IA here

[chickeemama]

I have buff & lavendar orps, faverolles, dominiques and white rocks, I don't ever use a heat lamp. They live in a 80 year old barn that is pretty drafty and they do just fine. I do feed layer ration free choice and then corn, oats, & BOSS for scratch treat usually daily. 30 hens, usually get 12 - 18 eggs daily. As cold as it has been I am really OK with that. I do have lights that come on at 4am. I am in northern IA, it has been down to 10 below a few nights already, forcast is for about 30 below next weekend. They will really have to roost close together!

I do have a salmon faverolle rooster that had a large beautiful comb, that has now gotten all the tips of it turning yellow/brown, that is heart breaking cause it was so big and pretty going into this winter, but again I do not use any heat source, to scarry in that old barn.

 

[Tiramisu]

We went to the Pennsylvania farmshow today

I got lots of pics. They had some sicilian buttercups there too. I will edit this post with some pics, but will probably do a link to my FB album of all the photos.
Oh! They had a Lamona White http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687893&l=5bbef58c97&id=100000093282992 It didn't look that good though, almost looked like a battery cage bird. It was missing feathers and dirty.

 

[karimw]

No bad weather to speak of in my neck of the woods but they are calling for 4 inches before tomorrow, so perhaps we are going to catch up

Bad news though. I found one of my IA Blue cockerels huddled on the floor Friday morning unable to walk. He doesn't appear to be sick as there are no respitory issues or other odd symptoms. He isn't paralyzed since he can move his limbs but they are not strong enough to support him. No signs of worms or bugs. I've combed my books and BYC but can't really find anything that fits what's wrong. He has been drinking a LOT of water so his poo got pretty watery, but otherwise I'd call it pretty normal too. All the drinking kind of pointed me toward kidney failure. It's been kind of a wait and see situation. I have him in a box rigged up in a sling so he can't get wet and seems really content. I put him on medicated crumbles, yogurt and put electrolytes in his water. Not sure what else I can do? He does seem to enjoy being in the house, though my DH isn't thrilled. I guess I'll post something today and see if I get any kind suggestions.

Where's Trish anyway? She hasn't been on in a while.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Only 20 days until Chickie delivery week!!! I am so scared that I will freeze the little fuzzy butts. Came in from the henhouse and told hubby that I was testing the heat in the chicken brooder. He says, " Is part of that test, checking to see how fast the electric meter spins?".. sheeshes! He thinks so much like a MAN!

 

[mrandmrschicken]

Quote:
It must not be true to form, note the judges comment on coop tag... Was it LF or bantam?

Anyone else socked in today? No school here. Must have at least 6+ inches on the ground with still more coming and quite cold too. Boys finally went outside to play with their sleds.

 

[silkie_sue]

Hello

Just a shout out from Keokuk. I'm located in the tri-states where Iowa, Missouri, and Ill. all meet. The chickens I have are listed on my posts.

Anyone close by feel free to pm and talk chickens.

Suz

 

[LadyWoodsong]

Quote:
I don't heat my coop either. I have 12 Black Stars and 2 banty's and they've all been doing just fine. I have researched it and they say that a chicken can handle cold just fine as long as there aren't any drafts. They adjust to the cold weather by feathering out real well. But if you've been heating your coop, I would not just quit the heat as they are depending on that rather than their feathers. They won't feather out well for winter if they are receiving artificial heat.

 

[Tiramisu]

Quote:
It must not be true to form, note the judges comment on coop tag... Was it LF or bantam?

Anyone else socked in today? No school here. Must have at least 6+ inches on the ground with still more coming and quite cold too. Boys finally went outside to play with their sleds.

Im not sure lol I couldn't even read what it said there.
Here is your butter cup hen http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687970&l=e19e4f0799&id=100000093282992
Ia blue roo http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687973&l=c1972da981&id=100000093282992
Hen at the show, it was dust bathing in shavings lol http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687887&l=2a43f799d2&id=100000093282992
A Buttercup at the show http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687921&l=10a25b319e&id=100000093282992
Buttercup roo http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687922&l=69075082d2&id=100000093282992
Orloff http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687956&l=6ba277bb91&id=100000093282992
Brooster sneezed when I took that photo

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=687966&l=89cec61c5b&id=100000093282992

 

[Tiramisu]

Quote:
That sucks

When you said how it was drinking water I thought kidney problems too. I have no idea what is wrong, hope it gets better.

 

[pbjmaker]

Quote:

from central Iowa!

I'm in Des Moines proper! I have citified chickens!