Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[SimpleJenn]

As for Shingles nope. Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus (hahaha pun there, but true), you will have to have had chicken pox as a kid to have shingles, and like chicken pox you get it once and do not get it again

I'll need to ask about the vaccine. I had pox so bad they were on my tongue, down my throat, doc said could have even gotten on organs.

Tax, silkie pen. He says he has a twin to Morinth that lays pale pink eggs.


I obviously need some silkies to help me raise the next generations.
Also got the brooder for the growout coop!

 

[knoturavggrl]

WyandotteysView attachment 4037724

He is gorgeous and all grown up! he is gorgeous.

 

[Ponypoor]

Nope. She was out snacking on grass. The others never left the coop.

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Early bird gets the worm! And the green grass

 

[Ponypoor]

I'll need to ask about the vaccine. I had pox so bad they were on my tongue, down my throat, doc said could have even gotten on organs.

Tax, silkie pen. He says he has a twin to Morinth that lays pale pink eggs.
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I obviously need some silkies to help me raise the next generations. View attachment 4038446
Also got the brooder for the growout coop!

I have one of those, make sure to put it in a corner to help keep the heat contained, I also used a couple brick pavers on the other side to block that so that only the front was open. It might hold 20 day-old chicks but trust me once they got about a week or so old my 6 chicks barely fit under mine.

Might want to get 2 or more.

The good thing is once they are about 6 weeks they should be good with no heat.

My 2 silkie dumplings are about 6 weeks now but they are still hiding under mama and the heater (of course being winter makes a big difference), it barely 0C in the barn these days.

When did you plan on hatching? Hopefully the night time temps will be above freezing by then. During the day they will take turns running around and warming up, but they all need to fit under there at night.

Gosh I can’t wait to see what you hatch out - I living vicariously through you

 

[knoturavggrl]

If only I had it my way!

OKAY, SO!

As belated tax for the predator prints again:

Esme laid her first egg! YAY!!! And I was there for it! I got video which I'll share later. Pics for now

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Everyone crowded around. Lots of excitement and fussing.

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Excuse me...

Sybil forced her way to the front. Laying coach? It was kind of sweet how mostly Sybil and Magrat were fussing over the whole thing, but at the same time there were some points where I was like "give her some space, dang!" LOL

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But after some serious laboring it finally popped! She got a lot of encouragement and praise from me

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"And I helped!"

Sweet Sybil

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Checking it out...

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Magrat was there for Sybil when she laid her first egg too, bless her little heart. Checking the nest boxes and pacing and making worried noises.

I'm sure she's about to start laying too. Oh, and Aliss squatted for me yesterday! I don't think I mentioned that in my post about letting them outside! My dad tried to get a few of them to squat for him and they wouldn't Makes me feel extra special LOL

So, here it is, Esme's first egg!

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With a dozen of Sybil's eggs

This just never gets old congrats Esme!

Also, hello nice to meet you. I have been away for a bit and never got to meet you till now. Beautiful birds My daughter’s name is Esmae btw good name choice!

 

[featherhead007]

So cute tonight in the coop.
Blue all snuggled up tight the rooster. Of course Dakota was getting very jealous. The other birds just watched the drama unfold.

 

[BY Bob]

Best way to prevent frost bite is to stay out of the wind, sub freezing temps, and not get wet.

Oils and such won’t protect against frost bite, as it is the freezing temps that cause the skin to freeze. Oils won’t protect skin from freezing. Damage from frost hit will take up to a couple weeks to become apparent. Skin will slowly blacken as it dies off, the blackened skin. This is actually necrotic tissue that has died. If the tissue death is extensive infections can set in and sepsis can kill.

Animals like poultry are highly susceptible to frost bite due to their exposed skin, even those with small combs and wattles can get frosted, and legs and feet are also extremely prone to this.

And this is why I do not let my chooks out in the snow, if their feet get wet then they are prone to freezing, better safe than sorry I say. Winter will eventually end, and good weather will arrive - then the chooks can all enjoy the bugs and green grass.

If your chooks get frosted combs there is nothing that can be done other than to keep them in a draft free space, and give pain meds - trust me even minor frost bite is very painful . Tylenol would be fine, I would stay away from aspirin incase the skin starts to bleed.

If the other chooks start to pick at the necrotic skin you will need to keep the animal separate from them until it heals fully. Never ever rub anything on necrotic tissue - keep it dry so it eventually shrivels and falls off.

If you suspect any of your chooks have possible frost bite bring them in a warm location to thaw out slowly, watch for pain and give some Tylenol if so.

If legs are affected then my suggestion is to get vet assistance. Prognosis is extremely poor with legs.

Prevention is always better then cure, once that tissue is dead it’s not growing back.

FYI- same deal with people, if your fingers or toes, nose ears cheeks get frost bite, do not soak in warm water or rub, go into a warm dry location and you can gently warm up by laying you frosted fingers on you belly to warm up, or place a warm hand gently over your ears, nose, cheeks or toes. Never ever rub.

Take some Tylenol for any pain, and see your dr or go to emerg for any required treatment. Especially if you are diabetic - I cannot stress this enough.

Ok enough talk of cold, warm thoughts everyone.

Excellent post!

 

[BY Bob]

NO!!! Frostbite needs several things!

1. Highly tender, very sensitive. DO NOT TOUCH!

2. The black (if it is frostbite, which not all looks to be) will fall off on its own. The parts with a bit of puffiness in the pink flesh do look like frostbite. The ones without look like scabs. Either way, leave alone for now.

3. The skin needs to breathe to heal. Smothering it in oil of any kind (including vaseline) will keep it from breathing, delaying healing and be painful to boot.

4. Wait until after the black has fallen off to use anything on it. The vit E is a good idea ONLY then.

Another good post.

 

[BY Bob]

My cheeks still are sore darn it! I know I know wear a scarf.

Oh and my toe which was frosted last week is turning dark on the tip, that’s tender let me tell you, and my thumbs are doing better, the one healed up nice, but the other is still raw.

This all happened because I didn’t wear appropriate gear, no wind in the barn but it’s darn cold, not to mention getting my hands wet with water buckets feed buckets, etc.

This is why I am sooooo paranoid with the chooks, making sure they have a warm up area, esp those boys with the big combs and wattles. As it is it looks like Shirley might have his tips frosted, they are a wee bit black. I’ll keep an eye on them, and then there was one of the pullets picking at his comb. And the idiot like Mr P just puts up with it!

What’s with these boys?’ Letting the hens ‘hen peck’ them???!!!

I had to pick him up and move him the other hen house room. Sheesh!

Only 51 more days till spring……

You know better and need to take care of yourself. Be smart.

 

[BY Bob]

I know right? Who does these studies? Or thinks them up.

Meanwhile they should be doing away with factory farms not installing hepa filters!

I agree with you.

Spoiler: Rant Follows

We have to get to trying vaccination soon. Enclosing chickens without fresh air is not the answer, mass production and use of the vaccine is a possible one. Who cares if other countries won't eat the chickens then. Without some solution there may not be any for them to eat at all some day

Soon they will be recommending small enclosed boxes for them so they can't breathe or even see another chicken. It's disgusting how people see chickens as less than worthy of compassion.

And if one more person complains about the cost of eggs because chickens don't have to live in cages I'm going to put them in one. Eat something else then.