INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Thanks, we have been at it a few years now. There are many members that are good friends, and this is my "extended family"!

@ChickCrazed you've been busy! I wish I could get some of those chores done by myself! We've got a couple of trees that need to come out along our fence line before they fall on the fence!

Anyone have any input about egg eating or feather picking for me? I've been finding broken eggs in the nest box but assumed it was because the shells were brittle. This weekend I caught one of my roos in there pecking at the eggs! Someone or multiple someone's are also picking tail feathers badly! Most of them just look ragged but some are missing their feathers all together. Everyone that's old enough to molt has already or is just finishing so it's not that.

I hope everyone's winter preparations are about there! I still need to get a bit of hay for the cows and I'm still looking to bring some young ones in but I think everything else is set

With both things, feathers and egg eating happening I feel like its a protein issue. A good temporary boost would be raw liver, or even chick food. I see this happening every fall, early winter in some of the older birds especially.

i didnt really want steel toe, but i couldnt paas up on these for "coop boots" !
($13.oo on clearance @walmart)

Wow no kidding! I am sure liking steel toes now, cows are heavy!

Quote: I see that in the roosters too. They are more concerned about standing guard over the hens while they dust bathe. The better roosters as far as flock guardians seem to be most prone to leg mites and feather mites. I have an old truck cap I keep in the main coop run, add sevin dust to it on a regular basis. its really helped prevent mites here. Thats saying a lot considering they have 5 acres to free range and exposure to wild birds.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Yes we are close to you too I am sorry about your cold..ive got it to right now..Im in the same boat I can usually kick it fast but not this one...Hopefully its on the mend for us both.

I caught a runny nose and cough bug somewhere. I wanted to hold @SallyinIndiana adorable little one but didn't want to spread germs and make the baby sick. I never catch colds, yuk it really interferes with my schedule!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hey guys, sometimes the thread is going pretty fast, lots of posts and its easy to miss a new comment. I want you to know its OK to repost something if you don't get a reply. Especially for new folks joining in, please just jump right in and comment, feel welcome here. We only ask to keep comments "family friendly", we do have young adults on our thread also.

 

[tmarsh83]

Not that far, but closer to Busco than Columbia City. If you've ever heard of Collins, it's a stone's throw down the street from us.

Quite familiar. *wave*

 

[jsummers]

I have 2 lionhead does for sale about 12 weeks old.$25 each. Non pedigreed but come with papers and ear tattoos. They are broken blues. Please email [email protected] for faster response.

 

[chick rookie]

We actually tried hatching only rounded eggs & passing on the pointy eggs = found no difference. A hen that lays bullet eggs, always lays bullet shaped eggs. However, we accidentally discovered that some specific hens had mostly female offspring. One hen had 8 females & only 2 males from her eggs. We also had 2 other hens with 70% or more female offspring. From one of our favorite hens we hatched 2 females & 6 males. (And, her eggs are very round!) The remaining 3 hens were closer to the 50/50 or 60/40 that we expected. I wanted my daughter to continue exploring this, but she had other ideas. Also, our sample of 7 hens is not really conclusive of anything. (Could it be the specific hens, the egg storage, the breed, time of year, hen's diet, hen's age?) It's more likely just luck. I just noticed that we were one of the exceptions who always hatch more females than males. We often don't get 100% hatch rates, so perhaps all the ones that didn't make it were the males.

Well guess I don't need to try that... lol thank you for the info, now I wont waste the time ... or the EGGS!! Just dumb bad luck I guess. I have a bunch of new pullets maybe I will get lucky and have a bunch of pullet laying hens...

Well, I still feel like a truck ran me over thanks to this miserable cold, but I did do quite well on my tests in spite of it!

The bio test went... okay. 80% on that one, not quite as good as I hoped but I'm good with it after hearing that the class average was less than 50%. As for the German test, drumroll please... 100%!! I couldn't believe it when I saw it!

Aw, yeah, I have seen some less than stellar reviews of them as well. Unfortunately, with such a rare breed of which haphazardly bred hatchery stock represents a large portion of the individuals, there are bound to be mixed reviews.

My two have definitely made an impression and the Dorking is my absolute favorite breed now, beating out Plymouth Rocks even though I do quite adore both breeds. But, like with the Rocks, Dorkings definitely need more devoted breeders of good stock to maintain the birds that many have grown to love, which is why Dorkings have at least two pens, maybe three, already reserved in my far future breeder barn.

Stepping off my Dorking soapbox now...

As for your sexlinked DelaDorks, a lot of people are swayed by that high feed conversion of the production-bred birds, but I think you're right, they would probably appeal to the average backyard enthusiast. Especially them being sexlinked, I would imagine you'd make a lot of spring sales in pullets at the very least, though you'd end up with a lot of excess cockerels to deal with in that case... Still, you never know until you try. Personally, I'd say go for it.

Keeping my thoughts with your family.

Hope you get to feeling better real soon, I'm going through it myself right now. Caught it in the Hospital when I went in last week......... Have no more to say on the , or I just wont stop.
Huge Congrats in you test scores!!!!!!! And all while you were sick...

Great ideas, @Leahs Mom ! I like the pillowcase sprout idea for winter because I would be too worried about sprouts-n-mold in the warm months. Your ideas reminded of some that I put together the summer before last. As I recall, @ChickCrazed was looking for ways to keep her chickens from being bored, so I apparently had some extra time on my hands to compile these lists. haha I'd rather do chicken-related graphics than my real job.

The hen swing I did last year, thanks to you, and everyone loves it they still use it to this day, so it didn't lose its fun factor with age...

I just this year put in stepping stumps, @ChickCrazed
great ideal and that too gets used allot. I made my own little goddie cakes from @Leahs Mom recipe , they are loving it, but it took them a few days to figure it out. now if they had it their way I wouldn't be able to keep up with as fast as they eat it up. But it is supposed to be a treat.... lol

Question & story for anyone who has or had Sebrights: Did you ever have a Sebright that converses? Ours prefers to be treated like a parrot. If we offer her a finger, she'll jump on. I often talk to her, and she makes eye contact. When I pause, she makes gentle little conversation noises in response. I amuse myself (& others if they hear us) by pretending to understand the Sebright and make up silly conversations.

Just wondering if this is common. I think I read somewhere that these were chatty birds, but I never thought she actually would try to mimic conversation. I have a talkative Sussex mix. Of course all of her conversations are merely begging for treats. She simply follows me around with a long, low grumbly "Baaaaaaaaawk." The Sebright is completely different.

I have only had 3, 2 were Silver and 1 gold, my Silvers were my friends.. we had many a conversations, and they both loved to be on my shoulder ( when not ON my computer typing for me ) , the gold was more into screaming and fighting. he was rehomed fast. Now I have lots of conversations with my SF Harriett, she hands down is the biggest talker I have ever had, and she knows her name.

I don't think I mentioned it, but I am moving this next week. I am finally getting out of an apartment and into a house that has some surrounding property! I will be building a new chicken coop and putting in a fence soon.

Does anybody have tips on moving chickens? I plan on having everything set up before taking any birds to their new home.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Congrats on the move!! When your ready just put them in a box with plenty of ventilation, they should do great.

anyone still active on here? trying t find an active indiana thread

I do belive you have found the most active thread on BYC... and it has got to be the friendliest too.
So welcome to our place

, hope you enjoy it.

Has anyone looked at the forecast?!?!?!? The big chill is going to hit us between the eyes this week! They are predicting highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's around Indy this weekend! Eek! I still have chores on my list!! I've gotten 500 feet of fencing up, 2 gates in, 2 trees taken down, 40 tons of aglime delivered and spread, tarps up on the runs and 2 pastured sprayed for weeds. I still need to move 200 bales of hay in for the horses, get heaters in the waterers, burn some stumps, prune my fruit trees, lime the pastures and clear one more garden bed. Having animals is exhausting! Luckily I am working from home today so I am hoping to take advantage of some extra daylight hours today!

After processing I am down to 19 birds, which is a number I am VERY happy with going into winter! My birds have been protesting the tarps on the runs. They hate change! Hope all is well with everyone else!

It's a labor of love.

@ChickCrazed you've been busy! I wish I could get some of those chores done by myself! We've got a couple of trees that need to come out along our fence line before they fall on the fence!

Anyone have any input about egg eating or feather picking for me? I've been finding broken eggs in the nest box but assumed it was because the shells were brittle. This weekend I caught one of my roos in there pecking at the eggs! Someone or multiple someone's are also picking tail feathers badly! Most of them just look ragged but some are missing their feathers all together. Everyone that's old enough to molt has already or is just finishing so it's not that.

I hope everyone's winter preparations are about there! I still need to get a bit of hay for the cows and I'm still looking to bring some young ones in but I think everything else is set

Yes we are close to you too I am sorry about your cold..ive got it to right now..Im in the same boat I can usually kick it fast but not this one...Hopefully its on the mend for us both.

Hope you get to feeling better soon too.

I caught a runny nose and cough bug somewhere. I wanted to hold @SallyinIndiana adorable little one but didn't want to spread germs and make the baby sick. I never catch colds, yuk it really interferes with my schedule!

I know what ya mean, and you have enough going on, you dont need to be sick on top of it. Hoping it all gets better for you.

 

[chick rookie]

Well now that I'm all caught up.... lol
We worked on the shed coop Sunday from 9 am till 1 am trying to get it all done before this rain hit, Have I mentioned ( never again!! ) , We only stopped 1 time to eat at about 5, and then right after we fed the critters and then right back to work. We had 3 work lights going ( our neighbors just loved us I know.. lol ) BUT we didn't get it done, neither one of us could go on... we were just too wore out and sore and had brain trauma from all the confusing instructions!!!! So with only the roof and the doors remaining... we stopped and tarped it off so the rain wouldn't get the inside wet, and went to bed for 2 hours before DH had to get up and go into work.

We both have decided that we are too old for this late night working stuff!!!!
Then yesterday DSS came to help clean the garage and driveway area, we had a roll off brought in, we thought 1 would do it, but NOOOO we need another!!! I am so wore out, I was in bed asleep t 8 pm last night, and that aint me at all... I sitting here right now at 7:49 am ready to go BACK to bed!!
Today I can relax, tomorrow the 2nd roll off will be here and back to work I go. Had no ideal we have collected so much JUNK over the past years.
Having to last of the hay we " think " we will need for winter delivered this week first day it's not raining..?? My coops are ready, The shed coop being the last.

My LaMancha doe lost her baby and we are having a heck of a time keeping her away from our billy. We didn't want her bread anyway so ...

Also tomorrow I have to take my 2 female dogs in to have them fixed at 8 am and pick them up at 5 pm. Will be another day I'm ready to fall down tired.

 

[Indyshent]

I caught a runny nose and cough bug somewhere. I wanted to hold @SallyinIndiana adorable little one but didn't want to spread germs and make the baby sick. I never catch colds, yuk it really interferes with my schedule!

My mom dragged me to a clinic yesterday, and it turns out I have a double ear infection, strep and bronchitis. On antibiotics right now, but I'm going to miss an exam and a lab today Our autistic son has been chewing on gum he finds under the chairs at school

, so we've had a host of germs cycling through the house all semester.


Total birds on premises now is 18 hens, 5 roosters, 3 chicks, 4 muscovy hens and two drakes. I'm still getting about 6 eggs a day with the decrease in daylight.

 

[pginsber]

Has anyone looked at the forecast?!?!?!? The big chill is going to hit us between the eyes this week! They are predicting highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's around Indy this weekend! Eek! I still have chores on my list!! I've gotten 500 feet of fencing up, 2 gates in, 2 trees taken down, 40 tons of aglime delivered and spread, tarps up on the runs and 2 pastured sprayed for weeds. I still need to move 200 bales of hay in for the horses, get heaters in the waterers, burn some stumps, prune my fruit trees, lime the pastures and clear one more garden bed. Having animals is exhausting! Luckily I am working from home today so I am hoping to take advantage of some extra daylight hours today!

After processing I am down to 19 birds, which is a number I am VERY happy with going into winter! My birds have been protesting the tarps on the runs. They hate change! Hope all is well with everyone else!

WOW--makes me feel like a slacker!
We put out all the nipple waterer PVC heat tape and the water reservoir tank heater and built 'storm windows' for the coop to cut out any drafts getting through. TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT TARPING THE RUN THOUGH!!

 

[daskhan]

Well now that I'm all caught up.... lol 
 We worked on the shed coop Sunday from 9 am  till 1 am trying to get it all done before this rain hit, Have I mentioned ( never again!! ) , We only stopped 1 time to eat at about 5, and then right after we fed the critters and then right back to work. We had 3 work lights going ( our neighbors just loved us I know.. lol )  BUT we didn't get it done, neither one of us could go on... we were just too wore out and sore and had brain trauma from all the confusing instructions!!!!  So with only the roof and the doors remaining... we stopped and tarped it off so the rain wouldn't get the inside wet, and went to bed for 2 hours before DH had to get up and go into work.   We both have decided that we are too old for this late night working stuff!!!!
 Then yesterday DSS came to help clean the garage and driveway area, we had a roll off brought in, we thought 1 would do it, but NOOOO we need another!!! I am so wore out, I was in bed asleep t 8 pm last night, and that aint me at all... I sitting here right now at 7:49 am ready to go BACK to bed!!
 Today I can relax, tomorrow the 2nd roll off will be here and back to work I go.  Had no ideal we have collected so much JUNK over the past years.  
  Having to last of the hay we " think " we will need for winter delivered this week first day it's not raining..??  My coops are ready, The shed coop being the last.  

 My LaMancha doe lost her baby and we are having a heck of a time keeping her away from our billy. We didn't want her bread anyway so ... 

 Also tomorrow I have to take my 2 female dogs in to have them fixed at 8 am and pick them up at 5 pm.  Will be another day I'm ready to fall down tired.

Geez take it easy

I tried to work on my coop yesterday woke up at 8 am ate breakfast then my dad calls an says he will be here shortly with a bed he bought me... Never shows up never calls or text so I lost about three hours of time waiting on nothing go out side get two boards screwed on and it starts to rain... Been raining ever since