BYC Café

[pennyJo1960]

Good morning Cafe been down with a cold seem to on the mend.
First cup of coffee in three days sure tasted great.

 

[Mtn Margie]

I am glad that you are feeling better, Penny!
It is raining again but the newly improved chicken-no-garden fence is up.
DL, I hope you have a great time!

 

[Sally PB]

I took the heat plate out of the brooder. I put in a bigger huddle box, but I don't think anyone has been brave enough to go inside. On top, yes.

Last night after I turned out the lights, I spread a towel over the top of the brooder to help keep the heat in a little better. They squawked about that, but then settled down. We'll see what they do tonight without the heat plate to get under.

I also took out the "baby" waterer and put in a "big girl" waterer, since that's what they'll have in a few days. They need to learn about these things.

 

[pennyJo1960]

We teach them all to use the water nipples as they are old enough to
push the nipple buttons. The spare room we are using to grow birds up has two very large plastic boxes we call brooders.
On all the time heating pads start life at 3 or 5 days old.
Once they have feathers they grow up in banty coop.

 

[Sally PB]

I put a small pile of feed just inside the opening of the huddle box. They've sampled it, but I don't think anyone has actually gone inside. But they did fine last night.

I'd like to get them to go inside the box. It'll be chillier out in the coop than in the mudroom. Any suggestions?

Would it help if there were a couple of small holes in the sides of the huddle box to let in a little light?

 

[DobieLover]

Good morning Cafe. Coffee is ready.

Skittles had an "episode" last night. He jumped off the couch and must have stumbled or otherwise lost his balance and fell. I didn't see it. I heard the thump and then the screaming. He was laying on his side with his neck almost straight out in line with his spine and his legs rigid in front of him. Screaming and crying. Bella went off barking and scrambling toward him in a panic and that got Piper on the run too. I put myself over him on the floor and caged his body with mine while calmly talking soothingly to him telling him to relax while at the same time pushing the girls away because they wanted to investigate him.
After a few minutes the screaming stopped and he started to relax. Then he made an effort to get up on his chest so I helped him and carried him outside and put him in the grass. He had about a minute long pee then turned, looked at the first step then up at me and didn't move so I picked him back up and took him inside and we all went to bed.
He seems okay this morning but his tail has been clamped down and he is very clingy.
His time is definitely coming. I won't have him suffering because I can't let go. I will make an appointment with the vet to get a blood work up done to see what is going on with those kidneys, his lungs and his heart. Just so I know.

 

[DobieLover]

I'd like to get them to go inside the box. It'll be chillier out in the coop than in the mudroom. Any suggestions?

Post pictures of the box and them near it.

Would it help if there were a couple of small holes in the sides of the huddle box to let in a little light?

The opening of the box should let plenty of light in. If they aren't shivering, don't worry too much about it. They are in a predator proof, draft free shelter with dry fluffy bedding so they are fine. They will figure things out.

 

[Sally PB]

@DobieLover, I am so sorry about what going on with Skittles.

 

[Sally PB]

Picture of huddle box.

 

[Mtn Margie]

They are fully feathered, they don't need a huddle box, they need a perch...
That box would be hot and humid and lean on personal space. IMHO
DL, I hope Skittles perks back up and it was just a "thing" and we all know that you would / will do whatever he needs. Hugs and many more for you!
Flood watch here with more rain on the way and rain all last night.
I feel like a swamp monster!
Enjoy the day, Cafe!