Healing thoughts for Frou-frou.
@jchny2000
the quote didn't post, but I'm sorry to hear about your losses. It's hard anytime, but when it's a special bird....
So far no losses to the cold. I had a couple of tarps come down with this last snow and some unhappy peeps under them. Thought I had angled them enough but this one was so wet and heavy. Nobody hurt, though, and all have been re-rigged. Generally if I just unfasten the low side of the tarp the precip will either run off or can be knocked off easily. Have to rethink my tactics.
Thanks for the thoughts for Frou-Frou.
She's doing well thus far. Mom spent a good half hour just cleaning the gunk out of her feathers around the wound, and it looks a lot better than it did initially. We're keeping it dressed and clean and keeping a close eye on it.
Poor Frou'f is being abused, though. She had to sit in--GASP--a dog crate while I was in class today. Oh, the humanity! She was honk-honk-honking and happy to see me when I got home.
No losses to the cold here, either, thank goodness, but my room is beginning to look like a barn with the three winter refugees in it.
I've had one hen, Georgie, with frostbite bad enough that she's lost all of her comb tips. Looks like Kit-kit has a mild case of frostbite going on the back of her GIANT comb, too, and my Light Brown Leghorn, Whiri, has one point that is darkish. Everyone else looks good, though! I'm surprised with as cold as it has been for as long as it's been that we aren't seeing any other problems! Right now, I'm also really glad I went with a dirt floor in the coop addition, because the girls have been loving the year-round dust bath availability!
Had to add a second birthing pen in the garage/maternity ward! Our 4yr old Dixie is due tomorrow and she is showing signs today. I'm betting on twins with her. Any takers?? Lol
I'm betting you're going to be up to your neck in goat babies before long!
Good luck to the mommies!
One last post... Some of us are so intrigued by our poultry, waterfowl and livestock we have begun looking at other breeds. If you open your mind to whats out there, a lot of good heritage breed animals have been forgotten. Some of us are making an effort to keep and preserve even one of them. Here is a list from the Livestock Conservancy that may trigger a breed you didn't know about, and might consider keeping.
http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list
If you have a desire to add to your flock, or your farm, why not take a look? After looking at this 2 years ago, Midget White Turkey became a priority for me. Household sizes are dwindling, and a smaller bird is easier to cook, frequently. They are exceptional at free ranging and foraging, and keep easier, like an average chicken, just bigger! Its not the same to process a younger turkey, I wont go into the details but a heritage poult is still developing bones, not muscle until they reach 8 months to a year old.
Modern game became of interest to me last year thanks to @bradselig
and I adore them. I currently only keep bantam.
So many lovely breeds on there. Surprisingly, not as many on my "want list" as I expected, though! I'm mostly into the landraces, I suppose. I do love Hollands, Nankins, Cochins, and bitty banty OEGs and Sebrights!
And let me just take this opportunity to give another shout out to my favorite breed, which also happens to be on the 'Threatened' list.
Save the Dorkings! Look at their sweet faces, they deserve it!
Total of 3 silkies and 3 showgirls! I had 100% development on these shipped eggs (bought 6, received 8, all 8 made it to lockdown). It looks like only 6 will hatch, but can't complain! Here are 2 of the 3 little uglies!
Look at these precious babies!
How could
anyone call them ugly?
Edited for a typo
She has had a slow start, even with oyster shell, we had 3 soft eggs so I let her be until the eggs gained some size. Her egg is now the same size as my OEGB so its time! I am sooo excited! What percentage will my pair hatch, Johnny being blue splash and Frankie being black?
Don't mind me, Slowpoke over here.
