Fugly Farm

[talkinboutchickens]

Hi there. They’ll hunch a bit like the rest of them and their necks will be fine.

Most Nn you get these days are mixes anyway and often have more fluff that they would otherwise. So I doubt you’d have much to worry about. As long you have sufficient ventilation and your birds don’t get frostbite now then the Nn should be fine.

My birds do get severe frostbite One time my roo's wattles swelled up like balloons.

 

[igorsMistress]

My birds do get severe frostbite One time my roo's wattles swelled up like balloons.

Perhaps you have too little ventilation? Or is it just that cold in winter where you are?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Perhaps you have too little ventilation? Or is it just that cold in winter where you are?

There's ventilation under the roof and we have two windows but we don't leave those open in the winter.

 

[igorsMistress]

There's ventilation under the roof and we have two windows but we don't leave those open in the winter.

As I understand it, that means there’s too much moisture in the coop and additional ventilation would be helpful.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

As I understand it, that means there’s too much moisture in the coop and additional ventilation would be helpful.

What are some ways that I can add ventilation?

 

[igorsMistress]

The boys, Henna and Stormy were all in the small yard together so I closed it off hoping they’ll stay put today. We are putting down Stormy and the mean cockerel this evening

That SS mix cockerel is a mix of the two meanest chickens I had and it shows. He’s a bully to his brother all day so I don’t feel bad about him. Really hoping Phoenix will be a sweet boy. Going to start training him once his brother is gone.

 

[igorsMistress]

What are some ways that I can add ventilation?

Make your vents bigger and/or add more I imagine. Here’s an article that may help

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/prevent-and-treat-frostbite-in-chickens.66300/

FWIW I’ve noticed increased moisture even in my own coop in winter so I keep a few walls covered only in hardware cloth and moved the roosts to an area that is protected from direct wind.

I’ve seen coops that are fully open around the bottom below the roosts in addition to vents under the roof. But I live in the desert and while it freezes here, it still warms up during the day. I’m no expert by any means, just read a lot. Check out that article and consider your options!

 

[N F C]

The boys, Henna and Stormy were all in the small yard together so I closed it off hoping they’ll stay put today. We are putting down Stormy and the mean cockerel this evening

That SS mix cockerel is a mix of the two meanest chickens I had and it shows. He’s a bully to his brother all day so I don’t feel bad about him. Really hoping Phoenix will be a sweet boy. Going to start training him once his brother is gone.

Hope that goes well this evening IM. I've never done it but think it would be difficult emotionally. I've always read that breeding shows as far as temperament goes, sounds like your SS mix bears that out.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hope that goes well this evening IM. I've never done it but think it would be difficult emotionally. I've always read that breeding shows as far as temperament goes, sounds like your SS mix bears that out.

It is emotionally difficult but if the chicken is sick it’s my job to keep the whole flock healthy. Whatever is wrong with Stormy must not be contagious because nobody else has been sick, at least so far. I had a rooster once that got a big growth like that on his neck. Nobody else got sick but his quality of life wasn’t good and I can’t stand to watch them slowly die. It’s cruel to them and to me as well.

As for the rooster, I try to spend my time evaluating their behavior toward the flock and humans, decide which to keep and then develop a relationship with the keeper. Less emotion in that case.

No babies next year; I’ve spent this year blocking off all the hiding spots. Even if they find a new hidey hole I’m taking all the eggs. I’m over babies again.

 

[N F C]

It is emotionally difficult but if the chicken is sick it’s my job to keep the whole flock healthy. Whatever is wrong with Stormy must not be contagious because nobody else has been sick, at least so far. I had a rooster once that got a big growth like that on his neck. Nobody else got sick but his quality of life wasn’t good and I can’t stand to watch them slowly die. It’s cruel to them and to me as well.

As for the rooster, I try to spend my time evaluating their behavior toward the flock and humans, decide which to keep and then develop a relationship with the keeper. Less emotion in that case.

No babies next year; I’ve spent this year blocking off all the hiding spots. Even if they find a new hidey hole I’m taking all the eggs. I’m over babies again.

100% agree if they are sick or injured to the point their life is miserable, then I see it as a mercy to cull.