Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Well our forecasts have split dramatically. We are looking at 8 inches of snow Wednesday to Friday. 20s for lows. Then we are looking at another storm on Sunday and a low of 3°F (-16°C). Looks like Hattie may be getting some Vaseline on her comb on Sunday. Maybe Lilly as well.

Oh boy. I have read conflicting views on Vaseline and frostbite and no peer reviewed or even veterinarian articles.
I am wondering what to do. I could bring them in to the garage although navigating the snow mountain with a chicken in each arm feels a bit perilous. I could put in a space heater for the night - I am not too worried about humidity as it is very dry and there is oodles of ventilation - but I don't think it will make much difference unless they are right under it and I don't think that would be safe - I would only dare set it up in the servant's quarters where there is a real floor.
I can see myself spending the night ferrying hot-water bottles out to the Palace, or microwaving little hats to keep their combs warm.
On the other hand there is a guy here who had temperatures of -30 and his were doing just fine without heat.
Hmmm.

 

[Blazinga]

I'm sorry I had to. I read the entire 3000+ thread Backyard Bob. Anyways, I'm not planning on being a frequent poster, but I thought you would enjoy this. Your first fan art!

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm sorry I had to. I read the entire 3000+ thread Backyard Bob. Anyways, I'm not planning on being a frequent poster, but I thought you would enjoy this. Your first fan art!

View attachment 2522832

Wow! Look at that. That is really special.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh boy. I have read conflicting views on Vaseline and frostbite and no peer reviewed or even veterinarian articles.
I am wondering what to do. I could bring them in to the garage although navigating the snow mountain with a chicken in each arm feels a bit perilous. I could put in a space heater for the night - I am not too worried about humidity as it is very dry and there is oodles of ventilation - but I don't think it will make much difference unless they are right under it and I don't think that would be safe - I would only dare set it up in the servant's quarters where there is a real floor.
I can see myself spending the night ferrying hot-water bottles out to the Palace, or microwaving little hats to keep their combs warm.
On the other hand there is a guy here who had temperatures of -30 and his were doing just fine without heat.
Hmmm.

I will not bring them in. They have survived much colder with no ill effects. Whether the Vaseline works or not Daisy, the greatest hen ever, survived more than -10°F (-23°C) outside with no comb frostbite. Her comb was huge. She hated the Vaseline but no comb damage.

As far as bringing them in, the temperature delta is more worrisome to me. Eventually you have to take them back out and it will be a dramatic shift to really cold. I am more wortied about the effect that will have on them. Rapid changes of 20°F or more are said to be hard on them

The Queen's Comb. Daisy actually won a best comb contest on BYC once.

 

[BY Bob]

I'm sorry I had to. I read the entire 3000+ thread Backyard Bob. Anyways, I'm not planning on being a frequent poster, but I thought you would enjoy this. Your first fan art!

View attachment 2522832

This is the sweetest thing. I am so touched. I am going to print and display this. Oh my gosh. I have no words. This is so nice.

Thank you.

 

[BY Bob]

Wow! Look at that. That is really special.

I really am so very touched. I don't know how to relay it effectively.

 

[micstrachan]

Wooohooo! First egg! Such a wonderful moment.

Are you getting any time with them?

Yes, on the weekends. And I have two three-day weekends coming up!

 

[RoyalChick]

I will not bring them in. They have survived much colder with no ill effects. Whether the Vaseline works or not Daisy, the greatest hen ever, survived more than -10°F (-23°C) outside with no comb frostbite. Her comb was huge. She hated the Vaseline but no comb damage.

As far as bringing them in, the temperature delta is more worrisome to me. Eventually you have to take them back out and it will be a dramatic shift to really cold. I am more wortied about the effect that will have on them. Rapid changes of 20°F or more are said to be hard on them

The Queen's Comb. Daisy actually won a best comb contest on BYC once.
View attachment 2522846

That is indeed a stunning comb!
That is very helpful information - so did you routinely Vaseline her comb when it got that cold?

 

[micstrachan]

Mugs Monday

View attachment 2521408

What a mug! Love this!

 

[micstrachan]

The plot thickens.
Turns out it was Dotty not Minnie on her own on the roost last night. Did I get it wrong and it has always been Dotty? I don't think so, but it is only easy to tell one from the other when they are together. Are they taking turns? Why?!

That’s simple. They are keeping their servant on her toes.