INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[wheezy50]

2 summers ago I had robbins coming into the run...had a nice deep litter in there where they could find worms and the like. I also have chain link dog kennel as the run. Fixed it by getting a roll of the "bird block netting" and zip tying it to the outside of the run on the side they entered from. An inexpensive solution. Got it at Menards 7 x 100 ft was $`13.99 last year. It's light weight but it does the job.

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Gardener-6050-DeerBlock--100-Foot/dp/B00004RA0N/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425933528&sr=8-1&keywords=deer+block+netting

Thanks for the ideas! This netting looks like a good idea, will be picking some up. Luckily the wild birds seem to have moved on the last few days. Probably since the snow is melting.

 

[pginsber]

@pginsber - Wow you have quite a few that I don't have. Your list makes my list look boring, I have only been gardening for 4 years and started saving the past two years!

For cuttings, I have Forsythia, Lilac trees and bushes, Blueberry, Black Raspberry, Currants, Red Raspberries (I have the names of these varieties written down somewhere) or I have a few rooted starts, I have a few like lavender, Shortcake Organic Strawberries, Rosemary, and more starts...I just have to wait till the snow melts off to remember what all I have started!

Here is what I have to swap:

Veggies
-Cherry Belle, Radish
-Packman, Broccoli
-Blue Lake, Bush Beans
-Sugar Ann, Peas
-Kentucky Blue, Pole Beans
-Scarlet & Little Finger, Carrots
-Bloomsdale, Spinach
-Cherry & Beefsteak, Tomatoes
-Giant Caeser & Black Seeded Simpson, Lettuce
-Brunswick, Spinach
-Sugar, White, Jackolanterns, Long Neck Gourds, Pumpkins
-Argentina Peppers, From Italy (From a friends relatives in Italy)

Herbs
-Mammoth, Dill
-Italian, Parsley
-Oregeno, Mediterranean
-Cilantro
-Chives
-Summerlong, Basil

Perennial Flowers
-Shasta Daisies
-Lupine
-Echinacea
-Columbine
-Delphinium
-Black Eyed Susans
-Yellow Daylilies
-Allium

Annual Flowers
-Coleus
-Marigolds
-Morning Glory
-Nasturtium
-Petunias
-Evening Sun Mix & Russian Mammoth, Sunflowers
-Zinnias

If you have any interest in any of my seeds, I'd gladly trade you for some coleus seeds.
I'm very interested in Raspberry starts, too. A guy at work thinned his bushes and brought me his thinnings a few years ago. They're doing great, and we'd love some more.

Oh and an update on my little Silkie chick with a slipped tendon...he/she is getting around like the rest of the chicks. So happy, I hope things stay this way for the little guy.
Also, my hubby just shared this commercial with me...I love this: http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7aer/geico-free-range-chicken-song-by-roy-orbison

Good news about the slipped tendon chick. Congrats!
The video was funny. Thanks for sharing!

One of our dark Brahma chickies died in the night. He'd had one of the worst cases of impacted vent I've ever seen, and while I've cleaned him out several times, I think it was more that he just didn't drink enough.

Sorry to hear about the chick that passed. You gave it a good chance, but sometimes it's just not within our power to save them.

Do you have any pics of your goats? I'm curious size-wise - a comparison of the Nubians and the Oberhasli you got from jchny. Really want goats. We've had this discussion before! They were on the list for next year BUT if our zoning changes... and jchny has does kidding in May ...

So glad they are CAE negative - YAY!

I believe you'd be eligible for grandfathering if you already HAD a goat when the zoning went into effect, right?

Boer goats are the meat goats right? If so what age is typical for processing? I keep trying to decide if I have Nubian bucks born here what I'll do with them. I know what I do with spare roosters but I'm not sure about the spare buck kids. Maybe I just need to toughen up a bit.

Toughen up? I see what you're saying. That could be a hard change to...swallow. <couldn't resist the pun>
Probably would take a shift in the entire family's perception of the animals in general, wouldn't it? I've heard stories from kids who grew up on the farm saying how "Bessie went missing, then that night we had steak" kind of theme. I'd be interested to know how your family approached it, and what the outcome was. Please keep sharing.

Much better day today. Mom is feeling a lot better, glad we got her in and started on antibiotics.

I am going to pick a trio for my 75 gallon tank for permanent breeders. As fast as they grow up, I may try to do another round before winter. One male is already"defending" an area he has staked out as his territory. I will move it to a corner tomorrow when I clean so he has a corner to himself. Huge lil guy, and probably the male I keep..

Fantastic news about your mother feeling better.
I enjoy following your progress on the fish. Please continue to share the updates and what you learn.

 

[pginsber]

Hmm, Acornwell, unfortunately you are kinda far away! But you have such a wonderful variety!

I have not really begun to plan my garden so thanks for the kick in the rear to get my act together!. It will be small. but I am willing to share. With expanding the flock/coop/run I need to not have to much to concentrate on or I will be spread too thin. I also probably need to build a barrier for the chickens to not get into the garden. I may actually plant some stuff just for them.

pginsber you are a little closer! I am trying 3 new Heirloom tomatoes this year, Riesentraube, Pink Icicle and Wapsipinicon Peach. You already have so many tomatoes do you want any more? I'd be interested in your Obus/Kroumir Melon, Watermelon and Butternut squash (I think, sigh. My first year planting squash and watermelon I had great success, then my neighbors got squash bugs and since then I have had no luck at all!) I have not yet decided what peppers I want to plant this year. I like to try new different things - sweet pepper of some sort (red sweet cherry?) and then my son always wants me to plant something hot - maybe Thai hot peppers. My corn seeds will all get used. I also want to plant some peppermint - I have spearmint but want peppermint. I'd like to do some herbs but have not decided what yet. I better get my act together.

We LOVE Reisentraube tomatoes! We've grown those with great success for the last 4 years. The yellow Reisentraubes didn't seem as prolific or hardy, so we only grew them 2 years before we stopped. In the spirit of trying something new, we're trying black cherry and Broad Ripple currants this year. Fingers crossed...

As I understand it, the Broad Ripple currant tomato seeds were from a plant that was growing in a crack in a retaining wall in the Broad Ripple area. If that's true, and they originate from only 10 miles away, then why did I have such a tough time finding the seeds? Who knows...My thinking is it must not be a real hardy plant.

I've not heard of Pink Icicle or Wapsipinicon Peach. I'll have to read up on them. We've tried many different types of tomatoes to find out what works best for our growing conditions and also meets our fresh eating and canning needs.

We can meet and I can bring the Obus, Blacktail, and Butternut seeds. How many of them do you want? I'm sure I have at least 10 or more of each to share.
Jockamoe's is always a good option for meeting, depending upon where you live.

 

[browncow15]

Toughen up? I see what you're saying. That could be a hard change to...swallow. Probably would take a shift in the entire family's perception of the animals in general, wouldn't it? I've heard stories from kids who grew up on the farm saying how "Bessie went missing, then that night we had steak" kind of theme. I'd be interested to know how your family approached it, and what the outcome was. Please keep

Not Sally but we kind of have that issue going on here. We've processed chickens for a couple of years now but we sent our first group if cattle to the butcher right before Christmas. My kiddos are only 3 and 4 but we decided it is best for us to be honest about what's going on rather than let them put it together later. We will see in time how it pans out. BTW @raisinemright how's your moo cow looking? I've got to go through my seeds! I know I've got yellow and green zucchini seeds that I could share and probably some melons but I'll check as to what they are. I didn't read others lists very carefully yet but I'll probably be looking for some strawberry starts.

 

[Faraday40]

Looking forward to spring & little chicks. I enjoyed my Easter photography last year (pics below), but this year I'm going to take "chick pics" for all the holidays. I really enjoyed seeing other people's chicks on Christmas cards. It looks like the kids & I will be playing dress up soon.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Well aside of selling hatching eggs my flock is officially closed. Not taking any chances bringing in new birds.

Its in Missouri now along with Minnesota. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-bird-flu-strikes-poultry-turkey-farms/

Ditto. I had spent some time considering how to fence off an area just for goats. But AI fears meant this weekend I was looking at how to fence off and put netting over an area just for the chickens. Makes me sad to consider not letting them free range, but I can fence off a large area. Unfortunately they would not have access to their favorite pine tree b/c it is not in the main part of the yard. I'd probably put netting over something like @Leahs Mom and @bradselig mentioned. And I need to figure out some sort of outside shelter during the winter - that's one they love the pine tree. Everything else is barren right now. But under it they have perches and protection as well as a place to dig and dust bath b/c it is dense enough the snow does not get under it, But if this comes closer, which it is likely to, even the netting over will only provide a small measure of protection.

Its pretty scary. Going to start researching a lot more about it myself.

Thanks for the reminder. I read about this several months ago and forgot. Silly me said -"It's only on the west cost I won't worry yet". Ha!

I'm just glad that I don't have anything coming in except hatching eggs from about 10-15 miles away, plus a couple of Dorking chicks ordered from Iowa.

I STRONGLY recommend that everyone take advantage of ISPA's avian influenza FREE screening program! You send them a dozen assorted eggs, and they'll send you the test results. It does NOT mean you are free of AI, but it helps the state keep track of it so that if it does get here, hopefully it will be EARLY and before a zillion birds have to be destroyed. I don't know how close you have to be to an infected farm to be subject to mandatory culling, so it really is in everyone's best interest to participate in the screening. Better to know sooner rather than later, after you have unusual numbers of dead birds (which for some of us may only be one or two chickens or ducks).

They send you the return box, packaging, egg carton, forms, and include all the postage. It costs YOU nothing! Here's the link for how to participate:

http://www.inpoultry.org/documents/T-12.pdf

Very good point. Honestly it makes me totally reconsider the fairs. And my kids are in 4-H!!! We had no intent to show animals b/c of the disease threat but still there are so many people and animals from so many places. I LOVE looking at all the animals, all the different kinds of chickens. We have chicken boots/shoes/clothes/coats for here at home. And we were very careful last year upon coming home from fairs (wash closes and shoes) but it is time to step it up a notch. I am going to contact the 4-H Purdue extension person in charge of the chicken project and ask what they are doing. I honestly was shocked at how little screening there is and now with AI - what is the plan in Indiana?

Good idea Kittydoc! I would also add that anyone going to fairs, shows, chicken fest or even visiting another farm or farm store this year practice strict biosecurity until this threat has passed. It should always be practiced but right now more so than ever. It would be a good idea to invest in Oxine if you havent already. Be careful everyone! This is not something to brush off.

So glad she is doing better. How are you? You have to be exhausted on many levels. Cheers to your Gander! Where do you have your meal worms? We are trying to decide between meal worms and back soldier fly larvae. I have a lot of allergies and asthma and am worried about mealies.

Much better day today. Mom is feeling a lot better, glad we got her in and started on antibiotics.

My pond is no longer frozen over, and got my first good, unfrozen goose egg from my oldest embden hen today. Luckily I had a fake eggs ready, and as soon as she was off the nest I swapped it! She decided the barn lean to is better to brood under, ummm not happening. I have several fake eggs ready to replace the real ones. The gander is keeping very close tabs on all three hens, and no one is going near them! He is quite impressive storming towards any bird coming within 20 feet of his ladies. Chinese are fighting and being ganders, but the hens are not laying yet.
My mealworm farms all survived the severe temps. Very surprised! I will be pulling all my bins, cleaning them up and probably adding more for this coming winter. I am really low right now, they don't seem to reproduce in colder temps. tossed in some squash peelings and they all came to the tops of the bins.
tossed several mealies to my tilapia and it was a feeding frenzy

They are getting big, I hope to have them out to the barn by June. Males are a deeper color, almost a charcoal and getting bright red tails.As usual, so far out of 30 fish, only 3 appear to be boys, ugh. Guess my hen luck is going to apply to fish too. I am going to pick a trio for my 75 gallon tank for permanent breeders. As fast as they grow up, I may try to do another round before winter. One male is already"defending" an area he has staked out as his territory. I will move it to a corner tomorrow when I clean so he has a corner to himself. Huge lil guy, and probably the male I keep.

.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Hey all I am new to actually posting I normally use byc for info but I figured it was time to introduce myself. I "breed" sizzles, paint silkies, assorted d'uccle, and silver phoenix. I also keep a verity of different breeds as well as 2 geese, 12 turkeys, 3 pheasants (2 red golden and 1ringneck. ISO male RG)I am down to 5 ducks and 0 guineas!!
boys from the paint pen.


black d'uccle roo


black hens from the paint pen.


sizzles just for fun.


emu egg due in about 10 days.


few of the phoenix the others seem to live on the roost.


my lemon millie fluer hen mid moult at a show.


white d'uccle roo (he has filled out well since this pic)


one of my favorite silkies a lavender cuckoo




few of the turk-turks

I will end the pic spam now

 

[flyladyrocks]

Speaking of pics. I've been trying to take some of the chicks to enter in the Easter HAL contest but none seem good enough! Lol! I only get to submit 2! How can I pick just 2!

I went outside just a bit ago trying to get one of the cats up so I could lock up and found a Marans egg sitting in what snow is left along the side of the house! They've taken a break again so it was a surprise!
I hate that pics just don't do them justice!!

Hmm - it did not copy your whole post so now I have to remember why I quoted you! I think you mentioned the goat issue Yes you are right, if we have goats we will be grandfathered in, so that is why everything may get pushed up a year - full flock numbers and goats. The bummer is eventually I want a buck, but I feel like I need to start with a couple does, get my feet wet and then add a buck but that may not be possible. The is you consider what @SallyinIndiana
said about the cost and disease threat about breeding - oh what to do what to do!

@acornwell Thank your DH for sharing this link: http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7aer/geico-free-range-chicken-song-by-roy-orbison Some of those Geico commercials are dumb, but this one is excellent!

Oh - how did I miss @Acornewell 's raspberry starts? We have planted "red raspberries" multiple times. But the stores had them labeled wrong so now we have a bunch of blackberries and dewberries. We don't hate them, we eat them (and the chickens love them!) but we really want raspberries. If I got starts from an actual person who got them from their RED raspberry plants . . .

If you have any interest in any of my seeds, I'd gladly trade you for some coleus seeds.
I'm very interested in Raspberry starts, too. A guy at work thinned his bushes and brought me his thinnings a few years ago. They're doing great, and we'd love some more.

 

[ellymayRans]

Not Sally but we kind of have that issue going on here. We've processed chickens for a couple of years now but we sent our first group if cattle to the butcher right before Christmas. My kiddos are only 3 and 4 but we decided it is best for us to be honest about what's going on rather than let them put it together later. We will see in time how it pans out.

BTW @raisinemright how's your moo cow looking?

I've got to go through my seeds! I know I've got yellow and green zucchini seeds that I could share and probably some melons but I'll check as to what they are. I didn't read others lists very carefully yet but I'll probably be looking for some strawberry starts.

@racinchickins got strawberry plants from me last year and I still have TONS! Patrick how did they do?? I know my neighbor and mom got some too. Theirs did great. I think I had a couple hundred plants dug up last year and still have that much more and then some. You're welcome to some if you want.

 

[wheezy50]

I picked up one of the $20 clearance greenhouse from TSC yesterday. (The Plainfield store had 2 left last night after i left)

This is going to be my first year starting from seeds indoors rather than just buying hybrid vegetables from a box store. I've had pretty good luck with my raised garden beds so the wife and I are going to be building several more in a different part of the yard. It's been a battle for me to keep the chickens out of the garden the last few seasons. My beds are near the coops so naturally they pick at everything before it is ready when free ranging. They also enjoy jumping for and eating tomatoes before they are ripe. Every fencing system ive tried has failed so far. The chickens don't visit the opposite side of the yard so that's where the new beds are going. I'm going to just use the old raised beds to grow stuff specifically for the chickens.

I'm probably going to order most things from Baker Creek Heirloom seeds and pick up a few things locally too. Here's what were looking at so far:

Tomatoes (red, yellow, purple) cherry tomatoes
Green beans
Jalapenos
Bell peppers (red, green)
Banana peppers
Cucumber
Carrots
Some random Kale, Spinach, Lettuce
Onions
Cantaloupe, maybe Watermelon
yellow squash
I'd like to try garlic