INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Speaking of big combs...

Check out the comb on this girl


Almost thought she was a boy when she was in the chick stage




And, of course, this is a boy






I didn't have any problems w/combs/wattles last year. 2 things about that - I understand that it is if the humidity is high in combination with the cold that they can have frost bite issues. That's one of the reasons to keep things ventilated - to keep the humidity from getting too high and causing frostbite.

The other thing -
I try to provide waterers that have small openings so that they aren't dragging wattles through the water when they drink. Wet wattles in sub-freezing temps are not a good thing.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

That makes the point beautifully. They WANTED to be outside - even in the winter.

I do want them to have a place to get out of the wind, but their pop door is always open during the day. I can't let mine stay out at night as it's not secure from predators, but if my run was secure, I'd let them choose whether to be in or out.

O the chickens don't get to do that anymore. I only ever let those two do that and that was before the covered runs. they would perch and I would constantly take them back in the coop, but they always came back out. They survived all that and they it was probably around may when the terrible dog attack happened and they were killed. Now they chickens are in the run and get cooped up at night.

 

[kabhyper1]

In response to the leg issues over the past pages: The first thing people always think of is Marek's, but this is usually not the case. The paralysis common to Marek's disease is very different than most of the posts I've seen with concern for it. I have posted videos of confirmed Marek's sufferers, though that was a while ago. I'll try to find them and repost them. These videos are heart wrenching (to me at least) but show very obviously the difference between simple limping and typical Marek's disease limping.

Things to look for if concerned about Marek's:

Progressive paralysis, starting as weakness in one leg, gradually spreading through the entire leg and sometimes the wing on the same side.

Complete paralysis of one foot. This means that the toes do not bend or unbend as the bird is moving and are usually curled up a bit. The toes don't uncurl when the bird tries to walk and usually they step on the curled toes and slip or stumble.

One leg forward and one leg back position, which is exactly as it sounds.

Using one or both wings as a crutch, which is usually in combination with the described complete paralysis of one foot.


Oh, and for you reading pleasure, a member here on BYC lost a bird to Marek's disease and has since done so, so much research and put together so much information that it's astounding! Whether or not it helps with diagnosis, this page has lots of good information and is worth the read if you have the time: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

I think because it is so frightening, people go to worst case scenario, and put chickens down that may have recovered. I have had a couple leg issues since Olivers, and none were Mareks. I would suggest separation of the affected chicken, observation of the chicken and the rest of the flock, preparation in case of emergency, thorough evaluation of the situation, and then treat for the least serious issue if all of the other things come out okay. Most of the time, I am gathering anyway, it's a chicken injury that will heal itself over time, caused by some dingy chicken antics.

Basically, don't jump to conclusions. BTW Pip, you are definitely a "go-to" person for chicken info. Also I am so sorry for your loss of your beautiful hen. She had a wonderful life with you.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Aww, I think as humans we worry too much about them. They obviously know what they need.

ya, i used to constantly worry about my chickens. The only thing I really worry about anymore is diseases.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Time for bed. Up too late last night.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Time for bed. Up too late last night.

So was I lol, I got to watch the voice thought. Good night

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Okay so I am trying to figure out the difference between ventilated and not causing a draft. Our coop has two windows in the front and the corrugated roof is open at the "humps" of the roofing. I usually crack the far window away from the chickens roosts for ventilation, but I'm afraid it's either not enough or will cause drafts. Based on these pictures, could anyone suggest something different we could do, or let me know if just cracking the window this winter would be fine. Thanks!
Inside the coop



the silkie coop has an open window in the door in the picture that I hope will be okay for ventilation this winter, since it is under the run.

I do roof ventilation, at the peaks and make sure there is no openings at the floor area during the winter.
Thats how a draft occurs from what I understand, if theress opening at the bottom.
I have wall vents that I can open with hardware cloth covering if its hot out also.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hey guys, all of my chickens are sweet hearts....except for my RIR girls. They are gorgeous, but they bite me, unprovoked. I can be walking through the pasture and they run up and nip my legs. They are mean to the 4 week old too. Any advice? They lay awesome eggs, so no "off with their heads", I just don't get the aggression. I'll trade them for some nice girls if any one wants some pretty RIR's that lay nice eggs, if I can't fix the issue. These are the best pics i have of them. They are so pretty, they are just my only girls who bite me. Even the roosters don't bite like they do.

Pretty girls! My wyandottes sometimes do that too as youngsters. I have learned to gently, but firmly bump the chest letting them know its not ok.

Quote:
If you clean it well with bleach, allow to air dry, in the sun if possible, it won't mildew.
Works great! convenient and keeps insects out.
I had a chest type for years that I stored my dog/cat food in at the animal shelter.
My storage room was not heated there.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Speaking of leg issues.. I have a sweet lil chinese goose in my utility area of our coop. She was injured 3 weeks ago.
Have no idea why or how. They have free run of the full property if I am out with them.
I heard the panic call and went running. she was out in the open grass area by the barn.
Its mowed short and the geese love the clover over there. Her foot was scraped up and she couldn't walk.
(MY geese are MY babies

) I put her in the 2nd bathtub in the house and then got her hatch mate too. they are inseparable.
Poor baby was calling frantically, put both geese in my utility area of the main coop until she is healed. Geese don't accept new flocks easily.
I want them to still see the other geese. They are july goslings and still very young yet and i don't want them to be alienated,.
She has started to walk again and hoping she will fully recover.
We still have about an acre of woods to clear, overgrown and full of junk and metal.
I just know she was hurt over there. My geese climb, jump on things, they have no fear of stuff.

My 4 embden and 4 african goslings are officially flock members today. they free ranged with the other 7 chinese.
There were the usual wing grabbing and WeeweWeeing & woodawoodawooda altercations, but by days end all were nestled and sleeping in a big group

Since my lil sore foot girl and her buddy are doing fine, this weekend they will all move to the "new goose coop".
My pekin were all raised with the goslings but the mom, they are moving in too. Opening space for winter in the main chicken coop.
Over winter I won't hatch but want them all together for warmth and security.
My main coop is covered with chain link and has electric fence. goose coop also so finally, no worries.

jchny~ I love your posts-- they're like reading a storybook! I find myself enthralled with your descriptions of your creatures and their behavior.

There are so many dumped off here, its horrible.

"hey its a farm they need our dog or cat" Any that are I neuter and have vaccinated IF I can catch them.
They do NOT come into the house due to my mom/dads health. After being in animal control the numbers are just depressing to see!
everyone please have your pet fixed if you are not breeding a dog or cat for a purpose. there is so many euthanized its just sickening.
Many of the cats I try to save do not last long. we have too many predators, cats are domestic and not prepared to deal with it.
Most of the dogs are boys, not fixed and aggressive. I have had stray cows and goats too, just depressing.

I hadn't thought about all of the wildlife predators that would snatch a cat, especially if they had a family to feed. It makes me sick to see the daily list of free cats and dogs on craigslist even though they're not supposed to post free animals.

kabhyper~ To me, a draft is at floor level. In the winter, I put plastic around the bottom 2/3 section of the coop/run, but leave the top 1/3 open for ventilation. I also leave the inside door to the coop open year-round for circulation. I don't know if my way is the best way, but it seems to work fine.
gunchief~ Your friendly Cockadoodledoo posts are always nice to see!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Morning All!!

Pepper is the same this morning I made her some eggs and some left over mac n cheese for breakfast. I really appreciate all you kind words and support in this super confusing time. We've decided to wait and watch to see what happens. If she starts to look worse or loses weight we will have to put her down. Her quiality of life is most important to us. About 3 wks ago we let her out of the 20x20 dog run we have their coop in to free range as we do twice a day, she went out fine and came in limping. My son "hawked" them in to the enclosure for me as I stood guard at the door so I assumed he stepped on her which is why we thought it was broken at first. He swears he didnt step on her. To go out fine and come in limping is what is giving me a hard time believing its positively Mareks. However she was still roosting at night with the others. When the examined her she screamed when they messed with her thigh area and sent us home with Meloxicam. I noticed on Wednesday last week she wasnt roosting anymore so it is a bit worse than before. The vet said it seems like she might not feel her foot to use it. Soooo We're just waiting.

What Vet do you all see for your chickens?? Im using Avian Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis (refered by my vet in Lebanon) In the last 6 wks I've spent over $600 on 2 chickens there. One we had to put down from egg peritonitis (woud have been her first egg) and then Pepper. I'd like to compare prices with anyone heres my list- $65 office visit $100 bloodwork $100 xrays $55 to PTS and the vial of medicine was $50 for a weeks worth. I really wanted a Vet that sees farm animals instead of exotic birds. I dont know if that'd make a difference in prices or experiance, im sure it probably wont but I'd love ya'll input on vets.

Again thanks for all the support and Advice!

AmLambson~ When I looked up info, it turned out that being an avian vet is actually a vet who has taken a special avian course. My regular veterinarian clinic, Epperson's in Evansville, has two vets who both have avian training. When I brought Violet there for a leg injury last July, this is what I paid:
Metacam $29.50
X-ray 63.33
Avian Exam 55.25
Total: $148.08
My regular vet office happened to be closed for a meeting when I wanted to have Violet checked again because I knew she wasn't improving. I brought her to Highland Vet Clinic to Dr. Gormley who had avian training and is also a wild bird rehabilitator. When he advised me to have her put to sleep because it was clear that she would not improve, he said he'd just charge me $30 for the visit/euthanasia. I hadn't said anything about cost, but I think he just felt like a person shouldn't be charged as much for a chicken patient.