INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Ardizzone7]

[COLOR=A52A2A]Advice about my Jersey please![/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Ok,[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]kabhyper[/COLOR][COLOR=8B4513], 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.[/COLOR]

I am not sure what it is but I had a RIR with the same thing. We don't have an Poultry vet near us so we just let her live with it. She never seemed to be in pain. She lived about 6 months then finally died. The balloon area was filled with a greenish liquid. Gross I know but thought that might give you some insight as to what is going on. Sorry it isn't happy insight.

 

[Kiniska]

Brad, lovely babies!
M2H, so sorry to hear about your Jersey. You have had some less than great luck this year. Big hugs.

 

[browncow15]

Just wanted to say hello! I'm still here! Dealing with some health/family issues post Christmas. Hoping everyone stays warm enough in the upcoming weather!!

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Bocephus my buck... he has really grown up!

Canadians doing their daily circle around our yard


MOMMY where is my bottle!


Ummm .... bottle???


OOOOOO yummy the crunchy stuff!


Bottle>!?!?!?


what a goof!
He thought he needed 4 bottles today!!!

Adorable little fella!

Down here in the South:

Saturday 42 and sunny!

Sunday: 6-10" of snow

Monday
high of 1
low of -8

Tuesday
high of 14
low of 9

Wow! You're gonna have a heat wave compared to us! We finally bought a generator this morning. Hopefully we won't need it, but it's nice to know we won't be stuck without our water/well, septic and other things. I sure am dreading the next couple of days & can't wait for Wednesday. Wind chill temps predicted for Monday to be -30 to - 40!!!! Beautiful day today, though...

 

[Mother2Hens]

I am not sure what it is but I had a RIR with the same thing. We don't have an Poultry vet near us so we just let her live with it. She never seemed to be in pain. She lived about 6 months then finally died. The balloon area was filled with a greenish liquid. Gross I know but thought that might give you some insight as to what is going on. Sorry it isn't happy insight.

Ardizzone ~ Thank you for letting me know about your similar situation! It makes me want to get her checked at as soon as I can get her in.

Update on Jersey ~I meant to specify that the "balloon" area is about the size of my hand when it's cupped around the area. It doesn't feel like a tightly blown up balloon; it's more like a filled water balloon. That sounds even worse when compared to your RIR's fluid filled area. When I mentioned that I noticed she was dragging for a few days, I think the weight is slowing her down and one of her feet is slightly pigeon-toed when she walks like the ballooned area makes it more difficult to walk normally.

She slept all night in the room with me, and woke me up with her cute conversational sounds she makes. Luckily, I have 3 avian vets all within 5 mins. from my house. I had hoped to to have Jersey evaluated by the vet who is also a wildlife bird rehabilitator. I was impressed with him when I had Violet, my lavender orp, put to sleep. However, they were closed so I hope to bring her in this week when the snow clears. Meanwhile, I was concerned about letting Jersey go back out because of the change in temps from being in the house. Luckily it was in the 40s and sunny out, but I wasn't sure what to do so I called one of the other vets. Interestingly enough, she said, "If you have heat in your coop, she'll be fine." -- as though it she assumed I had heat. (The vet has chickens, too). Anyway, Jersey seemed fine and was back on the perch this evening.

Weather Preparations ~ We don't have any snow on the ground, but the impending storm sounds like a reenactment of Dec.5th's storm: Rain starting tonight, turning to freezing rain until around 2:00pm when the snow begins. Layers of ice covered by snow makes everything more difficult. DH and I are trying an experiment: Using large tarps,we covered the area from in front of the chicken coop across to the garage back door then up a few steps to the deck sliding glass door where they like to look in to see us. We're hoping that after the snow has ended on Monday morning, we can pull back the tarps, so the chickens don't have to deal with walking on snow and ice. What will most likely happen is that the tarps will be frozen to the ground and covered in ice and snow since it will be -5 degrees! We did think of Plan B by purchasing some straw today to make paths over the snow if needed.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I posted this on the NCK thread but thought I'd put it here too.

Just read a very interesting article on antibiotic-resistant bacteria which is an excerpt from the book: Herbal Antibiotics.

Very much worth reading with an brief description of how it is affecting our water supplies, a brief history of antibiotic use, etc. not only in human medicine but in factory farming. It has made me want to buy the book which is about herbal antibiotics and how they work differently than pharmaseuticals.

Quote: Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-antibiotics-defense-zm0z13djzsor.aspx#ixzz2pUt136om

Another reason you should be glad you're raising your own chickens naturally!
​

Thought y'all would be interested in taking a look:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...ense-zm0z13djzsor.aspx?PageId=1#axzz2pUf48KYY

 

[Mother2Hens]

Almost 24 hrs later...

bradselig ~ That is so cool!! I'll take that gray one whatever it is. lol What breeds do you have there? I'm sure you've mention it, but you have so many chicken hatches, purchases, sales, wheeling and dealing that I can't keep up!
bradselig posted: I got everyone moved around and ready to go! Hoping it won't be as bad as they say.
bradselig ~ Our snow totals expected have lowered from 10 to 3 inches --even if it's on top of ice. And the predicted lows have gone from -8 to -5
Peaceful Walls posted: Wow! You're gonna have a heat wave compared to us! We finally bought a generator this morning. Hopefully we won't need it, but it's nice to know we won't be stuck without our water/well, septic and other things. I sure am dreading the next couple of days & can't wait for Wednesday. Wind chill temps predicted for Monday to be -30 to - 40!!!! Beautiful day today, though...
PeacefulWalls~ Yes, the wind is the worst! The chickens hate any big winds-- warm or cold. I'm sure you know this, but we have a generator and fumes can be deadly to humans and chickens/animals. Make sure your creatures aren't down wind from it. Hopefully you won't have to use it.
SallyinIndiana ~ As far as feeding your flock leftovers-- raw chicken especially-- I'd be afraid that it would get scattered around and a couple days later a chicken might find a rotten piece or a moldy piece to eat. I don't know, I'm not questioning you doing it-- I'm just wondering what your method is so you don't have to worry about it. When I feed mine food other than their usual chicken food,-- (and I've fed them cooked chicken and cooked eggs)-- I put it on plates, supervise them, and make sure every bit is cleaned up. But I just have 7 chickens, so it's easier for me. I'm especially worried about food getting moldy since it's so toxic, but I also don't want scraps around to lure predators. I don't give mine leftovers from our meals because I'm sure that salt and other spices would be at higher, unhealthful levels in their small bodies. We eat mostly healthful food, but it's not always as pure and natural as it should be.

I've wondered about this issue for a long time since many members have said that they feed their flock leftovers: How do others go about it to avoid potential problems of leftovers "left" in the yard?

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

bradselig ~ That is so cool!! I'll take that gray one whatever it is. lol What breeds do you have there? I'm sure you've mention it, but you have so many chicken hatches, purchases, sales, wheeling and dealing that I can't keep up!
bradselig posted: I got everyone moved around and ready to go! Hoping it won't be as bad as they say.
bradselig ~ Our snow totals expected have lowered from 10 to 3 inches --even if it's on top of ice. And the predicted lows have gone from -8 to -5
Peaceful Walls posted: Wow! You're gonna have a heat wave compared to us! We finally bought a generator this morning. Hopefully we won't need it, but it's nice to know we won't be stuck without our water/well, septic and other things. I sure am dreading the next couple of days & can't wait for Wednesday. Wind chill temps predicted for Monday to be -30 to - 40!!!! Beautiful day today, though...
PeacefulWalls~ Yes, the wind is the worst! The chickens hate any big winds-- warm or cold. I'm sure you know this, but we have a generator and fumes can be deadly to humans and chickens/animals. Make sure your creatures aren't down wind from it. Hopefully you won't have to use it.
SallyinIndiana ~ As far as feeding your flock leftovers-- raw chicken especially-- I'd be afraid that it would get scattered around and a couple days later a chicken might find a rotten piece or a moldy piece to eat. I don't know, I'm not questioning you doing it-- I'm just wondering what your method is so you don't have to worry about it. When I feed mine food other than their usual chicken food,-- (and I've fed them cooked chicken and cooked eggs)-- I put it on plates, supervise them, and make sure every bit is cleaned up. But I just have 7 chickens, so it's easier for me. I'm especially worried about food getting moldy since it's so toxic, but I also don't want scraps around to lure predators. I don't give mine leftovers from our meals because I'm sure that salt and other spices would be at higher, unhealthful levels in their small bodies. We eat mostly healthful food, but it's not always as pure and natural as it should be.

I've wondered about this issue for a long time since many members have said that they feed their flock leftovers: How do others go about it to avoid potential problems of leftovers "left" in the yard?

I don't all the time, but when i do fed leftovers, I don't have to worry about there being anything left from the leftovers. The little scavengers eat it all. I don't give them stuff, that has things that can't be ate, such as bones.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Its very thick and dense! It looks life it would be stiff but he is real soft.
This is about the closest I get to him right now tho, he is one stinky buck!

I check his hooves once a week, give him a good looking over and can't wait til I can wash up after.

Quote: And I can definitely recommend them! they are some chubby quail too, my biggest boy is nearly 14 oz!!!

Quote: Thanks! Ugh I know. I will probably be a basket case for a week. He has been a total stinker and I just love him!
DH wants to keep a dairy cow now. He is really enjoying petting Ribeye and "mooing contests" too.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Depending on the amount of snow we get on Sunday, I'm thinking of asking DH to take off work if his work does not close. I'm not looking forward to walking water out there every hour. By the time I got done watering all of the pens and warmed up it would be time to make another round. I already go out every 2-3 hours to try and avoid frozen eggs. I'm planning on frozen eggs for those days.
You aren't kidding! I did finally get a stock tank heater, TSC price matched RK. So it was $24.99

I have a 55 gallon drum cut in half, and its working out beautiful for my goats and cow.
That's been the biggest watering chore, 6-8 gallons a day easily, they go through a lot even in winter.
So its just the 3 coops, and then my boys in the livestock trailer (Bo and Wilbur).
Each boy has opposite ends, divider in the middle. After the cold spell is over, Wilbur goes back out to pasture tho!

Quote: Roosters can be pretty mean. I do love australorps, they are fantastic layers! RIR I hear are also, I am on breed overload tho