I'm never gonna get an egg!!!

[apryl29]

I know i read that you got Mareks, but did you actually get it confirmed by a lab?



I tried Bluebell out on her. Eh? Miss Blue seemed better. But still open to other suggestions
View attachment 1221415




Look for pointy saddle and hackle feathers. If none by that age, then definitely a pullet.

What about Sadie?

View attachment 1221416

Could you post the link where you got the egg poster? I can't read some of the explanations.

Well, I was hoping to get them out before it got so cold, but seeing how I haven't finished their cage in the coop I can't. My chickens are still going into their pen for short amounts of time, so I am still opening the door. They are spending a lot of time in the coop and so are the poopy ducks. It's taking me a lot longer to clean now that I have 3 or 4 times the amount of straw on the floor to go through. I have 2 or 3 girls going through a mild molt. The chickens are all acting pretty dang miserable with the cold. I caved and put the 2 small sweeter heaters in there today. Not sure they will help a lot, but it's supposed to be well below freezing for about 10 days. Those babies just might have to wait a while as I spend the better part of the day between the inside and outside chickens that I don't get any building done. When they do go out the heaters will go to the babies.



Good deal on the eggs! It's nice when you actually have enough to give away. I'm still getting about 5 most days. Got only 2 a couple of days ago.



I love that. How in the heck do you make time to be so crafty? I have loads of things I want to work on.



She's so pretty

I tossed a space heater out in the coop the other day. I put it on the lowest heat setting (65) and the lowest fan level and it was ~30 degrees yesterday morning. It was 5 degrees outside this am when I left for work. I was turning the heater off during the day, but over the weekend we had single digit highs. I'm mostly worried about Odin... He's got frost bite on his comb and waddles. Willie has a small spot on his comb.. all the ladies are fine otherwise. No excessive moisture in the coop though... it's just his waddles are getting wet when he drinks and he has a huge comb. I've been putting bag balm on them, but it melts almost immediately. Next week we're supposed to get a heat wave and be above freezing!!!! I'm so excited I can't stand it. I'm soooo freakin' happy I was told about PDZ b/c if I hadn't I'd have poop frozen on their poop boards. I have some in the pdz that is frozen and I can't get loose. I'm hoping once it warms up a little I can chip it loose.
I put a board over Odin's space b/c there was so much cold air coming in. I did open the doors on Saturday and Sunday so they could go outside. The covered space stays fairly clean so that helps. Yesterday was just too damn cold to let them out, and also today. I feel so bad b/c they're obviously getting annoyed about being cooped up (pun intended) but I don't see the point of opening the door when it's under 10 degrees out. We're supposed to hit 15 later so I'll probably go open the door when I go to lunch.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Hello! Did i show you my new bunnies?

 

[apryl29]

Hello! Did i show you my new bunnies?View attachment 1224504 View attachment 1224505

They are adorable!!! What breed are they? They look so snuggly!

 

[CapricornFarm]

They are adorable!!! What breed are they? They look so snuggly!

Holland Lop, the smallest Lop breed.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I tossed a space heater out in the coop the other day. I put it on the lowest heat setting (65) and the lowest fan level and it was ~30 degrees yesterday morning. It was 5 degrees outside this am when I left for work. I was turning the heater off during the day, but over the weekend we had single digit highs. I'm mostly worried about Odin... He's got frost bite on his comb and waddles. Willie has a small spot on his comb.. all the ladies are fine otherwise. No excessive moisture in the coop though... it's just his waddles are getting wet when he drinks and he has a huge comb. I've been putting bag balm on them, but it melts almost immediately. Next week we're supposed to get a heat wave and be above freezing!!!! I'm so excited I can't stand it. I'm soooo freakin' happy I was told about PDZ b/c if I hadn't I'd have poop frozen on their poop boards. I have some in the pdz that is frozen and I can't get loose. I'm hoping once it warms up a little I can chip it loose.
I put a board over Odin's space b/c there was so much cold air coming in. I did open the doors on Saturday and Sunday so they could go outside. The covered space stays fairly clean so that helps. Yesterday was just too damn cold to let them out, and also today. I feel so bad b/c they're obviously getting annoyed about being cooped up (pun intended) but I don't see the point of opening the door when it's under 10 degrees out. We're supposed to hit 15 later so I'll probably go open the door when I go to lunch.

The Sweeter Heaters don't put out a lot of heat and I got one each of the 2 smallest sizes for using in the brooders. I hung them about 16 inches ?? above the high roost, so they really won't help a lot but will hopefully keep them from getting frostbit combs. You have to be within a few inches to feel the warmth. If I'd have ordered the model with cord that comes out side instead of top I could have mounted them on the wall. They seem to be doing fine though.

The ducks are doing a job on the enclosed pen . Big holes dug in several places that I raked over today. I was trying to rake up the frozen wood chips around the water bowls, from the ducks bathing in it, but it was impossibly frozen. They've been out in the yard a few times this week for short time periods, but they mostly stick to the areas where the snow has melted off.

I cut lumber in the garage the other day for the enclosure I'm making for the babies. It was so darn cold in there that my feet and toes were frozen. I had to give up. Might need to go get a little heater so I can finish.

Speaking of the babies. The boys are so much sweeter and cuddlier than the girls, except Eve - she's a snuggler. After they've finished eating, I will sit on the kitchen floor wearing my safety glasses and they climb all over me. Today I had all of the boys sitting on me and all the girls were at the other end of the room huddled next to the heater vent. I set the trashcan lid over the grate so they can't poop in it. The girs constantly pick at all of my scratches and scabs (injuries from them) -- really irritates me. The boys are really showing their hormones too and poor Eve is constantly running away from them while making this loud "honk" noise. Poor girl.

Hello! Did i show you my new bunnies?

Those babies are so cute and so soft looking. Are they used to being handled a lot?

 

[CapricornFarm]

The Sweeter Heaters don't put out a lot of heat and I got one each of the 2 smallest sizes for using in the brooders. I hung them about 16 inches ?? above the high roost, so they really won't help a lot but will hopefully keep them from getting frostbit combs. You have to be within a few inches to feel the warmth. If I'd have ordered the model with cord that comes out side instead of top I could have mounted them on the wall. They seem to be doing fine though.

The ducks are doing a job on the enclosed pen . Big holes dug in several places that I raked over today. I was trying to rake up the frozen wood chips around the water bowls, from the ducks bathing in it, but it was impossibly frozen. They've been out in the yard a few times this week for short time periods, but they mostly stick to the areas where the snow has melted off.

I cut lumber in the garage the other day for the enclosure I'm making for the babies. It was so darn cold in there that my feet and toes were frozen. I had to give up. Might need to go get a little heater so I can finish.

Speaking of the babies. The boys are so much sweeter and cuddlier than the girls, except Eve - she's a snuggler. After they've finished eating, I will sit on the kitchen floor wearing my safety glasses and they climb all over me. Today I had all of the boys sitting on me and all the girls were at the other end of the room huddled next to the heater vent. I set the trashcan lid over the grate so they can't poop in it. The girs constantly pick at all of my scratches and scabs (injuries from them) -- really irritates me. The boys are really showing their hormones too and poor Eve is constantly running away from them while making this loud "honk" noise. Poor girl.



Those babies are so cute and so soft looking. Are they used to being handled a lot?

Nope, i am working on that every time i go in there.

 

[apryl29]

The Sweeter Heaters don't put out a lot of heat and I got one each of the 2 smallest sizes for using in the brooders. I hung them about 16 inches ?? above the high roost, so they really won't help a lot but will hopefully keep them from getting frostbit combs. You have to be within a few inches to feel the warmth. If I'd have ordered the model with cord that comes out side instead of top I could have mounted them on the wall. They seem to be doing fine though.

The ducks are doing a job on the enclosed pen . Big holes dug in several places that I raked over today. I was trying to rake up the frozen wood chips around the water bowls, from the ducks bathing in it, but it was impossibly frozen. They've been out in the yard a few times this week for short time periods, but they mostly stick to the areas where the snow has melted off.

I cut lumber in the garage the other day for the enclosure I'm making for the babies. It was so darn cold in there that my feet and toes were frozen. I had to give up. Might need to go get a little heater so I can finish.

Speaking of the babies. The boys are so much sweeter and cuddlier than the girls, except Eve - she's a snuggler. After they've finished eating, I will sit on the kitchen floor wearing my safety glasses and they climb all over me. Today I had all of the boys sitting on me and all the girls were at the other end of the room huddled next to the heater vent. I set the trashcan lid over the grate so they can't poop in it. The girs constantly pick at all of my scratches and scabs (injuries from them) -- really irritates me. The boys are really showing their hormones too and poor Eve is constantly running away from them while making this loud "honk" noise. Poor girl.



Those babies are so cute and so soft looking. Are they used to being handled a lot?

Those combs.. I get that they expect people to be aware of things before they buy chickens, but I really really wish someone had told me not to get a leghorn (even if we were hoping for a girl) b/c of the comb would most likely get damaged in the winter. I know they say it's expected and whatnot, but I can't believe that it doesn't hurt them.
How old are the boys that they're already chasing around Eve? These are the babies you just got, right?
I guess after all this horrible freezing cold we'll be super appreciative of anything that's remotely above freezing. I saw a thing on the news the other day about people finding dogs that were frozen to death outside.
I was always surprised about how pecky chickens are. I mean I know they are constantly looking for food and pecking and stuff, but they will just peck at anything that looks remotely different or moves.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Those combs.. I get that they expect people to be aware of things before they buy chickens, but I really really wish someone had told me not to get a leghorn (even if we were hoping for a girl) b/c of the comb would most likely get damaged in the winter. I know they say it's expected and whatnot, but I can't believe that it doesn't hurt them.
How old are the boys that they're already chasing around Eve? These are the babies you just got, right?
I guess after all this horrible freezing cold we'll be super appreciative of anything that's remotely above freezing. I saw a thing on the news the other day about people finding dogs that were frozen to death outside.
I was always surprised about how pecky chickens are. I mean I know they are constantly looking for food and pecking and stuff, but they will just peck at anything that looks remotely different or moves.

I'm with you -- I'm sure it does hurt them to get frostbitten. I'm not ok with that, but I sure do love the big combs. I will just try to prevent it as much as possible.

Eve is 2-1/2 months and the rest are 1-1/2 months. I know -- seems awful early, but they are very feisty. Of course, Eve is very spoiled and proper compared to the 3 little girls.

I saw that too. I really don't think dogs belong outside all of the time, with few exceptions. And those that are outdoors, should have a nice warm bed to go to out of the elements. It can be very sad. In California it was the dogs left out in the hot sun, with no shade.

The ground was thawed enough today to get a few scoops of dirt for the chicks dirt bath, even though it was still very cold out. I put the dirt in a feed pan, buried a bunch of meal worms in it and set it on the kitchen floor along with their bowls of food. Oh, I went back to giving them wet chick starter as the dry stuff just gets kicked all over the kitchen. Anyway -- they loved their dirt bath. The squeezed into the bowl sometimes 3 at a time and rolled around and threw dirt clear across the room.

I had to spend an extra long time sweeping and mopping the kitchen, but it was worth it. They had a really good time and they've pooped themselves out! I'm sure there are some remnants of dirt under the stove and refrigerator that I'll have to get later.

The things we do for our chickens!

 

[Chickassan]

@Crooked Chicken, They're so big now ! They were just little peepers not too long ago. I love the fact you go so far to make them happy.

 

[WVduckchick]

Could you post the link where you got the egg poster? I can't read some of the explanations.

I tried finding a better copy of it, to no avail. Sorry. I'm sure i just found it by a google search.

Speaking of frostbitten combs, one of my serama dudes has been brought inside because his was so bad. He will lose alot of it. And also because i have Honey inside. She was having a little respiratory issue, but has cleared up. Didn't want to take her back out in the cold, after getting used to being indoors, so I brought him in with her.
His name is Spicoli.