INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pginsber]

For those using nipples, we had great luck with heat tape last year. We have heat tape wrapped on both sides of the PVC, and the remaining length of the tape is wrapped around our water reservoir, which is a 30gal plastic container.

Highly recommend this method. The chickens didn't bother the tape or the electrical tape holding it on at all.


The pipe insulation was too interesting to pass up, though. They had a ball pecking that thing apart. This year, I'm leaving it off.

 

[pginsber]

This week on Twitter, I ran across some crazy prom pictures. The whole slide show was good, but this one in particular, made me laugh...

 

[Leahs Mom]

For those using nipples, we had great luck with heat tape last year. We have heat tape wrapped on both sides of the PVC, and the remaining length of the tape is wrapped around our water reservoir, which is a 30gal plastic container.

Highly recommend this method. The chickens didn't bother the tape or the electrical tape holding it on at all.


The pipe insulation was too interesting to pass up, though. They had a ball pecking that thing apart. This year, I'm leaving it off.

Curious...for those of you that have used the heat tape, how hot does it get?

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Posted this in the natural thread too but would like to hear from y'all: A "housing question" for those of you that may have experience.... I am wondering if anyone has ever used a dog house, inside a kennel that is fenced on all sides and top, to house birds in the current weather. Reason for the question is that I want to put the new boys out with the elders, but I don't want them in the same run quite yet and side 2 of my hen shed is currently occupied. I had "Mister" using that kennel with the dog house as his only shelter...and an outdoor roost...earlier this summer. I just don't know it it would be way to cold for just a dog house at this stage in the game. It isn't as secure as being locked into the hen shed either as something could presumably get under it at night - though it is enclosed by electric netting on 3 sides. There is always the 4th side. So... Opinions and experiences, please. Imagine this with a chicken plugged in.

[COLOR=900000]My old rooster, Toes, has lived in a pen with a doghouse for most of his life, and until I lost Po to a predator back in June, Toes would stay out overnight in this pen. That includes last winter during the worst weather we had. He always perched on top of the doghouse rather than inside (he still does if I'm late to getting him into the more secure coop with the girls for the night). Absolutely no frostbite even in the very coldest temps, and all he really has for shelter when on top of the doghouse is a tarp as a windblock on one wall of his pen. As long as the pen itself is secure and predator proof, I don't see any problem with the setup.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=FF0000]THAT GIRL IS HAVING A BAD HAIR DAY! AND YOU CAN HELP MAKE HER FUTURE HAIR DAYS BETTER[/COLOR] [COLOR=FF0000] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=000090]Yup, she needs a haircut! I tried a hair-tie with her a while ago, but she was having none of it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]Took a few chicken pictures today. [/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Here's Sunday on the left and Monday on the right.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Monday is the sweetest![/COLOR]

[COLOR=900000] She looks the sweetest! I love them![/COLOR]

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

[COLOR=900000]And so it has begun! This morning, I cleaned out the pool for the ducks and got it all set up with fresh, clean water and some grains for them to dive after. In return, Malcolm and Trudi happily wandered off to play in the mud puddle created by the leaky hose. And I thought the chickens were contrary!

It was pretty funny, though. Trudi stood for a while right in the splashing water from the hose and got soaked, but apparently not enough so, so she waddled around as if trying to figure out where it was coming from. Meanwhile, Malcolm plopped right down in the inch-deep water and mud and stirred it up with his bill. Silly, silly birds.[/COLOR]

 

[Leahs Mom]

[COLOR=900000]My old rooster, Toes, has lived in a pen with a doghouse for most of his life, and until I lost Po to a predator back in June, Toes would stay out overnight in this pen. That includes last winter during the worst weather we had. He always perched on top of the doghouse rather than inside (he still does if I'm late to getting him into the more secure coop with the girls for the night). Absolutely no frostbite even in the very coldest temps, and all he really has for shelter when on top of the doghouse is a tarp as a windblock on one wall of his pen. As long as the pen itself is secure and predator proof, I don't see any problem with the setup.[/COLOR]

@pipdzipdnreadytogo

On the roo w/the dog house - did you have enough tarp that he didn't get wet in the rain? Or was he smart enough to go inside the dog house in the rain?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/lcm/
It sounds pretty nasty. May not do the mice after all. Already went though the nightmare with the calves.....

If you are just wanting a few for treats it might be cheaper to buy a rat zapper or mouse zapper compared to the entire breeding set up. I'm sure that there must be a place you could trap field mice. Best timing too as they are on sale Buy 2 get 1 free here:
http://www.victorpest.com/store/rat-control/rat-zapper

 

[Leahs Mom]

And....
It seems way too cold for any duck to want to be in water. It always amazes me when I see them on the river.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Do you own the classic or the the Ultra? I got the ultra and used it outside in a shelter made from a plastic tote that I cut a hole in the side of. It was a "shoe box" size plastic tote.

But...
I missed once that it had caught a chipmonk and it stayed in there longer than it should have and began to deteriorate. My zapper hasn't worked quite as sell since. I did try to clean it out...probably should work on it some more.

I do have it set up, but it gives a false red light regularly. Still catches some, but I wonder if they are getting away since the light is coming on or if it is just a false read.

 

[IndiesChix]

Hello I'm new to BYC and Chickens in general. I'm just now gaining knowledge about raising and keeping chickens and I'm waiting until spring to buy my first flock. In the process of making a chicken coop and now with this cold weather probably wont finish it until very early spring. Wanted to join the Indiana BYC so I will know a little more as to what to expect through the seasons.