Colorado

[COChix]

We got home late last night and saw the damage to the house for the first time. I'm hoping to update my blog tonight with details and pics. It's crazy how much damage was done. Estimator was here this morning, we should have an idea of cost in a couple days. We are going to have a couple  more companies out to do estimates too. I am technically back at work today, but have to actually leave the house tomorrow. Not looking forward to dealing with this at the same time as work. 

Sorry about the damage, read the blog and saw the pics, how horrible. Hope you guys have a fast recovery.

Sorry to hear about the water damage.
  I got home late Saturday night after spending a week at Disney World in Florida (I can tell where not to go on vacation during the holidays).  It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary and they brought the kids and grandkids there for a week.  It rained everyday and was actually cold.  The drive was very fast and long.
We came home to a frozen water spigot on the outside of the house.  It looks like out sitter watered the critters and just left it on.  I am hoping that the pipe did not split in the wall.  I will get home early tomorrow and shut off the water to the house.  Then go out with a hair drier and see if I can get it to thaw out.  It looks like a frozen waterfall below the faucet.  Kind of pretty but potentially costly.  I hate sweating pipes during the winter.  If I have to open the wall, I will go ahead and run the splitter and run the water pipe for the stand pipe that I want to put in by the coop.
There is only a little frostbite in the larger combs of the roos, so that could have been worse.  According to my weather station. It reached -15 while we were gone.

Yep, we got down to -15 as well, sorry you came home to water issues. Our pipes froze but didn't burst,we were out of water for 3 days. Hope your pipes weren't broken.

I have to report some thing very frustrating. So I have a designated egg fridge In a back building and I had 144 eggs in there for a large donation we were getting ready to do. I checked a couple days ago and they all were frozen solid! Seems the fridge couldn't handle the no heated building....the dogs and chickens will get the cooked eggs from all of that.

 

[laceykins]

I'm terrible at navigation/location/distance now, but have you checked out Wardle Feed? http://wardlefeed.com/chicks-sale/ It seems they have chicks for sale daily now (?) and that they might be willing to get specific breeds if you call them up and ask. I don't know if they're a good store or not, but that was the first place that came up when I searched for places in CO that sold chicks. Might be a good idea to keep an eye out on CL and in the Sell/Buy/Trade area here also to see if any local breeder will have some for sale in the spring.

EDIT: also, a number of local hatcheries came up in my search as well. not sure if any would be of help to you but you know better what you're looking for than I would.  https://www.google.com/webhp?source...1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=chicken hatchery colorado

I looked up Wardle Feed, good find! Thanks

 

[suncatcher]

Trst and Samsr, Sorry you came home to disaster, and a frozen spigot, but it could be worse, much worse! Keep your spirits up!!

Cold, snowy and foggy here today..... hope this weather system moves out quickly!

Still no eggs from my 12 laying hens, now I wish I would not have moved my Bantams around, as they were laying before the move. Live and learn!

Hope everyone is staying warm today!!!

 

[Latestarter]

Came home and collected 18 eggs... only one was warm, the rest were cold enough that I don't trust them to have NOT frozen... So added to the others that were laid in the litter on the floor, frozen and cracked, or otherwise damaged (I have a pullet or two that likes pecking holes in the air sack), I have over a flat of "house" eggs. I cooked a bunch up tonight for me and the dog. This weekend the rest will go back to the chickens as a protein treat.
Sorry to hear about all the frozen pipes and water damage issues. What a bear to deal with. Specially the ones that could have been avoided...

@COChix sorry about your eggcicles but glad to know your animals will be eating so good

I'm sure the people who would have received them would have been better off with them.
I checked the water buckets in the coops tonight and got a shock... One of them had a hole punched in it and had drained out, and another was basically empty

Luckily I had a spare bucket so swapped out the holy one and re-filled the empty one. The other 2 groups' buckets will be OK for a couple more days so I can fill them when it's a bit warmer out. It's amazing to me that one group can empty a 5 gallon bucket so fast while another group's is still 1/2 full... And I have no idea how the one developed a hole

It looks like something sharp scratched across the side and got deeper and deeper until it pierced the bucket. The slit at the end of the scratch was about an inch long. Those were some very thirsty chickens! They mobbed the horizontal nipples and didn't all get quenched for a good 5 minutes. I'm glad I realized/found the problem today!

@trsturself Was it you who had the hen with the pearl in its eye? I can't remember... Whomever it was, can we get a status report? Has it healed? is there still an eyeball in there?

 

[trsturself]

Came home and collected 18 eggs... only one was warm, the rest were cold enough that I don't trust them to have NOT frozen... So added to the others that were laid in the litter on the floor, frozen and cracked, or otherwise damaged (I have a pullet or two that likes pecking holes in the air sack), I have over a flat of "house" eggs. I cooked a bunch up tonight for me and the dog. This weekend the rest will go back to the chickens as a protein treat.
Sorry to hear about all the frozen pipes and water damage issues. What a bear to deal with. Specially the ones that could have been avoided...

@COChix sorry about your eggcicles but glad to know your animals will be eating so good

I'm sure the people who would have received them would have been better off with them.
I checked the water buckets in the coops tonight and got a shock... One of them had a hole punched in it and had drained out, and another was basically empty

Luckily I had a spare bucket so swapped out the holy one and re-filled the empty one. The other 2 groups' buckets will be OK for a couple more days so I can fill them when it's a bit warmer out. It's amazing to me that one group can empty a 5 gallon bucket so fast while another group's is still 1/2 full... And I have no idea how the one developed a hole

It looks like something sharp scratched across the side and got deeper and deeper until it pierced the bucket. The slit at the end of the scratch was about an inch long. Those were some very thirsty chickens! They mobbed the horizontal nipples and didn't all get quenched for a good 5 minutes. I'm glad I realized/found the problem today!

@trsturself Was it you who had the hen with the pearl in its eye? I can't remember... Whomever it was, can we get a status report? Has it healed? is there still an eyeball in there?

Yes it was me with the pearl in the eye. I checked on her yesterday and there is a small lump in her eye like it is redeveloping but so far staying small. Still haven't been able to see her actual eye. I don't think my pet sitter put any medication on her (even though it's HER chicken). So I'm not sure I want to either. I think I'll just watch and see what happens. I noticed another one of her chickens is having leg issues. It is the one that would never go in the coop at night. Now I think it was because it couldn't make it in the door. It is real unsteady on it's legs. That's the second one of her's to do that. Not sure what the issue is on that side of the coop but I hope it doesn't pass to mine. I might need her to find a new home for them.

 

[COChix]

  @COChix
sorry about your eggcicles but glad to know your animals will be eating so good I'm sure the people who would have received them would have been better off with them.
I checked the water buckets in the coops tonight and got a shock... One of them had a hole punched in it and had drained out, and another was basically empty Luckily I had a spare bucket so swapped out the holy one and re-filled the empty one. The other 2 groups' buckets will be OK for a couple more days so I can fill them when it's a bit warmer out. It's amazing to me that one group can empty a 5 gallon bucket so fast while another group's is still 1/2 full... And I have no idea how the one developed a hole   It looks like something sharp scratched across the side and got deeper and deeper until it pierced the bucket. The slit at the end of the scratch was about an inch long. Those were some very thirsty chickens!  They mobbed the horizontal nipples and didn't all get quenched for a good 5 minutes. I'm glad I realized/found the problem today!

@trsturself
Was it you who had the hen with the pearl in its eye? I can't remember... Whomever it was, can we get a status report? Has it healed? is there still an eyeball in there?

Thanks, I fed the chickens 18 eggs this am all scrambled up and they loved it! I gave them a turkey carcass yesterday and it was complete mayhem with girls trying to carry around a drum stick,it was rather funny to watch. After tossing it in they all just stare at it and make a warning call, but there is always a brave soul who goes up and tries it. Once that happens then look out!

Yes it was me with the pearl in the eye. I checked on her yesterday and there is a small lump in her eye like it is redeveloping but so far staying small. Still haven't been able to see her actual eye. I don't think my pet sitter put any medication on her (even though it's HER chicken). So I'm not sure I want to either. I think I'll just watch and see what happens. I noticed another one of her chickens is having leg issues. It is the one that would never go in the coop at night. Now I think it was because it couldn't make it in the door. It is real unsteady on it's legs. That's the second one of her's to do that. Not sure what the issue is on that side of the coop but I hope it doesn't pass to mine.

Forgot about Pearl! Glad she is doing better, hope your friends flock isn't coming down with something.

Does anyone know the nutritional requirements for say a 8-9 month old chiken compared to a year or older chicken? I just notice ours require more protein than the feed we are currently feeding which is 17%, when they don't get more protein than that I notice their combs and wattles are not very red, their feathers are more dull and ragged. I have been buying a bag of 20% and mixing it half and half with the other feed. So it has made me curious, is it also dependent on the breed?

So finished my last consult yesterday and will definitely have surgery. Looks like two months of no weight bearing activities, no pushing/pulling or lifting more than two pounds, but only after the first couple of weeks. Plate and screws in wrist, still just an out patient procedure. Of course my bf and will figure it out, but a little concerned as all the stuff falls on him for two moths. Not sure what wil happen regarding incubating and hatching, at the very least it will get pushed back until April or so. On the positive I have been researching the Dark Cornish breed and have found that people report they go broody often, which we have been experiencing, but they are good setters/hatchers and very good protective moms. So we might not even need the incubators.

Woke up to 50 degree weather oh what a muddy mess!

 

[corancher]

So finished my last consult yesterday and will definitely have surgery. Looks like two months of no weight bearing activities, no pushing/pulling or lifting more than two pounds, but only after the first couple of weeks. Plate and screws in wrist, still just an out patient procedure. Of course my bf and will figure it out, but a little concerned as all the stuff falls on him for two moths. Not sure what wil happen regarding incubating and hatching, at the very least it will get pushed back until April or so. On the positive I have been researching the Dark Cornish breed and have found that people report they go broody often, which we have been experiencing, but they are good setters/hatchers and very good protective moms. So we might not even need the incubators.

I have a plate and screws in my right wrist due to a fall about 9 years ago. Just wanted to say that I am glad that I had procedure done. It did take awhile for the recovery but I had broken bones so they looked like crushed cracker crumbs. I learned to do a lot with my left hand which is not my dominate hand. It took around 5 months for me to get around 95% of use back. Good luck with your surgery and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[suncatcher]

CoChix, Sounds like surgery is on!! Is harder on us as we get older. Not sure if you are taking vitamins, but Vit C helps with healing, really, really well!!! Also, bone meal might be a good one to ad to aid in healing the bones.

Trst, Very frustrating having other chickens there and the owner not being very concerned over them. We are going through the same here with my daughters friends horses. Paying less than she said she would, then her horse getting injured, and expecting us to medicate it without compensation, etc, she seems to care less. I have come to the conclusion is never a good idea to do favors that involve animals with friends, unless you have an iron clad contract , in writing!! Also, I did not mean to underplay your flooded basement, but had read that same day of a house burning down, so it could be worse, but I did not mean to sound flippant about it........


Still no eggs today, this is really, really getting old! Are you guys who are getting eggs heating the coop? Lighting? I guess it is time to put up my solar Christmas lights I bough last month, will see if it helps!

 

[Ashdoes]

I am also not getting any eggs. We use Feather Fixer feed, and that seems to have high enough protein, but hasn't kick started egg production. I'm actually going to start sprouting BOSS again, just to see if it helps. I don't have the time or patience to start fodder, of any kind, so sprouted is the way to go.
At least the feather fixer isn't more expensive then other feeds, so I don't feel like I'm over spending....unlike dog food.

 

[COChix]

I have a plate and screws in my right wrist due to a fall about 9 years ago.  Just wanted to say that I am glad that I had procedure done.  It did take awhile for the recovery but I had broken bones so they looked like crushed cracker crumbs. I learned to do a lot with my left hand which is not my dominate hand.  It took around 5 months for me to get around 95% of use back.  Good luck with your surgery and I hope you have a speedy recovery. 

Thank you for posting your experience and insight to this procedure, more or less. I am hoping for a speeding recovery. After going through two neck fusions, this should be a walk in the park. More or less, I am sure not using my dominate hand will take some getting use to.

CoChix, Sounds like surgery is on!! Is harder on us as we get older.  Not sure if you are taking vitamins, but Vit C helps with healing, really, really well!!!  Also, bone meal might be a good one to ad to aid in healing the bones.

Still no eggs today, this is really, really getting old!  Are you guys who are getting eggs heating the coop?  Lighting?  I guess it is time to put up my solar Christmas lights I bough last month, will see if it helps!

We are not lighting the coop and we do have a heat lamp for below 0 set up in the coop. We are getting an average of 14-15 eggs a day from 23 layers. That said they are 9 months old, trying to get some sprouts started.

I am also not getting any eggs. We use Feather Fixer feed, and that seems to have high enough protein, but hasn't kick started egg production. I'm actually going to start sprouting BOSS again, just to see if it helps. I don't have the time or patience to start fodder, of any kind, so sprouted is the way to go.
At least the feather fixer isn't more expensive then other feeds, so I don't feel like I'm over spending....unlike dog food.

What exactly is feather fixer feed? Is that a specific brand, I have never seen it at the feed stores. I am just buy chick grower which is 20%.