INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

It has already started snowing here. Not sure how long, I just know it has been since I woke up.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

[COLOR=A52A2A]Update on Jersey[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]~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.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]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. [/COLOR]

Oh, dear, dear! Let me start by saying I've had a few hens with what I'm going to suggest, so it may just be that I'm seeing it in your Jersey because of that.

You say she is pigeon-toed and walks funny, is she kind of waddling? Is she standing kind of funny with her feet wider apart than usual? Is she moping a lot, just standing around with her eyes closed? Has her comb wilted and maybe turned pale and dusky? Is her breastbone sticking out like she's losing weight when she doesn't feel any lighter than usual? The fact that she hasn't laid in so long coupled with what you're describing--depending on how you answer my questions--makes me think internal laying with the onset of egg yolk peritonitis. Like I said, though, I have lost a few hens to this, so I may just be seeing it as a result.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

lots of snow here.

 

[bradselig]

Lots here as well! I woke up and nothing new was on the ground. Was hoping the storm changed directions or something as they said to expect 1" over night. Thats not the case though lol. Started about 7 this morning and already abiut 3" of new snow

 

[kabhyper1]

M2H Give her a epsom salt soak. A nice warm bath may help. Jules was like that a month ago, and she had the squishy gut and all. I thought she had water belly, after her bath and blow dry, I checked on her and she had passed egg yolk and park of a soft shell. Epson salt baths help them to pass that stuff sometimes.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh, dear, dear! Let me start by saying I've had a few hens with what I'm going to suggest, so it may just be that I'm seeing it in your Jersey because of that.

You say she is pigeon-toed and walks funny, is she kind of waddling? Is she standing kind of funny with her feet wider apart than usual? Is she moping a lot, just standing around with her eyes closed? Has her comb wilted and maybe turned pale and dusky? Is her breastbone sticking out like she's losing weight when she doesn't feel any lighter than usual? The fact that she hasn't laid in so long coupled with what you're describing--depending on how you answer my questions--makes me think internal laying with the onset of egg yolk peritonitis.

Like I said, though, I have lost a few hens to this, so I may just be seeing it as a result.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Armorfirelady here on byc shared how she got a wreath storage container on clearance to make a winter dustbin. I already use a shallow storage bin but decided to pick up one of the wreath storage bins too and I'm really glad I did! You can use both sides of it so it's like getting 2 for the price of one...



I put it out today and only used 1/2 but ended up getting out both sides. I put it under the sun canopy and will take it back inside in about half hour so it doesn't get full of snow. Nice thin about it is that you can just dump it all in one side and put the lid on and store it until the next time! I would have put both sides out sooner but didn't have enough peat moss for both sides really, as my bag was getting low. I use a mixture of peat moss and wood ash. For mite/lice prevention.

The 3 top girls got in right away.


There was a waiting line.



A fourth tried to join them.

Didn't last long however...they chased her out pretty much right away.


Mister stands guard.



Finally got out the other half. Wish I'd had more peat moss. I'll be getting a couple more bags for the shelf soon.

Portable to move around to different pens and easy to store too! (I should be a salesperson.)

 

[kabhyper1]

Hey guys, can we use our salamander heater in our barn with the chickens in there? We used it last year for the alpacas and they were fine. We crack the big garage door for ventilation. We only run it for a half hour at a time. It doesn't put off fumes that we can smell, but I wasn't sure about the chickens. It plugs into the wall and runs on kerosene k-1.

 

[Leahs Mom]

It's continuing to drop snow. Seems like about 1"/15 minutes or so.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Armorfirelady here on byc shared how she got a wreath storage container on clearance to make a winter dustbin. I already use a shallow storage bin but decided to pick up one of the wreath storage bins too and I'm really glad I did! You can use both sides of it so it's like getting 2 for the price of one...



I put it out today and only used 1/2 but ended up getting out both sides. I put it under the sun canopy and will take it back inside in about half hour so it doesn't get full of snow. Nice thin about it is that you can just dump it all in one side and put the lid on and store it until the next time! I would have put both sides out sooner but didn't have enough peat moss for both sides really, as my bag was getting low. I use a mixture of peat moss and wood ash. For mite/lice prevention.

The 3 top girls got in right away.


There was a waiting line.



A fourth tried to join them.

Didn't last long however...they chased her out pretty much right away.


Mister stands guard.



Finally got out the other half. Wish I'd had more peat moss. I'll be getting a couple more bags for the shelf soon.

Portable to move around to different pens and easy to store too! (I should be a salesperson.)

Thats a great idea! looks like they are enjoyign it too.