INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[daskhan]

Ok my design would be perfect it works for up to 12

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: I'm going to try and have at least one processing weekend each month sometimes two weekends. Any signs of aggression and that moves a bird to the top of the processing list. Size and age are the next things I consider. And typically I get all or all but 1 rooster from the free ranging flock.

Currently at the top of the list to process will be a few sumatras, the EE, and either some of the buffs or the mixed mutts which ever is bigger the day before processing.

Hi everyone,

We have a rooster that we are going to send to the farm (my father in law's farm, so that's not just what we are telling my kids) Any recommendations for chicken coops in the Noblesville area? tractor supply looks like theirs are a bit flimsy. Anyone by chance looking to sell a good quality used one?

photo of Luke Skysquawker, formerly known as Princess Layer, giving me the stink eye:




Thanks!

The cheapest option tends to be finding a used shed on CL and converting it yourself to a good chicken coop.
For tractors, Agrarian http://www.agrarianindy.com/ sells some that are not flimsy like TSC's or RK's. BUT tractors are not going to be as secure as a fence dug 6-12 inches into the ground. Its some thing people should consider. The cost of the extremely secure coops (nicknamed Fort Knox coops) compared to a basically secure coop that might have a chicken loss every so often is a personal choice.

 

[Indyshent]

Update on Trogdor

Still breathing heavily, but I'm thinking this is more a sign of pain even than heat. has been shifting weight from one hock to the other. Foot mobility up, but the swelling in his hock joints is now painfully obvious. I'm thinking he may require a sling or to be put down. Touching swollen joint is obviously painful for him, and he doesn't want me to touch them (doesn't bite, but will try to cover the area). Still giving him aspirin and more of it more often now that he's suffering obvious inflammation. May have slipped or severed tendons in both legs at this point, probably due to pushing himself too far too fast. I had hoped this was just a sprain, but he's getting worse instead of better.

It's very difficult to clean his underside because shifting his weight to clean under him is so painful for him. I've been sliding diapers under his bottom and wiping him up several times a day, but the flies are bothering him, and I'm worried they may decide to lay eggs on him or bite him. We've kept a fan on him to deter flies (also working really hard to keep him clean).

He's still not drinking well, but when he does, it looks like he puts most of his head into the water. He aspirated some this morning, but luckily blew it all out, though it obviously caused him some distress.

He does seem to enjoy human and chicken company, but the other turkeys strangely pick on him and cause more harm than good when they're allowed onto the porch to keep him company. So far, his best buddies are a few Brahmas who come in to see him (read: to steal his food) every morning and afternoon. Sometimes other chickens can come in, but I supervise them with him far more closely because some of the sassier ones will try to keep him from eating. Having some chickens in occasionally does inspire him to eat more, which is the biggest reason by far to allow "guests" in.

Cucumbers, strawberries and cheese slices are the only things he reliably eats. Sometimes he'll try riper tomatoes, but he avoids them mostly. Sometimes eats corn.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

If it was me, I'd put him down at this point. Since he is not improving it does not look promising. To watch a bird waste away is hard and can cause more heartache in the end for you. If you need a tom turkey I know I have a Tom for sale and I'm sure it won't be long before others maybe @racinchickins also have toms for sale.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Update on Trogdor

Still breathing heavily, but I'm thinking this is more a sign of pain even than heat. has been shifting weight from one hock to the other. Foot mobility up, but the swelling in his hock joints is now painfully obvious. I'm thinking he may require a sling or to be put down. Touching swollen joint is obviously painful for him, and he doesn't want me to touch them (doesn't bite, but will try to cover the area). Still giving him aspirin and more of it more often now that he's suffering obvious inflammation. May have slipped or severed tendons in both legs at this point, probably due to pushing himself too far too fast. I had hoped this was just a sprain, but he's getting worse instead of better.

It's very difficult to clean his underside because shifting his weight to clean under him is so painful for him. I've been sliding diapers under his bottom and wiping him up several times a day, but the flies are bothering him, and I'm worried they may decide to lay eggs on him or bite him. We've kept a fan on him to deter flies (also working really hard to keep him clean).

He's still not drinking well, but when he does, it looks like he puts most of his head into the water. He aspirated some this morning, but luckily blew it all out, though it obviously caused him some distress.

He does seem to enjoy human and chicken company, but the other turkeys strangely pick on him and cause more harm than good when they're allowed onto the porch to keep him company. So far, his best buddies are a few Brahmas who come in to see him (read: to steal his food) every morning and afternoon. Sometimes other chickens can come in, but I supervise them with him far more closely because some of the sassier ones will try to keep him from eating. Having some chickens in occasionally does inspire him to eat more, which is the biggest reason by far to allow "guests" in.

Cucumbers, strawberries and cheese slices are the only things he reliably eats. Sometimes he'll try riper tomatoes, but he avoids them mostly. Sometimes eats corn.

Turkeys can be brutal if they sense injury or illness. Being a BBB its not looking good for him. They gain so much weight so fast, it going to be really hard for him to recover. He may have torn tendon or ligament and you would not likely find it unless there's a knot. I know you are doing all you can to care for him.

for chickens , can the calf manna be added to the waterers, or add it to their feed ?

I get pelleted and add to feed.its really good to use when they are molting. Winter months its also helpful since there is little to forage, and the birds are burning calories trying to keep warm.

 

[wheezy50]

These are the pair of silver ducking OEGB that are for sale. Sorry not the best pictures.

$20 for anybody on here. PM me if interested, they're going on some FB groups this week.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Will ask neighbors son, he keeps gold OEGB now. His mom doesn't let him on forums yet, he is like 13-14. Really enjoys bantams. Will PM if his mom ok's

 

[Indyshent]

If it was me, I'd put him down at this point. Since he is not improving it does not look promising. To watch a bird waste away is hard and can cause more heartache in the end for you. If you need a tom turkey I know I have a Tom for sale and I'm sure it won't be long before others maybe @racinchickins also have toms for sale.

We don't really need a tom; all of our turkeys are broad breasted. we were still on the fence as to eating them or keeping them as pets. With four, I figured we'd wind up with some edible jerks and keep the rest. the tom was the least friendly but also the least aggressive, if that makes any sense. The girls "preen" us (read: peck us) so freckles, moles, scabs, and anything else that strikes their fancy all get picked at. They like getting pets and loves and treats though, and even like to be held in the lap occasionally. I was rather looking forward to getting some huge omelets from them come November or so (unless they take longer than 8mos to start laying; turkeys can be odd about laying seasons), but feeding all three hens and the tom is... difficult... especially when we can't afford to eat much either.

Poor Trogdor has been so sweet through all of this--hasn't even remotely been aggressive with me, just peeps and gives me sad looks. While DH brought up the idea of a sling, I don't think he'll go through with making one (even though we have the hardware). We'll most likely have to put him down because he's sitting on his hocks, and that's just making it worse.

 

[pbirdhaven]

 

[daskhan]

I've had

I'm going to try and have at least one processing weekend each month sometimes two weekends.  Any signs of aggression and that moves a bird to the top of the processing list.  Size and age are the next things I consider.  And typically I get all or all but 1 rooster from the free ranging flock.


Currently at the top of the list to process will be a few sumatras, the EE, and either some of the buffs or the mixed mutts which ever is bigger the day before processing. 

The cheapest option tends to be finding a used shed on CL and converting it yourself to a good chicken coop. 

For tractors, Agrarian http://www.agrarianindy.com/    sells some that are not flimsy like TSC's or RK's.  BUT tractors are not going to be as secure as a fence dug 6-12 inches into the ground.  Its some thing people should consider.  The cost of the extremely secure coops (nicknamed Fort Knox coops) compared to a basically secure coop that might have a chicken loss every so often is a personal choice. 

I've had no predator problems in half a year so far and my main coop isn't dug in or covered just an 8 foot fence and my chick coop although much more secure hasn't even had the local birds in so I think it's safe to say I'm in a dead zone lol plus perminant structure coops kill the grass which I'm trying to prevent also no vehicle to go pick them up anyways