INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well three of my Ameraucana pullets act like one of tier feet hurt. It's not frostbite, splinter, cut, etc, but definitely physical. Which ever got the limp on I reddish pink. But I can squeeze and poke their foot and it doesn't hurt them. I think their feet are just cold. They have a thin layer f sawdust down. But they always eat the sawdust and everything. Looks like I might have to get some straw. I absolutely hate using straw

. I might just make little walls with straw and use sawdust an corncob to fill the rest. Their bedding is about to get as expensive as there feed.

All of my birds are COLD and lifting their feet. I was really worried today. All the rain and standing water isnt helping! I am adding a ton, literally of hay on all the runs and coops. will have to get more hay soon. I used up a 6x6 roll and several square bales just getting the runs dry. Dry birds are happy. wet birds will be ill. All my runs are dry tonight... hope there isnt more rain a few days.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@ Leah's Mom: Yes, Inside Is good. Poor thing would have become a frozen pin cushion. Herding her around! Ha, yeah I bet she would hate being picked up. Then she'd really feel like a pin cushion.

Hope she gets those feathers out soon.

@ ChickCrazed: I am so sorry about your Rooster. He looked gorgeous.

Gosh, its been windy! I felt like Mary Poppin's when I went to take care of the birds. I think I should put a few lead weights on if it gets that windy again, I think I was in the air for a few seconds.

This morning my birds played Escapees and got out of the pen and started strolling across the yard. I went out and had to round them all up. The younger birds know and are comfortable around me so I had no trouble getting them back in but I had to herd my oldest rooster towards the door and wait for him to run around me and back in. I am surprised at his sudden change of attitude. Usually he tries to flog me now he acts like I'm ready to flog him. Maybe its because he has to put up with three new upstarts.

Roosters mature. Then they are a protection for your flock. Once they get past that teenager stage you will love him

These chicks are 3 months old, they're the ones I hatch from @ellymayRans flock. Anyone see any roosters?

BTW sorry for the poor phone photo quality. These buggers move fast!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry i don't see roosters! need closeups on each birds saddle.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
It becomes part of the responsibility of the owner, sadly to make the choices. Its the ugly part of keeping chickens, or any animal for that matter. Love them enough to know when to let them go. Be responsible enough that its humane departure and quick. After being in Animal control for 5 years, I have seen too much to allow anyone else to take the life of my critters. DH or I will do the deed.. And yes, I cry for them. Its not a good day, and my hogs upset me very much. But I love my family more.
The aggressive animals still upset me too. But I look at my flock overall, and want to protect and improve the birds I raise. I have seen some aggressive birds that left pretty quick (turkey BB hens) last year. I remove any that are flock aggressive, immediately. All my birds have to comingle.
I hope I'm not naieve. I have never had this gal process for me but I have questioned her about her method etc. She was recommended by the local organic dairy farm family. Seriously...if you think I should reconsider and do them myself I'd rethink it...

 

[minmin1258]

These chicks are 3 months old, they're the ones I hatch from @ellymayRans flock. Anyone see any roosters?

BTW sorry for the poor phone photo quality. These buggers move fast!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The one in the pic by itself with the "red head" would b one my guess. Watch and see if he gets anymore "copper" anywhere else.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

All of my birds are COLD and lifting their feet. I was really worried today. All the rain and standing water isnt helping! I am adding a ton, literally of hay on all the runs and coops. will have to get more hay soon. I used up a 6x6 roll and several square bales just getting the runs dry. Dry birds are happy. wet birds will be ill. All my runs are dry tonight... hope there isnt more rain a few days.

I am glad mine aren't the only ones doing it. Strangely enough this is the first yer out of many, that I have ever notified any doing it. This didn't even happen last year. Each one only acts like one foot is cold though. That is why I found it odd. Must be all the weather changes and especially rain....I am so tired of rain. I would rather have snow. I literally have two ponds in my yard. Why do you use hay and not straw? Straw is much cheaper

 

[hoosiercheetah]

I hope I'm not naieve. I have never had this gal process for me but I have questioned her about her method etc. She was recommended by the local organic dairy farm family. Seriously...if you think I should reconsider and do them myself I'd rethink it...

We have an old saying, "Be careful not to should all over yourself."

Just like everything else, what works for others may not work for you. Some people are good with doing their own butchering, some aren't, for as many reasons as there are people.

If the processor was recommended, and has been willing to answer questions, and you feel good about her doing it, then go for it. There's no rule that says you have to kill your birds yourself, and there's a very real possibility that someone who processes a lot of chickens will do a better job of it than someone who does not. Letting a pro handle the job may be the most responsible decision for you to make.

In any case, whatever you decide is right for you and your flock will be the best choice. Your concern is genuine, your motives are pure, let your conscience be clear.

 

[jenibob]

Does anyone know where to get Copper Marans locally? Right now I have around 100 chickens from a mixed flock, and am breeding and hatching daily. Our hobby and love for chickens has really taken off, and I am interested in getting into breeding Marans.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

@ellymayRans

Does anyone know where to get Copper Marans locally?  Right now I have around 100 chickens from a mixed flock, and am breeding and hatching daily.  Our hobby and love for chickens has really taken off, and I am interested in getting into breeding Marans.

 

[Leahs Mom]

We're getting our tail.



Oh...and just in case anyone was wondering...Yep....I can reach my tail.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I had a guest stop by and offer me 2 perkin ducks. Anyone interested in them? I could not take them today so the lady will call back after the holiday to see if I have found anyone or if I can take them then. They are about a year old. But they need to be kept away from smaller ducks as these two perkin have been mean to a mallard already.