INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

I'm in IL, so AI's now in every state around me. Of course, I still believe it's already been here, just not tested & confirmed. At least that's been how I've been doing things for the past month. With all the scare of AI, I thought I'd share my amusing story of the day to lighten the mood.

DD's project this year is to compare hatching with broody vs. incubator. We love watching our Cookie (broody) with her chicks. She calls & they come running from all over the coop to gather around her.

Well DD found a new game to play. She puts one chick from the incubator group on the ground in the living room & walks to the kitchen making the quick broody bawking call. She gets a secret little thrill as the chick comes running for its "mommy." She has even started playing "Hide & Seek" by going behind the sofa or around the corner & calling out. If a dog or little brother enters the room, she snatches up the chick & makes a defensive broody growl. I don't know which is more funny: A chick tagging after a little girl or DD's chicken imitations.

 

[chick rookie]

All this talk about AI and the fact that it has made it's way to our state is very concerning. I am prying for all those effected, I am so sorry they are going through this, and to those near by hoping they do not have to. I know I don't want it!! I already lost my entire flock to a disease once, if it were to happen again I just don't think I could stand it.
I have neighbors ( not next door but close ) that moved in last year with a nice new prefab coop and covered run. He has been working almost every day on all kinds of other projects, even in the winter ( when weather permitted it ) now he has a hoop coop ( Covered ) and is working on something very big that involves concrete footers lots of 4x4's and very shiny metal ( cant wait to see what it becomes ) but I sit over here and say things like " poor chickens" ect.... but with AI in the state I am thinking I need to do the same thing.
Ok I just lost ya all, I know I did, sorry. The thing with his covered coops that bugs me is that the birds don't have a lot of space, They probably have the recommended space pr bird but that is it, and I always give extra room in my runs when I can and where I cant I let them free range every day. So I guess I'm the type that just don't like to have caged animals of any kind. Just my OP. No offense meant towards them or anyone else.
I guess with the free ranging choice comes risks of all kinds. I better just hush before I offend someone some how.
I have a picky goat mom. She has stopped eating the alfalfa the vet wants her on to help her with her weight problem while she is nursing her kid. Does anyone have any ideals to get her to eat it. I break it up real fine, and I tried to wet it. She has nothing to do with the wet at all. She was eating the broke up stuff but has now stopped. I don't know what else I can do.?????
The kid has forward knees still, I was hoping they would straighten out by now but they aren't getting any better. Anyone know if there is anything I can do for that???
Chubs and Waddles ( my meaties ) are doing great, with all the exercise they have been getting they are getting stronger and are walking farther each day, thanks for the tips on how to take care of them, they are really sweet birds. My SF is spoiled beyond common sense, They try and follow me out into the front yard ( no bird allowed out there, no fence and lots of non-chicken friendly contained dogs and cats, not to mention the busy road. So I always have to sneak out front... lol
My next door neighbor is burning something that stinks and makes my eyes water. The part of his yard that he is burning in is right next to my silkie pens. Should I be worried?? I mean if it brothers me it is probably bothering them too, right? I asked if he could please put it out because of the smell and such and that fact that I cant go out into my yard to do anything because of it and was told it was his yard and he can burn whatever, whenever he wants. So asking is not going to work.I cant move my pens, I have no place else to put them. I would bring them in the house till he is done but I'm afraid the air temp in side and out would make them sick.
I think I should stop now my brain is just in over drive today.
Hope everyone has a great day, ttyal

 

[raisinemright]

Here are two sets 5wk & 3wk old CX, just put the 3 week'ers in the tractor. They think they are wild killer beast chickens in the jungle lol.
I placed the tractor 1/3 over my alfalfa edge so the alfalfa and grass is taller than they are lol. They are loving it!!

Oh there is my GLW roo and RIR hens checking out the CX's!
Love watching my yard birds doing yard bird stuff...
I know it's a scary time for poultry owners but dang it this is why we do it and we need to keep enjoying our pride and joy!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Here are two sets 5wk & 3wk old CX, just put the 3 week'ers in the tractor. They think they are wild killer beast chickens in the jungle lol.
I placed the tractor 1/3 over my alfalfa edge so the alfalfa and grass is taller than they are lol. They are loving it!!



Oh there is my GLW roo and RIR hens checking out the CX's!
Love watching my yard birds doing yard bird stuff...
I know it's a scary time for poultry owners but dang it this is why we do it and we need to keep enjoying our pride and joy!!

Thats fantastic food for them, will keep them a lot healthier for sure. They look great!

 

[barb s]

I sent a message to Dr. Lossie yesterday concerning Chickenfest along with a couple other questions. Here is the response that I received from him.



To be clear, the AI virus MIGHT be better at attaching to dust and feather particles (it is currently just a theory). Right now unfortunately we don’t understand everything about how the virus is spreading (besides wild waterfowl) and what might make these strains different from others in the past.



In terms of still having the poultry fest, the Indiana Board of Animal Health has not placed any restrictions on bird meetings, 4H fairs, or swap meets. However, Dr. Wakenell and I recommend that people not take any of their birds to shows or swap meets. Plus we recommend that you not purchase birds from swap meets, sale barns, or from other sources unless you know the seller personally or have seen their operation.



The biggest thing will be to avoid all contact with wild waterfowl, especially their droppings. So really follow all of the recommendations that were outlined in the handout I sent you before, this will help keep your birds safe.



If you have any other questions please let me know.



Geoff

 

[Bawk]

I have hatching eggs ordered! e

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have received several private messages the last few days, and feel I need to mention some things about our thread.
I know everyone is very concerned with the threats of AI. Please guys, lets also remember this is everyone's thread. My #1 "rule" for our thread has always been keep it family clean, #2 its OK to agree to disagree. There is no one "right way" to keep a chicken, or other poultry or waterfowl. Veterinarians will even disagree on husbandry practices.
I think all of us fully realize the threats we face, and its good to keep sharing information. Lets also remember to also consider other folks feelings when we post also. Each of us have the right to make our own choices. The free range debate is always going to be out there. My point is, we are all concerned, so lets support each other, continue sharing valuable information until this has passed.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have hatching eggs ordered!

OOOooooOOOO congrats! what did you get?

 

[barb s]

I am not very good at writing things, the reason I do not post very often. But I feel like I need to say something. But first let me say that I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad or cause any trouble of any kind.

I guess that I am the one that who would be getting an earful from some of you. I live in the county where AI was found and I free range my birds every day of the year. I do not have runs on my pens, I do not have a big barn to keep them shut in. I could keep them shut up in their coops 24/7, for who knows how long, but I don't. Their coops are set up for sleeping and laying eggs in, not living in. I am not saying that I have the ideal set up, because I don't. But it is what it is and there is nothing that I can do to change it. I do not have the money nor the ability to do anything about it. I am not uncaring or ignorant to the situation and I am not trying to put any one else's birds at risk. I worry about my birds the same as everyone. I have a lot of money wrapped up in my birds like everyone. I try to practice the same bio-security as everyone else, with the exception of allowing my birds to free range and be chickens.

Again I am not trying to come down on anyone, make anyone mad, or cause any trouble.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

All this talk about AI and the fact that it has made it's way to our state is very concerning. I am prying for all those effected, I am so sorry they are going through this, and to those near by hoping they do not have to. I know I don't want it!! I already lost my entire flock to a disease once, if it were to happen again I just don't think I could stand it.
I have neighbors ( not next door but close ) that moved in last year with a nice new prefab coop and covered run. He has been working almost every day on all kinds of other projects, even in the winter ( when weather permitted it ) now he has a hoop coop ( Covered ) and is working on something very big that involves concrete footers lots of 4x4's and very shiny metal ( cant wait to see what it becomes ) but I sit over here and say things like " poor chickens" ect.... but with AI in the state I am thinking I need to do the same thing.
Ok I just lost ya all, I know I did, sorry. The thing with his covered coops that bugs me is that the birds don't have a lot of space, They probably have the recommended space pr bird but that is it, and I always give extra room in my runs when I can and where I cant I let them free range every day. So I guess I'm the type that just don't like to have caged animals of any kind. Just my OP. No offense meant towards them or anyone else.
I guess with the free ranging choice comes risks of all kinds. I better just hush before I offend someone some how.
I have a picky goat mom. She has stopped eating the alfalfa the vet wants her on to help her with her weight problem while she is nursing her kid. Does anyone have any ideals to get her to eat it. I break it up real fine, and I tried to wet it. She has nothing to do with the wet at all. She was eating the broke up stuff but has now stopped. I don't know what else I can do.?????
The kid has forward knees still, I was hoping they would straighten out by now but they aren't getting any better. Anyone know if there is anything I can do for that???
Chubs and Waddles ( my meaties ) are doing great, with all the exercise they have been getting they are getting stronger and are walking farther each day, thanks for the tips on how to take care of them, they are really sweet birds. My SF is spoiled beyond common sense, They try and follow me out into the front yard ( no bird allowed out there, no fence and lots of non-chicken friendly contained dogs and cats, not to mention the busy road. So I always have to sneak out front... lol
My next door neighbor is burning something that stinks and makes my eyes water. The part of his yard that he is burning in is right next to my silkie pens. Should I be worried?? I mean if it brothers me it is probably bothering them too, right? I asked if he could please put it out because of the smell and such and that fact that I cant go out into my yard to do anything because of it and was told it was his yard and he can burn whatever, whenever he wants. So asking is not going to work.I cant move my pens, I have no place else to put them. I would bring them in the house till he is done but I'm afraid the air temp in side and out would make them sick.
I think I should stop now my brain is just in over drive today.
Hope everyone has a great day, ttyal

Maybe call the vet about the doe, ask for ideas. Thats surprising, mine gobble alfalfa like its candy!
The burning trash would worry me, I think I would call the county and talk to them. If the odor is strong and burning your eyes, yikes, what he is burning may not be LEGAL to burn, and is supposed to be properly disposed of..for that reason.