New From Indiana

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join us. Thanks for the pics. You have a beautiful flock. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[Finnie]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes!

I sure have a lot to learn. It's been fun reading in different sections of the site.

I did think of a question to ask based on something I read.

The little Sebright rooster is 9 weeks old, and was on a grower feed at the place where I bought him. The seller said it would be fine to let him eat the layer feed that the hens are on. But should I get some sort of grower feed too, just for him? Until what age? I still keep him penned up some of the time while he adjusts here, and because he is so little, I worry something will get him. So he could have his own special feed during the times he's penned up.

I have more feeding questions, so I will hunt around in that area of the forum, and probably find the answers to those.

 

[BantamLover21]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes!

I sure have a lot to learn. It's been fun reading in different sections of the site.

I did think of a question to ask based on something I read.

The little Sebright rooster is 9 weeks old, and was on a grower feed at the place where I bought him. The seller said it would be fine to let him eat the layer feed that the hens are on. But should I get some sort of grower feed too, just for him? Until what age? I still keep him penned up some of the time while he adjusts here, and because he is so little, I worry something will get him. So he could have his own special feed during the times he's penned up.

I have more feeding questions, so I will hunt around in that area of the forum, and probably find the answers to those.

The seller is incorrect. Non-laying birds (or at least those that aren't old enough to possibly lay) and roosters should not be given layer feed. It contains too much calcium and not enough protein, which can cause problems later on. Grower feed or even starter feed are best for your cockerel right now.

 

[IndiesChix]

Hello I'm also new to byc and in Indiana. I wont be getting any chickens until spring. Beautiful flock, welcome to byc !

 

[sunflour]

So glad you joined us. Beautiful chickens you have and the look like they are happy to be in their new environment.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

What a wonderful and healthy looking flock you have

 

[Finnie]

Thank you all so much for the welcomes!

On my list to buy is the grower feed for the rooster, and building supplies to make a larger hen house.

You guys are right, the BYC forum has a ton of information, and I can't seem to read it all fast enough!

I think my chickens do absolutely LOVE their new environment, but their (my poor garden!) environment isn't going to love THEM for long- oh no!

They haven't gobbled up many plants yet, but when I saw them exposing the roots and making holes everywhere, I first thought "No problem, in the spring I will transplant all the tender plants to outside the fence, and plant more of the hardy plants that can withstand chickens". (My yard is completely bordered by mulched perennial beds. I should say formerly mulched!)

Well that was the first day. Now it's day six, and I realize I am going to have to address/rescue the plant situation long before spring. I am looking up how large of a covered/fenced chicken run I may need to build, and the free range idea may be out the window.

I guess the formula is 10 sq feet per bird in the outdoor run part. And I know I better make it at least 80 sq feet, because I already know I'm going to want to expand my flock. There are a few more on my "chicken wish list" that I've discovered. And my family wants more eggs. We've only been getting about 2-3 per day, and with a family of 8 (not all living here), that's just not enough.

So my lovely idea of chickens wandering around the yard as ornaments and enjoying unlimited foraging may have to be altered. But I'm sure I could still let them out in the big yard occasionally.

When I have time, I'm really going to enjoy any gardening related discussions on the forum. My husband and I were Master Gardeners for a while, and I really love tending my yard.