to a cochin, they come running and want to hang out seeing what I am doing out there, and are fine with being picked up and handled. I also can't see a Bielie roo ever being people aggressive, I can guarantee it would be rare. Bielies will also go broody, but don't seem to be ALWAYS broody like my Marans girls. I also think they are gorgeous (they are so much prettier in person, they are really difficult to photograph)! Everyone who comes out wants a picture with Heiser and remarks on how large and gorgeous he is.

A close second would be Marans, but I don't want to constantly fight broodiness since I am interested in the eggs.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So I'm going to start.


What's your main purpose/focus for keeping chickens?
-Pets?
-Production of eggs or meat?
-Business endeavor...raising chickens/hatching eggs/meat to sell?
-A mix of all of the above?

I originally had 2 purposes for raising chickens. One was that I wanted to be more self sufficient by producing some of my own food -specifically eggs. (But I'd also use them as stewing hens later.) The other was that I wanted food that was raised as "naturally" as possible without chemical or drug inputs, no soy or GM feed, etc. I had NO INTENTION OF HAVING A ROOSTER (did anyone see my TWO new rooster boys?)

After I got them I found it very enjoyable to see them roaming around, somewhat "yard candy", and even the possibility that I might sell some hatching eggs or chicks in the future.

Breeds?
I originally started w/6 hatchery birds.
2 Reds (hatchery called them RIRs
2 EE (hatchery called them araucanas)
2 BR

I purchased those not knowing that there was a difference between heritage breeds and what you can get at the hatchery. Chose those breeds specifically looking for "cold hardy", "good foragers", and "dual purpose". Wanted my birds to get as much of their food from the land as possible and have some meat on them when it came time for stewing hens. EXCEPT FOR THE EEs. I just wanted something that would give me color in the egg basked so that was their only requirement.

Both the reds and BRs foraged well and are good egg layers. The brs were mean to new members of the flock; one of the reds was also.

I can't comment on how they compare to heritage. At this point I don't plan on getting hatchery birds again.


Then I learned about SWEDISH FLOWER HENS. A landrace breed from Sweden that I hoped would be great foragers, good layers, and from a line that hadn't been standardized for hatchery type breeding. I decided to try those and see how they do. I also would like to try either some Heritage Buckeyes or Heritage RIRS in the future.


How is the egg production?
On the SFH, I can't comment yet as I haven't owned them long enough to have formed an opinion. I have heard good ESPECIALLY IF FREE RANGED. I will report on this later toward Spring.


How is the personality? What about your experience w/the roosters?
So far I LOVE the personality of the Swedes. Very friendly. My rooster experience was great. I never had any issues with the rooster that most people describe with roosters. I was all ready to have to deal with the boy and never had to. But I am the flock master and I always acted like the alpha myself...no shrinking back but would walk directly toward him with no show of fear or timidity. Except for the fact that he was a boy, he behaved himself like the rest of the flock.


In general, what do you like or dislike about the breeds you've raised?

The hatchery reds were GREAT foragers. Good egg layers. Personality was okay. Had 1 go broody and raise 2 clutches. However the same "mamma" would turn on the kiddos when she weaned them and be mean to them.

The hatchery BR were GREAT egg layers. Foraged okay. Personality depended on if you were adding new birds. The BRs would ban the younger birds from coming in the pop door if they were inside. It was not a good winter with them doing that last year.

The EEs were not good layers. Foraged okay. Mean at times but forgiven because when they did lay I got blue eggs


Other Comments:
I had one BA by mistake (got in with an order by mistake). She was a great layer for the first season then developed either internal laying or something similar. First bird I ever had that had any physical issue. We did have to cull her. ( I didn't do a necropsy so I can't confirm the specific issue.) Scrappy little bird. Have 2 of her offspring and I DO NOT like the personality at all. Will not do BA again (at least on purpose

).

I am hoping the Swedish Flower Hens turn out as well as they seem to be right now. Friendly, enjoyable birds. Very curious. Good rooster in my first experience. Definitely "yard candy". BUT....YOU MUST BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET SWEDES. I've seen a lot of birds that were sold as SFH that were not...or at best a barnyard mix that may have had sfh as part of the mix. BE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR BREEDER and that they are well-versed with the breed before purchasing.

Want to try the heritage Buckeyes or RiRs; Also any heritage bird that is cold hardy and will give me colored eggs...perhaps the CLs but I DON'T like crests as I range and I want them to be good foragers with no issues that might make that a problem. I DO like that they are auto-sexing.

 

[chickiebaby1]

What a busy couple of days. Got both coops all ready for winter and everyone has moved into their new digs.We actually moved the big chickens into "Chick Commander " last night and I actually got some eggs in the new nesting boxes

today. We moved all the silkies and cochins into their new "Banty Commander" coop today.Get ready for lots of pics

This is CHICK COMMANDER






Free Range Time


BANTY COMMANDER





This "CHICKIE COMMANDER" it is under the coop and closed off from the big run, so that the older chickens can get used to the younger ones before they are introduced to the flock.




Now I just have to show off some of my babies

This is Fireball (polish) and London(BR)


This is Johnny


This is Lokie, he has twin named Thor


Sorry I went so crazy with the pics. I got a little camera happy yesterday. Hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

love the bantam coop it is so colorful and you have made great use of the room you have. i think i will try to section off a part of my coop for the intro area ! your chicks are adorable.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I love seeing photos. Always get ideas from seeing what others have done! (So don't apologize )

On your outdoor feeders, how do you keep the food from getting wet in the rain? Will you leave those outside during the winter? Put some kind of roof on it?

 

[kabhyper1]

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.

LOL you have your hands full over there! I hope Gus and his kids are behaving themselves for you. As far as good breeds go, I will always stick with my Cochin boys as flock roos. The only issue with them is they are almost too nice. Somethimes I find them in the nesting boxes trying to lay an egg. They are weirdos. I just put my egg flock which is 24 chickens, 22 hens and the two big Cochin boys, and the 18 from the other coop which is 9 bantams; 7 hens and two roos, a cochin boy Oliver, and white crested polish called Tom, and 9 large hens from my mother in law together this week. The newbies have been in the barn coop for about a week getting adjusted. The large Cochin boys don't even notice the polish roo (hes bottom guy) and Oliver, the black bantam Cochin roo established his dominance over Ronin my black large boy (which was hysterical btw) and Blueberry doesn't even notice Oliver anymore after a few tussles. I haven't experienced this sort of peace before with integrating roosters. My silkie boys all live together with their girls and get along fine. The only people aggression I have had is from the silkie roos. I took care of that by re-homing the instigator. Now they are fine with me. Anyway sorry this is long winded, just my 2 cents. I don't have a ton of experience with other breeds of roos, but I have heard that EE roos are very aggressive. Although Cricket who lives with @raisinemright (SLW/EE) is a very sweet boy.

 

[chickiebaby1]

I love seeing photos. Always get ideas from seeing what others have done! (So don't apologize )

On your outdoor feeders, how do you keep the food from getting wet in the rain? Will you leave those outside during the winter? Put some kind of roof on it?

Right now I have plastic cups over the tops of each tube and the food pretty much stays inside the tube and they have to reach in to get it, but sometime today or next week end we are actually going to cover most of the run with a huge tarp, that way it will stay dry and snow free for the most part.

They will have one end that isn't covered just for some light and I am thinking of hanging a strand of christmas lights just so they don't think it is dark all the time.

 

[LKShepherd]

Hey all, it's been awhile since I was here last, been busy with life.... but doesn't mean I am neglecting my chicks!! Recap: I'm a new chicken momma, and ordered the pullet surprise from Ideal Hatchery/ The chicks were born on Aug 20th. I ordered 10, but got 15. And wasn't sure what all I have.... So I took a few pics today, will take individual ones later... but this is what I have so far... Right now it looks to me I have ALL FEMALES - but 1, he is 100% rooster and already trying to crow. He tried it yesterday and I had to laugh cause it was so pitiful!! LOL But if I got lucky and they sent me only 1 rooster, I am happy with that as I am sure my girls will be!! I just realized I didn't get a photo of him, and I need to cause he is beautiful. ....... BRB LOL