INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

In happier news....

Just got our first top bar hive! A guy from our church built it himself and used it a couple of years then decided to go a different direction. Contacted him a couple months ago to see if he was willing to sell and he almost gave it to us... we surely didn't pay enough for it.

Beautifully made - and ready for bees this spring.


Now to find a healthy package of bees for the spring! And a second hive.

@PeacefulWalls
Got the hive from Matt that bought your equipment. Now to get a veil



Edited to fix typing error.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

In happier news....

Just got our first top bar hive! A guy from our church built it himself and used it a couple of years than decided to go a different direction. Contacted him a couple months ago to see if he was willing to sell and he almost gave it to us... we surely didn't pay enough for it.

Beautifully made - and ready for bees this spring.


Now to find a healthy package of bees for the spring! And a second hive.

@PeacefulWalls
Got the hive from Matt that bought your equipment. Now to get a veil

Thats exciting! We still keep discussing it. DH loves honey and I know it would be a good health benefit to have. Starter hives aren't really that expensive either.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@jchny2000

I like the idea of having the polinators too.


I'm an advocate of no-chemical, no miticide and letting the bees eat their own honey instead of sugar water. There are a few "natural" beekeepers in our area and the honey is fantastic. They don't use "conventional" means and it really shows in the health of their bees and the flavor of the honey.

First time I tasted honey from bees raised naturally I realized that I had never tasted anything like it before. Fantastic flavor.

I guess it's kind of like the difference in CAFO eggs and true free range eggs from the "backyard". Once you have them you can never do CAFO eggs again.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@Leahs Mom thats a big plus too. I do not use pesticides on the garden, and would probably put the hives in that area also. Wonder if raccoon bothers hives..

 

[Indyshent]

Here's the quail, watching DH play Alien: Isolation


This lovely lady is Petunia the Tank. She'll be going to chickrookie whenever she's better after the mauling and bumblefoot treatments.the shopping bag diaper actually worked really well to keep her from spoiling the Tricide-Neo foot bath.







This is Saphira, and she's about the sweetest turkey hen to ever live (imho). Just a blessing wherever she goes (and a large part of why I'm so adamant that turkeys can be very suitable therapy animals). She started laying again and has been hoarding eggs in my garage, but the cold has really taken a toll on them. The one I had in the incubator went bad and broke open everywhere (must have had a really small crack in it somewhere). In the crate behind Saphira's box (yay, to DH's new miter saw for coming in a box big enough to house a turkey!) and Petunia's tote, I have a giant dog crate that usually gets to house Saphira on her trips indoors. Well, the broody Welsummer has it now; she's already lost one clutch this year and has decided to try again... but the cold kept cracking the eggs, so I brought her in. Same thing was happening to Saphira's eggs, so I gave both of them some more. I tossed in some molted feathers, and Saphira went crazy for them and started gleefully pulling them in over the eggs, carefully arranging everything. Even if I can't get her to pull through completely or give her the long life that turkeys would naturally have, I'd like to give her a shot at motherhood.

I don't think any of Brienne of Tarth's eggs are viable. They've either been infertile or blood-ringed so far. the last hope is sitting under the Wellie, and I'm really hoping it pulls through. Out of 41 eggs in the 'bator, five went bad or quit, and two weren't fertile or didn't even try.





***In the pictures, it might look like Saphira's debeaked, but she's not. My tablet just takes terrible pictures. She has quite a long schnoz (just the way God intended)

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Here's the quail, watching DH play Alien: Isolation


This lovely lady is Petunia the Tank. She'll be going to chickrookie whenever she's better after the mauling and bumblefoot treatments.the shopping bag diaper actually worked really well to keep her from spoiling the Tricide-Neo foot bath.







This is Saphira, and she's about the sweetest turkey hen to ever live (imho). Just a blessing wherever she goes (and a large part of why I'm so adamant that turkeys can be very suitable therapy animals). She started laying again and has been hoarding eggs in my garage, but the cold has really taken a toll on them. The one I had in the incubator went bad and broke open everywhere (must have had a really small crack in it somewhere). In the crate behind Saphira's box (yay, to DH's new miter saw for coming in a box big enough to house a turkey!) and Petunia's tote, I have a giant dog crate that usually gets to house Saphira on her trips indoors. Well, the broody Welsummer has it now; she's already lost one clutch this year and has decided to try again... but the cold kept cracking the eggs, so I brought her in. Same thing was happening to Saphira's eggs, so I gave both of them some more. I tossed in some molted feathers, and Saphira went crazy for them and started gleefully pulling them in over the eggs, carefully arranging everything. Even if I can't get her to pull through completely or give her the long life that turkeys would naturally have, I'd like to give her a shot at motherhood.

I don't think any of Brienne of Tarth's eggs are viable. They've either been infertile or blood-ringed so far. the last hope is sitting under the Wellie, and I'm really hoping it pulls through. Out of 41 eggs in the 'bator, five went bad or quit, and two weren't fertile or didn't even try.





***In the pictures, it might look like Saphira's debeaked, but she's not. My tablet just takes terrible pictures. She has quite a long schnoz (just the way God intended)

Yes Saphira definitely does have a normal beak. Looks like you have your hands full with a nursery/medical ward! I am thinking Vermie will be getting some of my Bourbon Red eggs this spring, What a good girl, she is so sweet and everyone adores her. So far, none of the broad breasted turkey eggs have hatched here. I tried for 2 years with Puppy, my BBW hen. Will be trying Vermie's eggs this year. She has really taken to my larger holland tom.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@Indyshent do your quail have natural light from a window, or a full spectrum type light? My girls are laying like mad, I have about 60 eggs in the bator already. I turn the lights on in the porch around 8am, off about 8pm. Once the weather breaks, they will go outdoors to a pen so they can eat grass, hop around and just be happy birds.We are looking at some different designs so they don't bonk their head if something flushes them.
The other point here is if you want to prolong their lives, just let them be birds and the lighting won't matter as much. Quail need at least 12 hours of light to lay regularly.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Here's what we got in the last 2 days!! 11 eggs! I can't believe it. WoooHoooo!

If I'm doing something right, I have no idea what it is. (8 out of 13 hens/pullets are laying.) I certainly don't think the weather is the cause. It feels like -20'F right now & is still dropping.

The green one is especially GREEN & also big for a 1st egg!




Go Easter-Orp!

Lovely color variety ~ Beautiful eggs! (and of course your daughter and chicken!) My EE lays beautiful blue-green eggs, but she hasn't laid one in a couple of months. She takes a lot of vacations from laying.
@pipdzipdnreadytogo Handsome Reuben certainly takes his job seriously!

@Indyshent You are a good poultry parent! I'm sure @chick rookie will take good care of Petunia after you get her fixed up.



Saphira looks sweet! I've heard so many great stories about turkeys having wonderful personalities.
I can't bear to think of the poor turkeys on those farms. I sure hope we hear from @amwchickin soon since she lives so close to the first farm.
Good to hear from @browncow15

Hope everyone and their chickens and other animals are staying warm in these horribly cold temperatures! Be safe.

 

[chick rookie]

@jchny2000 - yep, I just got a call from the turkey farmer that it happened to. He and my dad are friends and I live close to him now. He called me to give precaution. I thought that was really nice of him. Over 60,000 turkeys are being put down. I'll probably be sending eggs out for testing before long!

And here I am, sitting at work...wanting to rush home and gather my babies like a crazy woman, "Come on children, inside now!!"

@pipdzipdnreadytogo so sorry for the loss of your dorking. I know each of your girls hold a special place with you, and I hate seeing that you have lost several now. I'm right there with you.

And thanks to everyone who made a comment on my recent loss. I have a plan of action to work on things this weekend (weather permitting) to help the security of my coop.



And...rain, rain, go away!!!

Tired of the soggy mess outside!

I really hate hearing that is back, was so hoping it was gone...

I' verry sick of the rain, but rain means warmer temps at least. I know we need the freeze to help get rid of bugs but I really hate this cold!!

sorry for the chickie losses amw & pip - we lost our Iowa Blue roo - found him yesterday eve - skin was scalped back & a few other wounds - assuming one of our other roos challenged him for alpha rights - brought him in & cleaned, disinfect, & glued scalp closed - wrapped in towels to keep warm & put in a cage in the house - was dead this morning
;- (
ps: he the guy that was attacked by the dog a couple years back

So sorry he was very pretty..

I guess I am within the 6 mile "buffer" zone of the turkey farm. I guess I should expect to see some visitors this weekend if they're looking for all poultry. Kind of freaks me out...AI found 4.5 miles from my house!

Sucks, keeps me stressed... good luck hope it skips ya...

@jchny2000

I like the idea of having the polinators too.


I'm an advocate of no-chemical, no miticide and letting the bees eat their own honey instead of sugar water. There are a few "natural" beekeepers in our area and the honey is fantastic. They don't use "conventional" means and it really shows in the health of their bees and the flavor of the honey.

First time I tasted honey from bees raised naturally I realized that I had never tasted anything like it before. Fantastic flavor.

I guess it's kind of like the difference in CAFO eggs and true free range eggs from the "backyard". Once you have them you can never do CAFO eggs again.

I know I HATE store bought eggs don't understand how anyone can eat them???

Lovely color variety ~ Beautiful eggs! (and of course your daughter and chicken!) My EE lays beautiful blue-green eggs, but she hasn't laid one in a couple of months. She takes a lot of vacations from laying.
@pipdzipdnreadytogo Handsome Reuben certainly takes his job seriously!

@Indyshent You are a good poultry parent! I'm sure @chick rookie will take good care of Petunia after you get her fixed up.



Saphira looks sweet! I've heard so many great stories about turkeys having wonderful personalities.
I can't bear to think of the poor turkeys on those farms. I sure hope we hear from @amwchickin soon since she lives so close to the first farm.
Good to hear from @browncow15

Hope everyone and their chickens and other animals are staying warm in these horribly cold temperatures! Be safe.

lol you know I will do my very best

The COLD temps we are having right now is really hard on all my new babies and old ones alike. We have so many heaters and heat lights and heated bowels going right now I am scared to death to see my light bill for this month... we are actually doing without heat in a few rooms cause we keep popping breakers, we heat with I-heaters, I love them but just too much of a drain with every thing else we have going for the babies, and with my pneumonia and busted rib I haven't been much help for DH, but he has been great!!. I bark orders about the kids and he says ok... lol I hate not being able to do more, I have new kids on the ground and everyone else has to take care of them. This is my favorite time and I am missing it all.
My last Nanny had twin does Saturday the 16th. It was so cold!! and I had to bring them both in to warm up and dry, the smaller of the 2 was just too weak to go back out with her sister so now I have another bottle baby in the house, this makes 2 I have had to take from mom. She wont eat so I am tube feeding her, I hate doing that to them they cry so loud!! It breaks my heart.

 

[daskhan]

Two notes of interest today
1.) went outside yesterday and during feeding I noticed one of my brahmas laying on the mate instead of standing I put food in she tried to get up but couldn't move one leg... I felt it and it was hard as a rock so I figured it was frozen... Took her inside put her in warm water and ten minutes later she was as good as new.. She's been inside overnight

Bucket of chicken lol
2.) we are at the hospital(me and wifey) and she's being induced my daughter will be born today(Raelynn virginia rose) on her way anytime now