Dead Birds

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

On the dec 23 my temps went from 42°F and rain to -17°F snow and 40 mph winds( with lots of higher gusts) in 17 hours. Coop is tight and Christmas eve morning I went out to check the water and they were all subdued but when I spread some more wood chips out they kind of livin'd up a bit so I threw a couple hand fulls of millet out in their run and most went out for a little bit and went out during the day some, but the wind was brutal. Today was 7 and they loved the treats. No heat in my coop.

I’m not home (I know, amazing timing!) but my pet sitter has reported no problems. Mostly I feel terrible that I’m asking him to get out there with water several times a day in the frigid cold. We went from 40s to single digit temps and windy overnight. I wasn’t super worried because they all did okay in Snowpocalypse 2021, which was so much more brutal for us than this recent weather.

Still, I’ve been reading the posts on the Facebook BYCs site. There have been so many sad stories there. Lots of frostbite, as you’d expect. Many people lost chickens, but I also saw posts about coop fires that killed the whole flock. Both types of posts are just brutal! I think most of these tragic posts are from people in the South. Some people had not really had a hard freeze yet and went from 60s to zero and windy very fast, so birds didn’t have time to acclimate to the cold. Some that perished in the cold were sensitive breeds, like silkies and bantams, and some were young, only a few months old. I saw one post about a hen that had just hatched chicks, and I had to just close that post immediately because it upset me so.

 

[Sydney65]

We went from 43° Thursday at noon to 7° at 6pm & -12° at 6am. Same,that big drop happened in an hour. The plate was in place, but not plugged in prior to this.
We hadn't gone below 30°until the 21st. I gave up layering flannel and fleece and put on the eskimo coat Friday. Have had it for years and it's still like brand new bc I don't use it very often.
That's why I wonder if in mild areas like here, let alone down south, the birds don't feather up enough to be prepared. I keep telling them about the birds in Wyoming, but it doesn't leave anymore of an impression on them than when my mother used to tell me abt a specific population that wanted ice water.

 

[Sydney65]

It was probably 0⁰F on the south side of the coop.
View attachment 3356957

So, so pretty

 

[R2elk]

I decided to not let the guineas out today. Their door is almost completely buried in the snow. I have snow depths from 3" to 3' due to the drifting. There has been at least 10" of snowfall so far.

 

[Sydney65]

I decided to not let the guineas out today. Their door is almost completely buried in the snow. I have snow depths from 3" to 3' due to the drifting. There has been at least 10" of snowfall so far.

And we've been back in the 50-60° range. Dropping back to mid 30's this week. They had a good time free ranging today while I sat at patio looking at spring plant catalog. The males sure are acting like mating season is coming up.

 

[R2elk]

And we've been back in the 50-60° range. Dropping back to mid 30's this week. They had a good time free ranging today while I sat at patio looking at spring plant catalog. The males sure are acting like mating season is coming up.

Mine don't seem to have any thoughts of mating at this time. The temperature isn't bad, 26°F but the snow and wind keeps coming.

 

[R2elk]

Mine don't seem to have any thoughts of mating at this time. The temperature isn't bad, 26°F but the snow and wind keeps coming.

 

[Sydney65]

View attachment 3365406

I know folks hate to deal with it, but they hate dealing with drywells and heavy bug populations, too. You would have enjoyed Willow's overnight. Someone got scrappy w/her. The only thing I saw was broken feathers, but there was blood everywhere and dried blood on her tail feathers. I'm taking it someone pulled a blood feather?
She got to come inside and be pampered while I checked her over and calmed her down, a warm shower, some warm food, and a nice nap on the sofa with me. She's an even better nap buddy than Numi.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Mine don't seem to have any thoughts of mating at this time. The temperature isn't bad, 26°F but the snow and wind keeps coming.

Unfortunately, mine decided that the lengthening days and warmer weather meant it is spring. Cocks are chasing each other and the confusion has been acting crazy when they are released at noon. Sadly, crazy behavior lead to running out into the busy road, and one of my original hens, Scout Red, paid the price. She was a fierce leader of the flock. Only remaining and always favorite mate to Ghost. A brave and good momma to her keets. Scout Red will be missed.

 

[Sydney65]

Unfortunately, mine decided that the lengthening days and warmer weather meant it is spring. Cocks are chasing each other and the confusion has been acting crazy when they are released at noon. Sadly, crazy behavior lead to running out into the busy road, and one of my original hens, Scout Red, paid the price. She was a fierce leader of the flock. Only remaining and always favorite mate to Ghost. A brave and good momma to her keets. Scout Red will be missed.

Oh no! I was never a helicopter mom w/my kids,but w/o a doubt have become one w/the goons. I'm so sorry abt Scout Red, but relieved that you're seeing the behavior, too. I'm not sure my hens are in the spirit, they usually run over to me for cover, but the males are definitely in the game.
None have gone to the road since the semi show down (no one injured), and they've become more responsive to my "call", whether it be yelling or hand clapping. I'm working on ringing a bell to call them back to the run so I don't sound like the village idiot making weird noises or yelling. They're doing pretty well w/it. My girls are more stubborn; they see it as "oh, goody, she's locked the males up so we can graze peacefully."
But I still don't let them out on their own. I stay out and putter around or read.Usually, they're the ones who head back in on their own. Still too windy to stay out long in the cold.
But it makes me think I should start preparing. Numi just dug out a nest in the sand last year, so I'm not sure if I should leave it at that or tuck in some sort of bedding to make the hiding places in the run appealing. Seems like the sand would still be cold this early in year.
Leave it, give straw, bedding, strips of felt? (all were puppy pad and felt brooded except Brodie). Nothing's going to get wet for now because run is still covered, but concerned abt mold,etc. See, always something new, I'm a sworn in Probie. Lol
*Mochie has this routine she goes through every day where she starts in the sunroom, gets a running start and runs the length of run,then runs back but diverts her run through the "escape routes", back to the sun room, and repeat. She does this about 5x, and then she's done. Same route, every day.. I don't know the purpose, but it's hilarious to watch bc she leans from one side to the other as she runs like a biker.