Colorado

[uzisuzuki]

I just wanted to thank everyone here for being so helpful and kind and patient with answering all my newbie questions! After two weeks of no one wanting to claim Odysseus, my parents and I bought him some hens on Tuesday (I still can't drive because of my injuries). We ended up with 4 Golden Laced Polish hens and they are almost twice Odysseus's size. And he loves it. So much so that he doesn't want to hang with me after work anymore. I've been replaced by 4 large, exotic lady-friends! My German Shepard/Shiba Inu mix is happy with this turn of events.

My dad hooked up a heat lamp for everyone last night since it got well into the negatives out here thanks to the wind, and everyone seems to be happy, eating, drinking, and clucking up a storm this morning. I am eager to get the ladies (who my dad has taken to calling The Supremes because of the 60's-ish head fluff) out in the daytime pen more so I can name them and to just see them running around. I'm pretty sure their previous owner didn't dote on them as much as I have been.

Anyhow, thanks again for all the help! I am very thankful for all the wonderful, helpful people on this site and I am very grateful for everyone taking the time to offer help as making sure that little rooster thrives has become kind of part of my recovery regime. Gives me something to focus on instead of how much pain I'm in and how I can't really walk very well anymore.

 

[maggiemo]

Lucky Odysseus. You will have to post pictures, especially if you hatch any of the eggs.
I have 4 polish hens and I love them.

 

[ryan820]

Sadly tragedy struck last night. One peep passed when she got stuck between a wood barrier and the nest box. Sad sad. She froze last night and we said our goodbyes today. I modified the nest box and have been checking on the family often to see if they'll exploit any gaps I may have missed. Dang it!


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[Ashdoes]

Sadly tragedy struck last night. One peep passed when she got stuck between a wood barrier and the nest box. Sad sad. She froze last night and we said our goodbyes today. I modified the nest box and have been checking on the family often to see if they'll exploit any gaps I may have missed. Dang it!


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Believe me, you're not the only one to lose a tiny chick in an odd way. Usually after it happens, you look at the area and think, how did I miss that?
Yesterday a neighbor found kittens under her deck, which she tore up to find them, and I took the littles in until we find them homes. Two were claimed by vet techs right away, so I've only got two to take care of. They're so cute! 2 1/2 weeks olds they sleep a lot, and only make noise during feeding time. We're still hoping the mother turns up, but I'm guessing she won't.
The chickens seem to be dealing pretty well with the cold, and the Cochins are starting to put themselves to bed on the roosts. Still nothing in the trap, but we set it everyday around 5pm.
Also, I know I've been saying it for the past two years....I hate the cold. So much. Lol.

 

[yawningreyhound]

So, it's 11 outside and 28 in the coop. Guess who I haven't seen hide nor hair (feather?) of since they came out at 10 and ate....

SHOPPER ALERT:

TARPSPLUS IS HAVING A BIG SALE AND WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FIRST ITEM IN THE CART, ANOTHER 10% BUTTON POPS UP!!!!!

I just ordered vinyl and clear tarps to replace the silver ones so it's not so darn dark in there on the bad days! The vinyl are pricey but allow me to see in the coop from the house. The clear aren't really clear, but will allow light in!

 

[alebuela]

When you write about heated bowls for their water, are they the very large dog bowls, or are there smaller bowls for chickens? And where do you get them? I'm down to 5 girls, so I don't need or have room for anything big, like a hanging bucket; but I'd like to get something heavy and sturdy enough that my girls can't tip over easily, but where they don't run the risk of drowning either.

Right now, since my home is my work, I can go out every couple of hours and replace frozen water with heated water, but there's got to be a better way!

Any suggestions for where to find heated bowls will be appreciated!

 

[Percheron chick]

When you write about heated bowls for their water, are they the very large dog bowls, or are there smaller bowls for chickens? And where do you get them? I'm down to 5 girls, so I don't need or have room for anything big, like a hanging bucket; but I'd like to get something heavy and sturdy enough that my girls can't tip over easily, but where they don't run the risk of drowning either.

Right now, since my home is my work, I can go out every couple of hours and replace frozen water with heated water, but there's got to be a better way!

Any suggestions for where to find heated bowls will be appreciated!

You can get heated dog bowls at walmart or Jax for about $25. Cover it so only about 1/4 is exposed so you have less exchange with the outside. They do make a heated base that goes under a chicken waterer for about $35. I'm sure all are sold out right now.

There are some DIY project plans for water heaters where you take a cookie tin, put a light inside, close it up and put your water right on top. Another plan takes a cinder block, place it on a paver, drop a light down inside and again just put the waterer right on top.

 

[uzisuzuki]

Lucky Odysseus. You will have to post pictures, especially if you hatch any of the eggs.
I have 4 polish hens and I love them.

Are they somewhat easy to take care of? I just imagine a lot of upkeep because of the head feathers, but I know 0 about chickens.

I kinda want to see what the chicks will look like now, too, but I'm gonna focus on one challenge at a time. I already had to push the coop building project until next year when I can hopefully be more mobile.

 

[maggiemo]

My polish require nothing more than my standard hens. Two of them are near the top, if not the top, of the pecking order. They are molting right now so they are a little more humble than usual, but still hale and hearty.
I might be hitting you up for fertile eggs in the spring. I love my bantams and I love my polish (I love my standard too) so your birds would be perfect for me.

 

[maggiemo]

Cover it so only about 1/4 is exposed so you have less exchange with the outside.

Why do you cover it, to save energy? I have never covered mine and it works fine, does the job even down to double negative temperatures.