Recent content by SouthPoleLu

hi Firekin 1 thanks for your response..I think that the reason she lost her back feathers is because of the rooster. However, the thing that worries me is that the hens have been without a rooster since at least 1 August this year...and I still see no progress with new feathers. I also have...

hi there Just Hatched ...I have just read through your posts from last year, re your hen who was featherless on her back...I have the same problem right now, and was wondering if and how you resolved your problem? Your advice would be appreciated! regards SouthPoleLu

thanks Aart..... all this has gotten me thinking about how to make some changes in the coop.

thanks for the response!

thanks Alaskan... I think I'll have to figure out a way to re-direct the incoming air as currently, it goes directly upwards onto the roost. I did not build the coop, it was here when we bought the property. As it is insulated and pretty and trimmed, it is really not feasible to make any major...

Thanks for the speedy response Aart. I read the excellent article on ventilation that you referred me to, and feel more confident about sorting out the ventilation before another gruesome Illinois winter sets in! One more question tho - if the ventilation is there, but perhaps not quite enough...

The thing that bugs me is this: all the advice says that the coop "...should have ample ventilation BUT no drafts". And I'm guessing this is even more important in the winter time in the very cold areas! However, what exactly is "ample ventilation"? And how does one avoid creating a draft while...

hi Thomas, thanks for your interesting post. I am intrigued by your plans for the upside-down galvanized waterers. Any chance you can post a photo or sketch of how it all fits together? thanks! SouthPoleLu

Thanks KayTee, I'm keeping a close eye on those rear ends!!! I think i could easily live in France. I loved it each time I travelled there... And, it doesn't take much to beat Illinois's weather! have a good one, regards, SouthPoleLu

hi KayTee thanks for your input, I really appreciate it. Yes, my view on antibiotics is that they might indeed magically fix one thing, but then, because they destroy the gut flora (and thereby about 80% of the immune system) in the process, they then leave you wide open for attack on all...

hi KayTee, sadly, Little Hen has gone to feather-heaven....yesterday afternoon. I expected it as i noticed she was no longer drinking by herself and just weaker overall. Either the antibiotics didn't help, or it was just too late for them anyway. I will find out this morning if the ground has...

hi KayTee thanks again for the response. I looked at the other threads you posted. Then called the nearest state animal disease laboratory, got referred to a local vet and then went there. I got this: Sulfadimethoxine (trade name Di-Methox, Albon) is a sulfonamide antibiotic. It is used to...

hi KayTee, thanks again for the speedy response. Yes, it looks rather like your photo, and it does have that smelll you describe. What is the remedy? i willl look at the threads you listed, did not find those in my earlier search... thanks again! SouthPoleLu

Hi KayTee thanks for the speedy response... for your questions: no changes in diet or coop conditions, just that they spend more time outside in the fenced-off chicken run, now that the days are warmer and longer. We live in central Illinois. They get greens daily,at midday, as they have been...

Hi There, I'm a new member - and already asking for advice! Yesterday, I found one of my laying hens just lying on the ground, too weak to stand or open her eyes. I kept her in the house overnight and gave a rehydration fluid mix by mouth every few hours. She doesn't seem to have any visible...