INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[pginsber]

I am so mad at my dogs right now!!! We had worked very hard to make our Aussies chicken friendly. My girl now loves hanging out with them, even breaking up rooster fights and when a layer goes rogue and lays somewhere in the bushes or field, she is very quick to helping me find nests.

Our first Aussie that we have bred and mine is the daughter of had pups early this summer. My dad decided to keep a male (he's so cute). Well, in the last two weeks, he has killed four chickens (all females) (why not any of my overabundance of roosters...) and mauled our Thanksgiving turkey so bad that my dad had to put it down. I can't confirm or deny that the girls helped him in taking down the turkey, because the bird was bigger than the dog... Even though our girls have been excellent with the flock, nature will take over at some point and they will do what a carnivorous animal would normally do!

The dogs are normally let out in a fenced in yard so they don't have access to the chickens. We will let them in with the flock if we are there to supervise. I had been working really hard on the pup so he didn't chase or try to attack. Even after doing what old farmers tell you to do, he is not doing any better. So we have decided to have him move on to a family that doesn't have farm animals and can really focus on him. Hopefully I don't have to do too much work again with the older dogs.


Ugh... thanks for letting me rant!

So sorry to hear that frustrating news.

 

[pginsber]

We have one 4 week old chick right now. We're calling her Lucky because she's the only one from this clutch to survive. We moved Lucky and Mom into the main coop over the weekend after keeping them separate due to hatch problems.

So far, their ire-integration to the flock has gone as you'd imagine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays at a little pecking and chasing and no worse aggression shows up.

Black chicks are so hard to take their pictures! I'm sorry for crummy pictures, but these are the least crummy I can get. I'm almost certain we have a girl here! Hooray!

 

[Faraday40]

Materials advice:

Because I have a lot of vertical space in the run (& B/c my neighbors were throwing out some closet shelving), I decided to add an upper level.
Some of the flock enjoys sleeping there, so reused feed bags & a hose work as temp poop boards. I bought plastic trays because winter is coming & at some point I need a way to clean there without the use of the hose.

I use construction sand in the run, but I was wondering if anyone had another chicken-safe / sift-able alternative.
My other ? is how to deal with the bit of rain/snow that may come in from the side. (I don't want the trays to fill with water.) The roof is mostly drip-free, but some precipitation can come in via the sides. I leave some open areas along the top sides for ventilation. Maybe drilling tiny holes in the trays will allow water to drain out?


Yes, that hen is wearing a chicken-saddle. The "eyes" are my idea of scaring hawks away.
The rabbit cage is for my broody & her upcoming hatch.

 

[Faraday40]

While I was taking pics in the run, my silly hens were singing their daily duet.
Since I had the camera in my hands.....

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
I am considering working towards the white cornish standards. Have been looking hard for a breeder, oh my, they are hard to find. WLR may be the way to go, and work from them to an eventual white bird. Count me in! I would do a partial order or more if needed.

Was hoping to get some Black Copper Marans from a local family owned hatchery this past Spring but they didn't call to verify with me when the BCM's hatched

These are my wish list birds...along woth Ameraucana, of course!

David Prather in KY has lovely birds, I have a few marans growing from his eggs. PM if you want his info, very nice man and good quality in his stock.

I just want to point out to some "newbies" here that I cannot stress enough how important it is to quarantine ANY new birds you acquire, whether members here or other sources. Family, etc...doesn't matter. ..if you care about your birds and do not want to be in a position to have to put them all down or be limited to not moving birds off of your property because of disease. ..Quarantine

Most good Biosecurity measures are for at least 30 days. Granted there's always that risk of it not raising it's wary head during that time but like @jenaman experience and @daskhan for reasons such as getting accustomed to a new place or being able to keep a better watchful eye over behavior and health to know it's not because of a new pecking order but it's a problem with the bird.

Food for thought!

You'd appreciate finding something out in quarantine rather than your entire flock that you've worked so hard to build.

I cringe every time I read that someone has put a new bird right in with the others. Petrifies me!!

**edited to add**
Quarantine can be as simple as having a decent sized carrier or crate or box that is not going to be used for any other purpose. Typically diseases are passed via saliva/bodily fluids which keeping them to their own feeder and waterer, only using a specific clean scooper for them in their own feed container, washing hands thoroughly and tending to it after your own birds and ideally located in an area (shed/garage/basement) that your other birds/chicks aren't in. Because some diseases are airborne and take no more than some dust particles to transfer! May seem extreme at times but I'm telling you there are countless tears shed over this very thing by many loving poultry owners!!

Huge hugs to everyone as I only post this because I care!

Agreed. Its just respectful of anothers flock and biosecurity to have clean shoes to slip on when you arrive.. Birds you take home may not do well with your birds, different gut floras. Tolerance levels to illness, so many other things could go wrong. I have a small handful of friends that we have 25% or more of each others flocks, and those birds have a short confinement period when I introduce to mine. I still don't risk the health of my new birds coming in. Waterfowl are more hardy but still, is important to quarantine. Protect your flock and new birds.
Unknown husbandry, like shows, swap meets are a huge risk. If you obtain new stock from those sources, 45 day quarantine is a really good idea. Replacing your entire flock due to illness or death is devastating.

 

[ellymayRans]

I am so mad at my dogs right now!!! We had worked very hard to make our Aussies chicken friendly. My girl now loves hanging out with them, even breaking up rooster fights and when a layer goes rogue and lays somewhere in the bushes or field, she is very quick to helping me find nests.

Our first Aussie that we have bred and mine is the daughter of had pups early this summer. My dad decided to keep a male (he's so cute). Well, in the last two weeks, he has killed four chickens (all females) (why not any of my overabundance of roosters...) and mauled our Thanksgiving turkey so bad that my dad had to put it down. I can't confirm or deny that the girls helped him in taking down the turkey, because the bird was bigger than the dog... Even though our girls have been excellent with the flock, nature will take over at some point and they will do what a carnivorous animal would normally do!

The dogs are normally let out in a fenced in yard so they don't have access to the chickens. We will let them in with the flock if we are there to supervise. I had been working really hard on the pup so he didn't chase or try to attack. Even after doing what old farmers tell you to do, he is not doing any better. So we have decided to have him move on to a family that doesn't have farm animals and can really focus on him.  Hopefully I don't have to do too much work again with the older dogs.


Ugh... thanks for letting me rant!

I hate that for you!! So sorry

 

[daskhan]

I am considering working towards the white cornish standards. Have been looking hard for a breeder, oh my, they are hard to find. WLR may be the way to go, and work from them to an eventual white bird. Count me in! I would do a partial order or more if needed.
David Prather in KY has lovely birds, I have a few marans growing from his eggs. PM if you want his info, very nice man and good quality in his stock.

Agreed. Its just respectful of anothers flock and biosecurity to have clean shoes to slip on when you arrive.. Birds you take home may not do well with your birds, different gut floras. Tolerance levels to illness, so many other things could go wrong. I have a small handful of friends that we have 25% or more of each others flocks, and those birds have a short confinement period when I introduce to mine. I still don't risk the health of my new birds coming in. Waterfowl are more hardy but still, is important to quarantine. Protect your flock and new birds.
Unknown husbandry, like shows, swap meets are a huge risk. If you obtain new stock from those sources, 45 day quarantine is a really good idea. Replacing your entire flock due to illness or death is devastating.

Generally I agree I did actually have a short quarantine period I just didn't see any problems although after seeing how long y'all seperate them four days may not be long enough I just started to worry he was getting to cold all alone

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

A good friend and I did a raising, and processing comparison between Guinea fowl and Ringneck pheasant this year Both species raised on 30% protein gamebird ration. My outlook on them as follows...
Guinea are hardy and almost never have health issues, grow faster and more prolific. Free range well, without issues. Ringneck are less prolific and cannot be free ranged, but are hardy birds in confinement. Both brood and raise their young.
Guinea are not cannabilistic, as pheasant can be between males in confinement. Guinea are less human social than pheasant however, at least in large groups.
Gunieas were easier to process, there was almost no difference in flavor, both slow roasted at the same time. Frankly, liked the guinea better for a table bird. Less hassle to raise, can be free ranged to serve a second purpose, insect control! Thoughts, opinions welcome, just MHO. Guineas won with me, hands down for a different food source, and dual purpose bird.

 

[daskhan]

A good friend and I did a raising, and processing comparison between Guinea fowl and Ringneck pheasant this year Both species raised on 30% protein gamebird ration. My outlook on them as follows...
Guinea are hardy and almost never have health issues, grow faster and more prolific. Free range well, without issues. Ringneck are less prolific and cannot be free ranged, but are hardy birds in confinement. Both brood and raise their young.
Guinea are not cannabilistic, as pheasant can be between males in confinement. Guinea are less human social than pheasant however, at least in large groups.
Gunieas were easier to process, there was almost no difference in flavor, both slow roasted at the same time. Frankly, liked the guinea better for a table bird. Less hassle to raise, can be free ranged to serve a second purpose, insect control! Thoughts, opinions welcome, just MHO. Guineas won with me, hands down for a different food source, and dual purpose bird.

Arnt guineas louder? So less neighbor friendly? I don't know much about either so that's about the end of my thoughts

 

[daskhan]

But on to a different thought my neighbor wants me to raise him some meat birds... Any thoughts an suggestions on prices he wants between 5-6 he's tired of store bought.. He's doing the processesing I'm just buying and raising them.. Problem I have is one not entirely sure which breed to choose was thinking Cornishx but no real chance to expand my flock there.. Any other breeds grow to processing size by 6-8 weeks and can breed? Also anyone interested in going in halfies on an order?