INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[hogster160]

Hogster..

This is what I'm doing right now...may change my mind if I after more experience or learning so that's the disclaimer...

After reading Fresh Air Poultry Houses and getting a bit better understanding of how that all works, I have decided to only allow openings on one side of the hen shed during the winter unless it is very high up (like gable vents) and I don't even really want those open on both ends to be honest.

Based on what works in the fresh air houses, having openings on one side still allows enough air exchange but avoids a rushing wind blowing through there causing a wind chill factor.

So...that's what I'm doing right now for winter. In the summer, of course, everything possible is open.

Ive closed the south side eve vents today, might have to close the west and east too then. I do want some air blowing in to clear out the humidity. But with a dew point of 77 atm, even if I close it all up, I won't be able to accomplish a lot. Its just to darn humid here. Might close up the west side and keep the north and east open. Try and cause a swirl to force the air out. IDK. Its driving me crazy though. My humidity reader just shows low med and high. Its showing in the high range. I may get a new one today. Something digital so I know where its at.

OH...and I do feed and water inside. Always have with no humidity issues. And the feed is wet (ff). This year I have 2 feed pans and 2 waterers inside; 3 of them are on heating bases to keep from freezing.

My rooster boy was starting to get a bit of discoloration on the very tip top of his comb when it was windchills below 0 but there is not any humidity build up inside. I restrict the openings on the waterers so that they can't drag their wattles through the water. His VERY LARGE wattles stay on the outside of the waterer while his beak goes in. No sign of frostbite on the wattles at all.


And....every time I see "hogster" I think of a couple of Harleys

Not having any trouble atm with wattles thank goodness, but comb tips on 2 are discolored. One more so than the other as its a larger comb. I just feel so bad for them, I want to fix this now, and everything I've done to fix it doesn't seem to have done anything. The reader shows it dropped some, but still in the "high" zone. I don't want to totally close things off, but I may have to and adjust opening from there. But at the same time with the humidity as high as it is, I may just have to deal with it. Because I sure can't make it less humid inside than it is outside. Unless I take a de-humidifier out there.

DH and I have rode motorcycles for years. Since dating lol, so some 32+ years. We have a harley, but barely ride anymore these days. I much prefer the convertible. Much more comfortable!

 

[goodb]

Okay, I apparently have run out of luck for the year. I just got a 'red screen of death' on my laptop, which means it is doomed. Everything I have saved to it is gone. Pictures, stories I've written-- including a 40 chapter story I had finally been editing for its final draft!

Kaput. I am so frustrated and upset. There are things on this computer that I have no backup for. And now I only have my phone to work with if I want to check in here!

Sorry, rant over. Just... Ugh!

It's not as bad as you think. There are ways to get into the hard drive and save your files. I've seen it suggested in another post that you can contact places local that should be able to help. If not, contact me.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So is that how you got your name?

Yah, this cold is very frustrating. And I know the guy that I have has the tip top of his starting to discolor some. Only going by what I've read they always seem to say to put an oil-based dressing on it. Aoxa (BYC member) was treating a frostbite last year using coconut oil and has been really happy with it. But she was treating feet of a bird that accidentally fell into a water bowl and she brought that bird into the house and had to keep her in quite some time as she lost a good part of her feet.

Seems to me that coconut oil is kind-of thin and it absorbs really quickly too so I don't know if it would help outside or not. I've thought of coconut oil and all the other thicker stuff like the bag balm, etc. But I like to stay away from mineral oil as it can absorb and leach oil soluble vitamins out of the system which isn't a good thing especially during the winter. If it was bad and nothing else was working, however, I'd sure try it.

There are some nice salves that are beeswax/oliveoil/based with various herbs that I think I might try. The main thing is not to use a water base but an oil base to help seal out the cold and help healing.

I think when I get some time I might look around and see what they use on humans w/fb. That might give some insite.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Interesting in Fishers, IN:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841925/dumped-ducks-fishers-in

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Two things I've learned in regards to my computer and computers in general over the course of the morning:

First, like with our own symptoms or those our birds exhibit, Googling computer problems will probably convince you that things are much, MUCH worse than they actually are.

Second, my computer is fine now--all I had to do was plug it into its charger and it booted up like nothing. Thanks to everyone that quelled my fears as I suffered through a morning of thinking my computer was doomed! I'm okay now!


Posted from my beloved laptop, whose importance to my life I am now very much aware of.

 

[bradselig]

If anyone is needing fencing, Lowes is clearancing out 4' x50' chainlink item# 386410. Price will vary by store but my store has it for $20 a roll right now. It also kooks like they are doing a reset on farm fencing so may have other types (2x4 welded wire for example) also clearanced. My store has already sold out of old stuff so not sure Iif they marked down the price on it or not.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Interesting in Fishers, IN:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841925/dumped-ducks-fishers-in

WOW but glad to see it ended on good terms.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Two things I've learned in regards to my computer and computers in general over the course of the morning:

First, like with our own symptoms or those our birds exhibit, Googling computer problems will probably convince you that things are much, MUCH worse than they actually are.

Second, my computer is fine now--all I had to do was plug it into its charger and it booted up like nothing.

Thanks to everyone that quelled my fears as I suffered through a morning of thinking my computer was doomed! I'm okay now!


Posted from my beloved laptop, whose importance to my life I am now very much aware of.

That is great news!

I’m sure you’ll buy an external hard drive to back up your files. Either that, or hope Santa brings you a Mac with Time Machine (automatice back ups).

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Me too.

I thought it was a very interesting idea on using the ducks too.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Me too.

I thought it was a very interesting idea on using the ducks too.

Agreed! My brother is in a nice apartment complex in greenfield, they have tons of domestics in the pond.
It is in the center, and the apartments encircle and overlook the lake.
Its very attractive, and well maintained. The residents all feed the birds, and enjoy them very much.