Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Gargoyle]

hmm, nuticles for capons... there is money to be made, folks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep in mind, the pet care industry in the US is Enormous. The amount of money spent every year on pets is more than the amount spent on music, movies and video games combined. Massive.

If you want to know how crazy people are, just consider Nuticles.

Nuticles are polypropylene balls surgically placed into the scrotum of neutered dogs to give them the appearance of an "un-altered state." It helps them to adjust phychologically to the ego busting trauma of losing their manhood. Over half a million of these have been sold and implanted.

From their website:

Oh my goodness.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Oh my I couldnt imagine.........my male dog doesnt seem to have any lasting psycological problems from being neutered thank goodness......because he would be one sad boy because this lady wouldnt be buying him Nuticles......who thinks up this stuff???? And why do vets encourage this??? Thank goodeness my vet is a no nonsense kind of person who is on board with trying natural ways before encouraging pricey procedures.

And my hens will never see a vet......much cheaper to use a knife & replace them than spens thousands on vet care

 

[Beekissed]

I hope folks in the eye of this storm have good setups for winter watering and feeding in place that will be efficient when the power is out and deep snows prevail. These are the times when it comes in handy to have the black rubber pans for watering and plenty of feed stored so that you don't have to worry about running out.

Arranging places outside the coop where your chickens can still get out and be sheltered are key to a good wintertime experience for your flocks. In the event of really deep snows or heavy ice, can you get your coop doors/pop door cleared and open? Do you have something in the coop to occupy the flock such as deep litter, different levels of roosting/being off the floor, plenty of natural light, possible dusting opportunities? On that last one, I've seen my winter flocks "dusting" in deep litter, so it is definitely something they need or want even in the winter months.

At this time of year we always see posts where people are going to just let their flocks "eat snow" for a watering option....let me say it now, not a good idea. Please provide water each day...it helps them digest their foods, keeps their immune system functioning and their circulatory system working well enough to keep them warm.

Those feeding the FF for the first time this winter, let us know how it goes and how the flock does with it....I will be doing the same and don't intend to heat it if I can get by with it. I'll make adjustments as I go along to find the best way to keep doing this and feeding this in the winter months without too much difficulty. I don't like difficult, so I'll be finding the easiest but still efficient way to get this problem figured out. I hope others post their best solutions as well....particularly those that work when the power goes out.

 

[chickachee]

How big is your run, how big is your coop & how many chickens do you have?

The run is 27x8, the coop is 10x8 and I have 15 chickens.

 

[armorfirelady]

I hope folks in the eye of this storm have good setups for winter watering and feeding in place that will be efficient when the power is out and deep snows prevail. These are the times when it comes in handy to have the black rubber pans for watering and plenty of feed stored so that you don't have to worry about running out.

Arranging places outside the coop where your chickens can still get out and be sheltered are key to a good wintertime experience for your flocks. In the event of really deep snows or heavy ice, can you get your coop doors/pop door cleared and open? Do you have something in the coop to occupy the flock such as deep litter, different levels of roosting/being off the floor, plenty of natural light, possible dusting opportunities? On that last one, I've seen my winter flocks "dusting" in deep litter, so it is definitely something they need or want even in the winter months.

At this time of year we always see posts where people are going to just let their flocks "eat snow" for a watering option....let me say it now, not a good idea. Please provide water each day...it helps them digest their foods, keeps their immune system functioning and their circulatory system working well enough to keep them warm.

Those feeding the FF for the first time this winter, let us know how it goes and how the flock does with it....I will be doing the same and don't intend to heat it if I can get by with it. I'll make adjustments as I go along to find the best way to keep doing this and feeding this in the winter months without too much difficulty. I don't like difficult, so I'll be finding the easiest but still efficient way to get this problem figured out. I hope others post their best solutions as well....particularly those that work when the power goes out.

I prepared yesterday since with the storm there was a possibility I would get called in to work for the storm & I did. Waters filled, layer pellets available 24/7 (in case I dont get home to feed FF) & when I stop home quick this afternoon they will be getting more corn/boss mix thrown around the coop to keep them occupied. And I will fill up their FF as well. Plus a container full of veggies since they wont be out foraging. MIght even throw a little extra straw down as well & some dry dirt if they want to dust bath.

They are as secure as they can be in their wooden run & coop & the heavy duty plastic kept all the wind we had so far out &kept the run dry. I was sitting here at work thinking maybe I will just keep them cooped in tomorrow as well with the pop door closed since I doubt they will go out in the heavy winds/rain. They havent gone out but a few times the last few days with all this rain we have gotten.

The real test will be if the covering I put over their outside run holds in the high winds or pulls the run fence down. I am thankful I put a roof over their enclosed run tho......gives them more space on these nasty weather days.

Thank you Bee for looking out for us newbies on here

 

[bruceh]

hmm, nuticles for capons... there is money to be made, folks!

i was just thinking the same thing. i sure don't want a traumatized rooster. i have no money to spare for a chicken shrink.

 

[Miss Lydia]

i was just thinking the same thing. i sure don't want a traumatized rooster. i have no money to spare for a chicken shrink.

me either.

 

[Gargoyle]

And why do vets encourage this??

The run is 27x8, the coop is 10x8 and I have 15 chickens.

My run is about that same size, my coop is about 4 x 5, and 5 chickens have loads of room. I could easily accommodate more, but I don't want any more. Yours sounds to me like a good size for 15.

i was just thinking the same thing. i sure don't want a traumatized rooster. i have no money to spare for a chicken shrink.

If you can't afford a chicken shrink, you should rethink whether you really can afford to properly care for your poor little birdsies. I might have to call the SPCA or the DCFS (Department of Chicken and Family Services) on you.

 

[Beekissed]

Hey...it takes someone receptive to hear the ideas presented here and then want to actually apply them. Hooray for newbies that want to learn!!!