Icelandic Chickens

[BostonBryce]

Quote:
Alright, I will see if I can build something to seperate her.
Yea I already have 250watt heat lamps hanging in each of the coops, plus the goats... So thats 1000watts of heat lamps on all night.
I dont have temp sensors out in their coops yet, but to me it feels like it stays around 35degrees while outside it's been around 15-20degrees. We have about 6 inches of snow left on the ground still. it melted a decent amount the past 4 days, its been warming up to the low 40's. Poor Dexter and BCM roo's combs and waddles look pitiful. I know they are warm enough at night, but during the day they stay outside in the run and its doing some damage to their what once was bright red combs/waddles.
All the others combs/waddles are doing ok... Just those 2 roo's had extra huge/long ones.
I put vasaline on them... Doesnt seem like its doing a whole lot...
Anyone have any thoughts on frostbite combs?.. Do they re-grow each year? how do you keep them from freezing when you live in cold climates?
is there anything else I should do? it doesnt seem to bother them, but it sure looks bad.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Alright, I will see if I can build something to seperate her.
Yea I already have 250watt heat lamps hanging in each of the coops, plus the goats... So thats 1000watts of heat lamps on all night.
I dont have temp sensors out in their coops yet, but to me it feels like it stays around 35degrees while outside it's been around 15-20degrees. We have about 6 inches of snow left on the ground still. it melted a decent amount the past 4 days, its been warming up to the low 40's. Poor Dexter and BCM roo's combs and waddles look pitiful. I know they are warm enough at night, but during the day they stay outside in the run and its doing some damage to their what once was bright red combs/waddles.
All the others combs/waddles are doing ok... Just those 2 roo's had extra huge/long ones.
I put vasaline on them... Doesnt seem like its doing a whole lot...
Anyone have any thoughts on frostbite combs?.. Do they re-grow each year? how do you keep them from freezing when you live in cold climates?
is there anything else I should do? it doesnt seem to bother them, but it sure looks bad.

Frostbite? Gosh, I had no idea it got that cold there. We get below 0 here and I have only had a couple boys lose tips on their combs. Most do just fine. I do not use heat. Well, I have used it in the past, but do not anymore.

No, they do not grow back. The problem I had was in using heated dog dishes for water. The boys' long dangly wattles got into the water. I remedied that by adding a one gallon waterer into the heated dish.

 

[Totalcolour]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. Worst part is, Mom died a week later, Christmas Eve. But, holidays are getting better. Holding on to the good memories helps.

Strangely, having the "farm" has been the biggest joy of all. It has helped get rid of the blues. I smile when I watch the silly chickens, or the goats play. Or the ducks fly into the pond and do the submarine thing. We need to get the heater on the deck fixed so we can go out in the evenings and watch them. It's too cold without the extra heat.

QUESTION: (perhaps a bit silly but I really don't know) I have some POL girls - will the roos mate with them before they are ready to lay eggs, or do they need to be laying before the roos are interested? And if they need to be laying, how long before the roos are interested? (I want to incubate some eggs when the girls start to lay, but don't know how long to wait before trying).

Happy Sunday everyone

 

[Mahonri]

Yeah, kathy, Boston is up in the COLD country of AZ... where we all wished we lived come July & August.

All I can think of for their combs is vaseline... Do you think they could have stocking caps knitted?

Could be a big sale item on BYC if they worked....

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Yes, the boys are (usually) interested and active before the girls begin to lay. The eggs will be fertile the day after the first (successful) mating. I have had a pullet's first egg be fertile.

 

[The Sheriff]

The newest members of the Icelandic Overachievers Club due to hatch on Tuesday!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:

A variety pack, too!

 

[The Sheriff]

Yep, one more zipping and five more pipped!

 

[The Sheriff]

Kathy I weighed the emu eggs and everyone has lost from 6-4 to 6.9% of their starting weight putting them right on target for the halfway point! Anywhere from 20 to 29 days to go! It's a long wait!

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
Oh Mary, those are so gorgeous, I can't wait to start hatching my own!