INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Advice about my Jersey please!
Ok, kabhyper, I am as weird as you are. I am sleeping in a spare bedroom and my Jersey Giant is in a rubbermaid box on the floor next to me! I have been a little concerned about her the past few days kind of dragging a little. I've had to clean stuck poop off of her three times, so I kept a sample to take to the vet. I looked at the poop sites, and it looks normal. I've noticed when I wash her that the area under her fluff (see diagram) feels like a balloon. I can't remember if that is normal or not. She doesn't lay, so I don't think an egg would be the culprit. It's either normal or it's cancer! (from looking at sites) When I checked on the chickens this evening, she was in a nesting box and seemed to be breathing a little hard. Despite my heat emitter lamp, it's still very cold in there. I just had "mother's intuition" that I shouldn't leave her out there, so I brought her in, cleaned/blew dry her fluffy region. I'll see if I can get in with the vet on Saturday. I just don't like not knowing if she's ok or not.

I hope Jersey is okay!

Kroger had plenty! Meijer, marsh and walmart were all empty. Milk bread and EGGS were gone at all but krogers.
Being friday, DH and DD both stop and get grocery and feed on the way home.
Both said it was terribly crazy at all the stores.
I keep a dry storage pantry so we usually dont need a lot, DH asked me if we need a dairy cow for milk..
I told him sure if its a brown swiss! They are just too sweet.

Our only grocery stores in town are walmart and Kroger. I know walmart always goes out first, seems everyone forgets about the other! You should get a brown swiss, they are my favorites!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

FYI- Lowes company wide has decided to clearance their pet supplies at 75% off. Not all stores carry this assortment of pet supplies, mines does not. But it is supposed to include pet food, treats, and toys, flea and tick, and pet accessories. It does not include dog kennels, dog houses, pet doors, radio fencing, and promotional products.

Of course the store I go to doesn't carry that stuff.

Pip'd, I agree with what you say. If they have never had heat, it's not a good idea to start, especially if the heat goes out. I've read multiple sources that say full grown chickens are fine even in negative double digits, as long as they are away from wind/drafts. I have no problem with ours in their Ft. Knox coop, the pop door is shut, and plenty of roof ventilation. I do need to make the water dish better to prevent freezing the next few days tho.
No, silly, the reason all those warning stickers are on devices is from the lawyers. Without lawyers trying to bring lawsuits from one's own stupidity (like the hot coffee incident), we would be sticker free! I think of this every time I see warning labels. At least I know not to do what others have done, when I read those labels and instantly tear them off.

Yes, I am one of those who take off the label that says ''Do Not Remove".

Getting ready for the deep chill, and oh yeah, Go Colts!

I take off the labels too. They are annoying.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Our predicted weather just keeps getting colder. My bantams aren't going to be very happy chickens.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: I won't completely waste them. I'll feed them back to the younger chickens by mixing it in with other scraps and a handful or two of dry feed. Kind of a do it yourself scratch once I toss it all around them.

 

[kabhyper1]

Okay so after being outside all day, we are finally ready. Hope everyone else stays safe and warm!
Biggins are in the barn with the alpacas. It isn't heated, but it is a 32x50 ft ploe barn, so hopefully frost bite won't be an issue. Lots of ventilation from the size, no drafts.

The pacas are ready too. Nice thick bedding and lots of hay. The chickens are behind them. Where that hammock is hanging. I think they should be warm enough. The only thing for us is we will have to clean paca poop put of the barn now that the doors are closed.

 

[minmin1258]

Lol I know I'm new at this but there's something about feeding eggs to chickens that kinda goes against my better judgement. That's like feeding cows beef tallo...they say that's what may have caused Mad Cow disease. My chickens are "Mad" enough without making them cannibals. Roflmao

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Lol I know I'm new at this but there's something about feeding eggs to chickens that kinda goes against my better judgement. That's like feeding cows beef tallo...they say that's what may have caused Mad Cow disease. My chickens are "Mad" enough without making them cannibals. Roflmao

I have fed my chickens chicken. They love it! They don't know what they are eating, they just know it tastes good. . Plus feeding eggs is a good source of protein for them

 

[bradselig]

I got everyone moved around and ready to go! Hoping it won't be as bad as they say.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Lol I know I'm new at this but there's something about feeding eggs to chickens that kinda goes against my better judgement. That's like feeding cows beef tallo...they say that's what may have caused Mad Cow disease. My chickens are "Mad" enough without making them cannibals. Roflmao

It was strange for me at first too. More so before my first hens started laying. I would have second thoughts every time I saw a chick pictured eating scrambled eggs. Then a few of those first eggs were very soft shelled. And of all things the hens just ate the raw egg and even the flimsy shell. I didn't have to cook the egg or dry and crumble the shell, the chickens just went right after it.

As for feeding scrap chicken to chicken, I do it after all my chickens eat field mice too. Now raw chicken I'm not real big on feeding back to the flock yet but it is growing on me. The cat typically runs off with a head or two on processing days. Last time he dragged a head back into the chicken free ranging area and it was war between 6 chickens and one cat. Picture Garfield with a pan of lasagna not sharing.

As for the cow thing, I think it was a specific part of the cow being eaten by the other cows that caused the issue. Can't recall what part though.

 

[bradselig]

Almost 24 hrs later...