INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Belle our Pyrenees was barking her head off. I went out to see multiple raccoons all over our coops. We have a small electric charger on my coops this will change this spring. I'm moving every critter I keep behind hotter electric fence., adding new coops.
Belle has already killed 3 possum and a raccoon after the goat feed. Good girl! She is sure watching out. Just love her, wish I'd added this LGD breed before now.
Housebroke, doubtful. Belle isn't a pet. Her job is to protect her goats, eventually the calves born. I'm going to add help for her soon! She's already taught me the value of a good LGD breed.

 

[weezerfish]

Belle our Pyrenees was barking her head off. I went out to see multiple raccoons all over our coops. We have a small electric charger on my coops this will change this spring. I'm moving every critter I keep behind hotter electric fence., adding new coops.
Belle has already killed 3 possum and a raccoon after the goat feed. Good girl! She is sure watching out. Just love her, wish I'd added this LGD breed before now.
Housebroke, doubtful. Belle isn't a pet. Her job is to protect her goats, eventually the calves born. I'm going to add help for her soon! She's already taught me the value of a good LGD breed.

Wow! Nice to have a good protector! We have a Yorkie named Scamp. He's quite the opposite. Several years ago, we had a shrew invading our house and eating out of his food bowl. Scamp was really interested until he got sniffing around his kennel under which the shrew was hiding. The shrew did some weird clicking sound, and Scamp decided that was enough. He went and laid down. LOL! Granted, shrews have a reputation for being ferocious but you'd think a terrier might have a little more fight in him. Maybe a bark at least?!?!!? Oh well...

 

[Faraday40]

Just out of curiosity, how much younger is their 'little' sister? She looks like she's HUGE for her age!

The seramas hatched on day 20 & the orp on day 21.... so the orp's only a day younger. The seramas are not the teeny tiny kind, but my orps are very big. The blue orp's mom is 10 lbs. Her daughter last spring grew even larger!

This was "Big Blue" at about 4+ months when we sold her. Although bigger than the mama & already laying, I liked her mama's comb better. I wonder how much Big Blue weighs now..... She had amazing, shiny, metallic-like feathers which I never could capture in a pic.

My current blue orp chick is the 1/2 sister. Same giant mom, but the daddy is a silver laced orp. I haven't decided what to do with her. I may want to see if I can get some blue laced orps if I put her with another silver laced orp. It depends on what she looks like as she matures.

Of course the current blue orp thinks she's a bantam. LOL Here's her "family."

at hatch:

Last month: (The silkie is the "mom".)

 

[Faraday40]

Belle our Pyrenees was barking her head off. I went out to see multiple raccoons all over our coops. We have a small electric charger on my coops this will change this spring. I'm moving every critter I keep behind hotter electric fence., adding new coops.
Belle has already killed 3 possum and a raccoon after the goat feed. Good girl! She is sure watching out. Just love her, wish I'd added this LGD breed before now.
Housebroke, doubtful. Belle isn't a pet. Her job is to protect her goats, eventually the calves born. I'm going to add help for her soon! She's already taught me the value of a good LGD breed.

Way to go Belle!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@weezerfish
Yep...I had a dog like that.


@Faraday40
Those size differences are amazing. Almost unbelievable.

I'll have to get some photos of my 3 girls soon. They are still gliding around like queens in royal array.

 

[Faraday40]

Beak trim?

I never had to trim a beak before but does this look long? This is the 10 week old orp. There are some bricks around the perimeter of the run, so I figured the birds can use those to do their own maintenance. Should I attempt to file it down or will she probably figure it out on her own?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Beak trim?

I never had to trim a beak before but does this look long? This is the 10 week old orp. There are some bricks around the perimeter of the run, so I figured the birds can use those to do their own maintenance. Should I attempt to file it down or will she probably figure it out on her own?

View attachment 1674660

Don't do it yet but watch close. Ive done it and the hens beak split. The hen was ok but it really scared us. If she is struggling to eat I'd consider it. Your baby doesn't look bad at all.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I think my mystery chicks are Maran. Identical to our other hatch! Welsummer chicks have a different color. I wound up with 3 chicks. I adore Maran so am hoping we've got a new flock this year!

 

[weezerfish]

Beak trim?

I never had to trim a beak before but does this look long? This is the 10 week old orp. There are some bricks around the perimeter of the run, so I figured the birds can use those to do their own maintenance. Should I attempt to file it down or will she probably figure it out on her own?

View attachment 1674660

So beak trimming is something totally new to me. Never had an issue or maybe I have and didn't know it. Are beak problems common and how do you diagnose it? Is the potential problem in your post the little overbite hook?

 

[weezerfish]

Disregard! I found an article in the learning center. Link below if anyone else is interested.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beak-and-claw-trimming.74570/